SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3875, 19 June 1928, Page 35

SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

INVERCARGILL, June 16. There have been some very keen frosts during the week, and motorists, remembering their unfortunate experiences last winter, have made sure that there has been no water in their radiators to-run up a disconcerting mill of repairs. The ice that has been lying everywhere has given one enthusiast the inspiration that the Puni should be dammed, so that ice skating may be indulged in by the populace of Invercargill. Unemployment is going to be a serious problem in Invercargill this winter. There are at present 70 on the list, and a good many more who are not registered. No work is offering for them in town, but as the result of efforts being made by the Mayor, it is probable that something should shortly be done to relieve the situation. The authorities, however, are reluctant to expend money on valueless work tantamount to digging a hole and then filling it up again. A lot of money went up in smoke this way last year. There is great consternation among promoters of and participants in euchre tournaments at the announcement by the police that they are going to prosecute any persons conducting card tournaments for prizes. Many euchre tournaments have been cancelled, but some organisers are carrying on to see what happens. Invercargill has had many Maori visitors during the week, for Judge Gilfedder is here presiding at a sitting of the Native Land Court. Proceedings are of necessity fairly leisurely, and the judge will probably be kept going for another week. The church attendances must have suffered last Sunday evening through the departure of the first night express from Invercargill. Rarely has there been such a crowd on the platform or so many cars parked outside the station. The bookings were heavy for this end on the first train, and have continued so throughout the week. There can be no question that the innovation is a most popular one, and passengers speak in high praise of the courtesy of attendants on the train.

Invercargill posesses wide streets, and has a rich endowment of reserves, but it is by no means a beautiful town. For some years the more public-spirited citizens have felt the need for a beautifying society, and at last such a body has come into being, for at an enthusiastic meeting on Friday evening a strong committee was set up and plans discussed. Dipton was the scene of most successful dog trials on Tuesday and Wednesday. There was a large attendance of the public, who were privileged to see some fine work by the dogs. The prizes were fairly evenly divided. The price of milk has formed the subject of some discussion locally. Up till recently milk vendors have charged whatever price they liked, with the result that there has been much variation. A few weeks ago an association was formed, and the prices fixed—and incidentally raised. Vendors were prohibited by advertisement from selling below these prices, but one or two have chosen to sell under the majority, much to the displeasure of the latter. There is no more enthusiastic centre than Winton, and on Wednesday evening further evidence of the district’s progressivenes was forthcoming, when at a representative meeting held in the secondary school it was decided to form a Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club, with branches throughout the district. An instructive address on the value of the movement was given by Mr Davies, of the Agricultural Department.

Southlanders will have an opportunity of seeing league football for the first time,, for towards the end of August the English international team is to° play a match at Invercargill. It is quite possible that our Rugby players will learn a good bit from watching a game against which there exists a good deal of prejudice. The Englishmen will spend several days in Invercargill.

Invercargill breeds some courageous women. The other morning at 8 o’clock, just after her husband had gone to work’ a wife was enjoying a rest in bed, when she heard the noise of someone prowling round the washhouse. She did not pull the blankets over her head, but gallantly got out of bed, seized a carver, and set out to deal with the intruder. She was disappointed in her quest for gore and glory, iot she could find no one lurking in the washhouse. To make sure that he was not sneaking out the gate she walked round to the front of the house and looked out into the street. It was only when she saw the utter astonishment depicted on the faces of passers.by that she realised she. was still brandishing the carver and that she was clad only in pyjamas.

Music lovers throughout Southland are eagerly looking forward to the coming week, when the Italian Opera Company five world-famous operas—a treat very rarely bestowed on this part of the Dominion. Heavy bookings show the appreciation with which the enterprise of Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller is greeted.