IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 20664, 20 April 1929, Page 8

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY. Carpenters Unemployed. The secretary of the Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union (Mr C. Provan) states that the building trade is quiet at the present time, and that 20 carpenters are on casual work at Bluff. When the Rangitiki completes loading these men will be on the union’s books as unemployed. * * * * Use Of Streets. It has been suggested unofficially that revellers during May Fair should use the roadways for their frolics at night, leaving the footpaths to elderly people and mothers accompanied by young children. In this way, much of the congestion and annoyance would be eliminated. Closed To Visitors. Those interested in the Rangitiki who did not take the opportunity to see over the vessel when she was thrown open to the public last Sunday- will not now be able to do so. The local agent states that the shipping company has regretfully decided to keep the vessel closed during the remainder of her stay in port. S: » * * Milford Track Closed.

The Milford track staff arrived in Invercargill on Thursday evening, having left the track on Thursday morning, Mr L. M. Cheriton, manager of the track, will remain a few days longer at Milford. Mr and Mrs C. H. Long and family- will remain at the Milford Sound hostel during the winter. « * * * Good May Fair Entertainments. It became evident at yesterday’s May Fair committee meeting that arrangements were well in hand for the different entertainments in connection with May- Fair. A very’ strong and enthusiastic committee under the chairmanship of Mr P. C. Hazledine has prepared a very’ comprehensive tentative list of entertainments.'

Disastrous Fire at Bluff. The Bluff Presbyterian Manse, occupied by the Rev. Waddell, was completely destroyed by- fire yesterday at 4 p.m. The Rev. Waddell and family- were absent at the time. Owing to the poor facilities available, the local fire brigade were unable to cope with the outbreak. Practically- nothing was saved from the building and the Rev. Waddell and family- have sustained serious loss. Insurances on the manse at present are not available.

* • * . * * Railway Goods Traffic. Owing to exceptionally heavy’ goods and stock traffic the Railway Department finds itself unable, through a shortage of waggons, to keep pace with the demands on its service. Not only is the Southland district affected,, but an acute shortage of waggons is being experienced all over the South Island at the . present time. The month of May generally sees a rush period for Southland, but the present state of affairs, although pleasing, was unexpected. The demand for cpal trucks also has been unusually large.

Royal Appreciation. The acting-secretary of the Southland Education Board (Mr R. Brownlie) has received the following letter from Government House. Auckland: "With reference to my letter of December 20 I am directed to inform you that his Excellency has now received a reply from the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs stating that the loyal resolution of sympathy passed by the Education Board of the district of Southland relating to the illness of his Majesty the King -has been laid before the Queen and that, her Majesty desires that an expression of her grateful appreciation maybe conveyed to the board.”