SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3033, 1 May 1912, Page 48

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

(JTr om Ona Owk Correspondent) INVERCARGILL, April 29. Sergeant Bingham and several constables made a raid on the premises of a secondhand dealer named Mr Watt, in Tay street, last Sunday week, and seized a quantity of liquor. On Wednesday Mr Watt was charged before Mir Cruickehank, 38. M., with keeping liquor for sale, and was convicted, and, as he had already been fined £25 on a similar charge, he was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. Air and Mrs J. D. Trotter, of Woodlands. who left on Tuesday on a trip to the Home Country, were, before leaving, entertained at a farewell supper in the Woodlands Hotel, when Mr Trotter was presented with a case of gold-mounted cigar and cigarette holders. John Crawford, a well-known Gore man, was found sitting on the roadside near Mamdeville on Monday morning last with a bullet wound in his head. There was a bottle with, some whisky in it beside him, and a small rifle lay across his legs. From the evidence it appeared that Crawford, who on leaving home early in the morning said that he was going rabbit-shooting, visited Mandcville in the morning and bought the whisky and then left, apparently for Gore. The verdict returned by tlte jury was to the effect that Crawford met his death by a bullet wound, but there was no evidence to show how it happened.

Rev. H. Mason, of Auckland, who "was invited by the Invevoargill Borough Council to visit this town and try to locale an underground supply of water, made the visit last week. He indicated where he aild two big streams of water would bo found in the Victoria Park, near Ellis load—one near the tramways power-house and another at Heidelberg, Georgetown. In his search the water diviner was accompanied by the Mayor and several, councillors and others who wore greatly interested and gratified at the apparent success of Mr Mason’s effort. The Southland branch of the New Zealand Labour party has decided to nominate Mr M. J. Forde to the seat in the Borough Council rendered vacant by Mr Scandrett’s election to the mayoralty. A rabbit-cart and horse belonging to Mr D. Manson, Giawia, were lost in the Waiau last week while Grossing in the punt at Tuatapere The turnout was at the rear of the punt, the gate being shtit .and tied with string. A horse in the middle of the punt became restive and backed, forcing the other horse to retreat till it backed the rabbit-cart through the gate, and the weight pulled it over into the river, where it sank a.t cnee. An exactly similar occurTienoe took place at Christmas, and a claim is being made on the Wallace County Council to make good the loss. _ The late Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward 1 , left for a holiday in Australia by last Monday’s Melbourne boat. Sir Joseph was entertained at supper at the Golden Age Hotel -on the preceding Saturday evening, when the Mayor and councillors and a number of other prominent citizens were present. Mr Guy Whcaller, a well-known resident of Bluff, died at his residence there on Wednesday sifter a short illness at the early age of 49. Mr Whoaller was for 19 years licensee of the Golden Age Hotel, and' for years past has carried on a commission business, handling large quantities of Australian hardwood. About two years ago he added auctioneering to his business, and built a commodious auction mart. There was a big attendance of members of the Southland A. and P. Association at the Victoria, Hail, when Mr Irving’s motion regarding the new ground beyond the railway was considered 1 . Mr Irving and others held that the ground was toe wet for show purposes, and urged that other suitable sites should be inspected. The majority of the speakers, however, were, against the proposal, which was defeated bv 88 votes to 52.

Mr J. F. Miller, of the Invercargill branch of the National Mortgage and Agency Company, who has boon promoted to a position in the Dunedin office, was this morning presented by the local staff with a handsome travelling bag. The presentation was madfc by the manager (Mr A. F. Hawke). The contest for the mayoralty of Invercargill between Crs Seandrett and Bain resulted in the return of Cr Sco.nd.rett by 1959 votes to 1203. The result is generally approved, as it was felt to ho fitting that a gentleman who has been so prominent in the municipal life of the town for so many years should lie allowed the gratification of being Mayor of Greater Inveroarigli. Cr te.iris claims are also recognised, and no doubt be will be strongly supported next time he offers himself. The coming shooting season is to be a close season for pigeons and kakas. Paradise ducks may be shot from May 1 to May 14. but not marc than 12 on one day. The season for grey ducks, tea! ducks, and pukakas extends from May 1 to July 31.

Edward Hughes, labourer, Invercargill, was on Thursday fined £2 and costs for srearing a trout and shooting a pigeon at Hcdgehopo Accused pleaded- that he d’d not go out to poach, but to shoot pigs. The chance to take the pigeon and the trout came his way unsought, and lie gave way to temptation. Mr George Robertvon. chief draughtsman in the Tam do and Survey Department, In vercargill, received notice of his transfer to Christchurch. Mr Robertson will be greativ missed by the Athenaeum Committee, to which ho acted as honorary secretary, and

by local hockey players, to whom ho had been a most efficient coach.

Mr W. y. Wilcox, who has just been promoted to the position of chief clerk of the Post and Telegraph Department at Oamaru after many years’ service in the Telegraph Office, Invercargill, was, before leaving for his new post, presented by the local postal and telegrapfi staff with a number of valuable articles in token of their esteem. The Telegraph Magazine Club also presented Mr Wilcox with a gold-mounted fountain pen. .. At the last meting of the Invercargill Starr-Bowkett Society the free 'oan in group 1 fell to cluster B 78, while in group 5 cluster 275 was successful. Mr and Mrs Thomas Norman, who have sold their farm at Forest Hill, and removec to Otautau, were a few days ago entertameu by their Forest Hill friends and neighbours when 'Mr Norman was presented with an oak clock and Mrs Norman with a saver tea and coffee service. The presentations were made by Mr J. R- Hamilton. During the past week Acclimatisation oocietv matters have bulked largely m t..e minds of Southland 1 here has been a considerable amount of feeling against several members oi the council for a Jong time past, and it was determined to try to oust them at the annual meeting. Hundreds of new members were enrolled by pavm» the 2s 6cl subscription, a paid canvasser being employed to secure votes. About /00 persons rolled up on Friday night to the anual meeting, which was held in tne King s Hall, many, no doubt, expecting lively scenes to arise out of the discussion of the discharge of Hanger Friend. Contrary to expectations, however, everything passed off quietly, many, no doubt being satisfied after reading the very full report of la ?J meeting of the council, which appeared m the local papers, that the Friend question had been quite disposed of. This, however, dm not change their decision as to a change n the personnel of the council, for the sitting members who offered themselves for relection were without exception rejected and the new ticket returned by overwhelming majorities. It-is hoped that the fcohsh rule which admits of outsiders lioing ip by the hundreds to vote on matters in whic h they have no permanent interest, will now l-e rescinded, and t e i cil which appears to consist of about equal numbers of fishers and shootists, allowed to attend to the interests of all eporta in peace. The new members of the cmmcil are '—A M Clark (Ryal Bush). E. Kcast (Invercargill), A J. M'Credie John M’Naraara (Invercargill), John .Sloan (Invercargill). Alfred E. Smi gill) G F. Strang (Invercargill), H. btud holme (Invercargill), A E, Tapper (Ua-Uace-towi), l-harlM W. Wilson (Wa.kiwi).