SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3713, 12 May 1925, Page 31

SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

(Fbom Oub Own Cobrespondent.) INVERCARGILL, May 8. When compared with the telegraphed reports from the north, particularly that from Canterbury, Southland’s climate during the last week or so seems to be remarkably good. The rain has been fairly heavy, but for the most part has fallen in the early morning, while, though there is no doubt winter is approaching, its “icy grip” has not yet been keenly felt. The countryside is looking very well, the various winter fodder crops being fresh and green. A striking tribute to the mildness of the climate is that the gorse along the roads is in many districts bursting into bloom again—after which testimony, who could revile our climate. The third important cutting the ribbon ceremony within a week was performed on Wednesday, when tne Waimatuku River Board’s channel work was officially opened by the Hon. A. F. Hawke, M.L.C. There was an attendance of some hundreds of people from all parts of the province, who were anxious to inspect the work already done and to comment on the scheme, for the drainage of lands by river boards is a much-discussed question just now. Mr A. M'Kenzie, chairman of the board, opened the ceremonies, other speakers being the Hon. A. F. Hawke, Mr John Fisher, Mr W. Ford, Mr J. R. Hamilton, and Mr H. F Drewe. Mrs M’Kenzie cut the ribbon, after which tho channel was declared officially open, and afternoon tea' was served. The work is expected to be completed in three yoors’ time, and should increase production on the Waimatuku flats by at least one-third. Considerable interest has been manifested amongst motorista of the district by the appearance in Invercargill of a Buick Standard Six motor car which arrived in Invercargill recently. The car loft New York, and was shipped to Liverpool on December 20, 1924. It has since travelled through England, Holland, France, Port Said to Gaza, Jerusalem, Syria, Mesopotamia, India and Ceylon, and Australia. It has now oncircled half the world, and on arrival at Invercargill the Mayor’s seal was made in a log-book, after whioh it was sent on to Dunedin. The trip from Gaza to Baghdad, over the Syrian desert, has been, so far, the roughest part of the trip, and the run over the Lebanon mountains was extremely difficult. Through all its trials, however, the Buick has stood up well. The oar, when it reached Invercar-

gill, was actually one day ahead of Chn schedule time arranged for it months ago. Many people might find it hard to understand why such remarkable popularity has followed Sir Harry Lauder in his tours of the world. Perhaps such people may be cynical, or what is just a« bad, not Scotch, but be that as it may, the Scottish character comedian received the warmest possiuie welcome when he commenced his farewell tour of New Zealand at Invercargill this week. lie gave three performances in the Municipal Theatre, with a good supporting vaudeville company, and the success of the visit was remarkable. The well-worn gag ‘‘hundreds turned away” would truthtuuy have applied to the season, which Mr Lauder announces will be his last here. On the third night of the season tho crowd was so great that over 200 spectators were accommodated on the stage itself to hear Sir Harry for the last time. While on the subject of Sir Harry, the following story might not be out of place here. As is known, lie was the guest of Mr Donald M*Donald, of Edendale, and enjoyed a week or so of angling in Southland. This included a trip to To Anau, where several good Atlantic salmon were caught. One of these, a fine specimen, with one hook still fixed firmly in its jaws, was exhibited in M’Carthy’s, where many people admired the catch. A Scottish resident of the town, gassing at the fish, explained to his companion, “That salmon was caught by Sir Harry Lauder.” His friend, however, shook his head wisely. “What makes you doubt me?” asked the Scot. “Well,” was the reply, “that salmon still has the hook left in its mouth.” The cattle yarding at the last fortnightly Wallacotown sale was the largest for some time, but there was a big decrease in yardings of other stock. The fat cattle were of only medium quality, and the prices paid keeping up well on those previous sales. A pen of three bullocks brought £l4 ss, and a good pen of steers realised £l2 15s. Store sheep were not well represented, aged ewes bringing 18s to 21s, and rape lambs to 325. A pen of 150 two-tooth ewes was passed in at 41s 2d.- Extra prime wethers brought up to 42s 6d, good butcher’s wethers from 4<Js to 445. and lighter sorts from 24s to 5Us. The football season has opened m bouthland. So far as the footballers are concerned, the news that the Saturday half holiday poll had been lost wasi » great blow, and the Southland Rugby Lnion are also said to be disappointed, aa gates w.ll suffer considerably. On Saturday Star met Pirates at Rugby Park in the commencing round of the Galbraith Shield matches, and hlarist met Invercargill. The former game was an extremely exciting one. JV M‘Don aid made a welcome reappearance as Pirates’ wing three-quarter, after two years in Dunedin; while I'. Kilby, the smart High School half-back, appeared in a Star jersey for the first time. Dp to within a lew minutes of the end of the game Pirates had one unconverted try as against Star’s nil, but the game ended in a win for Star by 2 points. Marist beat Invercargill fairly easily—9 points to 3. Tho police of Invercargill apparently have a very complete disregard for high explosives, judging by an occurrence this week. Three sticks of gelignite were found in a load of coal at the South School, and found their way to the Police Station. The senior-sergeant, who was requested to dispose of t’-’o explosive, laughed at the fear 3 of the .ol committeeman who brought the gelignite to him; but said that he would, if required, get somebody to bury it. The next thing which happened was a terrific explosion in the trim little garden behind the Police Station, and the seniorsergeant rushed outside expecting to find the shattered remains of a constable strewing the ground. However, the man who had been deputed to bury the little yellow sticks was miraculously unharmed. How the gelignite came to explode is a mystery. Some say that the spade struck it when the constable was performing the burial rites, and others tnat he was rashly experimenting when it went off. The second tournament held tinder the auspices of the Bluff Boxing Association was held on Saturday night, when a large number of local followers of tho sport attended. Bluff has produced some good boxers, including the redoubtable Paul M’Quarrie, and the tourneys held there are well worth attending. Mr P. de la Perrelle, M.P., declared the tournament open, Mr A. Tall acting as referee. Johnny Leckie, ex-New Zealand fly-weight champion, gave an interesting exhibition with a promising xjluff boy, E. Bigwood. The other contests were all keenly contested, boxers from a 0 far north as Dunedin participating. In the open light-weight class J. Kelly (Ocean Beach) defeated D. Sutherland (Dunedin) on the decision of the referee, the judges disagreeing.