THE BLUFF

Southern Cross, Volume 20, Issue 21, 24 August 1912, Page 12

THE BLUFF

* ± t 1 FROM WEEK TO WEEK. «: THE WEATHER. The weather has undergone a complete change, and -some of the days have been delightful—calm, sunny, and warm, with cool nights. The gardens haye been waking up, and gardeners are hard at work. A heavy rainfall on Wednesday night did not do any harm, and it U)ay be fairly said that "spring is here."

SHIPPING. The week has been a busy one for shipping. On Thursday the Tyser liner Star of Scotland sailed for Lyttelton and Gisborne, where she was to ship the salvaged cargo from the Star of Canada. She took 5000 sacks oats, 22,000 carcases, and sundries from the Bluff. On Tuesday the Drayton Grange arrived, and the Kamona, having discharged her timber, sailed. On Saturday the Drayton Grange •departed,, having shipped 2000 sacks of oats < and 14,000 carcases and sundries. On Monday the Ulimaroa was the steamer from Melbourne, and she went on in the evening ; 1200 sacks •oats were among her cargo.s The Maitai came in from. Dunedin, sailing for Melbourne, and having 3225 sacks oats and 25,000 super ft. timber among her cargo.

On Wednesday the Tyler liner Star of Australia came in with 400 tons West of England cargo, and the Wairuna from Newcastle with 450 tons ■coal.

The small steamer Kotare, which trades between the Southland coast, Stewart Island, and Dunedin, broke her tail shaft on Saturday night within a few miles of Chasland's Mistakes, between the Nuggets and Waipapa light. She was taken in tow by the Maitai, but temporary re-

pairs being effected by the engineer she was left between W 7 aipapa and Bluff, and managed to reach an anchorage off Dog Island, and eventually reached Bluff, where information was sent to the owners. Arrangements were made for the Otago Harbour Board's tug Plucky to come down and tow the Kotare to Dunedin for repairs. The accident to the Kotare has revived the necessity for a small dock] at Bluff, where repairs of this kind could be a.ttended to. As a financial proposition, the making of a dock has nothing to . recommend it, as it is well-known that the other docks which are in existence in the Dominion are not paying concerns. But as an adjunct to a port, a small dock or slip is a necessity, and if it does not pay directly it does indirectly. Years ago the Bluff Harbour Board had a slipway constructed, but for some reason it was not used, although its practicability was shewn when the Rose Casey was placed upon it. There are firms of experience who can undertake the engineering work required, and it must be admitted that in view of the steady progression of the port some accommodation of this kind will have to to be provided sooner or later.

Capt. Macdonald, late Harbourmaster at Bluff, who has sold his property and is about to take up his residence in Dunedin, was made the subject of a presentation by his friends at Bluff on Thursday. .

The Tiny Town midgets ■ and their diminutive ponies, arriving by the Ulimaroa on Monday, were the objects of lively interest while landing and embarking for,. Invercargill.

The annual general meeting of the Tennis Club proved to be a very satisfactory function. The report showed a credit balance of £6 5s Bd, and as £3O had been spent on the new pavilion and £2O on the courts, and the only liability- was a loan of £jlo, the financial position was sound. The Club had won all its Association matches. The prize-win-ners at the tournaments were mentioned and praise distributed where it was due, and particularly to the indefatigable secretary. Mr N 'H. Cameron. A number of new members were elected, and the following of-fice-bearers for 1912-13:—Patron, Sir .J. G. Ward ; President, Captain Lovett ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs W. Hinchey, M. ITutton, G. R. George, O. H. King, E. A. Nichol. A. Young, T. Cro-cket, J. O. Metzger, Dr.. Torrance, and Capt. Stewart. Hon. Sec, Mr R. Cameron ; Treas., Mr ,T. Bra-dsha.w ; General Committee, A. Valentine, - .1. Bannerman, A. Metzger, .las. Bradshaw, W. Marcussen ;

Ladies' Committee, Mrs Stewart, Misses Nichol, McLeod, H. Smith, Metzger, Kutton ; Auditor, Mr. G. R. George ; delegates to S.T.A., Messrs Henderson and Bannerman. It was decided to enter for the 'A grade competition, and the prospects for the season are excellent.

There is no more popular function than the annual social held by the Natives at Bluff, to provide funds for the working of their local institutions, and in consequence the Drill Hall was packed to excess on Friday night. The aid of Natives far and near had been requisitioned to contribute to the entertainment, and the result was quite an assemblage of talent at the call of the secretary, Mr T. Spencer. A number of Maori dances, hakas, etc., were contributed by a party. Songs were given by Misses Stirling - (Riverton), Wixon and Russell (3), and Mr G. Skerrett (brother of "Iwa") ; dances by Messrs A. Wixon and Solomon. Mrs Sherlock .acten as pianiste, and Stirling's Riverton orchestra discoursed excellent dance music. Mr Forbes was M.C., and Mr T. West general manager. McNaughton Bros, catered to everyone's satisfaction', and the proceeds will amount to about £25, which will keep the Maori house going for another year.

The anticipations which we ventured at the beginning of the season that the Bluff hockeyites would soon aim' at the top of the tree, have been verified, and the game played on Saturday against the Civil Service B was to decide whether Bluff took the cup or only occupied second place. A strenuous game resulted in a draw without score on either side, and as Bluff needed an outright win to annex the Cup they had to be satisfied with second place, which, after all, is not a bad achievement for a second season.

Great interest was continued in the Invercargill Competitions, and though debarred from large attendance in the evenings by lack of train arrangements, numbers of Bluff

residents were present at the day sessions. In addition to successes chronicled last week, Miss I. L. Hutton was placed third in the sacred solo. All but one of the Bluff competitors were singing for the first time, and it is safe to say that with the experience gained this year, the young ladies will take more prominent positions at future competitions.

Fish have been very scarce at Bbiff for some weeks, owing to bad weather, and, according to a good authority, the discolouration of water caused by much rain. With the calmer weather there should now be a better supply.

Something of a coal famine is again setting in. The Wairuna was expected to bring 10£)0 tons of Newcastle coal, but only brought 450 tons, which, will do ' little to satisfy requirements. •; The license/of the Bay View- Hotel has again chaJnged hands, Mr M. J. Crow having sold out to Mr McPherson, of Balfour.