SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3890, 2 October 1928, Page 35

SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

(From Uub Own Corresvondent.) INVERCARGILL, September 29. September is departing with smiling face, but up till the last day or two it has looked most sourly upon the people of Southland, who have been paddling round in mud and water trying to feel cheerful in the knowledge that they were not the only sufferers in the Dominion—a poor consolation at best. The barometer was guilty of extraordinary tricks, registering a lower reading than the oldest inhabitant could recollect. In fact, one of the newspapers here which each day shows in diagrammatic form the reading of the barometer found that the mercury had fallen so low that its reading could not be reproduced. Despite such an ominous sign the days passed with nothing more serious happening than rain, hail, and wind. Sheep farmers and dairymen, have no reason to feel pleased with September. The cold weather has cheeked the growth of spring grass, and in many instances the available feed has been cropped. The warmer weather of the past two days should quickly remedy matters.

In those districts that were visited with snow during the week the lambs required careful attention, but no serious losses are reported. The “ bobby ” veal trade is flourishing in Southland, and the peak of supply was reached this week. The adoption of the tagging system has been responsible for a vast improvement in the quality of the calves and in the condition in which they reach the works. Farmers are obviously giving much better treatment to their calves this season as compared with last.

The uncertainty of a bull’s temper was shown on a farm in the south this week, when Mr J. Grose while working on Mr Neil Carter’s farm was savagely attacked by a Friesian bull. Mr Grose was in a paddock with a horse and cart, when the bull suddenly made an onlaught on the horse. Mr Grose thereupon went to the horse’s assistance, and tried to beat the bull off with a stick. This caused the infuriated animal to transfer its attention to him. It knocked 'Mr Grose down, and its subsequent actions made him a great believer in the dehorning of cattle, for if it had possessed those weapons he would have been gored to death. As it was, he was in imminent danger of being crushed to death, for the bull adopted fresh tactics, and tried to kneel on him. He seized the ring in its nose and gained a short respite, but the beast broke away and returned to the charge. This time he caught hold of the bull’s ears. Hanging on to these, he was being dragged round the paddock, when he let go suddenly and gained a position on the cart before the beast reached him. Then ensued a fierce fight between man and beast, but the pitchfork wielded by Mr Grose carried the day, and he was able to reach home safely, though in an exhausted condition. After a ball was over at Waikaia on Tuesday night a party returning home in a new car driven by Mr R. Brown had an unpleasant thrill at the Dome bridge. In trying to avoid potholes, the driver pulled the wheel over and could not recover in time to avoid striking the side of the bridge. The car overturned and lay with its passengers inside it. Other cars were soon on the scene, and the prisoners were released with expedition. Two ladies had to be taken to the Gore Hospital, and the rest suffered considerably from shock. The Lumsden Gala Committee was unfortunate in striking such au inclement day as Wednesday for its function. The programme had to be considerably curtailed, but the ball m the evening exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the promoters. over £7O being taken at the door. The children’s events were decided on Saturday, when a blazing sun made conditions happy for all. On the same afternoon the Northern District representative team successfully withstood a challenge from Western for the Sports Trust Cup, the emblem of ascendancy in the sub-union world. The holders did not look like losing, both backs and forwards playing splendidly-.

While the Northern team was doing so well at Lumsden, Invercargill’s senior champions. Star, were receiving an unmerciful hiding from Otago' University for the Deacon Cup. The ’Varsity team now owns the cup. Interest in the Bluff jubilee celebrations quickens each day. Extra lighting facilities have been provided, and shopkeepers are gaily adorning their premises. On Monday the new Town Hall will be officially opened, and on Wednesday a monster gala will be held. A bazaar continues throughout the week.

The fishing season opens on Monday, and anglers are feeling much more cheerful regarding the prospects of good sport on opening day now that the weather has cleared. It seems probable, however, that fishing with the fly will not be practicable in a good many of the streams. Next week-end should see the rivers well and truly tried out, and the Sabbath will be desecrated with many tall fish stories.

The week has been filled with functions farewelling Mr F. G. Stevenson, secretary of the Southland Education Board, who to-day retires on superannuation. It was on April 1, 1891, that Mr Stevenson joined the staff of the board, and that his long service has been greatly appreciated was evident from the widespread expressions of regret at his retirement and good wishes during his respite from work.