SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3395, 9 April 1919, Page 23

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

(Fbou Our Own Cokbespondent.)INVERCARGILL, April 5. It is the intention of the Southland League to commence an advertising campaign in connection with the hydro-electric scheme as soon as the licensing poll is over. The suggestions include a plan for inviting representatives of public bodies a<nd the press to visit Christchurch and see the (advantages of the Lake Coleridge scheme and also the holding of demonstrations in Invercargill and Gore.

The through express from Invercargill to Christchurch is to be reinstated for the Easter holidays, commencing on April 14 and terminating on the 26th.

The. local office of the Lands; and Survey Department has lately seen, several changes in the personnel of its staff. Mr N. L. Falkiner, surveyor and! civil engineer, has retired upon superannuation after many years' service, and Mr H. D. M. Hazard, Commissioner of Crown Lands, has been promoted to the Canterbury district. Oh Tuesday Mr Palkiner was met by a. large number of his fellow-officers and presented with an appropriately-worded address as a token of appreciation and goodwill, Mr Palkiner having previously signified his aversion to receiving the usual form of presentation. Mr Haszard was also made the recipient of a handsome pair of binoculars by the officers of the department, who one and all congratulated him in his well-earned promotion. Mr Haszard was also entertained by members of the/ Southland League on Monday aiternoon at the A.CM. Tea Booms, for the purpose of saying farewell. Mx A. W. Rodger, president of the league, presided, and on its behalf congratulated Mr Haszard on is promotion and wished him health and success in the future, and also intimated that time had not permitted them to arrange for any souvenir of Invercargill, but that something would, be sent him later from the league. The appointment of Mr John Carmichael as a member of the Southland Land Board is gazetted.

The Southern Districts' Fire Brigades' Association is to hold a conference and demon stration at Tapanui at Eiaster. Lieutenant Wells has been appointed ■to represent the Invercargill Brigade at the conference, and Messrs Wallace, Dennis,, .and M'Domaldl will compete in several of the demonstration events.

Mr E. P. Howard, of the War Funds Association, has completed an analysis of the Continuous Effort Scheme, which shows the total collection to date to be £9390 10s 4d, made up as follows:—From, town branches, £6563 12s 9d, from country branches, £2826 17s 7d. Complete details of the scheme will be embodied in. the annual report of the association.

The Gore Borough Council at its meeting on Monday evening discussed the question, of peace celebrations, and it was decidedl to devote £250 to the celebrations.

Mr F. A. Price, of Waikiwi, has presented to the Soldiers' Club a three-year-old gelding by Cakewalk—Wendolin, which is valued at £250. Application has been made to raffle the horse, and, if permission is obtained, the raffle will be drawn on June 15.

Harvesting has been general throughout Southland during the past week or two, and good progress has been made, nearly all the crops being how in stock or stack. The quality of the crops are much better than expected!, the grain being well filled, cleian and bright; and should thrash out good returns. The weather has been unsettled lately, which is causing delay in stacking and thrashing. The Woodlandls Dairy Factory, which was to have been sold by auction on Wednesday, was destroyed by fire in the early hours of tnat morning. The cause of the outbreak is unknown. The insurances amount to £SOO on the building and -£'loo on the plant. Mr T. Fraser, member of the Southland County Council, has been appointed a member of the Southland Electrification Committee, vice Mr H. D. M. Hoszard, who has resigned) owing to his removal to Christclrurch.

The many friends of Mr W. H. Johnston, manager of Messrs Thomson, Bridger, and Co.'s invercargill branch, will regret to learn that, owing to continued ill-health, he has tendered his resignation. Mr Johnston has been 25 years with the firm, the majority of which has been spent in Southland. It is Mr Johnston's intention to leave for the north as spon as his health permits.

Mr John Findlay, of Orawia, will contest the Wallace seat at the nexi general election.

The Invercargill Corporation having leased tlio reclamation <urea to the Prisons Department, it is the intention of the latter to at once commence the necessary improvements to make the property serviceable. It i* with deep regret that the death of Mr Thomas Wilson Walker, town clerk of Invercargill, is announced. Mr Walker was admitted to a private hospital in December, where an operation was performed for an inward trouble. EVr a time he made headway, and temporarily resinned) his municipal duties. A few days later he had to relinquish, duty ond remain at home, where he gradually became weaker, amd passed away at his home on Tuesday night. A returned soldier, Alfred M'Lean, died at the Southland Hospital on Thursday evening as a result of poison believed to be selfadniinisteredL Up till recently the deceased soldier was residing with his brother, Alexander, at Niagara, and had been recently examined by doctors with a view to his removal to a mental hospital. The-_ doctors, however, would not certify to hia being mentally deficient, and he was sent to the Southland Hospital for treatment, where he obtained poison in. some manner unknown, dying shortly afterwards.