SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3006, 25 October 1911, Page 52

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

(Fkom, Ottr Own GoEK.ESPON-DE'Nv.lf • INVERCARGILL, October 23. There-was a, big attendance of land speculators- and ' others at Holloway's rooms, Esk street, when about 40 sections in Colingwood:: were offered for sale by auction. About a dozen of- the sections were sold under the hammer, but others have since been sold privately. The prices realised ranged from £65 to £129. some 'of--the sections beingl-6-acre and none over -J,-acre. I understand that preparations for a start with the railway proposed by Messrs. Mora and' Sons, Riverton, have now been completed and that operations will ; be commenced soon. Mrs J. R. Nuttall, of Riverton, who is to be working foreman, took up several trucks of sleepers during the week.

Mr S. F. Crane, of Christchurch, has been appointed to the position of carshed foreman on the Invercargill Tramways staff. There were eighteen applicants for the position. .... The fact that the '' .'Government has placed £IQ,COO on this year's estimates for beginning a light railway from Winton to Heddon Bush, and £SOOO for an. extension of the Waiau railway from Tuatapere towards Orawi.a is not pausing much jubilation in the districts concerned as it is generally regarded as a»s particularly thin electioneering dodge. A good deal of discussion has been caused° in 'lnvercargill and Bluff during the past week by the supposed discovery of a dangerous ledge of rock in the channel at Bluff harbour These rocks ars really not in the channel at all. but lOOft away, and are covered with 20ft of water even at low tide. The Rev. H. H. Barton, who has- been minister of Limestone Plains for some years past, and has now received and accepted a. call to Maori Hill, Dunedin, : was on Monday last presented by the Fairfax Literary and Debating Socitey, of which he has been president with a silver fruit dish and a pair of gold sleeve links .in recognition of his very valuable services to the society of which be was the mainstay. The presentation was made by Mr M'Kinnon, vice-president. Mv Eustace Russell, who has been connected with "the Southland Acclimatisation Society for many yeairs in several capacities, as member of council; as secretary, and as : solicitor, has now been elected president in sucession to Mr W. A- Stout, who recently resigned. s '■■■:■ M«r. Thomas H. Watson, .who organised the recent very successful re-union of old members of the Invercargill Football Club, was, a few days ago, presented with -a' beautifully-chased gold pendant by those who were- connected with him in that function, in recognition of his enthusiastic and successful efforts in working up the banquetThe. Primitive Methodist Synod .has been meeting in the Don Street Church during the week, and on Wednesday evening most of the visitors were present at

the anniversary of the Don' street con- . gregati.m. Most encouraging reports were submitted by the treasurer and the sscretary, and Messrs George and Albert Frog- I gatt The former gentleman, who has been connected with the congregation since its inception about fifty years ago, remarked in the course of his address that be was now the sole survivor oi the founders of the church.

Mr Donald Ross the pioneer photographer of Southland, died- at his residence, Jnglewood, East road, on Tuesday last, at the age of 'BO years. Mr Ross carried on the business of a photographer in Tay street till, about a year ago, when he , sold, -out and . retired to a property just off the East road. During his many years'- residence in InvercargiH Mr Ross has made a specialty- of scenery .photos, and in. search of beauty spots he did .a lot'o f exploring among our grand lake and mountain scenery, and his photos were m great demaiid'fbr the jfhwtration- pages of the great weekly papers. During the past "week efforts have been ma.d«. ,to induce. Mr..Tboibas. Fleming, the well-known flourmiller, -to contest the Invereargill seat in Parliament,; bat without sueeoss. So far the only candidates announced are Mr J. A. Hanan, the sitting member, and Mr H. -F-arrant, the Labour candidate. For Wallace there are three candidates, Messrs J.. C. Thomson,' the present member, James King, and Allan Carmichael, and for Awarua,. Sir Joseph Ward; Messrs .'J. R. Hamilton, and W. A. Morris. In the Mataura electorate the sitting member r - Mr G. Jv Anderson, is opposed by Mr John Mac Gibbon. ■';'- Mr F. Digby Smith, late manager of the Union S.S. Company, at Bluff r before leaving for Oamaru, of which branch be feas. tieen appointed ..manager, was presented by the Bluff. Bowling Club, of which he was secretary, with a handsome travelling bag in recognition: o£ his services to the club. The presentation was made hy Mr' R. A. Crmcksbank, president. , Mr James Simpson, the National Mort-o-age and Agency Company's, assistant auctioneer, who was incapacitated a week ago by being kicked by a horse, has recovered and resumed his duties. Mr Alex. Pyper, who was a valuer in the Government Valuation Department for some pears and was formerly a fanner .at Otautaiu, died at his residence, Richfnond Grove, on. Saturday. -■ • j Mr A. Morrison, who has been canvasser for the Southland News Company for some time, a.nd left to-day to take up the position of DoxneeKn manager for Messrs. Gordon - and Goteh,. was before leaving, present && by tbe - News staff -with a handsome traveling bag. ; ,--.-• '•'•*-