IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 21560, 25 November 1931, Page 6

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY. Fishing Competition Postponed. Giving to the adverse weather and unfavourable state of the river, the quadrangular fishing competition which was set down for to-day on the Wyndham river has been postponed till Saturday. Farmer's Leg Fractured. At 8.30 last evening Alexander Fleming, aged 25 years, a farmer residing at Fortification, was admitted to the Southland Hospital suffering from a fracture of the left leg. The injury was caused earlier in the day when the horse he was riding slipped and fell on him. * * * * Tepid Baths. The following is an extract from the report of the Baths superintendent to the City Council last evening: “I beg to report that the attendances at the Baths have been exceptionally good for October, eclipsing all records for the corresponding months of past years. Fifty-six season tickets were sold and excluding season ticket holders, the single admissions show an increase of 250.” The returns for the month were £lOB 19/- as compared with £59 10/6 for October, 1930.

Cyclist Collides with Tramcar. Just as a city-bound tramcar was leaving the loop at Jed street shortly before one o'clock yesterday afternoon, prompt application of the brakes caused passengers to be thrust forward in their seats. The sudden stop was occasioned by a collision with a cyclist who had apparently swerved out from behind another tram which, proceeding towards North Invercargill, was coming on to the loop. In the resultant spill the cyclist was thrown on to the roadway, but beyond a shaking was unhurt.. His bicycle was slightly damaged. V/arning to Water Consumers.

When referring to the satisfactory waterworks records for October, his Worship the Mayor, at the meeting of the City Council last evening, said that while it was well for people to know that there was plenty of water, there was no reason that water should be wasted because the free use of a hose was allowed to householders. It was unreasonable, for instance, to leave a hose running all night. “I want people to know that there is plenty of water for use, but not for abuse,” he said. Councillor Brodrick drew attention to the waste shown in the records, 10,100 gallons an hour.

Health Camps. His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller) has received the following telegram from the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young: “I am pleased to learn that you have arranged a public meeting to further the campaign in support of the sale of Christmas seal stamps and desire to assure you of my appreciation of your action in the matter. The benefits which will be bestowed upon the children of our Dominion by the establishment of health camps throughout the country cannot be overestimated and the health and happiness which will be brought into their lives is worthy of our greatest efforts. I wish you every success in your campaign.” Evils of Boom Times. “We hope soon to see a return to more prosperous times while at the same time I believe it would be a mistake if prices returned to boom levels,” remarked the chairman of the Winton Experimental and Demonstration Farm Committee, Mr D. H. McLean, of Caroline, at the annual meeting of that body at Winton on Monday evening last, when referring to the year’s work of the experimental area. “1 believe there were two great evils,” he went on. “The American motor car was ono and boom prices of 2/6 per pound butterfat and the same for wool the other. While it was very pleasing to receive these prices, they caused a great increase in land values wliich is affecting many farmers to-day.”—Winton correspondent. * * * * A Wintry Snap. Made all the more unwelcome on account of the summer-like conditions experienced until recently, a cold wintry snap has set in, affecting practically all parts of Southland. Boisterous weather the previous day culminated in a light fall of snow early yesterday morning and as the day wore on frequent hail and rain showers set in to the accompaniment of a bitingly cold wind. In the evening thunder pealed overhead with occasional flashes of lightning and shortly before eight o’clock a heavy hailstorm passed over Invercargill, leaving the streets and housetops thickly carpeted. Recordings taken at 9 a.m. showed the temperature at Queenstown to be down to 36 degrees. At Bluff to 42 and at the Nuggets to 43. The present rough spell has caused an interruption in shearing operations which have been commenced in some up-country stations, and also seriously interfered with shipping movements at Bluff yesterday. Tlie weather also necessitated the cancellation of the amateur atheltic sports meeting to have taken place at. Rugby Park last evening and the quadrangular angling competition to have been held on the Wyndham River to-day.

Offences Against By-Laws. Some discussion arose at the meeting of the City Council last evening over the following clause in the Works Committee’s report: ‘The traffic inspector submitted a statement of offences against the by-laws, the motor vehicle regulations, and the motor lorry regulations for the council’s authority to institute proceedings. Recommend that in all cases of civil claims action be authorized by the council, but in cases of breaches of the by-laws or motor regulations where the officer considers there is a priina facie case and where there is no principle involved which is under consideration by the council, the responsible officer be authorized to take proceedings.” The Mayor said that just as he thought the council should see all civil claims before proceedings were instituted, so he thought that the traffic inspector should submit to the council a statement of cases of breaches of bylaws and motor regulations before action was taken. In regard to civil claims he deprecated a selection being made by individual councillors, committees or officers. Councillor Imlay stated that it would be a very tedious business going through a long list of claims deciding in which cases proceedings were to be taken. Councillor Ball raised the objection that such a procedure made councillors liable to be button-holed by the people concerned. The Mayor said the council should know what was going on. As far as button-holing was concerned a councillor had only to say that it was not a matter for the individual, but the whole council. Th." clause was adopted.