IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 20940, 25 November 1929, Page 6

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY. Large Hail Stones. A gentleman, who was in the Pine Bush district on Friday evening told a Times reporter that he had been forced to take shelter from a heavy hail storm there. The hailstones were as large as marbles and he had driven his car under some trees to save the hood and windscreen from damage.

Pipe Band’s Concert. The' popularity of the Caledonian Pipe Band of Southland was demonstrated yesterday afternoon by the large number of people who attended the concert of Scottish airs given by the band in the Rose Gardens. Despite the strong counter-attraction of the shipping activities at Bluff, the response of the public was such that the band’s .funds will be substantially added to while the quality of piping given under Pipe-major R. Sutherland will no doubt increase very largely the band’s prestige. * ♦ * *

Kicked by Horse. An unfortunate accident occurred at Bluff on Saturday morning to a blacksmith named J. Clark, a recent arrival from Dunedin. He was employed by Messrs Nicholson and Sons, of Bluff, and at the time was shoeing a horse when the horse lashed out and broke the man’s leg, inflicting other injuries to the face necessitating several stitches being put in. The unfortunate man was promptly conveyed by ambulance to the Southland Hospital and is reported to be doing well. » * « *

Attractions at Bluff. The arrival of the Melbourne mail steamer Manuka with a number of Southland residents on board, and Wirths’ Circus, was one of the chief causes of the invasion of Bluff yesterday afternoon by several thousand visitors, chiefly from Invercargill. The Manuka arrived shortly after one o’clock according to schedule and by that time there was already a large crowd on the wharf. Some time elapsed before pratique was granted and the travellers disembarked and were greeted by their friends. The unloading of the animals from the circus was observed with considerable interest. The troup of elephants were first to leave the ship headed by the “old man” of the performers which is probably more travelled in Australasia than the oldest theatrical stars on the circuit. After a few preliminary tests, the veteran walked down the special gangway, but without any great show of pleasure. When his less experienced mates took their turn they also showed signs of nervousness and one proved so refractory that only the steady pull of the leader coupled with chains induced it to leave its floating home. The onlookers were thrilled by loud trumpeting as the unhappy animal mounted the gangway, but it was amusing to observe that the distrusting beast found the “bridge of asses” less hard to cross than anticipated. The presence in port of the lonic, one of the largest vessels visiting the port, and the oil tanker Paua added interest. Many people took advantage of the hospitality of Mr D. W. McKay to inspect the Hinemoa which leaves shortly on its first trip to the Sounds.