SOUTHLAND TOPICS

Otago Witness, Issue 4048, 13 October 1931, Page 21

SOUTHLAND TOPICS

(From Our Own. Correspondent.)

SPRING SUNSHINE.

INVERCARGILL, October 10. Southland continues to bask in spring sunshine. The exceptional spell of fine weather is being thoroughly enjoyed by man and beast; but it will not be long before there is a cry for rain. However, if this week-end’s forecast is correct, some good showers should have been experienced by the time these notes appear. Work on the farm is well advanced, and the lambing season is nearing its conclusion. Not for a great many years have conditions been so favourable, and it is generally anticipated that when the averages are worked out the percentage for the province will be a record. The cows are emulating the ewes in their effort to increase production. The intakes at the dairy factories continue to increase rapidly, and more calves than ever are being butchered to make a meal of bobby veal for European diners. It is just as well that animals are not endowed with man’s reasoning powers. Otherwise it is probable that the females of the species would go on strike as far as maternity is concerned. How thankless is the task of mothers whose offspring no sooner come into the world than they have their throats cut! WARFARE AT WINTON. The peaceful and smiling town of Winton has been roused from all its pleasant lethargy lately by the outbreak of warfare between the Croquet Club and the Borough Council. The dispute centred round a pavilion which the club wanted placed at one end of a reserve and the council- at another. In defiance of the council the ladies of the Croquet Chib had the pavilion placed where they desired it. To show that they were masters of the situation the councillors ordered its removal. Thereupon deeds and words followed in quick succession. The newspaper men were provided with excellent copy, the gossips with plenty of material, and the whole town with a new interest in life. The fate of the Chinese and Japanese in Manchuria, the date of the general election, even the depression, were forgotten in the mighty clash between the Amazons and the senators. It seemed that the powers invested in the senators must prevail, but the Amazons were prepared to fight to the last ditch. Now the drama is drawing to a' climax, for the Mayor, councillors, and burgesses of Winton are being sued by the Croquet Club for £5O damages for trespass and other transgressions. When the case comes up for hearing at the Winton Court seats should be at a premium. VISIT OF DIOMEDE. Early next week Southland is to receive a visit from H.M.S. Diomede, which is at present cruising in southern waters. The Mayors of Bluff and Invercargill will be exchanging civilities with the commander, Rear-admiral Geoffrey Blake, the girls of Bluff and Invercargill will have an opportunity to dance with officers and men from the warship, and the general public of both towns will be privileged to see the sailors marching in their streets and playing football on their sports grounds. The Diomede arrives at Bluff on Monday and leaves on Thursday.

SPRING BLOOMS. The time for spring flower shows has come round again, and in many parts of the province there have been magnificent displays of narcissi and other spring blooms. The average Southlander is a keen horticulturist, and no matter how small is the centre holding a show, it is assured of a fine exhibition. This week there were highly successful shows at Winton, Otatara, and Invercargill. Many outstanding blooms from the Nation?'! Society's Show at Dunedin were on view at Invercargill and e’xcited much favourable comment. The honour of judging at the National Show fell to Mr C. S. Longuet, of Invercargill. FREAK LAMBS. This is the lambing season, so that the announcement of freaks is by no means uncommon. On Mr Adam Hamilton’s property at Thornbury a lamb, with four sets of legs, two spinal columns, double sets of internal organs; but only one head was born thia week. In many respects it resembled the famous Siamese twins, but. unlike them, it failed to live. On Mr H. Mathieson’s property at Ringway a ewe gave birth to four lambs, two being black and two being white. Three of the four survived and are developing splendidly. INCREASED PRODUCTION. It is a great many years since eggs have been so .cheap in Southland. On every farm and in a great many town homes hens and ducks are kept, and all are laying with great abandon just at present. The retail price has come down to a shilling, and housewives who have been worried at the recent upward trend of the price of foodstuffs are turning to eggs for mental and physical comfort. No one can accuse the fowls of failing to do their duty in these days of depression and declining birth rates. „ LOSS TO SOUTHLAND. Lumsden lost one of its chief citizens and Southland a very faithful servant when Mr G. F. Johnson passed away on Thursday. For over half a century Mr Johnson’s life has been linked with that of the province, and to his publicspiritedness and generosity the people of to-day owe a great debt. In a modest and unassuming way he performed great service, for others, and it was not a matter for surprise that his funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Southland. On the Southland Education Board and many sporting bodies and in Masonic circles he was held in the highest esteem and the deepest affection. His widow, seven sons, and four daughters survive him. One of his sons, Lance, won fame on the football field, representing New Zealand on many occasions, while other sons gained honours in Southland.

VARIOUS ITEMS. Mr William Swale, a well-known Winton resident, met with a serious accident on rmday, when his car overturned on the Hundred Line road. Cuts, bruises, find broken ribs were sustained by the unfortunate motorist, who, nevertheless. *s progressing favourably. Bluff is coming into its own again in the shipping world. Three big overseas vessels will be in port this week-end, as as several smaller vessels. The golf season is not yet over, as a sparrow had good cause to know this week.. It was flying serenely along when a golt ball struck it amidships and ended its career, the incident occurring on the Queen s 1 ark links. Later in the week tn e bhead Cup competition was played on the links, and one of the ladies holed out in one. When the cup was being presented to the winner, Mrs P. M‘Carthy, tlie player who performed the unusual teat paid the penalty in the customary/ manner. V Record entries have been received for the interclub tennis competitions in lin ercargill. Jn all other centres the game is flourishing. Matches will commence in the coming week, and on Labour Hay a good many country clubs will hold lankee tournaments. Cricket and bowls are also in full swing now, though the competitions have not yet commenced.