SOUTHLAND NEWS.
(From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, January 22. Invercargill will celebrate its jubilee as a borough in August of this year, and perhaps lor that reason the contest for Mayor promises to be a keen one. Already lour possible candidates are mentioned —Mr John Stead (the inresent Mayor), and Councillors J. F. Liilicrap, J. T. Carswell, and J. Miller. It is more than probable that Mr Carswell will not contest the mayoralty, but little has been said of the other candidates. At the invitation of the Southland League Professor Park last Monday gave a “round the table talk” to business men on Southland’s natural resources, and upon the possibility of establishing a cement works within the province. Professor Park stated that the two ingredients for cement, limestone. and marly clay were to be found in abundance throughout the Western District, and in close proximity to eath other. The great drawback in the opinion of the professor was the absence of bituminous coal deposits, and that was necessary for the dickering of the cement in the rotary furnaces. When the meeting was informed that bituminous coal was necessary, it adopted a cautious attitude, and referred the matter of the establishment of works back to the Natural Resources Committee of the Southland League. It was also deeded to make inquiries into the methods used in America, where brown coal, which can be had in abundance in Southland, is used for clinkering the cement. Two of Southland’s country race meetings were held during last week—Wairio on Wednesday and Otautau on Friday. The attendance at both meetings was good, though not quite tin to last year’s, when W airio established a record. Visitors were present from all over the province, and Invercargill was well represented, especially at Wairio on Wednesday. The Wairio Cup was won by Linde®, owned by Mr A. G. Hill, of Dunedin, and with this race went a special trophy donated by Mr W. E. Taylor, of Invercargill. The presentation was made by the club’s president (Mr J. P. Forde). and in returning thanks Mr IT ill said that the racing clubs of Southland were to be congratulated on their enterprise in regard to the consistent increase in stakes, and this example might well bo emulated in metropolitan centres. Mr II ill sa-'d the practice of adding trophies to principal races apnenled to him, for, ill addition to the practical, it gave a sentimental. value to a race. The totalisator investments at Wairio were £12.822. against £12.767 last year, and at Otautau £10.942. compared with £11,858 last year. The South Island stipendary steward (Mr G. E. Curry) attended both meetings. Messrs P. de la Parrelle (chairman) and Mr W. A. M’Caw (architect) of the Southland Education Board left by this morning’s express to attend a conference of education boards in Wellington on January 25. Mr Stevenson, secretary* to the boat'd, is at present in Wellington, and will also attend the conference. The spell of fine weather which has been experienced locally since Christmas broke during the week, and three days of wot weather were experienced; but the conditions have returned again to those ruling a fortnight ago. The rain, which was general throughout the province, was badly needed by the fanners, and saved the oat crops from being light, supplying the necessary moisture at a critical time —when the oats were beginning to shoot. The Rose Gardens at present are looking at their best, and few Invercargill natives realise what a glorious sight they present at present. A blaze of colour meets the eye on entering, and the spectacle is a beautiful one, ramblers and standard roses blooming in profusion. An attempt is being made by the Invercargill Swimming Club to improve the foreshore in the vicinity of Pleasure Bay. Now that the attempt to establish indoor swimming baths has been temporarily abandoned. Invercargill badly needs a good swimming resort close to the town, and Pleasure Bay is the only spot where facilities of any kind are available. It is to be regretted that baths cannot be obtained for Invercargill, as they would bo a great asset to the town. Two deaths from heart failure were reported during the week. The first was Mr W. Richards, draper, who collapsed a#wl died in the Invercargill Bowling Club’s pavilion when he went to obtain his bowls to play a match. He was well known in the Waikaia and Otago Central districts, where he followed his occupation for many years. Tie leaves a widow and a family of five. Tim. second was Mr Charles Canty, one of the old Southland settlers, who for many years resided at Longbiish. He leaves a grown-up family, and at. the time of his death was on holiday in Invercargill. The question of the half-holiday for the borough and South Invercargill came up for discussion at the annual meeting of Mayors of the two boroughs. Both expressed’the desire for Saturday, but, as a poll upon the question is to be taken in ' April,' it was decided to allow tile matter to go to the popular vote. Already campaigning has commenced, and those who favour Saturday are going to make a big endeavour to settle the question at the poll. The Invercargill regatta will be held on Wednesday next, and after the races ere over the team to represent Southland against Otago for the Edmond Shield will be nicKed. Ihe shield will he eon me tad for in Otago this vear. and Southland is going to make n big effort, to regain the tvo'ohv won so handsomely at Invercargill last year by Otago’s representatives. The recent trouble over the fare boxes for the. one-man ears ordered by the City Council has been overcome, and a box capable of taking Unglisb money has been fomi'b I be weakness of the new box is that, vdb’e taking English corns, it. does not classify the mnnuv inserted and no -•bange is given antem-dionb v . TI-.i* means that jV'ssepjrera wifi have to tender Re eor-pef fare Tin, council Ins 1 a,l a danse inn., ted in Re agreement to the ofiv.. t t’g.t rPn'dd n better box be invented R.« rent-ad. „•« su-irdv cate.a trying but Hap r ' Vf] n nr! ;i T 1 r\ rt rr ft.;- . of;
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 3489, 25 January 1921, Page 29
Word Count
1,045SOUTHLAND NEWS. Otago Witness, Issue 3489, 25 January 1921, Page 29
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