SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3333, 30 January 1918, Page 23

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

(Fitou Ouh Own Gohkesi'ONDENT.) INVERCARGILL, January .20. At Tuesday's meeting of the Southland War Funds Association Mr R. C. Tennant, who has been the leading spirit in the association since its inception about three and a-half years ago, tendered his resignation. He was, he said, very sorry to sever his connection with the association, as, having assisted in the sending off to the war of so many of our soldier boys, he would like to be present to welcome them on their return. The state of Mrs Tennant's health, however, necessitated their removal to the north. Mr H. W. Royds, iu moving that the resignation, should be accepted with regret, spoke of tho splendid recruiting work done by Mr Tennant. entailing visits to every corner of the province. Mr Tennant was retiring from banking after one of the longest business careers in the Dominion, and ho hoped that he had yet many years of happy life before him in his retirement. The continued prevalence of diphtheria in Southland has evoked from the medical profession a suggestion that the Invercargill schools should remain closed for another four weeks. At a meeting of representatives of the various School Committees,held on Tuesday this suggestion was discussed, and it was decided to ask*the Education Board not to reopen the schools till February 12, and at the meeting of the board held on Friday this request was acceded to. Tho fact that the disease is spread not sc much by those who are affected as by carriers was discussed at the meeting of school representatives, and the opinion was expressed that picture shows were greater centres of infection than schools, and a deputation was appointed to wait on officials of the Health Department and ascertain jf these shows also could not be closed for a time. Tho Southland Education Board opposes the suggestion of the Teachers' Institute that the appointment of teachers should be taken from Education Boards and be dealt with by the department, and is informing the department accordingly. Members of the board hold that the greatest care is exercised in considering the fitness of applicants, their choice in every case being tho teacher, under whom the school might be expected to benefit most. On tho night of October 13 a iaxi car, driven by James Sa'ndsi ran down a cyclist named James Thomson in Tay street, and no injured Thomson that he was in the hospital for several weeks, and at ono time was in extreme danger. On Friday Sandri -was charged with negligent driving, and was convicted, but sentence was deferred for a fortnight. From the evidence it appeared that the occupants of the car had been to Wallacctown, and had drink, though they could not be described as drunk. The chaffeur said he had not partaken. At Monday's meeting of the Gore Borough Council general dissatisfaction was expressed with the reply of the Southland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board to the request for more hospital accommodation at Gore, Cr Martin urginjr that the district would never get justice till it was a separate couuty ; and had a Hospital and Charitable Aid Board of its own. It was decided to draw the board's attention to ihe fact that it had not replied to the council's representations regarding the need for accommodation for infectious cases at Gore. At Friday's meeting of the Southland Education Board the following appointments were confirmed:—Redan, temporary solo teacher, -L. Milligan ;, Bluff, temporary first assistant, E. Mullay. The following resignations were accepted:;—Queenstown, head teacher, F. Hoddinott; Makarewa North, sole teacher. Ethel King; Haldane, sole teacher, Gavin Muir; Greenvale, sole teacher, Helen Fisher; Glenorchy, sole teacher, Catherine Pahner; office junior clerk, Vivian -Vial Mr Palmer Gore, well known as manager of tho Albion Picture Theatre, died on Thursday of heart failure, and was buried at St. John's Anglican Cemetery, Waikiwi. this (Saturday) morning. The deceased gentleman had had a long theatrical career, and was very popular., Messrs J. C. Thomson. M.P.. and George Stevens' have been reappointed to represent the Southland Education Board on the Southland Hisdi Schools Board. Mr D. R. Jones, the well-known butcher of Conon street, who was badly hurt through being thrown out of his buggy a few weeks ago, is making good progress, but has lost the use of one eye. Both the Invercargill Borough Council and the Southland County Council intend to sue for all rates not paid by February 1, and the Borough Council is offering £5 reward for information that will lead, to the conviction of persons giving false alarms of fire. Mr Guy Matthews, a returned .eoldier. who was for seven years a member of Invercargill Corporation office staff, has been appointed accountant io the New Plymouth Borough Council, and left Invercargill on Wednesday for his new post. Before leaving ho was entertained by tho corporation staff and presented with a purse of sovereigns. At Friday's meeting of the Southland Education Board a vote of sympathy with thewidow and family of the late Mr W. H. Clark, head master of Lumsden School, was passed, members of tho board taking the opportunity fo express their appreciation of the high character and valuable services of one of t-lie board's most capable teachers. A sisiilar vote of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Mr R. J. Lamb, teacher of Quarry Hills, who recently fell in action.