IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 20950, 6 December 1929, Page 6

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY. Prizes Unclaimed. Four of the prizes won in the balloon race conducted at the Oreti Beach Association’s Carnival have not yet been claimed. The holder of ticket 33, who is entitled to the first prize valued at £lO 10/-, has not yet called for his or her reward. The other winning numbers with no claimants are: 738, 656 and 1284. *'♦ * * Southland's Popularity in Canterbury. In conversation with a Times reporter yesterdav. Mr H. J. Farrant, secretary or the Royal Show Billeting Committee, stated that although applications for accommodation had been received from all over New Zealand, by far the greatest number had come from Canterbury. Possibly this fact can be traced back to the visit of the Canterbury farmers in April, 1928. * * * • Work On Showgrounds. Work has already been commenced on the Showgrounds in erecting the extra stalls required for the cattle sections and in generally tidying up the grounds. Under the influence of the growth-producing weather lately experienced, the grass has sprung up in a typically Southland manner and now presents a great advertisement for the pastures of the province. < « . * * Power Board Progress. Some time ago a report of last year’s financial operations of the Southland Electric Power Board was forwarded to the proprietor of an extensive engineering business in London who was formerly engaged in a supervisory capacity in the early stages of the Monowai scheme. In his reply, which has just come to hand the writer, in thanking the secretary’ (Mr Charles Campbell) for the report, states: “I have found this very interesting and despite the difficulties which the board has faced and is still facing financially, I was most astounded to read of the progress that has been made. It undoubtedly reflects great credit upon the executive heads controlling the board’s destinies, and I should be pleased if you would accept and pass on to your colleagues my congratulations on the happy result of their efforts, and very best wishes for continued prosperity.”

Progressive Invercargill. The inconvenience to thousands of suburban citizens who require the ordinary services of a post and telegraph office was brought under the notice of a Times reporter by a prominent business man yesterday. It was stated that the town had progressed sufficiently to warrant the establishment of sub-offices in some of the more thickly populated suburbs. At the present time, any suburban resident sending a telegram or desirous of procuring a postal note was required to travel to the Chief Post Office for the purpose. “This is a matter for the Southland League to investigate,” remarked the informant, “and I am sure that if representations were made through the proper channels we suburbanites could get some much-needed relief in this respect. It would not hurt the league people to drop the way back tourist resorts for a while and concentrate their efforts a little on progress nearer home.” Magnificent Challenge Shield. What can well be claimed to be the finest challenge shield in New Zealand is now on view in the window of Broad, Small’s, Ltd. This is the Walker and Hall Challenge Shield, valued at £2OO, which is to be awarded annually to the winner of “most points in the live stock, pure breed classes,” at the Royal Show. It will be competed for, for the first time, at Invercargill and the Southland A. and P. Association has good reason to feel proud of the fact that the shield will make its debut at Invercargill. That means that the history of the shield, a history that will become valuable as time goes on, will date back to the Royal” in 1929. There should be keeh competition among breeders in all parts of New Zealand to be the first winner of the Walker and Hall Challenge Shield and it is certain that Southland breeders will strive earnestly to bring the shield to Southland for the first year. The shield is of superb workmanship and yesterday created great interest in Broad, Small's window. Westport Tourist Traffic. Information concerning road communication with Westport is contained in a letter received by the secretary of the Southland League (Mr J. S. Dick) from the Duller Progress League. The letter stated that it has been brought under the notice of the league at Buller that the many offices dealing with travel were not catering for that district in respect to tourist traffic, and the league desired to advise that, the road from Nelson was in good order and safe for traffic. It was anticipated that the road via Lyell would be open to traffic in February next. This would be one of the most interesting journeys in the Dominion as evidence of the vast earthquake would be visible throughout. The coastal road from Greymouth to Westport was open, but regular services could not be run until the rivers were bridged. This work, however, was well under way at the present time and with two motor services in operation when the weather was favourable, a fine opportunity of viewing magnificent scenery was afforded.

Some Interesting Figures. “The growth of State and local bodies’ employees has been tabulated by the Government by ten-year periods, the first taking place in 1915, and the second in 1925” remarked Colonel G. T. Hall when addressing the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce upon the question of taxation yesterday afternoon. “In 1915 the State employed 41,217 costing £5,867,308 and the local bodies 16,502 costing £2,632,975. In 1925 the State employed 55,978 costing £13,281,838 and the local bodies 29,529 costing £5,837,066. The increase, therefore, in State staffs in those periods was 35.6 per cent, and in local bodies 57.1 per cent., the increase in wages being 126.3 per cent, in the case of the former and 148.7 per cent, in the case of the latter. Allowing that the staffs have increased at a like ratio, the Government would have one servant for approximately 21 people, and if the Government and local bodies be combined, there would be one employee for approximately every 14 people.” Unemployment figures were not included in the calculations. * * * * Planes For Royal Show. In connection with the visit of two Government aeroplanes to Invercargill during Royal Show week it was stated that they would arrive on Tuesday and leave again on Thursday. In view of the fact that as far as flying matters are concerned, Southland is probably the most backward province in New Zealand, members of the Southland Aero Club felt that it would perhaps stimulate the interest of the people in this district if the length of the visit could be extended. With this in view steps were therefore taken to endeavour to bring this about, and advice has now been received from Sir Joseph Ward that arrangements have been made to delay the departure of the machines till Saturday. On the ar'rival of the planes members of the local club will try to make arrangements to have all financial club members taken up for a short flight and during the week an official of the club will be present at the aerodrome (West Plains) for the purpose of enrolling new members. Any persons desiring enrolment forms or any information may obtain same from the chairman (Mr J. E. Cuthill) or the secretary (Mr J. S. Dick).