IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 22043, 16 June 1933, Page 6

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS OF THE DAY Butter and Eggs. During the week the price of factory and separator butter in Invercargill has been increased by Id per lb. A reduction is reported in the retail price of eggs, which are now 2d a dozen less than last week. ♦ * * * Improved Tone of Stock Market. At the Winton stock sale yesterday better prices were ruling. Up to 22/was secured for fat lambs and this was -said to be the highest that has been obtained in Southland for some, seasons.—Winton Correspondent. Young Man Found Dead. Advice was received by the Invercargill police from Pembroke yesterday that a young man named Charles Bentham had been found dead that afternoon outside his hut at Makarora with a rifle nearby. No further details were available last evening. * * * * Spurious Coins in Circulation.

The Invercargill police issue a warning that counterfeit half-crowns are at present circulating in Invercargill. Within the past few days three spurious coins of this denomination have come into their possession, having been handed over by shopkeepers who have been unwittingly or intentionally defrauded. A request is made that care in accepting silver change be exercised by citizens and shopkeepers, and that any spurious coins be handed over to the police. They may be detected chiefly through the absence of “ring.” * * * * The Valuable Rabbit.

Rabbiting is popular all over Southland at the present time, and the sons of many farmers are making a supply of welcome pocket money by setting a few traps. Others are going further, and two sturdy young men and their father were seen at South Hillend yesterday afternoon- actively engaged with spades digging out a warren. They procured 10 rabbits in under half-an-hour, and the warren yielded over 30 rabbits in all, or about 25/- worth at present prices. Several other warrens were waiting to be dug out nearby, so the young men will probably make good wages off less than half an acre of ground for some days come.*

Modern Chariots. The New Zealander has always been recognized for his inventive genius, and judging by the number of homebuilt vehicles seen by a reporter in the vicinity of South Hillend yesterday, the inventive spirit is by no means dead. A youth was driving the body of a gig along the road on wheels about 18 inches in diameter, evidently procured from the transport carriage of a set of disc harrows. The driver appeared to be quite happy and was urging his steed along by throwing an occasional pebble at its hindquarters. Two other vehicles with old motor car wheels, which gave them a look reminiscent of the chariots of the Romans, were seen later in the afternoon.

Pushed For Time. Beside his bicycle at a tram terminus stood a member of the mechanical staff of the Times office. He was apostrophizing the fierce gale, against which he had to push to reach the city when the noise of hurrying footsteps reached his ear and round a corner came a breathless city councillor. “Has the 1.45 car left yet?” he panted. “Just gone,’’ was the reply. The councillor did not indulge in profanity, but he looked anything but pleased. “I have an important meeting at the Council Chambers at two o’clock,” he said. “Well, I’m in no hurry Take my bike and I’ll stroll in,” replied the obliging member of the Times staff. The offer was accepted and with head down the energetic councillor began to pedal furiously towards town. Walking leisurely i in his wake went the good Samaritan. He had proceeded for a couple of blocks when he heard the brakes _of a car being applied and a cheery voice inquired if he would like a lift. “Thanks very much,”, he said as he jumped in. Three minutes later the car passed a man going all out on a bicycle, his coat tails streaming behind him as the wind filled them like bellying sails. No sign of recognition did the ex-cyclist give. Rather did he sit back to be screened from the observation of the city father. “It saved me a long walk against that wind, he told the car driver as he left the vehicle at the Town Hall. When at 1.58 the councillor descended from his borrowed machine at the Town Hall steps he was amazed to find his benefactor awaiting him. "How on earth did you get here?” he asked when he had recovered his powers of speech. “Radio, was the reply. When the true facts were explained the councillor saw the joke and was still laughing heartily when he took his seat at the meeting.