In Town And Out

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 8

In Town And Out

Today is AH Fools’ Day

Today is the one day in the year when practical jokes must be suffered with a smile—at least, until midday. Today is April 1, the traditional All Fools Day and no doubt many persons in the city will have found that out for themselves —perhaps to their embarrassment before they read this. Sophistication has robbed today of its once boisterous humour but no doubt there are many persons who will take advantage of the date to parade their sense of humour at the expense of their fellows. Children are usually on the alert on April 1 to catch their elders and old favourites, such as “You’ve dropped your handkerchief” are sure to be given a trial. The strange thing is how they succeed, year after year.

City Parking Explained An explanation of the parking regulations in operation in Invercargill was given by the chief city traffic inspector (Mr E. Stopford) at yesterday’s meeting of the Southland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union. The adjustment of parking, Mr Stopford said, was not simply an Invercargill problem, but concerned every city in New Zealand. After outlining the parking regulations as they apply to Invercargill Mr Stopford told the members that permanent parks were indicated by signs showing the letter “P,” with either the words “30 degrees” or “side on.” Other parks had the letter “P with the time allowed also, and they too stated whether angle or side-on parking was allowed. “Parking is more simplified now than it has been at any time since I became traffic officer,” Mr Stopford concluded.

Increase in Swimming Ability, The fact that only about one child in eight in Invercargill could swim before the Municipal Baths were opened was mentioned by Mr A. W. Jones at the annual swimming sports of the Invercargill City and Suburban Schools Sports’ Association last evening. Mr Jones was referring to the big number of entries received for the sports and the proficiency displayed by the swimmers. He said that since the baths were opened 2161 children had gained 50 yards certificates. Bowling Match Postponed

The progressive pairs tournament which was to have been played on the Southland Bowling Club’s green today has been postponed as a mark of respect to the memory of Mr Alexander Cooper, of Invercargill, who collapsed and died on the green on Wednesday evening while playing in the final of the novice singles competition of the club against Mr J. Irving, of Kennington. Mr Cooper was a very popular member of the club. He was a married man with one daughter and three sons. School Teamwork

When presenting the National Mutual Assurance Shield to Mr S. Slocombe, as the representative of the Middle school, at the primary school swimming sports last evening, Mr A.. W. Jones referred to the fact that the shield had been won for the school, not by individual brilliance, but by the combined efforts of the school’s representatives. This showed that the traditional team spirit was still as strong as ever, he said.

Big Representation of Schools The fact that every city and suburban school and one country school were represented by swimmers at the annual swimming sports of the Invercargill City and Suburban School Sports Association which were held at the Municipal Baths last evening was mentioned by the president of the association, Mr D. F. Leckie. Schools such as Makarewa were classed as suburban schools, he said, and the country school that was represented was Otautau. This school was the pioneer “country” school to send an x entry, said Mr Leckie, and this showed the keenness of the Southland school children to become proficient swimmers. Altogether there was an entry of nearly 300.

English Folk Dancing For the last three years there has existed in Invercargill a branch of the English Folk Song and Dance (N.Z.) Society which was: formed to encourage old English folk singing and dancing. With the inspiration of the recent visit to the city of the Russian Ballet and the proposal to hold a “music week” a meeting is to be held in the Southland Girls’ High School hall on Wednesday,' April 5, at 7.30 p.m., of those interested in the forming of a class of folk dancing. The work of the New Zealand branch of the society has received official recognition as the National Council for Physical Welfare and Recreation has included English country sword and Morris dancing in its list of recognized activities. These dances demand of dancers great vigour, agility and flexibility of limb and thus promote physical fitness. Those interested are urged to join the society and help to preserve an art that is truly national.