IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 20524, 28 June 1928, Page 6

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY. Rabbiting Season. Trappers and poisoners of brer rabbit are experiencing a busy period just now. The season is in full swing and some big catches have been recorded. Poisoning appears to be the popular method of securing the rabbits. There is no doubt about the popularity of the “game,” the remunerative prices for skins attracting many to take up rabbiting as an occupation. A Hold Up. The sum total of the motor vehicles at Half Moon Bay is two—one a Ford and the other of a more handsome appearance. The latter is a comparatively recent requisition and the owner was particularly proud of his purchase. On a recent afternoon, however, it refused to respond to the self-starter or even the frantic crankings of its driver. The Ford had to be called in to tow her cousin—once removed—to her stall. One pleased man went to bed that night!

Country Footballers Injured. The present football season in Southland has been a remarkable one for the number of players who have received injuries to limbs while playing. That there has been a veritable plethora of injuries reported, a glance at the weekly accounts of both town and country games will provide confirmation. Three more cases are reported from Orawia. While playing for Orawia against Riverton on Saturday, R. King (half-back) was forced to retire owing to receiving a broken collar-bone. Against Nightcaps J. Phillips and W. Hamilton (also of Orawia) suffered injuries which will keep them out of the game for some time. Phillips had two small bones fractured in one arm and Hamilton received a leg injury.

Half Moon Bay Wharf. A semi-official compromise, likely to gain Government sanction, has been reached in regard to the new wharf at Half Moon Bay over which there has been some discussion owing to the action of the Government in curtailing the original plans. Mr J. R. Hamilton M.P., visited the scene of operations in conjunction with members of the Harbour Board and it was agreed that the cutting off of 20 feet of its length enabling the extra timber to be used in widening the structure would meet with the needs of the islanders and tourists for a year or two. One of those interested stated that it was not by any means what was promised by the authorities some years ago, but they would have to be satisfied with the arrangement. Confirmation is expected about the end of the week. * * w ♦ I Euchre Tournaments. The following letter was forwarded recently to the Department of Justice by Mr D. St. C. Macgregor, secretary of the Combined Kindergarten and Public Hall Committees, in order to obtain a ruling as to the legality of holding euchre tournaments under certain conditions. “We have been conducting euchre parties for charitable purposes. The police have instructed us to discontinue same as we make a charge of 1/6 admission and give open orders as prizes. My committee fails to see wherein lies the offence.” In reply the Minister of Justice replied that it was impossible for him on the facts stated in the letter to say whether the parties constituted a breach of the law. In his opinion the best course was to get a solicitor’s opinion on the point and a solicitor might at the same time advise whether it is possible to conduct the tournaments in such a way as to keep within the law. In conversation with a Times reporter last evening Mr Macgregor stated that a petition was now being circulated throughout the district in an endeavour to have the Gaming Act repealed to allow of the holding of euchre tournaments for charitable purposes.