IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 20666, 23 April 1929, Page 6

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY. Anzac Day Expresses. The Railway Department advises that, the 7 a.m. express will not run- as usual on Thursday (Anzac Day), but one will be run on Friday to bridge the gap between Tuesday and Saturday. The night express will leave Invercargill as usual at 6.40 p.m. on Thursday. The Unemployed. The figures supplied by the Government Labour Bureau show that the number of unemployed is slowly increasing. Last week’s total of 112 is increased by three, 41 fresh applications having been received, 29 withdrawn, and nine sent to private employment. Of those at present on the roll 106 are fit for heavy work and nine for light work. * * * « High School Hostel Plans. “An excellent design for a freezing works,” was how Mr J. Gilkison described the plans prepared by the Public Work's architects for the proposed hostel at the Southland Boys’ High School, which were examined and considered by the High Schools' Board last night. The plans were not considered to be suitable as the dormitories were located in the south wing and it was decided to secure plans of hostels in other districts and select the most suitable design, and return the plans of the departmental architects. * . « * # Overheard at Wanganui.

A recent visitor to the North Island brings back a good story from Wanganui, which goes to show how men from the south are looked upon in those parts. It happened while he was having -a quiet meal in one of the restaurants that two business men sat down at a nearby table. One deplored the lack of initiative shown collectively by his staff, but. the other was heard to remark, “Why don't you get some men from the South Island?” Not very flattering to northerners, but evidently sincere enough for southerners to take as a compliment.

Engines Collide. The 1.45 p.m. train had just shunted up to the platform prior to her departure for Bluff yesterday afternoon, when a heavy engine came up to the points on the same line and struck heavily against the cowcatcher of the shunter. The heavy engine escaped damage, but the cow-catcher of the shunter was driven down on to the track, thus leaving the engine securely anchored. A number of surfacemen, who were working in the railway yards at the time, set to work on the cow-catcher with a large lever and two crowbars and succeeded in levering it back to its normal position. * * * $ A Busy Port.

Bluff was a busy port yesterday. In addition to the new motor liner Rangitiki, one inten-colonial and two coastal steamers were berthed at the wharves. The absence of many regular waterside workers at the muttonbird islands and the fact that quite a few are engaged at the Ocean Beach works created a demand for labour and large numbers of Invercargill’s unemployed secured a day's work on the waterfront. The rush will, however, ease off to-day when only the Rangitiki will be left. Three Home boats are due to arrive during the course of the week-end and the Manuka from Melbourne, on Sunday.

Sunday Letters. When spoken to yesterday regarding the shortage of stamps in the stamp registering machines at- the post, office on Sunday evening, the Chief Postmaster (Mr W. E. Johnston) said that a roll of 480 stamps was placed in the larger machine on Saturday evening. The machine was in good working order and an unexpected demand used up all the stamps available. The fact that the machines had previously given trouble was almost entirely due to misguided persons putting unsuitable coins and other matter in the machines. In future the penny stamps will be replenished on Sundays and if this does not meet the demand the Department will be approached for another machine. * * * « A Close Call. Mr S. Ladbrook had a narrow escape from drowning last Sunday (states our Riverton correspondent I. In company with two companions he was returning from the fishing grounds with sail set and the engine running. When off Rabbit Island he was •struck on the neck by the boom and precipitated into the water. The launch had covered some distance before he was missed, but no time was lost in going to his rescue, his mates giving a sigh of relief when he was placed safely aboard. The unfortunate man was just about done when the boat reached him, as he was wearing a heavy overcoat; but managed to get rid of his gum boots. First aid was rendered by those on the launch, and he soon recovered after the mishap.