In Town And Out

Southland Times, Issue 23498, 3 May 1938, Page 8

In Town And Out

Speech Without Reason During his address to the electors at East Invercargill last night Mr John Miller, who is contesting the mayoralty, confessed that he had explored the possibilities of giving his speech oyer the air. “They told me,” he said, ' that they would have to communicate with Wellington and the authorities then said that had I not been contesting the mayoralty I could have spoken over the air. However, had I not been contesting the mayoralty there would have been no need for me to speak over the air.”

Escape from Electrocution Several persons had a fortunate escape from death by electrocution when a motor-car collided with a power pole charged with 2500 volts at Dacre late at night. The shock broke an insulator and brought the power wire into contact with the pole and when rain fell later the current found its way down to the car and charged it with the full voltage. A car left Invercargill to rescue the damaged vehicle, but fortunately broke down on the way and a repair van was called. Neither of these vehicles went on to Dacre as it was decided to bring in the damaged one next morning. It was fortunate, therefore, that no one came into contact with the vehicle until the damaged line had been repaired, _ as the high voltage would almost certainly have caused death.

Mayor’s Honorarium Increased The desirability of raising the honorarium of the> Mayor was emphasized at the meeting of the South Invercargill Borough Council last r 'ght by Cr C. B. Purdue who said the present honorarium of £3O a year was quite inadequate for the services the Mayor was required fo give. During the discussion the Mayor (Mr Owen Smith) retired from the chair. It was decided to raise the honorarium to £4O a year.

Councillor’s Long Service The long record of service as councillor and Mayor in the borough of South Invercargill by Mr W. McCh.sney, covering a period of 25 years, was referred to at the meeting of the council last night. The Mayor (Mr Owen Smith) said Mr McChesney had taken a very keen interest in the affairs of the borough and had given very valuable service. Cr W. Young spoke in similar terms and moved that a presentation be made to Mr McChesney to mark the appreciation of his long service. This was carried. Something For Nothing

“This is a great institution for trading on other people’s simplieity,” said a member of the Southland Rugby Union last evening when the matter of-issuing programmes at Saturday’s games was being discussed. Another • member suggested that as a citizen had twice given the numbers for the players’ jerseys to the Rugby Union he’ may do so again. “We expect everything for nothing,” added the first member. It was decided that the union supply the programmes free and provide the numbers for the jerseys.

Housing Work at Arapuni With an increase in the plant at the Arapuni hydro-electric scheme it has been found necessary to increase the housing accommodation for the staff. Contracts have just been let by the Public Works Department for the construction of .eight cottages, the prices for which total in the vicinity of £9OOO. —Press Association.