In the News

Southland Times, Issue 23969, 8 November 1939, Page 8

In the News

Otatara Reserve

An attempt is being made by the Invercargill City Council to preserve a valuable piece of bush at Otatara known as Education Reserve. An application has been made to the Commissioner ot Crown Lands to have the area vested in the council. If the application is granted the council will undertake to fence the area and control it.

No Enlistments Southland has equalled its own recruiting record. There were no enlistments yesterday. Recruiting has fallen away steadily during the past week or two. Stead Street Bridge The Invercargill City Council at its meeting last night decided to enforce the restriction of 64 tons as the maxi-’ mum permissible load for laden vehicles on Stead street and the bridge. The works committee in a report on a suggestion that heavy traffic be diverted to Bay road stated that it was not prepared to make any recommendation at present. Pictures 3n Christmas Night The Invercargill City Council at its meeting last night decided to grant permission to the managements of the Majestic, Regent, State and Civic Theatres to screen pictures on the evening of Christmas Day, subject to the programmes being approved by the Mayor and the town'clerk. Tourist Bookings A fairly big number of bookings has been received by the Invercargill office of the Tourist Department for the Centennial Exhibition, which will open today. Bookings from the north for the Southland district for Christmas and New Year have not been received in any great number so far, possibly because of the counter-attraction of the centennial, but the time is still early. Avoiding Election Expense

Last year and at the beginning of the present year much expense was incurred in holding elections to fill extraordinary vacancies on the Invercargill City Council, and because of that the council submitted a remit to the New Zealand Municipal Association s conference designed to simplify the procedure and make it less costly. No resolution was passed, but since the holding of the conference th© Statutes Amendment Act 1939, has become law and by it power is given to the Gov-ernor-General by Order-in-Council to postpone the holding of an election to fill a vacancy on the council. Reporting on the matter to the council last night the town clerk (Mr W. F. Sturman) said that although, the section remains in force only until December 31, 1940, it would have the effect of avoiding the expense of another by-election should a vacancy occur before the next triennial municipal elections.

“Robbing” Of Bird Nests The nesting of birds in Queen’s Park was being encouraged by the City Reserves Department, but its. efforts were being nullified by the action of some youths in “robbing” the nests. This remark was made at last night’s meeting of the City Council by Cr E. J. McLauchlan, who said that some action would have to be taken against the offenders.

No Overseas Athletes According to communications received by the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association at a meeting at Wellington last night no team of athletes from overseas will visit, the Dominion this season.—Press Association. Council’s Flax-growing Experiment Experiments in the growing of pedigree flax are to be carried out by the Reserves Department of the Invercargill City Council. The superintendent of reserves (Mr B. P. Mansfield) reported to the council last night that he had obtained “fans” of flax in 10 varieties for trial purposes. An experimental area will be established on one of the Seaward Bush endowments and the trials will be conducted' on approved lines. “It is possible,” stated the superintendent, ythat this may prove an important and valuable sphere of activity.”

Night Swimming Classes Swimming facilities at the city baths for students taking night classes at the Southland Technical College have been made available by the Invercargill City Council. The hours are from 9 to 9.45 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week up to and including November 15, and from February 26 to April 24, 1940. The price of admission has been fixed at sixpence. The chairman of the Baths and Library Committee (Cr A. W. Jones) referred to the privilege at the meeting of the council last night and expressed disappointment at the response by students. If there is no improvement in the attendances we will have to discontinue the privilege,” said Cr Jones.