In Town And Out

Southland Times, Issue 23828, 27 May 1939, Page 8

In Town And Out

Queen Mary’s Birthday Yesterday her Majesty Queen Mary celebrated her seventy-second birthday. ’Flags were flown on Government buildings in Invercargill to mark the occasion. Drift of Teachers to Country

“What effect will the drift of teachers from city schools to country schools have?” was a question asked by Mr L. S. Alsweiler when appointments were being discussed by the Southland Education Board yesterday. “The country schools will get better instruction,” replied the chairman (Mr S. Rice). ■*

Farmers On Tour The 35 Southland farmers and their families, who are at present visiting the Queenstown district, under the leadership of Mr T. F. Paul, have had excellent weather. Several sight-seeing trips have been made, including a visit to Lake Rere. Travelling through the Kawarau Gorge the party visited Cromwell and Pembroke, returning over the Crown Range. Yesterday some of the farmers went to Skippers. The party will return on Monday.

Sweeping of Footpaths _ Although the Invercargill City Council decided this week to reject the request of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce to sweep the footpaths in the business area daily, an experiment to ascertain the cost of sweeping is being made. The trial was begun yesterday morning and will be conducted for a short time.

School Gardens Affected by Weather The season in school gardens had been a disappointing one mainly because of the unseasonable weather during the early summer months, stated Mr K, I. Robertson, secretary of the Southland Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs Association, in his report to the Southland Education Board yesterday. Judging of club plots had been practically completed except in the vegetablegrowing project which would be judged in May and June.

Centennial Exhibition An attractive leaflet has been issued by the Government Tourist Bureau describing the many attractions at the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition to be held at Wellington in 1940. “The year 1940 marks an epoch in the history of New Zealand, for that year represents the centennial of its organized settlement under British sovereignty,” states a message by the Governor-General (Viscount Galway). “The exhibition has as an object a distinct, ordered and comprehensive presentation of the outstanding achievements of a century of progress of civilization, in science, industry, government, social services, and, in fact, in all aspects of life as affecting the Dominion.”

Accommodation at St. George School

Tlie erection of additional classroom accommodation at St. George school has been agreed to by the Government. Advice was received by the Southland Education Board yesterday that the Government had authorized a grant to cover the cost of an additional classroom measuring 28ft by 22ft and a cloakroom for the infant building. Members expressed appreciation of the Government’s action and said that the additions would relieve the congestion at the school. Tenders for the work are to be invited immediately.

Church’s Centenary Appeal The committee organizing the Presbyterian Church’s centenary thanksgiving fund appeal in Southland announces that the £20,000 mark has been reached in this province. The committee is carrying on with the campaign, which was begun last July with the object of assisting rhe finances of the church. The fund will be devoted to various purposes, including the liquidation of congregational debt and provision for future development A total of £300,000 from' the whole of the Dominion is the aim of the organizers and it was stated that £200,000 should be in sight by the end of next month. Southland’s quota is £25,000, but with the enthusiasm being shown by congregations the local committee hopes to exceed this.