IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 20832, 22 July 1929, Page 6

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Injured Footballer.

When Aubrey Lee, the Maori half back, who is also a member of the Northern District team, was carried off unconscious and bleeding profusely on Saturday it looked as if his injuries were likelj’ to prove serious. Fortunately this did not prove to be the case for although he received a nasty cut above the ear necessitating a couple of stitches, he was almost completely recovered at the conclusion of the game and was confident of playing in the Sports Trust Cup match next Saturday. * * * * Street Beautification.

A commencement has been made on the beautification work in Thames Street. In this street a well of rubble is being built at the edge of the road proper so that the plants which are to be sown in grass will be protected from the wheels of vehicles. At the same time it is considered that the rubble will play an effective part in the decorative scheme. The work in Thames street is largely in the nature of an experiment and a comparison will be made with other forms of street beautification before a definite system is decided on.

Clayton Steam Car. The attention of spectators at Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon was momentarily taken from the game by the shrill whistlings and the unusual appearance of a vehicle which was travelling along the railway line. Speculation was rife on the nature of the new arrival, but inquiry from the Railway Department elicited the information that it was a Clayton steam car which had just arrived from Dunedin. This is a completely self-propelling steam carriage with seating accommodation for 50 or 60 people. It will probably be used on a branch line, but so far the Railway Department has not received instructions where to utilize it.

Keen Maori Footballers. Had it not been for the keenness of sonic members of the Maori football team which was seen in action at Rugby Park on Saturday it is questionable if the game would have eventuated. Not a few of the team came from the districts seriously afflicted by floods and to catch the train the footballers had to overcome some almost insurmountable obstacles. One Temuka player was marooned on an island owing to the floods and the chances of his connecting with the express seemed very remote. He was determined to play, however, so rolling up his clothes in a tarpaulin he swam across to the mainland and reached the station in time. Others of the team had to make long walks through flooded areas in order to connect with the railway.