SOUTHLAND NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 3610, 22 May 1923, Page 26

SOUTHLAND NEWS

o- ..... (From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL. May 19. for some time nast by-law offenders have had ail interrupted run of the footpaths around Invercargill as well as being permitted to ride without lights. However, "the Tong arm of the law” reached out about a week ago, with the result that many offenders were before the court on Wednesday. The fines inflicted by the mag is orate, Mr G. Cruickshank, varied from 5s up to £l, the total being over £4O. A few casual motorists were also among those arraigned before tho magistrate. The improvement of the Sandy Point Domain has long been before the Invercargill Borough Council, and during (he week the Reserves Committee of the Council, together with two Government experts, visited die Domain to ascertain what procedure should be followed to reclaim the land and stop the drifting sand. The inspection was made in good weather, and the experts were of the opinion that a reafforestation scheme could be successfully inaugurated. The recommendations will come before the next meeting of the Town Council. A belated claim for damages came before Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., when Robert Uromby claimed £l9 from James Budget alleged damage to a sulky left with the defendant to repair. Tho sulky was left with Padget about six years ago, but the plainiui stated that he did not have sufficient money to bring the action at the time. After hearing a lot of conflicting evidence, the Magistrate allowed Crumby £2 damages without costs.

1 “e first concert of t.lio Invert argill Orchestral Society was held on Thursday evening, when the orchestra, under the baton ot Mr W. Ferguson gave another of its delightful programmes. All the orchestral items were nicely played, and the performers thoroughly deserved the unstinted rounds of applause which greeted their efforts. Jhe orchestra proposes during the coming season to put on special programmes for scholars, anil the programmes of these concerts will be specially printed, and the items played and their construction fully explained to the young audience. It is hoped by this to instil a love of good music among the young. A comprehensive report upon the year’s work has been issued by the Southland League, and it covers a lot of ground. The League has had an exceptionally busy year, and has accomplished good work for the province. It is gradually gaining in favour with all local bodies, and getting more united support than it did a few years ago. The secretary of the Southland League, Mr J. K. Winsloe, will shortly relinquish Ins position with the League. Mr Winsloe is to have charge of a big publicity campaign which is to be conducted throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The campaign has for its object the “boosting” of New Zealand throughout those countries. Mr Winsloe will also Place before cotton manufacturers the adI vantages for the manufacture of cotton which exist in Southland, it being his object to secure the establishment of mills in Southland. aho Southland Power Board’s wages she-et totalled £26,683 for the twelve mouths just ended. The Board has provided employment for a large number of men, and has assisted materially in helping the province to weather the recent slump. A pleasant evening was spent by the Corporation employees during tha week when they met and farwelied Mr W. A. Lean, who has resigned the position of cashier to take up ihe duties of Town Clerk at. Rotorua. Mr A. Bain presented the guest with a handsome clock from his fellow-workers, and referred to the good qualities displayed by Mr M‘Lenn during his term with tho Corporation. The evening, after the speech-making, was given over to general enjoyment, and all had a good time. Mr M‘Lean leaves soon to take up hig new position. With the object of providing employment for returned men during the winter the local R.S.A. followed the same procedure as last year and collected a fair sum from the sale of poppies on “Poppy Day.” It has not been definitely decided how the fund will be spent, hut it is almost certain that the same method as employed last year will again be followed. That was that the R.S.A. handed a certain sum to Invercargill Town Council which was subsidised £ for £ and the total sum spent in improving the reserves. Up to the present the R.S.A. has not had many calls from unemployed soldiers, and has only five names on the register. One of Southland’s most prominent pioI rieers. Mr John M‘Queen, died at his home last Monday. Mr M’Queep was engaged in many pursuits during the early days before lie finally settled upon a farm. Ho was instrumental in Eaving the Southland Frozen Meat Company when the company was in a precarious position many years ago. The Farmers’ Union was another body which Mr M'Queen was keenly interested in. and he was known throughout Southland as “The Father of tho Union.” His funeral on Tuesday was largely attended, representatives from all the bodies upon which he served being represented. The directors of the Southland Frozen Meat Company acted as pall bearers at the graveside. Close finishes have been common in Southland during the recent local bodies elections, arid another election had to be settled by j lot. This was the Mataura tiding of the ! Southland County. At the first count Mr ! F. Trapski headed the poll by three votes, but the recount brought he and Mr Gardner level, with 223 votes each. The lot decision favoured Air Traps’, i, who was declared elected. In the Wallace County Messrs Dyer and Blatch had an exciting contest,. First one and then the other headed the poll, the final figures favouring the former l>y one vote. As was anticipated the South Invercargill Borough Mayoral election is not yet finally settled, and the Magistrate, Air G. Cruickshank, S.M., will conduct a magisterial inquiry into the election on Wednesday. The final election figures were equal, “the lot” decision going to Mr J. Mitchell. A fatal accident occurred at Otautau on Tuesday when W. Bates lost his life through falling between a traction engine and a trailer. Bates was working with the mill which was pulled into Otautau for repairs. When the repairs were effected the traction and mill pulled out, and at the rear was attached a trailer. Bates was trying to board the trailer when he slipped and the wheels went over his body. He died before medical aid arrived. A meeting of Southland bee keepers was held last week to receive the report of their delegate. Mr R. Gibb, who visited the Auckland conference. Mr Gibb, in his report, said that the highest price obtained for honey in London was obtained by Southhind honey. He also stated that- the hiending of the honey materially assisted the North Island bee keepers whose honey was not such a good colour as that from the South Island. Mr Gibb was thanked for his report an<l was again appointed delegate for eonferences. With object of improving the South Invercargill Domain a big carnival and art union is to be conducted early in the spring. The preliminary meeting was held on Wednesday night and all present were formed into a working committee under the Domain Board to proceed with the initial work of preparing for the carnival. The annual meeting of the Invercargill ■Rrauch of the Prohibition League was held recently, and Mr J. S. Baxter was again elected president. Mr Baxter said that trio League was endeavouring to have the State Control eliminated from the voting paper at the next election.