IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 21288, 8 January 1931, Page 6

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY. Cyclist Injured. As the result of an accident which occurred about 11.40 a.m. yesterday in Nitll street opposite Messrs J. M. Brown • and Company’s store, John Shaw, aged 35, who resides in Newcastle street, was admitted to the Southland Hospital suffering from slight concussion, wrist injuries, cuts, and abrasions. It appears that, the injured man was cycling along Nith street towards Tay street when he put out his hand, at the same time turning to his right. The driver of a following lorry was unable to avoid a collision. The condition of Mr Shaw is reported to be satisfactory. * » * * Bananas by the Pound! Visitors to Invercargill from the North Island cannot be reconciled to the local system of selling bananas at so many for a shilling, as in the case of oranges, instead of by the pound, as is customary in the north. They contend that selling bananas by the pound is the only fair system in view of the fact that they vary so greatly in size that no careful grading can overcome this disadvantage. A northerner told a reporter yesterday that the system led to the abuse of a display of the most attractive fruit in the line, while the bananas sold over the counter were frequently inferior to those on exhibition. * * * • Trout Problems. Anglers and naturalists should find a great deal to interest them in the lecture which Professor Percival is giving in the Y.M.C.A. this evening on “Trout Problems.” Professor Percival, who is director of fresh water research, has spent some time at Te Anau investigating problems concerning trout food and factors affecting growth. Prior to his present visit to Southland ho inspected many streams in other parts of New Zealand, and he has arrived at definite conclusions on a number of points in dispute. His lecture should, therefore, prove most instructive and it will be surprising if there is not a large attendance of anglers and others interested.

Huge Mushrooms. Mushrooms as big as footballs graced the lawn of a local resident last evening after he had paid a visit to the country. Tho species, of which ho gathered only a few, appear to be very robust, but their gigantio size does not give the attractive appearance of the smaller delicacies which, occasionally grace the breakfast table in the late summer. Whatever the reason, there appears to have been a tendency, for "bigger and better” mushrooms during recent years, and the quaint vegetable which grows overnight seems to have made supernatural efforts to reach the gargantuan proportions of those brought in from the country yesterday. Some of them measured more than a foot across.

Heavy Level Crossing Toll. Level crossing accidents in New Zealand during 1930 accounted for 31 deaths and injury to 52 persons. The fatalities were more than double the total for 1929, and in the history of the railway system the yearly death roll has never before exceeded 14. The total of deaths last year was largely contributed to by two accidents, each involving six deaths. At Hikurangi (North Auckland) on April 5, a train and motor bus met on a crossing and six fatalities resulted. The other grave accident occurred at Sockburn (Christchurch! on June 16, when five occupants of a motor car and the driver of the locomotive, were killed. Of the 31 deaths, 21 of the victims were drivers or passengers in motor cars, two were motor vehicle drivers, and two were in charge of horse-drawn conveyances.

An Englishman’s Impressions. In the classics may be found these lines: “He was the bravest man in France— He said so, and he ought to know.”

Whether it is because the reading of New Zealanders, having, extended to these dines, has imbued them, as a consequence, with extreme modesty cannot with certainty be slated, but it is freely acknowledged by visitors to these shores that the people of this Dominion seem somewhat loth to extol both the glories of their native heath and, in many other directions, to give due credit and praise to themselves even though it be well merited. Accordingly, however, it will be interesting to learn that a recent English tourist to this country in the person of Mr G. M. Coombs, when giving his impressions in the London Saturday Review of October IS last, on sport in New Zealand writes: “The working New Zealander, whether farmer or townsman, is notably sport loving, and the open spaces and congenial climate of his country tempt him to outdoor life. One is struck with the fine physique of the New Zealand boy, and the facilities he has for developing it. Naturally, the chief forms,of sport practised are those in vogue in most Eng-lish-speaking countries, sports which have built up the race and stood the test of time. Rugby football, racing, cricket, tennis, bowls and golf, swimming and yachting.” In another part of his article, the writer says: “For the hardy individual, wapiti are available in rugged Southland, and, in one district, moose. Wild pigs, wild goats and ‘outlaw’ cattle can be shot free of charge, and rabbit and hare shooting can be obtained in most parts.”