SOUTHLAND NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 27

SOUTHLAND NEWS.

(From Oub Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, October 1. For the past two weeks there have appeared in the local papers letters by ,F. G. Blake, criticising in detail the administration of the Electric Power Board. The letters reveal a shrewd inside knowledge of tne board’s modus operancli for the past 18 mouths, and are written with tiie view to tempt the Power Board to explain some operations ‘‘that,” says the writer, “savour of squandermania.’’ Tlie letters are of the type that caused considerable interest last year in the pages of the now defunct 111Ty ! r. where F. G. Blake’s invective was directed against the same public body. Air Blake s reappearance as a critic of this newly - constituted “Advance Southland Scheme ’ lias so far provoked no reply from the power Board, whose activities no doubt scarcely permit of the'" additional weight of a defensive press campaign. southland is firmly convinced that, the scheme is a good one and that they have a board of sound business men, and are content to give them a fair trial in a great- and difficult undertaking. The Invercargill tennis clubs opened their 1921 season on Saturday, with enthusiastic attendances at all tho courts. Already the fine weather prevailing has permitted members of the clubs to get in some practice, and the standaid of the play at the opening was far beyond the average for such an early date. On account of the general financial stringency. tiie Southland Lawn Tennis Association will not. embark this year on such an ambitious series of club matches as were in vogue last year. The Gore (Tub especially revealed a disappointing balance, and, it is rumoured, will not participate in the travelling competitions this year. AYinton. a- usual, is keen, and ]eports building operations to improve their pavilion and grounds; while AYynclhani, as usual, are preparing to uphold the tine standard they always ieach. At a directors’ meeting on Friday the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association discussed tlie advisability of holding a AYinter Show, and on the strength of a report from the Schedule Committee recommending the inclusion of cheese classes in the Summer Show, decided temporarily to abandon the winter fixture. The matter cf inclusion of cheese classes in the Summer Show would lead, said A!r J. Carmichael, to a resultant, inclusion of all domestic classes, but the president, (Air -J. T. F. Mitchell) stressed the importance of the cheese industry in Southland, and on that account approved of the Schedule Committee’s resolution. It was finally decided to drop the Winter Show arrangements in the meantime, and to include butter and cheese classes, with important prizes, in the Summer Show lists. In its worthy effort to preserve the native beauties of Otatara the Southland League recently forwarded a strong letter to tho Minister of Lands protesting against the handing over of an education reserve to tlte Prisons Department. In air v to the protest, the Minister returned a favourable reply, and was of the opinion that, if good bush, existed on the reserve, it should be reserved for scenic purposes. It has officially been decided, at any rate, that either the Minister of Education or the Director should inspect the area before ministerial sanction would be given to the transfer to the Prisons Department. Pew peoole in Invercargill realise the scenic advantages possessed by this beautiful suburb of the city, and the Southland League is to be congratulated on its prompt and effective protest. Tlie rich coa’ deposits in the AAA-stern District have not. for the past few years, returned their maximum amount of profit to their owners, on account of the troublesome attitude of some of tin- miners, whose tender consciences and thin-skinned demeanour demanded at all times consummate diplomacy on the part of the owners. T his was in the years when huge wages were to be earned during short- periods, when the demand for “black diamonds” was everywhere keen, and when the hewe- of eoal was generally in high demand ; bur, alas for our deep level economists, the tide has turned, and there seems to be a gloomy time ahead for those who have hitherto found the helpless attitude and the owner a profitable fieV! in which to rim riot with exo; bitant demands. The unfortunate "osition. now becoming dtiMy more clear, is that our people have killed the goose that laid the golden egg; our markets, once so lucrative, have now become tired of The insecurity and irregularities of our supplies, and have sought, other sources, and now our output, which could have met illimitable, orders, will have to lie restricted considerably until we gain by our stability some degree of security to owners and to the general consumer. The cxcentionallv mild winter, followed bv an equally mild spring, notv reveals Southland at its best, but nowhere does Southland's capacity display itself to better advantage than in the fertile river plains of the west. Dairy in" this year is the occupation everywhere, and already factories throughout the province are in full swing. A visitor to the AA’estarn district speaks of the generally prosperous appearance of holdings in the -vest, hut was enthusiastic over ".Mr R. T. Anderson’s farm at KAuarta. This well-known Romm y and Leicester h-eedev lias his =tud flocks in sp’endid condition. and ns rite e-H-tv season has fortunately coincided with his early lambing scheme. Air Anderson’s returns tin’s year should be very fine. The timothy tinctures on this Knuaiya farm i”-c well tin to their usual fine eondiborv The mode! 200-acre farm e.f Sou!Maud. Air R. Ywnle’s wopovtv a' Tvauuna at m-esent is in very P'-e condition. and. judt/ine by tire out indications, this nvoi ertv v. i'-l i>a bard to beat. Mr Rwttlo’e herd of 60 cows are in very fine condition. Residents throughout Southland are yearly faking an increased interest in their school grounds, and as a result the province is now aide to boast several mode! school areas, while several committees and residents are working w'tji good results in their respective a'-ens Tins work has been encouraged bv the T-'ducatinn Department bv reason of inmeased subsidies, and these already are proving a very wise provision. AT.-Tors to tbe AATesfern district, should not fail to visit the Wainnawn School, with its splendid grounds and its memorial gate, t'»e who'e making a pieturesoue setting that cannot fa.il to produce a fine tone amongst the nttpik who are fortunate enough to live in there =uirottndings. Tins tvne of work is being undertaken enthusiasltoallv bv the touchers commit tee. and ye- Meets of the Lamina S’ -hool di.-frict. and turn for the work of thc-'e people. South-

j land m this respect could well take a leaf out. of the book of northern school comj miftees, where school-planning is not run I on conservative cast-iron plans. , The Dipton and Benmore Hotels, typical | of many others in Southland, are at' pre- | sent, tilled with fishermen who have gone j ol,t to favourite tit er reaches to tempt the unsuspecting trout b: fore he becomes ac- | cuetoined to the wiles of anglers. The I liters are in line condition, end with ideal | weather conditions and fish plentiful those j who have temporarily forsaken business j cares should be well repaid with bumper j baskets.