The Southern Cross Published Weekly. INVERCARGILL, JUNE 11, 1910. GENERAL NEWS.

Southern Cross, Volume 18, Issue 8, 11 June 1910, Page 8

The Southern Cross Published Weekly. INVERCARGILL, JUNE 11, 1910. GENERAL NEWS.

— 1 ■' - The Invercargill branch of the D.L.-; F. Club hold their annual social and dance in Victoria Hall on Friday evening, 17th inst. A good programme is in course of preparation, and an enjoyable evening is anticipated. Attention is called in our advertising columns to the terms of admission to the Invercargill Athenaeum. The charges are so low that the institution is brought within the reach of all. There is a library of over 13,000 volumes, besides all the leading newspapers, periodicals, etc.; Young people cannot do better than spend their evenings in the pursuit of knowledge, and parents can rest assured that all literature is carefully selected and kept well up-to-date. Fuller information will be gladly given by the librarian (Mr Sprouli). The Gore branch of the Women’s Christian Temperance Society intend holding a Hospital Saturday collection in that district on Saturday, 2nd July. They have made application to the Invercargill Hospital Saturday Association for the loan of boxes, which have been forwarded. We wish the Gore ladies every success in their noble work.

The results of Jones’s Honey Pectoral competition are advertised in this issue. . The local gas engineer, Mr Rabhidge, is losing ho time in extending the gas service to the northern part of the town, and the lamp-posts for ■street-lighting were,, at. the street corners ready for erection this week. A grand social is to be held in the Victoria Hall on Tuesday evening next. It should prove a most enjoyable affair. No effort is being spared to make it so.. Cards start at 7.45 and dancing at 10 p.m. Mr Chas Gray, the local secretary for Trinity College. London, inserts a notice in reference to the forthcoming local examinations. The Invercargill Poultry, Dog. Pigeon, Canary, and Pet exhibition is to be held in the G-arrison Hal! this year on July 6th and 7th. Entries close on the ISt'h inst. at nine p.m. Schedules can be had from Mr A. A. Paape, secretary. Attention is again drawn to the concert to be held at Clifton on Wednesday. June 15th. The programme comprises some good musical items, and we think that this should be a draw sufficient in itself. As the object is a worthy one a good attendance is anticipated. The annual mid-winter show, in connection with the Southland A. and P. Association, takes place in Zealandia Hall on Tuesday. Wednesday, and Thursday next. A fine entry has been secured, and this show is naturally the crowning show of Southland. No doubt farmers and others will make a point of being present, more especially as a, convenient train service has been arranged by the traffic department. Pour tenders for the erection of a balcony at the Children’s Ward were received by the Charitable Aid Board and that of Messrs Walker Bros. ’£379) accepted. The highest was £478. For the consumptive pavilion alterations that of Mr Thos. Howie (£208) was accepted. There were five tenders, the highest being £273. The Southland Engineering Co. secured the balcony at Lome Farm, the price being £39 7s 6d. The morgue at Core was secured by Mr D. Robertson at £69. A will case from the Oteramika district was concluded in the Supreme Court, Invercargill, on Wednesday. It was an action by Susan McSporran against Mary Sellars Wilson for recall of probate in the estate of Neil McSporran. The Court gave judgment for the defendant, with costs. P.P.C.M. Bro. A. Todd, of the St. George Lodge of Manchester Unity Oddfellows, completes fifty years of membership in the above Order this month. A social to mark the event will be given in Victoria Hall on Wednesday evening next. The Fairfax Literary and Debating Society is in a flourishing state, and many knotty problems have this- season received their quietus. They are taking a big proposition on the 13th June. It is "Should the House of Lords be Abolished ?” The affirmative is to be taken by Mr Bennett, and the negative by Mr Geo. Meek. The country will await with anxiety the result, for the chances are that in a democratic country like this the Lords will receive a scant ing.The King’s Hall Skating Rink presents a very busy appearance every evening when votaries of the amusement are spinning round the glasslike floor. Roller-skating is rapidly gaining a great hold of both sexes in Invercargill, if the crowds who nightly glide around the floor of the rink is any criterion. It is, in its .way, surprising the fascination roller skating has, not enly for skaters alone, but spectators as well, and the benches are well-filled every evening and Wednesday afternoon with those who delight in the sound of the spinning wheels. The hall is managed excellently by Mr Wm. Lamb, and he and his effeient stall of helpers have a very busy perspirating time taking beginners in hand, teaching them the way in which to skate, and too much praise cannot be bestowed upon them for the painstaking and patient manner in which they attend to their duties. The Dominion band is in attendance every evening and Wednesday afternoon, and the sweet music discoursed by them is an added allurement to the HalL There are morning, afternoon, and evening sessions, and the Saturday mornings at present are given over to the younger generation as a children’s matinee, when skates are free to the little people.

Messrs Edginton Bros., nurserymen, will insert a replace advt. next week. They have over 50,000 forest trees, etc., and 20,000 fruit, trees to select from.

The case of Thos. Fleming v. T. W. Walker, town clerk of the Borough of Invercargill, asking for ,a mandamus compelling him to fill the vacancies in the Council, was taken before Mr .Justice Williams on Friday, and after hearing evidence decided to give his judgment later on.

The fourth annual Boxing championships in connection with the Southland Boxing Association, was held in the Theatre on .Line 2 and 8. The attendances were large on both occasions. and speak well for the management. Some scientific bouts were witnessed, and both competitors and patrons were satisfied that the best men won.

I'be Fawelka trial which has been extended over a number of Mays has at last Iteen concluded, and the judge in pronouncing sentence, said : —" I shall sentence you on the charges of breaking and entering, which were committed prior to your escape from custody, to seven years' hard labour. For the theft of the bicycle, two wears’ hard labour, the sentences to be concurrent. For escaping from gaol at Palmerston North, two years hard labour, and for the breaking and entering offences since your escape from Wellington Gaol, seven years’ hard labour, the sentences to be concurrent with each other and cumulative with the first series. On the charge of arson, seven years’ hard labour, to take effect at the expiration of the two previous series of sentences.” His Honour added that be proposed, subject to the ruling of the Court of Appeal, to declare accused an habitual criminal. The prisoner was in a state of complete collapse at the conclusion of the pronouncement of sentence, and had to be, half carried from the court. There was considerable sensation in the court.

At Thursday’s meeting of the TI. and C'. A. Board it was decided to invite applications for the position of District Nurse for Charitable cases in Southland. —Invite applications for position of Medical Superintendent for the Southland Hospital at a salary of £SOO a year a nd free house. —lncrease the Secretary’s salary to £3OO, and the office boy’s salary by £lo.—All other salaries to remain as at present.—An application to have a Maori girl added to the Hospital staff for training was favourably considered.-—Decided to call for two probationers.—Alternative tenders to be called for lease of the Bowmont street sections and buildings.— Consolidate fire and general insurances amongst five N.Z. offices. —Visit Lakes Hospitals before coming to any decision.—Accept Mr Douglas’s resignation after 47 years’ faithful service. —At next meeting to take into consideration the question of fixing a maximum rate of 12s per day for patients able to pay- —Agree to caretaker at Kew establishing a poultry run with birds from Lome Farm. —Confirm the chairman’s action in several matters, including more police supervision in vicinity of Llospital.- —The chairman to look into the question of cost of lighting - at Hospital and report.