SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 35

SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, July 111). While other provinces, Otago included, are having floods and washouts, Southland is getting through the winter most pleasantly. This last week may have been a little too mixed to suit all. but variety is ‘the spice of life, and without being uncharitable, the good people here chuckle inwardly when they read of the troubles their northern countrymen have to contend with. Whatever may be said of Southland's climate —and enough unkind remarks to fill a volume have been made —- floods and severe storms are practically unknown. Yet the majority of northerners imagine, that down here a region of snow, ice, and torrential rain exists. Only the other day a Taranaki farmer, anxious to sell Jersey cattle down here, enclosed a photograph of one of his healthiest cows standing deep in snow. In his covering letter he submitted that the photograph should convince farmers that Jerseys could thrive in the polar regions of this province. Poor old Southland! “Let's forget about it!” is the motto adopted by all Rugby enthusiasts here after the crushing and unexpected defeat Otago inflicted on the Maroons. Both in town and country the majority anticipated a win for Southland, and I am sure that not 10 per cent, of the 6000 present dreamt at half-time, when Southland led by G —o, that the Dark Blue were going to rattle on 27 points in the second spell. It was a most unpleasant shock, from which none have yet recovered. A trial game was played on Saturday in the hopes of improving the team before the return match at Dunedin on August 6. The Harbour Board's new tug Southland has now reached Fremantle, and should not be more than a fortnight in arriving at her new home. Bluff. There is joy in the hearts of those who make Stewart Island their summer headquarters, for the Theresa Ward was synonymous with mal-de-mer. There was a dramatic ending to the inquest on Desmond Keith, the young man who was injured in the motor smash at Wallacetown and who died in the hospital a fortnight after the accident. When the coroner returned his verdict that Keith's death was due to a fracture of the skull, caused through being thrown ; out of a ear driven negligently at a high . speed, the driver of the car, Andrew Moffat, who was in court, was formally arrested and charged with having negligently driven the car and thereby caused Keith's death. A remand was granted till next week. Waitaki old boys resident in Southland gathered in the Federal tea rooms on Wednesday for the first reunion dinner held locally. Nearly 50 were present, all parts of the province being represented, and during the evening a Southland branch of the Waitaki Old Boys’ Association was formed. Though no serious contagious diseases have been common in Southland this winter there has been a good deal of mumps and influenza among school children, the attendances at the various schools having been considerably affected thereby. Work has been resumed on the tepid baths after a long interruption owing to the tardy arrival of the steel roof. No more awkward questions have been asked at the Council table about the expenditure on the baths, but it may be the lull before the storm. The baths are badly needed. I am not implying in this remark that cleanliness is not an inherent quality of Invercargillites. A census taken some time ago at the schools disclosed the fact that 80 per cent, of the pupils could not swim. It is high time the percentage was considerably reduced. A flutter has been given to the hearts of the young men of the town by the appearance of the “ Beauties ” at the Albion Theatre during the week. The 10 damsels have truly been the delight and wonder of the stage, admired by all the budding Apollos of the village. Possibly through local patriotism, quite possibly through merit, the Otago and Southland girls fill the first four places. The Eastern District Rugby representatives travelled from Gore to Balelutha on Wednesday to try conclusions with South Otago. Conditions were anything but good, despite which the football was full of interest. South Otago won by 13 —7. There should be plenty of young men in the country able to use their fists. Boxing tournaments have been staged at several centres, the latest to have an evening's sport being Otautan, where the Southland Boxing Association ran a very successful novice tournament on Friday. Bowlers are evidently fairly useful biljiardists. The other evening a wellknown Southland bowler scored 10 at one stroke, all three balls finishing in the one pocket. The penalty for such a freak shot is the same as that for doing a hole in one at golf.