SOUTHLAND TOPICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3942, 1 October 1929, Page 33

SOUTHLAND TOPICS

(From Oub Own Correspondent.) HERD TESTING. INVERCARGILL, September 28. The prospects for the forthcoming season appear to be satisfactory from a dairy farmer’s viewpoint. It is to be hoped, therefore, that more attention will be paid to herd testing. Not only does testing help to sort out the “ passengers ” in a herd, but it also furnishes valuable data for calf marking. Southland organisations are freely availed of by the farming community, and as a result a great improvement has taken place in the herds. The Government subsidy is going to be available for the 1929-30 season as in previous years. In addition an amount has I>ecn set aside to pay the ealary and expenses of a man who is to organise herd testing throughout the Dominion.

PEDIGREE STOCK. At the annual sale of pedigree Friesians at Ilelensville, Mr R. Dickie, of Tuturau, purchased the seven-year-old bull Springbank Zozo Mercena. This animal is one of the great show bulls of the Dominion, having won no less than 12 championships, including the North Island championship in 1928. Springbank Zozo Mercena will be exhibited at the Royal Show in Invercargill. Mr Dickie is to be congratulated upon his enterprise in purchasing such an animal, one that should do much to improve the strain upon his farm. KINGSTON-QUEENSTOWN ROAD. Those who prefer the inland beauties of our province will notice with regret the decision of the Cabinet to discontinue the work of completing this road. Local opinion is strong that the road should be completed to allow of the round trip to Queenstown by road. If matters are left to stand as they are at present it means that the money already spent is practically wasted. This fact must surely be apparent to those in authority. Local public bodies are placing the matter before the members of Parliament in the hope that the work will not be ceased.

THE POWER BOARD. The Power Board proposals for the purchase of the borough electrical department's plant and equipment received the consideration of the council at their meeting during the past week. One paragraph of the proposals in which the board offers to give its assurance that no special rate will be levied upon the lands In the borough, if the scheme is accepted, bears the mark of an implied threat. The position as laid down in the decision of the Appeal Court in 1926 gives the Power Board wide arbitrary powers to levy special rates upon any district within its area, whether that district is receiving benefits or not. The effect of this clause is a matter which has been taken up with the board, and it has been made a condition of further negotiations, that no special rate is to be levied upon properties in the borough. Under the proposed arrangement the board offers to supply the council with electric power at the rate of |d per unit. This rate will result in a large saving in the council's electricity bill during the year. The reduced rate and the freedom from special rates seem to be the chief advantages which the board offers to the ratepayers to induce them to part with their 1 profitable municipal enterprise. The council seems to be unfavourable to the board's proposition, but will no doubt refer the matter to a poll before taking action.

BUILDING TRADE. The building trade is becoming quite busy with the approach of finer weather. A number of city properties are undergoing alterations, and in residential areas several new houses are in the course of erection. Gore reports an unusual activity in building and allied trades. Houses are going up everywhere in the town, and a big shop is undergoing extensive alterations. As a result not only has the unemployment problem been solved so far as these trades are concerned, but there is an actual shortage -of tradesmen. It is understood that Gore is to have an up-to-date theatre. Negotiations have been proceeding for some time with a syndicate which has entered upon an extensive building campaign throughout the Dominion, and as a consequence it -a understood that a site in Mersey street has been secured. IMPROVING ORETI BEACH. The Oreti Beach Association has commenced a campaign towards the raising of .funds for the improvement of the beach. It is suggested that a big one-day effort be made in November, to be followed up by a membership campaign. The Drapers' Association has promised its support to the one-day effort to secure funds. Everyone in the community should be interested in the improvement of tne facilities at Oreti and give their financial support to this project. The association proposes to erect bathing sheds and shelters, but if money is forthcoming many other improvements, such as water supply and fireplaces, would add much to the charm of the place as a picnic resort.