SOUTHLAND NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 27

SOUTHLAND NEWS.

(From Oub Own Correspondent. > _ IN V KRCARGILL, December 27. The inquest oil tile bony oi oonn Jxallin, a wool classer who was tound dead m a well, was held last Satuiuuy beiore the Coroner, Air G. C’ruicksnank, B.M. The evidence was to the effect that tne deceased was despondent at the tune, and had ceeu so every December for many years. A verdict of suicide was returned, both deceased’s wife and brother-in-law being of the opinion that Kallm. deliberately threw himself into the well. A boy appeared in the Juvenile Court during the past week with ail unusual record. Lie commenced his career of crime in Dunedin, and, after absconding front the Anderson’s Bay Home, made his way lo Invercargill, helping himself to everything handy, and when tilings were not handy he would enter houses and help himself*. He had eight charges of theft to answer at the local court, while several charges were pending in Dunedin. He was remanded to Dunedin, the Magistrate recommending that ho be committed to Weraroa. A verdiot of accidental death was returned by the Coroner, Mr G. Cruickshank, at the inquest on the body of Owen Lynch, who was killed by a fall of coal in the lunton Mine. The evidence was that the fall- was caused by sooty back, which gave no warning when it broke away. The place where he was working was examined before he went in, and lie and his mat® made frequent examinations as they worked at widening the drive. Two shots were fired by Lynch and his mate, and these might -have caused the coal to shatter. Charles R. Shirley was acquitted of a charge of theft by the Magistrate, Mr G. Cruickshank. Shirley was Miarged with stealing a watch belonging to Mis F. Bennetto, Wymljiam, but after hearing the evidence, which was rather vague, the Magistrate dismissed the case without calling the evidence of the defence. Miss Margaret Hardie, who has been mistress of the Waikiwi School for 20 years, was met by a large gathering representing pupils and ex-pupils last Saturday afternoon and presented with a cheque as a recognition of her services during her term as mistress. Many speakers, including Hon. J. A. Hanan and Mr P. Perelle M.P.'s, paid glowing tributes to the work Miss Hardie had accomplished during her long association with the school. Miss Hardie took her farewell of the pupils at the breakup on Friday. The Gladstone sports movement has advanced another step, and the committee has decided to acquire a freehold property and lay out tennis courts, a bowling green, and a croquet lawn. These will fill a longfelt want in the Gladstone district, as a sports ground in that area is badly needed. Mr Allan Wilkie was accorded a civic reception on his return to Invercargill for his second Shakespearean season. The plays were not well attended, as many who take a big interest in this class of play were absent on vacation. However, the season was better than expected, and the plays given were of a high standard. „ It is probable that Melrose, the Presbyterian College, will close down from the vacation. The college has not been sup ported as well ns the trustees would like, and thev are taking this action only after a considerable amount of debate. There is apparently some dissatisfaction over the letting of the contract, to supply the steel work for the new stand at Rugby Park, and some members of the union have exnressed their opinions against the method followed by the union in not calling for the tenders for the work. It is probable that more will be heard of the matter during the next few days. The primary schools break-ups were held on Thursday, and the functions passed off without any serious mishaps. The usual prize lists were published and the prizes distributed to the lucky children at the break-ups by the various chairmen of committees. Wyndham and l Edendale have at last received the - electric light. The lines to those places were completed during the week, and the power turned on during Friday and Saturday. This is the first installation opened by the Southland Power Board, and the power is supplied by the Invercargill Borough Council, the Power Board buying it in bulk from the council and retailing it to those districts mentioned. Th» rate to be struck by the Power Board to cover the initial loss on the Southland scheme will be about one penny. This information caused some consternation in. the Farmers’ Union, and at the monthly meeting of the Provincial Executive it was decided to send a deputation to the Power Board for further information on the matter. Messrs Isaac Jenkins and A. Derbie were met by a large number of Rugby enthusiasts on Friday and presented with a gold watch each as a recognition for their services for that sport during their active careers, as players and workers, in the interests of New Zealand’s national game. Both these men have spent a considerable amount of their time during past years in furthering the Rugby game in Southland, and last year was the first year since the inception of the Southland R.F. i . that Mr Jenkins was not actively engaged in the game. Mr Derbie’s career is of more recent origin, but during his time in the game he did a lot of work. The Shamrock, Rose, and Thistle I.odge unveiled a. memorial to its members who served in the war. The roll contains the names of seven members of the lodge who made the supreme sacrifice.