IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 22040, 13 June 1933, Page 6

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY Another Form of Government. “We balance the budget, but we have no parties,” said the president (Mr D. J. Wesney), in welcoming a new member to last evening's meeting of the general committee of the Southland Motor Association. “Also we do not bother about inflation.” (Laughter.) * if. * * Artery Severed.

Mr George Georgcson, aged 49, a joiner, residing at 245 Elies Road, was admitted to the Southland Hospital at 2 p.m. yesterday, an artery in his right arm having been cut on a pane of glass. At a late hour last night his condition was reported to be satisfactory. $ * * * Native Land Court.

A sitting of the Native Land Court, presided over by Judge M. Gilfedder, will commence at Invercargill this morning. The Court will have before it a large number of succession cases. The Native Land Board, of which the Judge is president, will deal with land transfers, leases and timber-cutting rights. ♦ * ♦ *

Bicycles in Parking Areas. “I should like to bring before the meeting the habit of cyclists leaving their machines against the kerb in head-on parking areas,” said the secretary, Mr J. S. Dick, at last evening’s meeting of the general committee of the Southland Motor Association. Mr Dick stated that in Christchurch gas piping was laid parallel to the kerb, and bicycles could park inside. After a short discussion it was decided to write to the Canterbury Automobile Association inquiring how the system adopted in Christchurch worked in practice. * * * * “Leave Well Alone.”

At Friday evening’s meeting of the Winton Borough Council Councillor H. Cooper, on behalf of the Finance Committee, reported on the question of the conversion of local body loans as it affected the borough by way of two electric light loans and a street improvement loan. “After consideration we really feel that it is better to leave well alone,” he declared. “The rate of interest is low and here we are in a different position from other places where there are debenture holders. The recommendation of the Finance Committee that no action be taken was adopted.—Winton Correspondent. * * * * Aero Club Rally.

Three Southland planes, including the Fox Moth, flew to Dunedin for the Otago Aero Club’s rally held over the week-end and the visitors, though they did not take part in the competitions, assisted in. no small degree in adding to the success of the undertaking. The landing competition was won by Pilot A. N. Jones and the banking competition by Pilot J. H. Stevenson. In connection with the Southland Club’s activities, it is worthy of note that a member, Mr Harold Vickery, within a few weeks of his obtaining his license also qualified to carry passengers—an achievement that is particularly meritorious, *** • ♦

Drop in Rabbitskin Prices. The prices for rabbitskins have dropped considerably during the last few days; in fact, to use the words of Mr W. Stewart, of the Invercargill Rabbitskin Company, when discussing the fluctuations with a Times reporter last night, “the bottom has fallen right out of things.” Mr Stewart said that his principals, Messrs J. K. Mooney and Company, of Dunedin, had . received cable advice from New York indicating that the demand from America—New Zealand’s best customer—had been materially reduced. “Recently a skin brought as much as 1/2, but there has been a drop of at least from twopence to fourpence within the last day or so,” added Mr Stewart.

Detours from Main Road. Advice that a portable sign had been erected in Balclutha to direct motorists through to Rae’s Junction, via Greenfield, Waitahuna and Lawrence, in the case of flooding on the McNab section of the Dunedin-Invercargill main highway was received at last evening s meeting of the general committee of the Southland Motor Association from Mr W. F. Sutton, secretary of the Otago Motor Club. Mr Sutton, in return, requested the association to erect a sign at Gore, directing motorists from Invercargill through Chatton, Waikaka and Kelso to Rae’s Junction. It was decided to write to the Otago Motor Club stating that the association had directed motorists to branch off at McNab and proceed through Willowbank, Waikoikoi and Conical Hills. A Building Boom. A boom in the building trade in England is being enjoyed at the present time and it is believed with every confidence by local timber merchants that New Zealand will stand to materially benefit thereby. The boom in the Old Country has assumed such proportions that the merchants there are stated to be almost at their wits ends to find the necessary journeymen to execute the orders pouring in. In a letter received yesterday morning by an Invercargill sawmiller from a relative in Yorkshire connected with the building trade, the writer stated: “Unemployment is still rife in England, yet everyone seems to have something to do. We see no one badly dressed or fed and our business is really flourishing throughout the country. We have rim our staff of about 40 men right through The winter now requiring more employees.” » » * *

Bicycle Traffic on Streets. The matter of bicycle traffic on the streets, which had been referred to it from the annual meeting was considered by the general committee of the Southland Motor Association last evening. The secretary (Mr J. S. Dick) read a cutting from the Southland Times in which Mr Justice Blair had condemned the practice of cyclists in riding two and three abreast. “They don’t ride two and three here,” said Dr Stanley Brown. “They ride six abreast.” Mr A. M. Macdonald also commented on the practice of cyclists riding with their hands in their pockets on a cold morning. It was decided to write to the Town Clerk stating' that the practice of riding abreast was becoming worse and enclosing Mr Justice Blair’s remarks. It was also decided to write to the headmasters of schools asking them to bring the danger of riding abreast and without hands on handlebars before their pupils. “The school children are only a small proportion of the offenders,” remarked Mr A. J. Campbell.