IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 20675, 22 December 1928, Page 8

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY Arrival of the Manuka. The Union Company’s intercolonial passenger steamer Manuka is expected to reach Milford Sound to-morrow morning from Melbourne. From there the Manuka will proceed to Bluff and is to berth at midnight, sailing at noop on Monday for Dunedin. * * * * State Of The Rivers. The recent sunny days have resulted in nearly all Southland streams being low and clear and prospects are bright for a successful week-end’s angling. The Oreti is normal and the Makarew.a is now clear. The Aparima and other streams are also low and all, with the exception of the Mataura, are in good order lor fly-fishing. * * * * 111-Fated Safety Zones. The frequent occurrence of mishaps to the pedestrian safety zones in Dee street indicates that they are ill-fated. Yesterday another small mishap occurred when the glass bowl supporting on the top of one of the pillars was smashed. A repair was effected quickly, however, and only a few fragments of broken glass remained to tell the tale. Bowls and Tennis at Te Anau. Visitors to Lake Te Anau when they have satisfied their desire to fish and go for launch trips on the lake can turn their attention to tennis and bowls, for in the hotel grounds there is a tennis court and a bowling green has almost been completed. It seems strange to find these amenities so far off the beaten track, but they are appreciated by a great many tourists. * » * * Sarcasm. As the inward express whistled shrilly before entering the Invercargill railway station yesterday afternoon, a group of taxi-drivers moved towards the entraryie seeking custom. At that moment a taxidriver with dignified mien emerged from the station whereupon he was greeted facetiously with a chorus of “Taxi, sir.” Jehu was equal to the occasion, however. “No thanks,” he remarked, “I’m in a hurry.” * * * ■siLevel Crossing Collision. There was a collision between a light engine and a motor lorry at a level crossing between Morton Mains and Kamahi yesterday afternoon. The lorry was driven by a man named Miller, of Morton Mains. He received minor injuries only, but the lorry was badly damaged, the two front wheels being broken off. The impact of the collision caused the engine to be put out of working order, and a relief engine was despatched to clear the line. This necessitated delaying the afternoon express for Dunedin one hour * * * * Record Shopping Anticipated. If to-day and Monday are fine Invercargill retailers anticipate a record Christmas week’s trading. The shopping tide, which set in a fortnight ago, has been gathering force each day and is now almost at the flood. Each afternoon this week the streets have been thronged with eager, happy shoppers and excellent business has been done. But there are a great many people who like to leave their buying till the days immediately before Christmas Day, and shop assistants will be kept working at iop pressure to-day and on Monday satisfying the needs of these last-minute shoppers. Striking testimony to the fact that Christmas is so near has been the noise that has resounded from the busy streets. Whistles, horns, hooters and strange mechanical contrivances have filled the air with discordant but rejuvenating noises.