In Town And Out

Southland Times, Issue 23793, 15 April 1939, Page 8

In Town And Out

Best Lamb in the World “It is now admitted that we produce the best lamb in the world in Southland and 1 think we should get a better price for it. It is time we received some recognition,” said Mr G. Stevenson at the meeting of directors of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association yesterday when it was reported that Southland had again won the South Island district fat lamb competition in London. Members agreed that the success was a matter for congratulation. Mr D. Marshall said he was satisfied at the time of killing that the Southland exhibit would win. The standard of Southdown, rams in the province had improved considerably in the last six years.

185 Applications Received One hundred and eighty-five applications were received by the Waipiata Sanatorium Committee from all parts of New Zealand for the position of resident secretary and treasurer of the committee. The position is being vacated by Mr T. Pryde who has held it since the sanatorium was opened in 1923. The committee decided to give consideration only to those applicants who had had previous hospital board and institutional experience, with the result that the number was reduced to seven. After consideration the com.'.nttee decided to recommend for the approval of the Minister an applicant who had already had considerable experience as secretary and treasurer of a hospital board.

Shipment of Bananas Eighteen thousand cases of bananas were brought to Auckland yesterday by the Matua after a good trip from Suva. The fruit will be distributed throughout the North Island. The cargo also included a miscellaneous collection of Island fruit.—Press 'Association. Profit on Ram Fairs The secretary (Mr A. L. Adamson) at the meeting of directors of the South--land Agricultural and Pastoral Associa - tion yesterday reported that the ram fairs had returned a profit of £72, showing an increase of 50 per cent, on last year’s profit. The mixed breeds fair had produced a profit of £32 and the Romney Marsh fair £4O. The re- | ceipts for the first. fair had totalled £ll4 from which were deducted £29 for catalogues, £26 for wages and £22 10/- for advertising and printing. The receipts for the second year were £79, catalogues costing £l2 5/-, wages £7 7/- and advertising £l5.

Visiting Otago Farmers The 50 Otago farmers and their wives who are at present visiting Southland in a party made a tour of the Western District yesterday and, as the weather was particularly good, the farmers saw the Southland countryside at its best. Today the party will visit Eglinton valley and Hollyford valley.

Authority For Loan A special meeting of the Invercargill City Council was held at noon yesterday to authorize the raising of a loan of £14,000 from the State Advances Department. The meeting was a purely formal one, called to satisfy the legal requirements of the lender. The raising of the loan is the result of the recent visit to Wellington of the Mayor (Mr J. R. Hanan) and the town clerk (Mr W. F. Sturman) who interviewed the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash). The necessary motion was carried and the meeting adjourned.

Road Maintenance in County “It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep an even surface on the highways carrying much traffic,” reported the engineer (Mr G. R. Milward) at yesterday’s meeting of' the Southland County Council. “In my opinion it is not only the general increase in the volume of the traffic which is the cause of the difficulty of maintenance, but the high speed at which the modem car travels. Even a few hours after the highways have been graded, the effect of such grading disappears.”

Second Crop of Potatoes An excellent sample of second-crop King Edward potatoes was brought to The Southland Times office yesterday by Mr T. McDonald, of 99 Scandrett street. The potatoes were grown by Mr Scandrett in a plot of ground nine feet by seven. The first crop was planted on August 19, 1938, and dug on December 5. A second crop was then planted on December 12 and dug on April 11, 1939. The potatoes were well grown and were in perfect condition.

Improvements To Victoria Hall

The scheme for renovations and improvements to Victoria Hall has been started. The upholstering of the seats has been completed providing much more comfortable seating for audiences. A contract has been let for the heating plant and the city engineer (Mr F. M. Corkill) has been authorized to proceed with structural alterations to the hall. The total cost of the work is expected to exceed £lOOO.