SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3672, 29 July 1924, Page 31

SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, July 25. The Invercargill St. Andrew’s Society is a flourishing body, its annual balance sheet disclosing a credit of £165. The credit at the beginning of the year was £95, so that the society, under the chief, Mr J. L. M‘G. Watson, has added £76 to its finances. There was only one nomination for chief, Mr J. L. M'G. Watson, and members made eulogistic reference to his work on behalf of the society during the many years he has been connected with

John William Barnes, who was previously before the court charged with the theft of £24, appeared again and pleaded guilty. Senior Sergeant Scandrett- said accused had been given a cheque to cash, but had converted the proceeds to his own use. He was already- on a term of probation. The magistrate, Mr G. Cruiokshank, inflicted a further term of two years’ probation. The Ohai miners’ strike, which was in the conference stage when last week’s notes yvero written, has been settled, the final conference sitting until 3 a.m. bfore finality was reached. There was a large attendance in the Mataura Hall during the week, when Mr and Mrs W. 11. Barrett and Mr and Mrs P. J. cle la Mare were the guests of honour. The chairman was the Mayor, Mr C. D. McConnell, and in a brief opening speech said that they had met to say goodbye to Mrs and Mr P. de la Mare (postmaster). who had been transferred to Wyndham, and to'wish Mr W. H. Barrett, retired constable, a happy time as a private citizen. Mr de la Mare was presented with a case of cutlery, and Mr Barrett with a well-filled wallet. Beth made suitable acknowledgments. The establishment of a Red Poll herd at Galloway', Central Otago, is being keenly debated by Southland dairymen. During a visit to Southland, the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. W. Nosworthy', promised Southland, for "Vinton area, the first- Red Poll herd in the South Island. Interesting developments are expected over the transfer of the herd to Galloway'. No time is being allowed to slip by in connection with the big street improvements made possible by the £74.000 loan. The Borough Engineer, Mr T. O. Fox, has been instructed to call tenders for the necessary plant and material so that a start can be made as soon as possible. A series of successful runs have been conducted throughout the Western District by' the Birehwood Hunt, and some interesting country has been covered by the followers of these hounds. _ The Hunt is very popular around the Western District. As the result of a motor car skidding and the rear portion hitting a telegraph pole, W. J. Riddells and John McCormack are now inmates of the Southland Hospital. The car, which was driven by J. ITagerty. Was badly knocked about, although the front seat and bonnet were untouched. Hagerty escaped serious injury. Mr Reginald McKinnon, whise death was recorded last week, has proved a public benefactor. His estate was sworn at £50.000, and after a few small personal bequests, the whole of the money goes to various institutions. The following are the bequests:—St. John’s Church, £5.000; St. John's Church organ fund, £1,000; Gladstone Anglican Church. £500; Riverion Anglican Church, £500; one quarter of remaining annual income to go to St. John’s Church for encouragement of music; one quarter to “up country” churches; one quarter to Charitable Aid, and one quarter i for agricultural essays. I Tlie Southland Motor Association is I steadily growing, and at its last meeting 35 i new members were proposed and accepted. | A report on the moose and wapiti in the j Fiord district of Southland has been forj warded to Wellington by Mr L. Murrell, honorary Government ranger. Mr Murrell estimates the number of moose al from 80 to 100. and wapiti up to 2000. He considers that the boH wapiti heads will bo secured within the next five years. The moose roam in difficult country, and the prison who secures the first head will be lucky. The Riverton Progressive League has decided to beautify the memorial site across the Aparima bridge. It is also spending the proceeds of a recent carnival on the bea-utv spots of the town to make them more attractive to visitors. Riverton is perhaps the most popular seaside resort in Southland.

| With the object of raising funds to send I the Southland Girls’ Hockey team to Nelson J a carnival is being held, and good business is reported The team at present holds the championship cup, and it is to give the girls a chance of defending the cup that the big effort is being made. The Eastern District Association ((fore), is also sending a team north, and funds are being raised by' canvass. Another motor accident on the North road during the week, the result being the admission of Mr “Jack” Humphries to , hospital with a compound fracture of the leg. The victim was riding a motor cycle, I and in going to the left to pass a car. the I cycle skidded and carried Humphries right I ln r front of the car bonnet. | The Mataura Dairy Factory has paid a I ” na l bonus of 2d per lb butter fat, making j n S payment for the season Is 7d per lb. i'ome good catches of opossums are rei E° rtecl h’ 0 ") *he country behind Wyndham. ! J he season’s output has been estimated at j 9000 skins, valued at 9s each. The largest j catch was 1000 obtained bv two trappers, ; whose usual catch was about- 600. The opossums were numerous, and trappers state that there are still plenty of animals left. The local shop of George Butel. Mataura, was broken into during the week, and he estimated his loss at- six pairs of boots. The person who removed (he goods obtained entry through a back window, which was bro Ken. j The returns of the business transacted i during the three months prior to June 30 j ihp Invercargill Magistrate’s Court show that 231 persons appeared before the magis- ! Bate on summons, and that 70 arrests were I made by' the police. The total fines and ] fees collected amounted to £226 18s 6d. Dur|m g the same period, 25 juvenile offenders j were dealt with. Summonses issued under j the civil jurisdiction of the court num- ! bered 432. and totalled £7166 13s in value, j the actual amount claimed in the cases j heard before the magistrate being £2643 1 2s 3d, of which £2083 Is 9d was recovered. ■ The court fees in respect of these cases reached a total of £407 18s. The Otago and Southland Factory Managers’ Union held its annual meeting during the week, when the following officebearers wore elected: President. Mr Baerie Rval Bush; Vice-President. Mr B. Ross, Wyndham; Committee. Messrs Mckeown] Mataura Island; W. Wyeth. Brvdone• d! Brett, Seaward Downs: ‘ D. M. McDonald Mataura; A Linklater, Whiterig; .1 H Henderson. Menzie’s Ferry; Alex. ’ Harper) Woodlands; and G. Hicks. Wright’s Bush! Mr 1. O’Byrne was appointed secretary ami treasurer, and Mr A. Harper was appointed auditor.