IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 21578, 16 December 1931, Page 6

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY Thefts from Public Gardens. The chairman of the Reserves Committee of the City Council (Councillor Brodrick) drew attention last evening to the number of thefts that were being * committed in parks and reserves. The council approved of his suggestion that a reward be offered for information leading to the conviction of thieves. ♦ » * * Debate Cancelled. In view of its not receiving the endorsement of the Invercargill Unemployment Committee, the debate which was to be held in the Victoria Hall next Tuesday evening between Mr W. C. Denham and Mr Alex. Glass has now been cancelled. The subject chosen was “Has the New Zealand Labour Party a practical cure for unemployment?” and the profits from the admission charges were to have been given to the Mayor’s Relief Fund. ♦ * * * East Road Bus Service. z Yesterday saw the operation of the East Road bus service taken over from the Invercargill Tramways Department by Mr H. Tuffery, who was recently successful in obtaining the lease from the council. A large comfortable motor bus, the bodywork of which was made locally, has been engaged for the service and should prove a boon to residents along the East Road. Since its inception some years ago the service has materially assisted in the development of the residential suburb of East Invercargill.

Mayor’s Relief Fund. Regular contributions to the Mayor’s Relief Fund amounting to £l5 7/3 have been received from the Southland Technical College, R. Mack, Port Carig Timber Company, Kilkelly Bros., the New Zealand Pine Company, the staffs of the Invercargill Savings Bank, the Bank of New Zealand, the amalgamated hardware employees, the Government Buildings and the Perpetual Trustees and Agency Company. Other contributions include £5 from the Hon. A. F. Hawke and £2 from Mr G. T. Stevens.

Pictures and Skating on Christmas Day. When applications from Williamson Films, Ltd-, and the Majestic Theatre for permission to show pictures on Christmas Day came before the City Council last evening, Councillor McKenzie suggested that the applications should be granted on condition that the film proprietors donated a portion of their takings to the Mayor’s Relief Fund. Other councillors held that the condition should not be made mandatory, but that the attention of the companies concerned should be drawn to the procedure in northern centres where a donation was being made. After a brief discussion a motion on these lines was carried. An application from the De Luxe Skating Company to open the rink on Christmas Day was dealt with similarly. Local Tourist Bookings. With the approach of the Christmas and New Year holidays business has become fairly brisk over the past few days at the Invercargill office of the Tourist Department. Mr J. A. Malcolm, local officer-in-charge, reports that as was the case last year most of the bookings this season are for trips of small distances. The fact that the South Island is at present not supplied with a direct passenger steamer service with Australia has made its effect felt upon bookings from overseas. A pleasing feature of the local business is that many inquiries have been received from Gore, Ohai, Winton and other Southland centres, showing that the country people are fully aware of the valuable work being carried out by the Tourist Department.

A Merry Christmas. Thanks to the efforts of Sister Alice and her willing band of helpers, Christmas 1931 should live long in the memory of many poor children who would otherwise have been deprived of the opportunity of enjoying the delights of the festive season. In the Methodist Hall in Jed street at five o’clock yesterday afternoon over 200 children assembled to relieve the Christmas tree of its tempting burden, and at the conclusion each child took away some article to remind it of a happy time. Tea was provided for those present and the spirit of the festive season literally filled the air. With various amusements and good things to eat the function was highly successful, and at its conclusion one and all paid a spontaneous tribute to the work of Sister Alice and her helpers.

Strange Coins. An unusual coin was brought to the Times Office yesterday morning by Mr J. R. Hunter, South Hillend, who was in doubt regarding its classification. The coin, which is minted like a spade guinea, is evidently an imitation of that coin. It is very light and appears to be made of some bronze alloy. A peculiarity of the coin is the fact that it is dated 1701, although it bears the head of George 111 and the usual markings of the spade guineas of his reign (1761-1820). By a curious coincidence another coin, in the form of a spade half-guinea, dated 1790, was brought to the Times Office a few hours later. This coin has a much more genuine appearance, but a local numismatic expert, to whom the coins were submitted,, stated that he believed both coins were imitations.

Tramways Investigation. The decline in tramway revenue has been exercising the ‘minds of councillors for some time and at each council meeting there has been discussion on the subject. The point at issue last evening was whether Mr M. Cable, general manager of the Wellington City Tramways, should be engaged to investigate and report on the Invercargill tramways system. Councillor Macalister, chairman of the Finance Committee, strongly urged that Mr Cable be engaged. He referred to the ever growing loss on the trams which amounted now to over £lOO a week. The expenditure incurred in engaging Mr Cable was a mere bagatelle compared with the annual loss. He moved that Mr Cable be engaged. The motion was seconded by Councillor Tapley. Councillor Tattersfield said he would welcome the investigation because it would convince councillors that they could have every confidence in the administration of the Invercargill tramways. He could not see, however, that the investigation could do any good. The motion was carried.

Lost Property Sale. The forgetfulness of travellers by rail was responsible for a gathering of two hundred bargain-hunters in the railway goods shed yesterday at noon when Mr Charles Trim had the task of disposing by auction of the lost property that has accumulated during the last two years. Hard times are apparently making people more careful, for the array of goods was considerably smaller than at past sales, but to compensate for this bidding was brisker and the prices higher. Top price was secured for a carpenter’s kit containing a collection of almost new tools. A young man got it for £4 15/- after a keen struggle with a guardian of the law. Two rolls of wire-netting which had somehow gone astray brought 12/- each. Four or five dozen drain pipes went for 2/-. An iron bed and wire mattress went for a song, as did a full bag of grass-seed. Otherwise the articles were such as one would expect to find at a lost property sale. There were scores of umbrellas, which were always in keen demand by secondhand dealers. Hats, overcoats, shoes and swags were frequently on the list. So were suit-cases, mostly of the battered sort, which were bid for in the hope that their contents might be valuable. Parcels that looked to consist of bottles were eagerly sought, but watches and ringswere