EVENTS OF THE WEEK.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 41, 24 December 1920, Page 8

EVENTS OF THE WEEK.

To those of our community who were privileged to be "over yonder" during the latter part of the war; it was very apparent that the security and effectiveness of the aeroplane as a means of transit would be turned to commercial advantage after the war. This was not long ixx doubt in Britain and in Euxope ; and to-day aeroplanes are a regular feature in passenger work and as a link in the general post mail services. New Zealand, though far removed from the "hub of the universe," is nevertheless not behind in realising the value of the latest advance in the means of communication ; aixd Southland, in particular, is at present receiving considerable attention as a possible headquarters for a company to operate bctween Timaru and Invercargill. When one considers that a business man could leave Timaru at 6.30 a.m. and be in Invercargill in time for office work orxe is struck by the contrast with present methods of travelling when a dusty and uncomfortable train journey of nine hours' duration is needed to accomplish this same operation. No doubt the novelty of an aeroplane joui'ney from Invercargill to Timax*u or to Christchurch would for the first two years,- handsomely pay the promoters of the scheme, but by that time the value of the rapid- means of transit would be so well recognised that a la,rge fleet of 'planes would be necessary to cope with the traffic. At present there is afoot a scheme to establish locally- a "hangar" with its staff of pilots and mechanics, to form the terminus of the Timaru-Invercargill aerial service. In Timaru, in Christchurch, and mox*e particularly in Auckland, the sight of a 'plane overhead is no longer regarded as a novelty ; and if those of us who live to the south of Dunedin are to keep abreast of the times, we must see to it that we do not lag behind in this latest commercial venture so popular in the north, but so far almost unknown in Southland. That the commercial utility of the 'plane is realised in Timaru was well proved on Friday last when the axrangements made by our local representatives to fiy from Timaru to Invercargill were forestalled by an enterpx-ising party who took advantage of the fast aeroplane service to connect with the ferry service. The annual musical examinations, this year conducted by Mr Schilsky, were con. ciuded on Monday, the taiented examiner expressing himself highly pleased with perfoirmances of the local candidates. Special mention was made by Mr Schilsky upon the performance of Miss Marjorie Manson, who was awarded highest marks in the Dominion. It speaks highly for the ixxterest displayed in music in Invercargill, when we consider that 150 candidates presented themselves in Invercargill, while in Dunedin, a town four times the size of our southern capital, there were only 300. During his tour of New Zealand, Mr Schilsky has examincd 30G0 candidates, and speaks vexy highly of the standard of work it has been his pleasure to examine. A party of "Diggers" mindful of long marches, bad food and bivouacs are evidently suffering a relapse. Not content with all the comforts so fondly thought of while abroad, they propose penetrating the "Unknown" that lies to north-west of Hauroko. Some of the party in pre-war days had experienced the intermingled pleasure and hardship that the Fiord country affords. Bush dripping with water, tired limhs, short rations, supple jack entanglements are the inevita.ble accompaniments of such excux'sions. Dxxring a notable trip from Manapouri to Doubtful Sound one tall mexnber of the party ©xpressed a detex-m-ination to spend his next holiday in a consumptive sanatorium by v/ay of contrast. Yet the spirit of the explorer has triumphed, and he is making enquiry at the Defence Office for a valise, the "Diggers' portmanteau," in which ne was accustomed to carry upon his back all his wordly possessions. The campaign is to last about two weeks and we shall welcome an account of their trip in a later issue. There have been lately many indications that the Government intends shortly to tackle the important question of Forestry in a business-like way, and in the applications invited by the Public Service for men qualified for Conservators and rangers there is proof that the necessity of action is necessary. Early in the year the N.Z. Government brought from Canada to this country Captain Ellis, a fully qualified expert, to make an exhaustive report on the coun. try's timber resources, and to include in his report a plan to obviate the deple-

