IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 21831, 7 October 1932, Page 6

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY Industries Week. At a meeting yesterday of the committee which was recently formed by the building and allied trades, it was decided to hold an Industries’ Week, commencing on October 17, to bring before the public the advantages of having work carried out at the present time, when the cost is so cheap. The meeting decided to spare no effort in an intensive publicity campaign to provide .a stimulus to the various trades, and steps in this direction will be taken immediately. * Banana Passion Fruit.

Something novel in the way of a fruit hybrid made its appearance in the Invercargill fruit market this week. It was the banana passion, a fruit grown intensively in sub-tropical climates, but not altogether unknown in the northern part of the South Island and in the North Island. The samples to hand are from Sydney, and resemble in shape the American persimmon. The colour of the banana-like skin is golden yellow, the flesh of the skin akin to the banana; and the body, or edible portion, a mixture of seed and juicy flesh. The banana passion has a delectable flavour, not unlike the better known passion fruit. It is on sale by Invercargill fruiterers.

Beneficial Rain. Much-needed rain was welcomed in Invercargill and the surrounding districts yesterday. A steady fall (the first rain of any consequence for eight weeks) commenced at mid-day and, continuing without intermission throughout the afternoon and evening, gave the city and countryside an overdue spring freshening. Local gardens and hedgerows benefited immensely, while tanks and wells in the suburbs absorbed their first supplies for some time. At least 24 hours’ heavy rain will be required before any real benefit will result to in the backblocks farm lands, however. Paddocks and pastures had reached the parching stage and water supplies for all purposes had been reduced to a minimum, in some instances to nil. The benefits of a good soaking rain at the present time would be incalculable.

Stamp Collecting. The forty-fourth annual report of the Philatelic Society records a satisfactory year in spite of adverse conditions. The membership is about the same as last year, 112, and the financial position is very sound, for there is a substantial amount on fixed deposit. The results of the exchange branch during the year were highly satisfactory, for sales were approximately the same as last year, which was the highest reached for some years. The total value of stamps circulated was £2426, and sales totalled £296, a percentage of 12.21, considerably higher than last year. The report remarks that there appears to be a good demand for fine early New Zealand and Island stamps, and the committee would be pleased to receive additional booklets of this class for circulation. Generally there was a shortage of material for circulation and the committee feels sure that more members could send in booklets and so maintain this important branch of the society’s work.

Gorgeous Spring Blooms. When eleven by the clock booms out from the Post Office tower this morning, the doors of Everybody’s Hall will open on to a kaleidoscope of floral beauty probably unsurpassed by any previous public or private display in Invercargill. Gorgeous blooms of daffodils and spring flowers, reflecting months of painstaking care, fairly sparkle and scintillate with colour and quality at the Invercargill Garden Club’s annual daffodil show. Last evening, when the greater portion of the staging of the exhibits was being carried out by enthusiastic members of the Garden Club and Ladies’ Club, a Southland Times reporter was favoured with a pre-view of the competitive and display blooms, and he learned from expert judges that this season’s display was far in advance of anything hitherto staged locally. Quality and class are represented on all sides and in addition the entries constitute a record. The abnormally good season experienced is reflected in this season’s show which must be seen to be realized.