SOUTHLAND NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3467, 24 August 1920, Page 23

SOUTHLAND NEWS.

(Eeom Otje Own Coeeespondent.) INVERCARGILL, August 21. The question of the Orepuki Shale Works, the closing down of which was necessitated several years ago by the reduced tariff on imported petroleum, is again being revived. The Prime Minister lias informed Mr A. Hamilton, M.P. for the district in which these valuable shale deposits occur, that a recent careful report has been made on the Orepuki works by the Inspecting Engineer of Mines. This important report includes many valuable suggestions as to what steps should be taken in future operations. Mr Massey considers that there is no need of further reports being made on the works, but has made it plain to Mr' Hamilton that if the owners of the works will indicate what further assistance is required the matter will receive careful consideration. There are in Southland and beyond this province many who consider that a policy of Government subsidy and light protection would enable these important deposits to produce great wealth for the Dominion. For some time past a good deal dissatisfaction has been caused on the Bluff Harbour Board's dredge Kurihiku over the question -of unpaid Sunday duty on the water front after the schedule 48 hours' work. The complaint has been stressed by the men concerned since the return of the dredge from Dunedin. On the understanding that the board would look into the_ matter at the last meeting, the men continued as usual, but when the question was put off for another week the men refused to continue the Sunday watch any longer, and other arrangements had to.be made for last Sunday. "Upon returning to work last Monday the man whose turn it had been to keen the Sunday watch was dismissed, and in' sympathy with the suspended man the remainder of the crew .refused to continue at work. r lie Harbour Board has since considered the matter, and has decided to pay off the men, thus defying the attitude of the crew, whose action has found, it seems, nvuch support in Bluff. Mr James Hain, head master of the InvercargiU Sotuth School, who_ has recently undergone a severe operation, has made a remarkable recovery, and is again back at duty. His many friends in Southland will be pleased to hear of this popular improved health, and especially will his bowling colleagues look forward to his return this season to the local bowling competitions. A fine audience greeted the appearance of the Invercargill Orchestral Society in the Grand Theatre on Thursday night. Every available seat was taken, and she enthusiastic response of the audience to the numerous well-selected items must have been very gratifying -to Mr Wm. Ferguson and his orchestra. After listening to last evening's fine performance one could not help lamenting the lack of foresight that prompted the borough council to eject the offer of this fine orchestra to become a municipal orchestra. Strenous endeavours are being put_ forward by some Southland district societies to have their local roads put into a better state. This is especially so in the Lumsden district, where Mr A. Small, chairman of the Lumsden Town Board, brought the matter of the poor communication between Invercargill and Lumsden before the notice of the Southland League. -At present the only way to go to the Lakes district via Lumsden is by the Castle Rock road, which is in a very bad state, and at times almost impassable to motor traffic. The suggested route is via Caroline, to complete- which road only a small stretch between Caroline and Josephville requires constructing. The need of this road has been long felt, and the Southland League realises, along with other provincial bodies, the necessity of its completion. At its last meeting the league decided to make an effort to have matters pushed forward, and Mr A. W. Rodger, chairman of the league, was requested to wait upon the Minister personally during that gentleman's' forthcoming visit loWellington. A large crowd turned otit on Wednesday last to witness two interesting hockey matches, Southland v. Otago, when the laches' and men's hockey representatives of the respective provinces tried conclusions. The ladies' competition ended in a draw after a fast and exciting game, in which each side scored two goals. It was expected that the men's game would be a processon, for Southland has not played hockey for some years; but the hastily assembled team, mostly composed of "has beens," plaved a great game, and, under th© leadership of Dr Baird, one of Southland'smost versatile sports, gave the Otago combination a very good game. The pace, however, told on the untrained southerners, and towards the end of the second spell the fast Otago forward line began to attack so vigorously that Southland's back division was not "fit" enough to keep up the strenuous pace, and Otago won by 4 goals to 2. Football enthusiasts are keenly awaiting next week's match with Otago, when a fine day will certainly find a. record crowd in attendance at Rugby Park to witness the yearlv Southland v. Ota no fixture. The Southland team is practically the same one that defeated Canterburv, with two exceptions. J- Dalgliesh, who has played fine club football this year for Public Service, replaces Davidson at half back, while "Scottv" Baird. fresh from the victorious All Blacks' Australian tour, will take Potter's place as winger. Baird has been a very useful forward in the All Blacks' team, and it is gratifying to Southland Rugby followers that our sole representative has been the object of much favourable comment, not only in Australia but in New Zealand too.

The monthly meeting of the Southland Farmers' Union was held on Friday In Allen's Hall, when Mr W. Cowser (president) was in the chair. Many important matters relating to the policy of the Farmers' Union were discussed, and the local union supported a proposed progressive policy put forward by the Dominion union. The "Rlversdale branch brought forward a proposal to protect l'oturnect soldiers, who,

it was claimed, were in some oases- being exploited in their purchasing of farms. While it was the opinion of some that the Land Board, with its returned soldier representative, would amply protect the- interests of returned soldier settlers, ii was decided to forward the Riveredale suggestion to the Dominion executive. Wednesday and Thursday of this week were busy days at the Southland Land Board, where, under the presidency 01 My Brook (Crown Commissioner),. Mr J, Fleming, JMr James Hargest, and Mr Ai Carmichael, considerable land business wa? transacted.