IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 21648, 9 March 1932, Page 4

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY. Beautiful Cloud Effects. Some very beautiful cirrus clouds were to be observed in the sky yesterday morning. One cloud bore a remarkable resemblance to a pure white swan. Last evening’s sunset was also a beautiful one. Act of Gratitude. The following letter was received by the City' Council last evening from the secretary of the Southland Boxing Association: “My association wishes to express its appreciation of your council’s action in reducing the rent of the theatre for its last contest. The attendance on that evening was very gratifying and exceeded our expectations and in view of this it was decided to donate £lO to the Mayor’s Relief Fund. Enclosed please find cheque for same.” * * * * Boy Injured by Lorry. As the result ‘of being run over by a motor lorry yesterday morning a boy named Errol Parcell, aged 12 years, residing at Seaward Downs, received injuries necessitat. ing his removal to the Southland Hospital. There it was discovered he had sustained a fractured collar-bone and shoulder-blade. He underwent an operation in the evening and at a late hour his condition was reported to be very satisfactory. An Unusual Potato. From time to time reference has been made in these columns to strange products of the soil in Southland. The latest to engage attention is a potato which was brought into the Times Office yesterday by Mr J. McColl, of Chelmsford street. It is of the Sir Joseph type, which is a cross' between a Black Kidney and a Robin Adair. The unusual feature about this potato, however, is that instead of being uniformly coloured, it bears on one side the dark colouring of a Sir Joseph and on the other the light colouring of a Robin Adair. ♦ « j Arcade Build 1 . A report submitted by the city engineer to the council last evening contained the following reference to the Arcade building: “This building has been under observation since the fire (in October, 1930). I do not consider that it is in imminent danger of collapse unless as the result of earthquake, but it should not be allowed to remain indefinitely long without sonic permanent means of security being adopted.” The council adopted the recommendation of the works committee that the owners of the building be informed that the present condition of the building constitured a potential source of danger and that their attention be drawn to the necessity of making arrangements for either removing or securing it. * * « * City Rates. The Town Clerk presented to the City Council last evening a statement showing the rates collected this year and last year. For the year 1930-31 the rates levied amounted to £90,896 and the rates collected to £80,442, a percentage of 881. The respective figures for the year 1931-32 were £74,833, £66,612 and 89. ’ Gratification at the high percentage of rates collected this year was expressed by his Worship the Mayor who made the suggestion that if the 10 per cent, penalty were reduced to 5 per cent, for, say, rates paid within three months, more money might be got in at an early date. 'Die chairman of the Finance Committee (Councillor Macalister) said that the suggestion would be considered by his committee at its next meeting. u * * * Night Attack. Another day of bright sunshine favoured the annual bivouac of the Southland Regiment,' and the Showgrounds aagin presented a scene of animation throughout the day. In the evening members of the Machine-Gun Company under the command of Major Kelly gave a demonstration of night firing at Otatara rifle range with a section of Vickers guns. The demonstration, which was most spectacular owing to tracer ammunition being used, represented a night attack on an enemy’s trench, the machine-guns assisting to pave the way for an advance by the infantry. On occasions the area was illuminated by V.erey lights, the country being shown up clearly for a considerable distance round the guns. This evening the bivouac will be open to public inspection and a sports meeting will be held. Power Board Expenditure. At the monthly meeting of the Southland Electric Power Board yesterday the secretary (Mr Charles Campbell) submitted a statement showing the total expenditure of the board from April 1, 1931, to February' 27, 1932. The total amount expended was £140,122 1/1. The individual items were as follows: Wages and salaries (engineering), £18,582 19/4; salaries (secretarial), £4872 10/1; management and establishment charges, £1550 11/10; special charges, including Invercargill City agreement, £3368 0/10; stores, materials, replacements and sundry repair charges, £BlO4 0/3; transfer from trading department, £462 5/9; interest and sinking fund, £93,000; charges incidental to annual capital expenditure, £8912 12/2; miscellaneous, including refunds and transfers to other funds and commission collecting rates, £1269 0/10.

Runaway Horse and Cart. Something in the nature of a mild sensation was caused at the intersection of Dee and Spey streets shortly before halfpast two yesterday afternoon when a horse drawing a light cart suddenly took fright and bolted. The vehicle was proceeding in an easterly direction and the driver, in an attempt to restrain the horse, pulled hard on the reins. These snapped, causing him to somersault out of the back of the cart on to the roadway. As the horse continued on its way the cart struck the rear of a parked sedan car, pushing it up on to the footpath. The back bumper, luggage carrier and bodywork were damaged as the result of the impact. A few yards further on the cart capsized and the runaway horse was pulled up. Apart from a severe shaking the dusty and dishevelled driver appeared to be otherwise unhurt.

Dominion's Oysters. The following table, contained in the annual report issued by the Marine Department, shows the number of sacks and the value of the oysters "obtained in the Dominion during the year 1930: Dredge Oysters. Sacks. Value. (Wholesale). r

Foveaux Strait 42,744 £ 26,715 Rock Oysters. Bay of Islands Kaipara Harbour Hauraki Gulf Coromandel Great Barrier Island 2,522 699 1,109 309 576 Total 5,215 6,258 Grand Total 47,959 32,973