SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 52

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, April 8. This year there has been a very general desire among shopkeepers to close ior the four davs of Easter holidays, and except for a few meroers, practically none of the shops will open, all making Thursday night tCe late night instead of Saturday. It wats feared that this would be regarded as an infringement of the law, but a telegram sent to Hon. Mr Hanan, secured immunity from proceedings. Business is extremely good in many lines, tailors and dressmakers having been unable to take tester orders for a long time past. 1 tie grocery business has also been extremely brisk, one big merchant remarking that he was quite as busy as on Christmas Eve. The universal closing has ltd to a great demand for accommodation at Stewart Island, and bookings by the Theresa Ward are unusually heavy. Given good weather, which is none too certain, this promises to be a record holiday season for outings. ( The recently-formed Accountant Students Society has already got under way. A good committee has been elected, and a fine syllabus prepared, some of the leading solicitors, accountants, and bank managers having undertaken to give lectures. The membership at present is 24, but it. should be possible to work it up to 50. The secretary is Mr George Heigh way, care Ma' J. T-. Prain, Allen's Hall, Kelvin street. Mr P. L. Gilkison, who is about to leave Invercavgill on an extended holiday 'rir>, was entertained by the North End Bowlim? Club and other bowlers on Wednesday evening. During the evening a presentation was made to Mr Gilkison, and complimentary speeches were made by quite a number of his fellow-bowlers. The Invercargill Borough Council have declined the proposals made by the Otataia Land Proprietary regarding the laying of a tramway to Riverton Beach. It is probable that the proposal will be revived when the reclamation scheme is completed. Mr S. M'Gaw, who has sold his. farm at Longbush and is leaving the district, was entertained at a farewell social on Tuesday evening and presented with a case of pipes and a tobacco pouch. Mr James Sinclair, who has been a resident of Mataura for about 40 years, and built many of the principal buildings in tho township, died on Sunday last at the age of 74. In the case of Sheriff v. Macdonald, a claim for damages arising out of a collision with a motor car, in which Sheriff's horse was injured, Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., gave a verdict in favour of the plaintiff for £69 2s 6d and costs. Mr Andrew Bain, who is a candidate for the Mayoralty of Invercargill, addressed a meeting" of ratepayers in tho Victoria Hall on Wednesday, and expressed himself as strongly in favour of a gravitation supply of water for the town, and thought it should have taken precedence of both sewerage and trams, though lie was in favour of both these services. The only other candidate is Mr \V. B. Scandrett, The terrible distress at Home occasioned by the colliers' strike is evoking a good deal of sympathy in Invercargill, and subscriptions are flowing in freely. Every penny is badly needed, as children arc dying of starvation at an appalling rate.

Mr G. L. Bush who has been 41 veai's officer in charge of the local Telegraph Department, it? about to bo retired on superannuation. Mr Bu«b lias been in the Government service for 45 years, and is still four years short of the retiring age of 65 years. The takings on the Invercargill trams Lave so far averaged about £4O a day, although not moro than half tlie milage is open for traffic. As about £SO a day would pay expenses, it is now hoped that when the whole system is in operation the trams will pay a profit. Invercargill snowed its appreciation of the honour done itis parliamentary representative, _Hon. J. A. Hanan. by according him a civic reception on his* arrival by the evening express on Thursday. He was met at the station by the Mayor and several councillors, and was played to the Tost Ollice square by the Hibernian Bond. At the rotunda ho received the Mayor's congratulations on behalf of the people of Invercargill. Mr Wm. Macalister also congratulated him on behalf of the Southland Education Board and the Southland High Schools Board. The Invercargill Pipe Band are initiating o movement to get up a public subscription to procure them new uniforms, at a Co.st of £250. The present uniforms have been in use for about 14 years. Two young men were on Wednesday charged at the Police Court with refusing to take the oath of allegiance in the Territorial service. One agreed to take the optional oath, but would not serve. The charge against him was dismissed. The other declined to take the oath, and was fined £5 audi costs. A woman named Anderson, residing at Rimu, was charged at the Police Court, Invercargill, on Wednesday with practising as a midwife not being licensed. Defendant, who had previously been warned that she was breaking the law, pleaded that i-he did not take payment, although she accepted presents. The magistrate said he would look into the question of whether the law had been broken, since no payment bad been made. During the financial year ended 31st, March buildings to the value of £154,C00 have been erected in Invercargill. Mr John Campbell, of the sawmilling firm •of Leggat and Campbell, took the following prizes at the Owaka tsporte:—First Champion Sawing, first 13m Standing Block Chop, first Married Men's Pace, first Tiltinsr. second Handicap Sawiner from scratch, j-Viird in 22in Chop, third Committeemen's Race. Mr JoT"i M'Donnld. who has represented Messrs Wright. Stephenson, nrd Co. at Winton for some years past, and has now been transferred to Inveroaririll. v 'ns entertained at a jmioke concert at Winton on Wednesday evening; and presented with a handsome gold watch.