SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3842, 1 November 1927, Page 35

SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, October 29. It would be hard to imagine more villainous weather for Labour Day than that prevailing on Monday, nor more delightful days than those that have succeeded the stormy week-end. All the. Labour Day fixtures save the Gore races had to be abandoned, and jbeople had to be content to adorn their own firesides. The heaviest sufferers were the enthusiasts who had planned the big military tournament'at the showgrounds. The committee had to exercise all their philosophy to remain loyal to the province and Providence.

One Southlander lias serious thoughts of petitioning Parliament or some such authority to have the Labour Day holiday observed in February or March. He urges that year after year all over New Zealand all sorts of plans are made for spending Labour Day fittingly, only to be met with wind, rain, and snow. It- is not as if Labour Day commemorated the birth or death of any potentate. It is merely a day set aside for recreation for the benefit of workers, real and imaginary. Why then have it in such an unsettled mouth as October? Speaking for myself, I agree that a change of date is desirable, having vivid recollections of a snowy Labour Day in Dunedin, a sea of mud at the Oamaru trots, and a hailstorm in Christchurch — to mention three occasions only on which the holiday proved an unholy day. Lambing percentages throughout the province are gratifyinglv high. At least oner farmer has tailed 150 per cent., ami the average should easilv exceed three figures. The losses will be light, despite the ravages of the “ mystery disease ” that experts cannot fathom.

Shearing has also commenced, and owners cannot complain of serious interruption to the work this week. Dairy factories will soon .be working at full capacity, every week seeing a big rise in the intake. No fewer than 26 dairy factories in Southland make use ot electricity to work the machines.

Supercilious northerners may deprecate Southland stock, but it will be surprising it they do not have to lower their eyebrows and their colours to breeders from this province when it comes to awards at the Royal Show. Be that as it may, there are breeders in other countries who realise that Southland has some claim to be recognised as the stud farm of the Dominion. On Monday the well-known Remnev Marsrbreeder. Mr A. S. Holms. Waimahaka. snipped to Buenos Aires two special stud Romney -Marsh ram hoggets to the order of an extensive stud breeder in the Argen. tine. Jhe sheep were magnificent specimens of the breed, and should do much tp advertise Southland and the Dominion.

Invercargill had a visit from the Labour of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland) lasr week-end. It was strange to see the Labour leader walking about wi-th the aid of crutches owing to a recent accident The speech lie delivered at the Municipal Lheatic after church time on Sunday evening was typically a Labour sermon, with visions of a new world for workers when the present Opposition becomes the Government. Mr Holland's chief obje-t in coming to Invercargill was to lay'the foundation stone of the new Labour" Hall in Esk street, which he did with less talk than might have been anticipated The Otautau Athletic Society was not daunted by Mondays rain, and staged a highly successful sports meeting. which was graced by the presence in the afternoon of Mr and Mrs H. E. Holland. In tne evening the neighbouring township of Nightcaps held an interesting boxiim tournament. °

Jhe horse is still far from being displaced by the motor car. It is quite possible to purchase a second-hand automobile, possibly of doubtful pedigree and perform ance but still a car. for £lO. On the other iiand a draught gelding a «vveek a fr o was sold for £7(l.