SOUTHLAND NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3510, 21 June 1921, Page 26

SOUTHLAND NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, June 18,

The Electric Power Board held a long meeting on Alonday, when the question ot the modified Alonowai scheme was discussed at length, the meeting lasting five hours. The deputation, which visited Wellington (Messrs 11. Hinchery, E. Brow near, and R. A Rogers), reported that the Government was willing to finance the scheme until the end of August. Despite this assurance the members oh the board were of tho opinion that they should be assured of sufficient finance to carry on the schemes, and decided to suspend operations in the meantime. Alessrs Hay and Viekerman, the board’s engineers, arrived on Thursday for consultation with the acting chairman. Air W, Hinchery. The acting chairman afterwards issued instructions for suspension of all work, and only those men necessary to look after the plant and horses will be employed until finance is assured. A detailed report on the modified Alonowai plan by the chief Government engineer, Mr L. Birks, was received by the board on Thursday, and it was favourable to the board’s proposals. The report states that the board should be able to carry on the modified scheme without being forced to lew a rate on the country. The board’s chairman, Air A. Roger, is now; on his way back to New Zealand after visiting London and America in connection with the board’s affairs.

Ihe recently-elected Town Council has been studying ways a-nd means of saving expenditure, and many schemes have been proposed. Ihe latest was introduced at Thursday’s meeting when Councillor J. Miller moved that a town manager bo appointed. After a, long discussion the motion was defeated, but it was reported that the matter will be again introduced before the light is finally dropped. The English Pierrots enjoyed a successful season during the u;oek, and after the first night they drew big houses. Ihe entertainment was tnoroughly enjoyed, good programrnes being exceptional' in Invercargill. The Southland Employers’ Association field its annual meeting on Wednesday, and the report stated inter alia:—Representations have been made to the court that separate awards should tie made for Soutli--i*nd, and. in the case of storemen and packers’ dispute, the impression was given tint these representations would be given ekect to, but in finally settling the matter the suggestions were not acted upon. It is evident that the only way to succeed ''HI be by bringing the matter before the court at every sitting until the disability is removed. . The election of officers resulted I resident, Mr W. R. Riddel (reelected); vice-president, Mr T. Boyceexecutive —-Messrs S. Bath. W. Fraser J. IT Kingsland, W. Thomson. .T, I Lilburn, Vv. Munson, L. Spencer.- C. J Bchardson, IT S. Waterson, 0. Stevens and -A. E. 1 aylcr; auditors Messrs Cuthbortson and AA ebb. Ihe appointment of representative’} to public bodies was left in hands of the executive. Two bowling clubs, Te Rangi and Southkxnd, held their annual meeting on Wodnes<ny night, and the reports presented at the meetings showed that the clubs were m a _ good position. It was stated at the meetings tnat there would be a boom in bowling tms year, and both clubs elected several new members. The Southland War Funds held its annul meeting on Thursday. The financial report \l' S . as -7, lo1lows: During (lie year ended Mu rep 31, the sum of £3719 6s has been P ai r f straight-out relief grants, and -0a97 os lOd as .temporary advances; other charges have been: Administration. -Sib 11s od; pr.nting. stationery, and nd--17 s ,8ll: ronfc - l 'e*':iir.<!, etc.. *■ Vra-o general charges, £96 18s 3d; total, £uo 12 „-s Id. Ihe income has conBrandies, etc.. £298 ISs Sd ; rent £ls 3s 4d ; interest, £2455 Os 4d; making % t ?v u r fy en ," e from all sources of £2769 T-> at. At the present date we have m- ™! C oV Vlt fe ir° I l i nvrcarcrill f-’orporation, £4O. wO; I übho 3 rosteo. £10.000; Convalescent I feme £3270; war loan certifiils 6d ; accrued interest amounts to IS 6d; office furniture. £lls 15^on tomponu-v loan. £997 8s 10d : total * s,? j\ t . a - £54 537 2s f-Otl; divided as follows: ■• ’otdiers and dependents’ fund. £<s9 960 c « 6d; general war fund, £4042 19s 3dequwnient and comforts fund, £3OO Os 2d Against this there is a liability of £604 11s’ held on account of other organ!-a, ions; bank overdraft. £97 2s 11,1; and £474 12s 9d heal m trust or. behalf of the War Expenses (dhee, this latter amount being retrospective allowances and gratuities paid through thi= association for distribution to children and dependents of deceased soldiers, and those wuo cou.d not be entrusted with the handling of money?. For some tune Invercargill has been free from, any serious crime, hut on Thursday a rot,-fiery from tne person with viol,wine was comm (fed m the evening. Ah Chu a. ( itinaman who had returned from the count, y _ w.th about £7O in wages was VO.mod in one of the garden reserves and severe,y handled. He was llin.-tth-d was so badly treated that he had to be conveyed to the hospital for treatment whore lie now is. Jhe police have no clue to tile criminals at the t : me of writing aiui are still investigating the crime. For tiie eight week'-- period ended ’’J'linrsday. .f une 16. the War Funds Association • : ' ** cl-exlt Kith 143 applications for «j----mice. Of this number 11 were Soutiand M-idu-s assisted by other Patriotic Societies and eight were on behalf of other societies, i lurty-one applicants were g-runtod wo, kly relief for short periods ranging from 10s to 49s per week : two were grunted £ls, and one £lB to meet deficiencies whilst awaiting pension adjustment: 10 we;'- assisted with board, amounting to £2O 9s; four clothing, £2B 10s; two for purpose of study, £lB 18s; 39 personal nerds, £lO6 10s; one poultry farming. £ls; four railway travelling, £24"; two marriage expenses, £11; two for working tools. £l2 10s; two steamer fares, £29; one funeral expenses, £2O; two confinement expenses, £ls 11s ; four sickness and medical, £SO; one business, help, £6; eight advances wore, authorised. £140; and three grafts were made on behalf of the Bed < Toss Society. £35; 23 applicants were declined : 13 held over for further inquiry; and 10 wore referred to (lie Main Committoe for settlement. The Patriotic Societies throughout the. Dominion are now giving practically all their attention in disabled men and are declining to receive applications from those classified as fit.