SOUTHLAND NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 27

SOUTHLAND NEWS.

(From Oob Own Correspondent.! . The visit of the M.C.C. cricket team has assisted to revive cricket, and on both days there was a good attendance at the match. ri^ s innings the Southland team did well, but in its second try it collapsed in an unaccountable manner, and the visitors won comfortably. The fielding of the local team left much to be desired, and had all chances been , taken the visitors* score in the irst innings would have been considerably reduced. Mr_P. de-la Perrelle, the successful oondiuate for Awarua, was given another banquet by his supporters at Ryal Bush on Wednesday. There was a large attendance, and everything was carried out in a capable nuuiner by a hard-working committee, t jre ™ onth |y meeting of the Southland A. and P. Association, a balance sheet of the recent Summer Show was tabled showing a profit of over £2OO, despite the fact that no gate takings had dropped about £IOC. this • was considered very satisfactory, and be balance was adopted without comment by the Directors. During- the past few months much adverse criticism has been levelled against the management of tile Soutliland A. and P. Association, and at Friday’s meeting a special committee reported having examined the expenses of running the Summer Show bat had no recommendation to make. Tour items m the account were queried, but these were satisfactorily explained by the caretaker, who was present at the meeting. Mr James King, who presented the report’ said that most of the items could not be deleted wiri were necessary. Messrs J. C. Thomson and E. de la Perrelle were appointed to represent the Southland Education Board on the High Schools Board at the meeting of the Education Board on -Frida v On - -Jay Mr Adam Hamilton met a large body (>t Southland farmers and gave them an address on the working of the Meat Board, of which he is member. Mr Hamilton went exhaustively into the working of the Board, and answered a number of questions at tile conclusion of his address The address was followed with interest, and those farmers who were present left the building with a good working knowledge of the Loard and its doings. Last year the Southland A. and P. Association held two stock demonstrations, which weie a great success, and more are to be held this year. Already the dates of two have been fixed, one for Edendale and the other for Kauana. The Edendale one will be held <vi Mr A. Weir’s farm, and the demonstrators will be Messrs Weir and lire Kauana one will be held at Mr R. J. Anderson’s place, and the demonstrators will be Messrs G. P. Johnston Bateman and Grant. The annual physical drill competition among Southland schools for the Galloway shield resulted i n the North Invercargill school being first, with Waihopai second and Gor e third. One of the items criticised in the expense account of the Southland A. and P. Association was the salary of the secretary, which is £250. It was explained that the secretary provided a free office and board room and also the clerical staff. The salary paid to the Christchurch secretary was stated to be £SOO, with free office and staff, while Dunedin paid £4OO and provided an office. Compared with the other centres the Southland secretary does not get a large salary, re Interest is being again turned to the Waihopai swimming pool, as the result of the lecent drowning accident and one iliat was narrowly averted during the week. An attempt is being made to provide better facilities for bathers and some equipment which could be used for life saving. By this it is hoped to reduce the risk to a minimum. Further evidence of the acclimatisation of Atlantic salmon was received by the Southland Acclimatisation Society on Thursday, when word was received that two Dunedin fishermen had caught three in the. Upukofora. . ibis makes the total of definitely identified fish taken this season to over twenty. No doubt a greater number have been taken that the Society lias not received advice about. It is many years now since the ova wa s liberated, and it would appear that the salmon is now firmly established in the Waiau and its tributaries”. The Burns Anniversary gathering held under the auspices of the St. Andrew's Society was a good turn out and those who attended were treated to some broad Scotch humour by the speakers. The principal lecturer of the evening was the Rev. J. M'Caw, who gave a delightful address on the Scotch bard and his works. Mr Adam Hamilton, the. successful candidate for Wallace, was tendered a banquet at Riverton on Thursday evening. Some of the northern Members of Parliament came down for the gathering, which was well attended. Various speeches were delivered by those present. Ever since the moose were liberated in the Fiord district thirteen years ago, there has been various attempts to prove their acclimatisation, but nothing authentic has been received until a few days ago. Recently Ranger C. J. Evans went into the hinterland of this dictrict and has advised the Acclimatisation Society that he is returning with photographs of the moose and other evidence of their acclimatisation. The news was received with joy by the sportsmen of the province who are looking forward to a expedition against these animals in the near future. The preliminary arrangements for the forthcoming visit of the annual Chautaqua are being made by the committee in charge of the local season. Every year the committee has received better local support, and it is embarking upon this year’s programme with every confidence. The track from Monowai to Manapouri has now been completed and the Southland League is endeavouring to arrange for a survey of a road which will minimise the amount of walking. This track should become popular as it opens up new country which is very beautiful. Another portion of the advice received from' Ranger Evans states that he has secured a photograph of a bird, which he believes to be the Notornis Mantelli. He -is guarded upon this point, and his return is being eagerly awaited by naturalists. Only four specimens of this bird have been secured, the last one being taken in 1898. The work at the headworks at Monowai is being carried out well up to time-table, and the Monowai is now being diverted from its channel so that the spillway can be constructed. It is hoped that the works will be I completed in time to give current !>y next Christmas.

At Wallace town on Thursday, the Soldiers’ Memorial was unveiled. It takes the form of a gateway leading into the school, and on it are inscribed the names of those who served m the war. The ceremony was simple but impressive, and concluded with the children marchiDg under the arch. An ambitious fly i s being attempted by the Invercargill Homing (Tub, which forwarded 26 birds to Napier, where they will be taken along the coast'and liberated at East Cape. Tl*e distance is over 800 miles, and .the record eight .lays. These competing hope to lower the record which has stood for many years. The slaughtermen are still out at the Makarewa works, and in consequence killing 1 u held up. The Union stateed that the men would return on Tuesday, but after being addressed by an official of the Union, the men demanded the dismissal of the 'Tree labourers” taken on again after last year’s The company refused to do this, and the men did not resume. Further developments are expected at the beginning of the week. The annual interprovincial lawn tennis match against Otago will be played in Invercargill this year, and the following have been chosen to practise for the match: Gilmour (Invercargill); McNatt.y (Invercargill) - LindSfy (W inton) ; Sawyer (Bluff); Henderson t ".yudham); Jones (Invercargill); Bradshaw (Bluft); Miss Edie (Otautau); Mrs Braxnford (Invercaegill); Mrs Jones (Invercargill); Miss Hutton , (Bluff). Miss Hayward (Central); Miss E. Metzger (Bluff); Miss Bain (Bluff).