SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 27

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

(From Ocr Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, December 15. The Rev. John Lopdell, of Oropuki, has bee:) appointed chaplain t,o the Twinty-first Reinforcements, leaving in January, and has tendered his resignation to the .southland Presbytery. The result of the annual Hospital Saturday collection which look place _ on Saturday las'; has exceeded all expectations, the returns so far totalling £550. whicn will be augmented by further sums from country centres. Considering all circumstances, the response has been a remarkably generous one, and the Collection Committee should feel -very gratified with the result of their efforts. An amusing incident occurcd between two lady collectors and a local coalman. The coalman was interrupted in his work of unloading a truck of coal at the railway yard by a request from ihe lady collectors for a donation, and were met with the ictort from the coalman that he would enrich their collection to the extent of 10s if they would finish unloading tile small quantity of coal remaining m the truck. To the dismay of the coal-heaver, the ladies proceeded to call his bluff, and, depositing their collection-boxes in a safe platv made ready to finish the work, leaving the workman no cntion but to throw in his hand and finally compromise with the loss of half a crown. The efforts of a small committee of small girls, their object being the rais.no; of a small sum for Dr Barnardo's Homes, resulted in the satisfactory sum of £3 19s being netted The committee, consisting of Misses Frances and Dorothy Wilson, Connie Smith, Joan Oswin, Gladys M'Quarrie, and Hilda Macdopald, solicited donations of cakes, sweets, etc., and they energetically worked themselves in the making of dolls' clothes, etc. In issuing invitations, they stated that the bazaar would bo hold in Mr Stewart's motor shed, 50 Dalrymple road. The annual prize distribution ceremony in connection with the " broaking-up ' of the Southland High Schools for the holidays was held in the Municipal Theatre on Monday evening. There was a very large attendance of the'public, Mr R. A. Anderson (chairman of the High Schools' Board) presiding; After apologising for the absence of the Hon. Dr M'Nab and the Hon. J. A. Hanan, the chairman sketched the year's operations of the schools, and the successes of its pupils in the public service and university examinations, remarking during his discourse that about 300 ex-scholars of the boys' school were known to be at the front. Ihe principals of the Boys' and Girls' High Schools then presented their reports, Mr J. O. Thomson, M.P., following with a short address, and presenting the girls' prizes Mr Wm. Macalister the boys' prizes, and Mr G. T. Stevens the cricket trophies. Mr Oliver Duff, of the staff of the Southland Techn'cal College, has sent in his resignation in order to go to the front. Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice), Dr *. Hay (Inspector General of Mental Hospitals), Mr C. E. Matth CW s (Inspector of Prisons). Mr C. B. Jordan (Under -secretary of the Department of Justice), and Mr G. Fcnwick (Dunedin), members of the Prisons' Board, paid an official visit to Invercargill on Thursday. Mr Colin Robertson's reappointment as a member of the Southland Land Board has been gazetted. Mr S. D. Mayo, traveller for Messrs Ross and Glendining, has been transferred to Christohurch, and prior to his departure for the north was met by his fellow-mem-bers of the Travellers' Association and presented with a gold medal suitably inscribed. Constable J. A. M'Necco, who has resigned from the police force in order to enlist, was presented by the local members of the force with a gold medal. In enlisting Constable M'Neecc forfeits) his claim to superannuation. Chaplain-captain Ready left Invorcargill by the second express on Friday for Trenfcham Camp. Chaplain-captain Beady ha? hcon made the recipient of several momontoes of appreciation of his services in tho district. The Loot street congregation presented the chaplain with a substantial cheque, the Young Women's Bible Class with a pocket Bible and wallet, and West Plains congregation, a purse of sovereigns. Chaplain Ready was also entertained by his fellow ministers at a luncheon in the Federal Tea Rooms on Monday last. The first, sitting in Invorcargill of the Military Service Board was hold on Wednesday to adjudicate on seven appeals uncler clause 35. James William Fraser and Hugh Fraser. of Seaward Downs, two appellants, bad their appeal held over till tho next, sitting, both to be medically examined in tho meantime, and if one or both passed, one was to go, the decision as to which to bo made at next silting. Francis Kean and Martin Koan, farmers of South Hillend, had their appeal dismissed;

one would have to go immediately, and the other given a little time to make arrangements. Richard Hishon. Mortimer Hishon, and Wm. P. Hishon, of Limehills, farmers, had their appeal held over till next sitting, all three in the meantime to be medically examined. Tiie board also sat at Rivoxton on Thursday to hear six appeals. A. A. Gerrard, of Drummoiid, farmer, had his appeal adjourned for three months pending inquiries. Tlie appeal of Maurice and James Bone, of_ Te YVao Wae, bushmen, were dismissed, with a recommendation that the former be granted a limited permit to arrange his Tasmanian affairs. Patrick Clifford, of Nightcaps, miner, has his appeal adjourned sino die coiiditional on him remaining in the same occupation, while Timothv Clifford, of Wario, trucker, had his appeal dismissed, truckers being regarded as ordinary labourers.