SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3854, 24 January 1928, Page 35

SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, January 21. Although Southlanders have not yet had to resort to sending up in a balloon half a ton of dynamite with a time fuse in order that the heavens should give forth rain, the continued long spell of hot sunny weather has made water in short supply in many places. Farmers certainly would welcome a good day’s rain, but the dry spell has had its advantages, for haymaking has suffered no interruptions. Turnip and cereal crops are looking splendid, and if sufficient rain falls they should be very good. Wool brokers are very busy now preparing for the first sale of the season, which takes place on Friday, 27th inst. Twentythree thousand bales will be offered, and. judging from the excellent condition of the wool coming into the stores prices here should be on a'par with those in the north, if not better.

The freezing works are working at full capacity now, and a steady supply of lambs is coming forward. Unfortunately for sheep farmers, the weather during spring was not favourable to lambs, with the result that they are not drafting out so well as last season; The last few weeks should improve matters, however. Bluff has had a record vessel in port this week, the Northumberland being the longest steamer yet berthed at the wharf. Thousands of Southlanders have had the privilege this week of meeting the Governor-General and Lady Fergusson. Their Excellencies were not content with motoring to all parts of the province, but at all stopping places they mingled with the residents and were introduced to as many as possible. Needless to say, Sir Charles and Lady Alice-won a warm place in the affections of the people here, particularly as on all their tours their delight at the rich pastures and pretty homesteads was not feigned, but obviously sincere. Southland’s magnificent Ayrsliires caught his Excellency's eye on numerous occasions, for the Scottish county that gave Burns to the world has for generations had Fergussons in it, and Sir Charles did not the district that was first in the southern the district was first in the southern hemisphere to introduce the breed. On Monday their Excellencies went through the Western District; on Tuesday through the Central District, and Thursday through Kennington, Waimahaka, Fortrose, and Gorge Road. Wednesday was devoted to Invercargill, the vice-regal addressing a large, gathering of mothers, at which a branch of the League of Mothers was formed, while Sir Charles visited several institutions and attended a Masonic function. Friday was also devoted to Invercargill, the vice-regal visit concluding with an informal public reception in the Rose Gardens on Friday evening.

The week has been a gay one apart from the visit of the Governor-General, for picnics have been held by almost every branch of trade. In fact, there was scarcely a shop in town open on Wednesday, Lake Te Anau, Colac Bay, Wyndham, Monowai, and Riverton all being the venue of happy picnic parties. On Thursday 10 sunburnt Wellington College boys and a master cycled into Invercargill from Lumsden, after having travelled on their bicycles right through the South Island, camping at all the beauty spots. This is something new’ in the way of tours, but judging from the healthy appearance of the bo.vs and the glowing account they give of their trip it is au experiment well worth repeating. Southland has no reason to feel pleased at the treatment it receives from the bodies that control sport in the Dominion. In a short time an Australian bowling team and an Australian cricket team will visit the Dominion, but poor old Southland is not. included in either itinerary. The Southland Cricket Association has always loyally helped the New Zealand Council, and this is its reward. The Australian bowlers arrive at Bluff by the Manuka, but it has been impossible, so the Nev.Zealand authorities say, to include Invercargill in the list of fixtures. . The teachers’ summer school has been in full swing all the week at Stewart Island, and the hundred teachers in attendance have had a wonderful time, deriving both enjoyment and profit from their seven sunny days in one of the most beautiful places in the world. . ~ No stone is being left unturned to make the preparations for the Sanders Cup contests complete, and Stewart Island promises to be a very gay place during the week in February, when the big event takes place. The Southland boat has nbt been definitely selected yet, trials being still in progress, but the Murihiku II should carry the maroon colours. The dry weather has made the Puni very low at present, and the other day a Scot was observed leaning over a bridge, gazing anxiously at the water. When questioned, he replied that he was looking for half-a-crown he had dropped in the iVater 10 years before.

While I give my readers leave to doubt this, I can vouch for the truth of the following 'incident: At a wedding this week the guests wore a sprig of heather to show that they did not come frbm Ireland. The officiating minister also had the correct buttonhole. A lady who knew 'him - well? playfully reproached, him. with wearing heather when there was- not a :drop; of Scottish blood in his veins. /‘'Aren’t' you an ' old hypocrite!” she concluded.-. “ Madam, that is.not hypocrisy. Tt is qmbition,”; was the clever retort..