IN TOWN AND OUT

Southland Times, Issue 25361, 13 August 1935, Page 6

IN TOWN AND OUT

NEWS.OF THE DAY Princesses Level. When votes were counted yesterday in the cricket-tennis Queen Carnival contest it was found that each princess had the same number of votes. The blue flag of Miss Provan therefore remains on top. Another count will be made on Wednesday. Investigations Continued. Messrs N. G. McLeod and G. W. Reid, who are examining for the Southland Electric Power Board the position regarding the proposed Government purchase of Monowai, are continuing their investigations. Yesterday afternoon a meeting of the board’s finance committee was held. * * * * Outbreak of Fire. One of the earliest houses erected at Otatara was destroyed by fire yesterday when an outbreak occurred in a five-roomed dwelling occupied by Mr R. Mcßain (an attendant at the Southland Hospital) and his family. The house was built by the late Mr Fox (formerly clerk of the Southland County Council). * * * » Death From a Banana. A banana is not usually regarded as a lethal weapon, but a Gladstone resident made use of one to protect his household goods from robbery the other evening. Hearing a noise in his pantry he opened the door and saw an intruder. He was unarmed, but his brain worked quickly. Seizing a ripe banana he dealt the thief such a blow behind the ear that it fell dead. He has come to the conclusion that mousetraps are not nearly as effective as bananas.

Appreciation of Automobile Association. “It’s not often we get a pat on the back,” remarked Mr S. K. Smith when the following letter was read at the monthly meeting of the Automobile Association last evening: “I should like to congratulate your association on the excellent circular I received last week showing what your association has done for the motorist and the benefits he derives from being a member. The matter was most lucidly set out and the facts therein indisputable.” The chairman (Mr D. J. Wesney) and members expressed gratification at the contents of the letter.

* * * * Carving a Coat-of-Arms. A striking sample of the carver’s art was shown to a Times reporter yesterday. It is the coat-of-arms of the Tothill family carved by Mr Swanson, of Invercargill, for Mr F. Tothill, Winton. On the top is the Tothill crest, the dove, emblem of peace. On the left is a “lion rampant on bars and bends.” On the right are three Mallard drakes, insignia of the Drake family and used by the Tothills because one of their family married Sir Francis Drake’s sister. The Tothill motto appears below: “Tot-ill-elgebras effugi” (So many evils have I escaped).

Roadmaking in the Frost. The men who have been making a forest highway to Milford have so far come through the winter well, only one fall of snow seriously holding up work. They have, however, known what it is to live in an almost sunless valley, with the temperature well below zero day and night. A succession of heavy frosts which did not thaw made the valley look as if it lay under a mantle of snow. Tents were coated with hoar frost just as a fish is covered in scales. Thick icicles hung on the walls of cuttings. But it is a very healthy region and none of the men has suffered from the rigours of winter in Fiordland. It is not anticipated that any further falls of snow which may be experienced will hamper operations.