IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 20522, 26 June 1928, Page 8

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY. Police and Re-hearings. “I have never once been refused a rehearing by the police in any case I have had on hand,” said Mr Eustace Russell in the Bluff Police Court yesterday. “I have not even had an objection raised,” he said. “I have been met with a ready response. In many cases the police have supported me in applications.”

Nearly a Collision. At 2.30 p.m. yesterday a Dodge coupe which was being driven at a fast speed east along Gala street, narrowly missed a serious collision will) a motor lorry which was travelling north up Kelvin street. The driver of the coupe did not slacken speed at the intersection find was fortunate in striking the lorry merely a glancing blow that did practically no damage.

Suspicious Police. “You are the first, and most suspicious policeman I have ever seen,” said Mr Eustace Russell in the Bluff Police Court yesterday. The ejaculation arose from the fact that Mr Russell commenced to read a statement made by a witness. The arm of the law was extended, and the official voice of Sergeant Tonkinson said: “No! I will read it.” Mr Russell later added: '“l,wish you not to be so abusive, sergeant.” “I’m not being abusive,” was the reply.

Invercargill-Dunedin Road. In conversation with a Times reporter yesterday the president of the Southland Motor Assaciation (Mr J. R. Haigh), who with Messrs A. M. Macdonald and W. Hinchey motored to Dunedin last Thursday to inspect and report on the main road, stated that a comprehensive report on the condition of the road would shortly be placed before his executive. Of the 141 miles of road 81 miles were in good order, 30 fair, and 30 bad. Of the 81 miles of good road 50 were in/Southland. The worst stretches were on either side of Balclutha.

Light Extinguished. At a meeting of the Southland Football Association last evening the question of using tape for cross-bars came up when various members expressed their opinions on the subject. The president (Mr G. E. Pollock), remarked that he was not in favour of the scheme, whereupon a member interposed saying that he had seen tape in use at big fixtures at Home. “With the wind blowing it about?” queried the president.

“Yes,” declared the member vehemently, “and with the goalie pulling it down to let the ball over.”

In the laughter which followed the elec trie light supply failed.

Unemployment. The unemployment returns for the week disclose a slight increase on those of the previous week which are given in parentheses: Labourers 50 (48), motor drivers 1 (2), clerks 1 (2), farmhands 8 (3), carpenters 2 (1), cooks 2 (2), first-class engine driver 1 (1), second-class engine drivers 2 (2), plumber’s improver 1 (1), ironmonger 1 (1), fellmonger 1 (1), salesman 1 (1), bakers 2 (2), cycle mechanic 1 (1), mechanical engineer 1 (0), blacksmith 1 (0), married couple 1 (0), ploughman 1 (0), machinist (woodwork) 1 (0), making a total of 80 as compared with 76 the previous week. During the week 46 new applications were received, 17 men were placed on public works, four in private employment, and 21 applications were withdrawn.

Studying Passengers’ Comfort. Passengers who travel by the night express from Christchurch to Dunedin are saved the anguish of having to crawl out from under their snug blankets at the unhallowed hour of 6.30 a.m., and getting robed by the pale glow of the electric light, reports an exchange. A considerate Department allows them the privilege of lying in until about 9 a.m. The Dunedin sleeper is shunted on to the quietest siding in the yards, and allowed to remain there until the inmates feel like breakfast. It is the Department’s intention to heat the carriages in the yard by connecting up with the city’s electricity supply. At present they are steam-heated by the locomotive, and consequently are liable to cool off suddent ly when uncoupled. Passengers from Dunedin are allowed to retire about 9 p.m., and so obviate the necessity of having to wait about until the express arrives from Invercargill at about 11.30 p.m.

Print Competition. Every year The Amateur Photographer and Cinematographer, an English publication, arranges a special print competition for readers residing in any of the British colonies and dominions. This competition is proving very popular, the number of entries being large and steadily increasing year by year, while the standard reached is always a high one. Silver and bronze plaques and certificates are awarded, and in addition, the club sending the best collective entry receives an exhibition picture. This year special reference was made to the quantity and quality of the work sent from New Zealand. “If the New Zealand entries had been sent as a complete entry for the special award,” states the journal, “instead of individually, the award would have gone to them.” It is pleasing therefore, to discover that in the list of New Zealand successes Invercargill is represented by Mr R. R. MacGregor, whq succeeded in gaining a certificate. Sawmill Activity.

In conversation with a times reporter yesterday, Mr T. O’Byrne, secretary of the Southland Sawmillers’ Union, who has recently returned from making the rounds of sawmills in the Catlins and Western Districts, stated that the mills were all working in a satisfactory manner. “In many quarters,” he continued, “there is complaint of shortage of orders and a number of the mills are working single-handed. In some parts I discovered that certain millers had a full supply of orders. At Kilkelly’s mill at Motemote, on the banks of the Waiau some 16 miles from Tuatapere, there are 25 men employed at the present time. During last week, however, on account of rain and snow in the Western district, half a week was lost as the men were unable to work. Messrs W. Jacobson and J. Wybrow have taken over Pope and Company’s sawmill at Waikawa, and reports from that district indicate that a fairly prosperous time is being experienced by millers at the present time.”