SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3754, 23 February 1926, Page 59

SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

(From Odr n ®N Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, February 19. The weather during the week has shown Southland at its best, the days being ideal. Fortunately the small amount of rain fell during the evenings, and the days were blessed with the sunshine of summer. The gods have been generous, and most of the Invercargillites have availed themselves of the opportunity to spend days “ far from the madding crowds’ ignoble strife.” Most of the business houses have held outings during the week, and the jaded employees have relaxed in a day of ease in the open air. The Southland Motor Association enjoyed a most successful run to Ryal Bush on Wednesday, and the institution of these outings have become very popular with motorists. The quarterly meeting of the Southland League was held at Bluff on Thursday, and a most satisfactory report of the league’s activities was presented. The body is recognised as one which has rendered yeoman service; 14 years of strenuous work in the furtherment of matters relative to the progress of the province, and there is no doubt that most of the solid work does not come jefore the public. The league, in a comprehensive publicity scheme has been the means of attracting hundreds of tourists from overseas, and visitors from other parts of the Dominion to the magnificent scenic resorts of the south. On Saturday morning the visiting commissioners of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition left Bluff for Stewart Island, where, despite the steady rain which fell, a pleasant day was spent. On Sunday they were tho guests of the Southland League and the Chamber of Commerce in a motor trip of the Western District. There were five cars in the* party which passed through 14 miles 6V fine agricultural country. From Invercargill the party went direct to Riverton, where morning tea was provided by the Riverton Progressive League, and from there through the old gold mining settlement of Round Hill, past Colac Bay and Orepuki, and on to Tuatapere, en route to Clifden. A stop was made ilt Raymond’s Gap on the road home, where a

fine panorama of the Aparima Plains was obtained. The party then passed through tiie back of Otautau and back to Invercargill. They were thus taken through some of the finest country in Southland, which looked at its best under such pleasant conditions. On Monday morning the commissioners paid a visit of inspection to the Highlander Milk Condensery, at Underwood, and left for Gore by the express in the afternoon. The visitors, one and all, remarked on the prosperity of the province, and said that the various trips had been an absolute eye-opener. The port of Bluff has been extremely busy of late, and on Thursday evening three overseas and the intercolonial steamer Manuka were berthed along the waterfront. The occasion has marked a new era in harbour board matters, inasmuch that the Manuka was placed at the southern wharf, where the berthing of a vessel of that tonnage has never before been possible. The port will be filled in the coming weeks with overseas’ vessels loading, beside produce and refrigerated cargo, large quantities of wool for Home ports. The annual conference of the New Zealand Federation of Master Plumbers was opened in Invercargill on Tuesday morning, the president (Mr A. Dix, of Invercargill) being in the chair. A large amount of business was transacted, and several important remits were carried. On Wednesday a bowling match was played between rinks representing the delegates and the InvercargiL’ builders on the Te Rangi green. On Thursday the visiting delegates were taken for a motor trip through the Western District by way of Riverton and Tuatapere, and-returning by way of Otautau. They were entertained at a dinner on Friday evening. One of the most important remits carried was the following, which dealt with technical education in the country districts: “ That the executive approach the- educational authorities, and endeavour to arrange for plumbing instruction to be given by correspondence to plumbing apprentices in country districts where there are no technical colleges.” This remit was seconded by the Auckland delegates. The dispersal sale of Mr John Donald’s Southdown stud at Westmere attracted sheep breeders from all parts of the North Island. According to veteran breeders in attendance the sale, which was conducted by Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co., was the most successful sale of Southdown sheep ever held in the Dominion. The first pen of sheep offered was the five imported ewes bred by his Majesty the King at Sandringham. Although the ewes were three and a-half years old bidding for the ]uintet was exceptionally keen, and • ’timately, at the New Zealand record price for a pen of any breed of ewes —200gns—Mr W. H. Field, M.P., became the nirchaser. Record prices for New Zealand-bred Soutlidowns were obtained, both for one shea l , rams and ewes, and a further record was established by the high average paid for the entire flock of 200 sheep—£l3 14s per head. Not much grass is being cut for seed, and reports say that it will be fairly light. A good show is evident in the pastures, and with the recent heavy rains there should be ample feed to carry stock well into the winter. The turnip crops are good, and promise to turn out better than the average. There is no absence of feed at the present time, and stock generally is in splendid condition.