SOUTHLAND NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3471, 21 September 1920, Page 23

SOUTHLAND NEWS.

(Feom Oub Own Cokuespondent.) • INVERCARGILL, September 18. During the month of August the number of patients admitted to Southland Hospital totalled 81. Nine deaths occurred during the same period. The patients discharged numbered 78, thus .leaving 178 still under treatment. The outbreak of smallpox, which a fewmonths ago caused such alarm in Southland, has been effectively cliecked, only five cases being admitted to Kew Fever Hospital during- August. Four patients were still receiving treatment at the beginning of the month. The _ readiness with which the Southland public followed the instructions of the Health Officer and submitted to vaccination no doubt largely contributed to produce the satisfactory state of affairs at present prevailing. Despite the mild nature of the winter and the spring, many people in Invcrcargill and Southland generally have suffered from persistent colds, which have proved very hard to get rid < f.

Dr Stanley Brown, formerly medical superintendent of Southland Hospital, has returned to Invcrcargill after a period of service on New Zealand hospital ships and later in the Christ-church Orthopeedie Institution. Mr Brown has_ begun practice in Invercargill. Before going on service 'this popular medico was well known in sporting and musical circles, and his return to Invcrcargill will be a distinct pleasuro to his many friends. The total collections for the Week of Pity to hand so far from town find country areas in Southland now amounts to £4520 19s 3d—a highly creditable sum. The original amount, £3OOO, which the promoters of the

sehemo set out to obtain was readily subScribed. A highly desirable block of town sections . was last week submitted for sale by the local Land Board. The land, which comprised an area of 53 acres, IS situated at tho terminus of the Waikiwi tram service, is sub-divided into quarter-acre sections, a number of which have been reserved for soldier settlement. Tho portions submitted for publics auction produced spirited bidding, but for a particular portion the persistent bidding of Father O'Neill "outdistanced" would-be purchasers. It has been rumoured that it is tho intention of the rev. gentleman to establish a convent and school on this fine site. The remaining sections, which are soldier reserves, are in a. good area, and would make coed sites for homes. Mr A. M'Ncil, M.A., inspector of schools for tho Southland Education Board, has been appointed to a similar position in Ohristehurch, and departs shortly to take up his new duties. Before joining tho inspectorate Mr M'Neil had been a very successful teacher in Southland, bomtr ap-_ pointed from headmastership of the Blufr School to his late position. His successor, it is rumoured, will come from tho north, as the Department has'recently instituted a new system in the appointment of school

inspectors. . •„.... Mr A. Bain, 8.A., of Wannate District High School, 'and formerly first assistant Invercargill South School, has been appointed as an inspector under the Otago Board Mr Bain's advancement has been phenomenal, r.nd his many friends locally, who predicted a brilliant career for this ambitious young leacjier, will learn with pleasure of his advancement. The talk of the week in Southland has been tho success of tho team in wrestling from the hitherto invincible Wellington representatives the coveted Kanfurly shield. It is- not often that Southland followers of Rugby become demonstrative—probably because they have up to the present had little reason,—but on Wednesday afternoon the orovincial caution was thrown to the winds, "and when the whistle blew, leaving Southland the victors, a crowd of exched barrackcrs surged on to the ground and bore from the field, shoulder high, the Maroon iifteen The game was a fine one, played in a splendid spirit; and the sporting tactics of the defeated team earned them the goodwill of the Southland public, ino big Southland forwards certainty won the game and their deadly tackling, following ud and particularly their' clever dribbling puzzled Wellington backs, whose clever tactics in Dunedin. and elsewhere has been sufficient to carry them to victory. The Southland Rugby Football Union since Wednesday has been inundated with congratulatory telecrrams from old players and supporters in all parts of New Zealand. Tho two matches still to be played by the Southland team will bo awaited with interest, especially the return match v. Otago, when a special train, it is said, will be run to enable Southland supporters to see the match On the team's return to Invereargill they arc to be tendered a complimentary dinner by old Rugby followers.On Friday, 17th inst., the monthly meeuing of tho Southland branch of the JS.Z. Farmers Union was held in Aliens Hall. Mr G. B. Johnston presided, and some important business .was transacted. Groat dissatisfaction was expressed over the position with regard to the embargo on the export of hides. Several members were loud in their complaints against the Government; for allowing the present unsatisfactory state of things to, continue. It was finally agreed to bring the matter before the Dominion Executive conference. A resolution, too, in favour of the small farmer, who produces butter for the local market, but who at present receives only a small comparative remuneration for his product, was enthusiastically carried. It was reported at last meeting of the Electric Power Board that negotiations had been begun to establish a. Y.M.G.A. recreation hut at Moncwai. The men on the works have expressed a desire to have the Y.M.G.A. establishment, and as the Bower Board and the Y.M.O.A. are sympathetic) the scheme will no doubt eventuate. It is understood that as arrangements- have already been made for a bearding house the, Y.M.G.A. will provide no meals.. With tho experience gained by the Y.M.G.A. during the late war in running recreation huts the Mcnowai undertaking will doubtless be a great success. At an important meeting of the Electric Power Board held on Tuesday and presided over by Mr A. W. Rodger large contract? involving' some £150.000 were definitely Jet. Tho recent hitch in financial arrangements, due largely to the tightness of money in borrowing markets, has been overcome, the Government coming to the assistance by guaranteeing the financial undertakings of tho board up to a certain substantial sum for a short period. It was decided that the departure of the chairman for Britain should be deferred until some important administrative work now in hand should be accomplished. A comprehensive report from the engineers, who outlined substantial progress_, was approved and adopted. Last Saturday a large and representative gathering of settlers and others having properties along the Waihopai River from Gladstone to Morton Mains met in Allen's Hall to consider the formation of a drainage board. On account of the bad condition of this stream a considerable area of fine land along its hanks is rendered- useless for production. It was pointed out that Hon. J. A. Hanan was sympathetically inclined towards a Government grant to enable reclamation and drainage operations. A committee wa3 appointed to make preliminary arrangements, and a petition was drawn up asking Parliament for a grant to undertake this important work.