In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24114, 1 May 1940, Page 8

In the News

Oyster Dispute No further progress towards a settlement of the oyster dispute has been made, and the fleet remains tied up. Although no formal conference was held yesterday talks took place between the parties. It is thought that the next development will be a conference with a Government official who is expected to visit Bluff this week. A report from Bluff says that there are now no fresh oysters at the wharf beds.

Boys’ Band In Wellington “I was privileged to attend the Anzac Day services in Wellington and I think the dawn service was the most impressive I have ever attended,” said Mr W. Grieve at the luncheon of the Invercargill Rotary Club yesterday. Some buglers from the Southland Boys’ High School Drum, Trumpet and Bugle Band sounded “Last Post” and “The Reveille.” The band headed the parade in the afternoon. The marching of the boys was magnificent and the spectators were astounded at the performance of the boys. The boys were cheered and applauded wherever they went. MajorGeneral J. E. Duigan, Chief of the General Staff, had said that the band was the best he had ever seen or heard. Farmers’ Party Leaves

The farmers’ party, numbering 303 persons, left Southland by special train yesterday morning for Wellington. They will arrive in Wellington this morning and will spend several days at the Centennial Exhibition, including the closing day on Saturday. The party will leave Wellington on Monday evening and will arrive back in Southland on Tuesday night. Petrol Coupons For May

The Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) has announced that petrol coupons 27 to 30 inclusive would be | available during the month of May. ;The Minister appealed to motorists to co-operate in the petrol conservation campaign by not wasting the rations they had received. “The petrol restrictions are an unfortunate necessity, thrust on us by the war,” said the Minister. “While the war remains and | while the petrol restrictions continue, every consideration will be shown to the petrol users, both in adjusting equitably their current requirements and also in meeting any extraordinary demands. Users must do their part, however, by giving the local controllers adequate notice when they have to | make provision for any occasion not covered by their ordinary licence. A motorist has no justification for using up his supply by driving from Auckland to Wellington, for instance, and then demanding an extra supply to get him home again. In this case, the use of the motor-car cannot be justified, and the motorist should have his case considered by the local controller before he leaves. A petrol emergency created by a man’s lack of foresight or his unwillingness to co-operate with the authorities is not a sufficient excuse for the granting of extra supplies when other persons are willing to work with the controller.”

Interest-Free Loans Interest-free loans now total £1,801,053. Today’s acknowledgment includes £lOO,OOO from the State Fire and Accident Insurance Department.— Press Association.

Ducks In Otago “Even if 5000 ducks are killed in Otago during the open season we shall still have a good surplus,” said a member of the Otago Acclimatization Society at a meeting on Monday night, when the Game Research Committee submitted an estimate of the duck population of the province. As a result of a count carried out as accurately as circumstances permitted, it was found that about 35,000 ducks were frequenting the lagoons and sanctuaries. This, it was stated, was not the complete total as it had not been possible to make a count on all the small ponds and lakes, efforts being concentrated on the larger waters.