In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24986, 24 February 1943, Page 4

In the News

Trials Unnecessary Two criminal trials set down for hearing in the Supreme Court at Invercargill during the session which opened yesterday became unnecessary through the prisoners pleading guilty and the services of the grand jury were not required. “It was not until this morning that it became evident that the services of the grand jurymen would not be required,” said his Honour Mr Justice Kennedy. Under a recent statutory provision a committed person could make an application before a justice of the peace to be brought before ' a judge so that he might reverse his ! plea. “The registrar has informed me i that he was able to notify each grand juryman that his services would not be required,” he added. No Water for Gardens

Warning notices against excessive use of water which have been advertised by several Southland municipal bodies are a remindei - that in dry seasons the supply of water in Invercargill and other boroughs is insufficient to meet the demands beyond household and industrial requirements. During a discussion on the water question at the last meeting of the City Council a councillor remarked that after three fine days the local bodies had to request residents not to use the water. The suggestion by the Mayor of Invercargill (Mr A. Wachner) that a water scheme be adopted for all the Southland towns has already attracted considerable interest. - In the meantime, householders must refrain from watering their gardens during dry spells of weather and hence frequent showers are welcomed. Stewart Island Service

The Government has taken over the Orewa from Mr H. J. Roderique, oyster merchant, for the Stewart Island ferry service. The Orewa will replace the Tamatea, which recently was taken over for war purposes. Since the Tamatea was taken off the run early in December the Bluff Harbour Board’s tug has been running the service to the island. Gift of Ambulance A military ambulance, which has been built at Dunedin to the order of Miss E. Bellamy, of Invercargill, for presentation to the Army for service overseas, has been completed. The Army Department will send a driver to Dunedin to bring the vehicle to Invercargill and it should arrive in the city within a few days. The ambulance will be placed on exhibition for a time and it will be formally handed over to the Army by the Mayor (Mr A. Wachner) on behalf of Miss Bellamy. Water Shortage

A serious position has arisen at the Ocean Beach freezing works because of a severe shortage of water. Although limited supplies are being drawn from both Bluff and Invercargill, this is only a temporary arrangement, and unless there is sufficient rainfall to provide an adequate supply for the west reservoir the company will be faced with a serious problem. Young Quail A clutch of 16 young quail, which was successfully hatched by the quail in the aviary of the No. 2 gardens, has recently attracted a great deal of attention. The young quail were hatched three days ago and because they were small enough to pass through the mesh of the wire netting of the aviary, a special compartment had to be built for them. The parent quail sat on 19 eggs, so the result, when it is considered that they were hatched away from their natural surroundings, is surprisingly good. They are equipped with protective camouflage and a few moments careful scrutiny of the aviary is required before they become apparent. Roxburgh Health Camp

The physical and recreational activities carried out at the Roxburgh Health Camp were - continued during the holidays through the assistance of officers of the physical welfare branch of the Internal Affairs Department. Playing a tribute to the work of these officers, the secretary of the District Health Camp Committee, Mr R. S. M. Sinclair, said that normally these duties were carried out by members of the Education Department’s staff, but as they were not available in the vacation the recreational activities were supervised by the physical welfare officers.