tion of the vast forests which once covered most of our mountain lands. Captain Ellis has spent most of the year inspecting our forests, and it is to provide the macbinery to put his proposed plan into execution, that applications for men with experience in forestry are being called. Those Southland peoplef^who a few months ago, met this Canadian lumber-man, recognised that he was one who would make good in the task he had undertaken. That our natural f'brests were being rapidly cut down, without any really consistent effort being made to replace them, is a fact that has lately been only too obvious to the thinking man ; but until the appointment of Captain Eliis, lit- ' tle had been done. It is to he hoped that, under the control of this gentleman, the new Department of Forestry will be of real value in ■ this country, aixd that before long we shall see efforts being made to get the most value from what is a very valuable.lxatural asset, the permanency of which has only lately been growing more and more doubtful. We hope to see x-eturned sokliers having a chance in the xxew appointments to be made; and no doubt as Captain Ellis is an ex-member of the C.E.F., he will recognise that the arduous and exacting tasks of the Field made men who will be of use to him in his gigantic task. Southland has been badly neglected in the matter of tree-planting ; and the fact is the more remarkable when one considers the great need that exists in this Province, for shelter belts of, trees to afford protection for stock against the wintxy blasts of the prevailing southwest winds. Probably the early settlers had such an amount of fine timber within easy distance, or pei'baps they overlooked the fact that sooner or later trees planted would be "va-luable; but whatevetr the reason, visitors to our district always remark n the absence of well-arranged belts of trees, such a cmmon feature of the landscape ixx the north. Our many soldier settlers in Southland should be made well aware of the fact that they are able to obtain from Tapanui Government nu^sery 500 trees for plantation purposes. They should, too. be instructed that there is no use planting trees unless fences to keep stock from the yoxxng trees are erected. Many men go to much trouble to plant trees ; but neglect to take this precaution, with the result that the stock immediately ruin the trees pixt ixx. This important work of ixxducing farmers to plant suitable trees for shelter and later for milling purposes, will, no doubt, form a part of Captain Ellis' scheme. The late Dr McNab was surely a pioneer in Southland in the realm of afforestation; and the trees planted some 16 years ago by that gentleman on his Knapdale estate, are now not only yielding immense benefit to the stock, but are already attracting considerable attention on accouxxt of the marketable timber in the belts. They have, at the same time, time contrxhuted much to enhance the beauty of this fertile part of the country. A number of our young men who after the armistice undertook a course of study under N.Z.E.F. scholarships, have devoted their time to the study of forestry, and on their x-eturn to this land, they should be very valuable to take their places in the Forestry Depaxtment, and, to help to pfeserve our commercial areas of fine timber. "Diggers" are reminded of the many thoughtful and kindly messages that wex-e wont to be sent to them when "The Boys at the Fronf'.was the first thought of friends at home. Send your Christmas gx-eetings this week if you have xxot done so before. Invercargill is J.0 be well and worthily x'epresented at the forthcoming Band Contest at Nelson, where the Ilibernian and the 8th Regimental Bands are to try conclusions with the other crack ba: ds of New Zealand. No stone will be. left unturned by the respective conductors Messrs Wills and Siddall, to have their bands well trained to participate in the contest. It will be interesting to watch the career of the Ilibernian Band, especially when one considers the highly creditable position occupied by this enthusiastic youxxg band at the recent Duxxeain Contest. The Band of the 8th Regiment, popularly known as the "Garrison Band," has behind it a fine record, and its bandroom possesses t-rophies* won in many contessts not only in New Zealand, but in Australia as well. Recently reorganised and now under the capable baton of Mr Siddall, the son of the popular and gifted conductor of the old redoubtable Garrison, the Regimental, will, like the Hibernian, give a good account of it-

: g6if in Nelson. Tlie "Digger" congratulates both these organisations on their efficiency and keenness; and wishes them I the very best of luck. From ti 10 "Digger" window I look [ aeross Deo street's wh'irling traffic, to [ the fine new ^op Messrs Davis and [ Prentlce, where dwells an interesting "Di,T?er" whose interest in coloured bevera^es recently brought hira closer to the pearly gates than all the lethal advices 0{ Jacko and Fritz. The prompt steps of this young mechanic when he discoveied that the taste of the fluid did not come within his tabulated and varied | assortment of "thirst quenchers," led | jjim to the "Boss Digger" at the hospital, where effective methods were quickly taken to. rid him of the "spirits of salt," which had somehow got into the wrong bottle. We are pleased to see our | young genial friend once more speeding about on his reliable and well-known Indian as "smart" as ever. Since last issue on» of our most enthusiastic and oldest draughts players has . passed away in the person of Mr James H. Whitaker, vice-president of the Invercargill Draughts Club. At one time a prominent chess player he forsook it for draughts and has heen a constant supporter of the club and a regular attender since. His was a kihdly cheerful disposition, and he had many fine qualiti.es. Modest iri his victories over the board (he was in the front rank as a naturai player and never relied on the hook). He was never vexed with his losses anei was always ready to give credit to those who won from him. His presence at meetings of the club will be much missed. His bereaved family have the club's sincere sympathy in their sad loss.