SOUTHLAND TOPICS

Otago Witness, Issue 4066, 16 February 1932, Page 20

SOUTHLAND TOPICS

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WARMER WEATHER. INVERCARGILL, February 13. Summer has come to Southland at last. Throughout the week the sun has shone brightly from a cloudless sky, and everyone has begun to realise that in spite of depressions and Sino-Japanese warfare, life is well worth living. Farmers have been able to make hay, horticulturists have been able to work in their gardens, sporting enthusiasts have been able to perspire freely in pursuit of a ball, and picnickers have been able to swim ami get sunburnt. The rain that fell so frequently in January, though much abused by holidaymakers, played a big part in making Southland look refreshingly green. No visitor to Invercargill who has seen the drought-stricken areas up north fails to comment on the great contrast afforded by Southland’s fertile fields. It is certainly going to be an excellent season in this part of the world, which is something to be thankful for amidst the gloomy news that comes unceasingly from the Cabinet Ministers. CROQUET TOURNEY. That croquet is winning its way into popular favour has been very evident this week, when the annual tournament conducted by the Southland Croquet Association has been held on the greens of the various Invercargill clubs. Competitors have been present from Dunedin and Gore, as well as from the. local clubs, and each day's play has been followed with the keenest interest by a large gathering of spectators, including many males who came to scoff, but who remained to admire the science of the mallet wielders. The singles final was a stern tussle between the holder. Mr R. W. M'Watt (Gore), and the present South Island champion, Mrs Corbet (Dunedin). Feminine wiles eventually proved successful, the male defender having to acknowledge defeat at the hands of a worthy opponent. Mrs Corbet also won the handicap singles.

The doubles championship went to Mrs J. T. Wilson (Invercargill) and Mr M'Watt. There were large fields and keen competition in the B grade events. The Southland greens are acknowledged to be about the best in New Zealand, an 1 the South Island championships are to be played at Invercargill next January. ELECTION AFTERMATH. The meetings of the Southland County Council are usually so peaceful that there is a danger of somnolence among members, but at the monthly meeting on Friday, the atmosphere was for a time charged with electricity.- and contact between Mr D. M'Dougall, M.P. for Mataura, and his erstwhile opponent, Mr Thomas Golden, caused many sparks. It was Mr M'Dougall who generated the electricity, for he waited on the council to air an old grievance—the failure of the council, and particularly of the member for the Toetoes riding. Mr Golden, to take up road grants which the member for Mataura had been instrumental in having placed on the Estimates. After Mr M'Dougall had made a characteristic speech, he was subjected to a battery of questions from Mr Golden, and, to a lesser extent from other councillors, but he was able to beat a retreat in good order and with tartan colours flying. Another bright interlude in the council meeting was provided by deputation from the Bluff Borough Council regarding, the cost to the port of the Invercargill-Bluff road. Mr T. F. Doyle, the Mayor of Bluff, emulated Mr M'Dougall in his caustic comment. ITEMS OF INTEREST. The Supreme Court sittings, which commence at Invercargill on Monday, are expected to last for a fortnight, as there is a heavy list in the criminal calendar. There was a big gathering at Nightcaps last Sunday afternoon when Bishop Whyte opened and blessed the new wing of the convent school. The school buildings at Nightcaps must now rank as among the most, up to date and well 1 equipped in Southland. , The Clifton School jubilee celebrations ’ were brought to a successful conclusion on ! Sunday afternoon, when a thanksgiving ! service was held and wreaths were laid on 1 the war memorial. The reunion banquet • On Saturday evening was attended by 300 t ex-pupils, and was a most happy function. The Wairio School celebrates its jubilee on March 23 and 24. The Woodlands and Waianiwa Schools are also holding their ’ jubilees shortly. 3 Prospects for an exhilarating after--1 noon’s Aying at the South Island air e pageant at Invercargill next Saturday art f bright, as entries are coming in freely from all parts of New Zealand, the pilott including many famous aces. The number of miners’ rights issued bi 1 the registrars at Gore and Riverton shov a considerable increase for January, 1932 compared with January, 1931. Most o the prospectors are reported to be earn

ing at least their keep. The divining rod is being relied on in a number of instances, and' there are rumours of some rich strikes. . An oil diviner has been at work m Southland during the week, and has stated that there is abundance of oil at Centre Bush at a depth of about 2800 feet below the surface. ... When the price of rabbit skins is high the death rate of rabbits also soars, but when prices decline the rabbits increase. Judging from the large numbers of these destructive little animals in Southland just now prices for their skins must have pretty well reached bedrock. The improved tone of the London cheese market has taken a few wrinkles out of the brows of dairy farmers and has caused renewed activity in the local market. Forward buying has been carried on with a good deal < of spirit, and a number, of sales .have, been effected on a. basis, of Cd per lb f.o.b. The turnip crops are looking well, and oat crops are expected to return -higher yields than was anticipated a'month ago.' Grass seed is- coming in in excellent condition;.-

There are nearly-40 cities in -the-world with a population of-river one million.•'.»