SOUTHLAND NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10418, 23 March 1912, Page 6

SOUTHLAND NEWS.

[From Our INVERCARGILL, March 22. A woll-known Invercargill sportsman states that ground game is fast disappearing from Otatara bush owing to tho presence of stoats and weasels, which, he adds, are even to be seen hiding about the swamps, awaiting their opportunity to catch ducks and godwit. Tomtits and Maori hens were numerous at one time in the bush, but now there are very few to be seen. As to stoats and weasels, they do not seem to be numerous on the farms in the neighbourhood of Invercargill, and when they are caught in rabbit traps are released, agriculturists placing no little value on the work they do amongst the rabbits. The Mayor stated at the Borough Council meeting on Thursday night that the tramway trials conducted under the supervision of Mr Evan Parry had proved eminently satisfactory. Everything worked smoothly, and without the slightest hitch. Mr Parry had told him personally that Invercargill had one of the finest tramway systems that it was possible to obtain, and one that reflected the highest credit upon the engineer and everyone concerned in its construction. Th .overhead gear, Mr Parry said, had struck him particularly, and it was perfect in every way. The power-house, cars and the complete equipment were the very best procurable. Mr Parry was struck by the unique design of the cars, which permitted of their running as steadily as the big Christchurch bogey-cars, and allowed them to take fho corners with ease. The cost of construction had been kept down to the minimum. During the trials the cars had been run in accordance with full service conditions, so that tho test was a thorough one. Mr Parry had made special mention of the carsheds constructed on an original design of Mr Symington's. It was the most original and best laid out shed that he had seen anywhere. A clause in the Finance Committee's report to the Town Council stated "That with respect to Council employees attending territorial camps they be granted full pay, less any allowance made by the Government." Councillor Hawke moved an amendment that the employees should be granted full pay with no conditions. He said that there were not many of them and the amount involved was not great. Councillor Moffett pointed out that the Council might be establishing a precedent which local bodies in other centres might find it very difficult to follow. On the amendment being put it was lost by seven votes to four.

Tlio economy of replacing okl methods, old machinery and unsystematic premises with the most up-to-date that can be obtained, finds a striking example in the Tnvcrcargill fnsworks. The improv*"rients affected three years c:ro cost £7OOO. and by the end of Mn.rch exactly that amount will have been saved in the cost of producing iho sins. Tn effect the new works have oaid for themselves in three years. Tt is interesting to note that the gas consumption has doubled within four years.

"Quite long enough." is what Tn-yei-r\ir<zi!l councillors think of their two years' term of office.. A letter was received at Inst ovonine's meetin- from the Christel-nHi City Council, enclosing a resolution parsed hv that hodv. o>:pro*smg the opinion that councillors should hold offic" for three years instcn! of two The Town Council rr><solvod to inform its confreres in Chri c tolmrch that it thought two years long enough.