SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 59

SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

(From Ocb Own Cobhesi '•ndent.l INVERCARGILL, March 5. Invercargill in particular and Southland in general has been very quiet during the last week. Nothing of very great importance has taken place, and it looks as though the province were reserving its energies for the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York. Generally speaking, the farmers have experienced another good week for their -work. The rain at the commencement of the previous week resulted in a welcome freshening up of the pastures and green crops. The weather during the last few days has been ideal for harvesting, and farmers' Have taken full advantage of the opportunity it afforded them. The oat harvest has been in full swing for some time past, crops having ripened very rapidly. Grain crops, as a whole, are in exceptionally good condition, and should the good weather continue, oats and wheat will thresh well. Everywhere throughout the province the pastures are looking excellent, and never before has there been such an abundance of feed during the autumn months. During the last fortnight large numbers of lambs have been put on feed and within the next week or so lambs off feed will be going forward freely to the freezing works, which have experienced a quiet time during the last three weeks. Annual drafts are now coining down off the stations, and in every case they are in good condition. The quarterly general meeting of the Southland League was held in Riverton last Friday, when matters of considerable interest to the local residents were discussed, including a suggestion from the Riverton Progress League that Riverton should be classed as a tourist resort by the Government Tourist. Department. It was stated that if such were the case it would be possible to collect subsidies from the Government for improvements. The president of the local league said that the Pokurakino ’ ’.iver was one of the most beautiful in New Zealand, and that strong endeavours should be made to induce tourists to take trips on it, everything that could _ljc done for their convenience having been done by those interested, even to the building of special boats. It was decided to bring the matter up at an executive meeting of the Southland League so that the league could co-operate with the Riverton Progress League in the matter. The blunder in connection with the proposed visit of the Australian doctors-, to the Milford Track was also discussed at some length, and it was eventually decided to ask the Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts for a special report outlining the full circumstances, Mr Ritchie, who moved this motion/saying, “A reply was made through the press, but further information may have been brought to light. We are entitled to consider ourselves slighted, and I would suggest that the secretary be instructed to write to the Minister, asking for a full report of the Milford blunder.” He referred, in saying this, to the fact that the league had asked the Department for an explanation and that the only reply received had been that made by the Minister through the press. At the monthly meeting of the executive of the Southland Motor Association on Monday evening reference was made to the exploits on public highways of such record-breaking motorists as “Wizard” Smith. The discussion arose as' the result of a letter from the secretary of the South Island Motor Union, in which lie referred to a remit sent from the asso-

ciation on the matter, and said, "Your letter with regard to speed trials on public highways was placed before my executive, and you will note in the minutes that the executive was of the opinion that, as the union had no control over such trials, which were not conducted by affiliated associations, it was hard to see what could be done by the union to stop the practise, as the police and local bodies already have power to deal with the matter. I am directed to ask if you_ have any suggestions to make as to what the union can do in the matter, and if you still wish it to go forward as a remit.” The letter was discussed, and strong condemnation of' such speed trials was expressed by the members of the Association. It was. finally decided to state that the association still wished the remit to go before the quarterly meeting and also the proposal that the Motor Union approach the Government to have steps taken to have legislation passed forbidding such speed trials on public highways, or that the present legislation be more strictly enforced. The remit first sent forward by the association for consideration at the quarterly meeting' of the union at the end of the present month read as follows: “That the South Island Motor Union consider taking steps to see if there is any way of abolishing recordbreaking speed trials on public highways. ■ The topic of conversation among the farming community at this season of the year usually circles around the price of wool, meat, and other commodities closely connected with their particular' calling, (says a local paper). During the week :it has been common talk that a movement is on foot to check the practice of fat lambs being sent north to swell the output of “prime Canterbury”—a practice which has been going on for several seasons. Our reporter waited on an authority to ascertain the exact position as far as the Southland Frozen Meat Company was concerned. He gathered something of interest as a result of that visit. “The policy of the company,” said the official, “has always been to confine its work co that of operating on account of clients, and not to enter into the speculative side of the business at all, but circumstances this season are such that there is no alternative but to compete in open market to ensure a fair share of the production of the province. We realise that there is no sentiment in business, and furthermore, that the farmer is quite justified in sending his fat lambs north if by so doing he can secure a better return than by putting them through a works in his own province, but we venture to say that, all things being equal, not one farmer in a hundred would hesitate to patronise local industry and support the local works. Little more need be said on the point further than to indicate that the services of some of the very best buyers and most capable drafters have been secured, and, will be available at short notice.”