SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3396, 16 April 1919, Page 27

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

(Fbou Oub Own Corbespoiident.)

INVERCARGILL, April 12

In Southland, as in every other part of the Dominion, 'the most interesting event of ihe week lias been the /national prohibition roll, arid in the four electorates of Southland prohibition had a majority were: —lnvereargill, 946; Awarua, 188; Mataura, 511. In Wallace prohibition was defeated by 212, and in Wakatipu by 370. For prohibitionists the result is a disappointing one, considering the money, time, and energy expended in the campaign. It is stated that should continuance be declared carried it is quite on the cards that an yndeavQur will be made to* upset the decision on the grounds of alleged illegal practices in another part of'the Dominion. It is clear that many electors failed to record their votes. In Invereargill informal votes were very few, but some papers were rendered invalid by the voters signing them, and others by the voters striking out a line of tlhe instructions be'low instead of one of the two issues. Mr John Stead is not going to be allowed a walk-over for the . next term of the mayoralty of Invereargill, Mr T. D. Lennie having entered the lists against him. No doubt Or Lennie will put up a good fight, but many ratepapers would like to see Mr Stead continue in office till after the peace celebrations.

The endeavour of the Invercargill Borough Council to have some of the transports with returning soldiers discharged' at Bluff is apparently: not going to be success:, ful, a letter having been received by the council showing -what difficulties are in the way. . a . The pupils of St. George's School, Invercargill, have this year won the Lennie Cup. for the best-kept school grounds, the cricket cup for primary schools competitions and the cricket cup for all schools. Mr Robertson, the head master of the school,"-is one of Southland's most notable athletes, and Mr Rowe, first assistant, a great enthusiast in school sports. The Government is apparently doing its best to help discharged .soldiers to get such a training as will enable, them to make a living, and in Invercargill facilities are being provided in connection with the Technical College to take 25 men for instruction in engineering, 20 in carpentry, SO in bookkeeping, and 15 in plumbing. At the last meetig of the Invercargill Borough Council appreciative references were made to the services of the late town clerk (Mr T. W. Walker), apd a compassionate allowance of £l5O was made to his widcv and family. Mr F. Burwell, who has been borough accountant for over six years, and recently acting town clerk, was definitely appointed to the latter position at a salary of £4-00 a year. Sports (?) who shoot pigeons out of season should note the fact that two of their kidney were_ at Orepuki on Monday last fined for this offence and for obstructing a ranger who tried to bring them to book. The Acclimatisation Society has also decided to appoint more rangers to check the out-of-season shooting which is now carried on in bush settlements. The Invercargill tramways have never paid, but the loss is being reduced each year, and it is hoped that before long it will be possible to pay expenses. The ratepayers arc to be given another opportunity on the 30th inst. to vote on the question of raising £35,000 for extensions. All the business places in Invercargill, even the-cake shops, will close on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, so that the Easter holidays will be very generally enjoyed. Given good weather, there should bo very heavy railway passenger traffic, and the seaside places, particularly the Rocks, Riverton ( will be well patronised.