IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 20792, 5 June 1929, Page 6

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Reverie Gear.

“Our trams are going backwards,” was a remark made by Councillor Reed at the Borough Council last evening. When the laugh subsided he hastened to add, “I mean as regards revenue.” * * * *

The Melbourne Steamer. The Union Company’s intercolonial passenger steamer Manuka, with passengers, mails and cargo, is expected to leave Melbourne at ten o’clock this morning for Bluff direct. The vessel, which is due here on Sunday afternoon; will leave the following day for Dunedin. * * Rateable Property.

The unimproved value of the rateable property of the Borough of Invercargill, excluding the area recently taken in from South.lnvercargill, is estimated by the corporation at £1,477,223, and at Id in the £ this produces £6155. The area taken from South Invercargill .has an estimated unimproved value of £54,434, producing £226 at Id in the £. The annual rateable value on all property within the borough is set down at £280,616. Town Milk Supply. A proposal was recently made tp the Mayor for the improvement of the milk supply of the Borough of Invercargill. At the request of the Mayor the borough inspector (Mr R. Bleakley) drew’ up a report on the subject. This report was on the table at the meeting of the Borough Council last evening, and th'e council decided to send a copy of the report to the Christchurch City Council which has in hand the matter of the cleanliness of milk supply. ♦ V * * Rainless South. The question of -the renewal of the license for a certain Bluff hostelry was being heard by the Licensing Committee yesterday and the health inspector had explained that several leaks in the roof had not been repaired because the roof was a slate one and the leaks could not be located until it rained. “It will probably rain within six months, your Worship,” remarked counsel for the publican. “It probably will,” smilingly replied the Magistrate, Mr W. H. Woodward, S.M., as he granted the license. * * * * Penny Fares. The advisability of introducing penny fares on the trams was suggested by Councillor Reed at the meeting of the Borough Council last evening. Councillor Gilkison remarked that Councillor Reed should furnish the council with a thesis on how’ to make the trams pay. He himself considered that trams were an obsolete method of public conveyance. In Invercargill, with the improvement of the streets and (he increased numbers of cars and cycles, the revenue was bound to decrease. * * * * Undignified Entry. The Court crier had just announced at Bluff yesterday that the Magistrate’s Court was open, and an expectant hush settled on the Court preparatory to the first case being called when there came a bang on the door and a well-known town lawyer hurtled into the room on hands and knees. Business was suspended for the moment anil all eyes turned on the embarrassed legal man, who apologetically explained, rather needlessly, to his Worship that the floor was slippery. Expansive smiles spread even to the Bench. * * * * One-legged Cyclist Arrives. Considerable interest was created in Invercargill yesterday afternoon by the appearance of Mr Rihari Heke, w’ho, known as the one-legged returned soldier, Is making a tour of the South Island. Mr Heke, who Is travelling very light on a bicycle, left Christchurch on April 13, and after proceeding to the West Coast by way of Kaikoura, Picton and Nelson, left for Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin’ and Invercargill. When he arrived in Invercargill from Gore yesterday afternoon the cyclist had covered 1302 miles without mishap. Mr Heke, who claims to be a descendant of the famous Maori chief, Hone Heke, has already completed the feat of riding round the North Island, travelling some 1240 miles. Mr Heke has in his possession a book bearing the signatures of the mayors and other municipal officials of the various towns through which he passed in the course of his journey. This morning he leaves for Bluff and thence Stewart Island, and will return by way of Lumsden to Queenstown, where a base will be made for a tour of the Southern Lakes district. * ’ * * * Invercargill Garden Club. That the members of the Invercargill Garden Club are keen flower-lovers all was evident at the monthly meeting held in the Y.M.C.A. last evening, when there was an exceptionally large attendance on the occasion of addresses given by members of the Gore Beautifying Society. Mr L. Lennie occupied the chair.’An address on “Pruning Fruit Trees and Shrubs” was given by Mr C. Burrows, Gore, wlfb illustrated his lecture by pruning specimens of fruit trees he had brought for the purpose, and who spoke very fully, explaining the process of pruning from the young plant up to the matured tree. The speaker also dealt with “Root Pruning and Summer Pinching,” and at the close of his address various questions were answered and a discussion bearing on the subject ensued. Mr A. Newman, Gore, followed with an addre® on “Trees and Shrubs? for Town Gardens,” giving a lengthy list of trees and shrubs suitable for the purpose and treating with foliage effect and berry-bearing trees. Questions were put and answered at the conclusion of his address. Both members of the Gore Beautifying Society were accorded a hearty vote of thanks, their efforts being very much appreciated. An interesting account of “Carnation Growth” was given by Mr P. Plumer and before the meeting adjourned a rough balance-sheet of the recent chrysanthemum show was submitted to members.