SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 47, 22 November 1900, Page 6

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

(From our own correspondent).

November 19. The Catholics of Limehills (near Winton) are taking eteps to erect a church on a very suitable site. The Government have agreed to send the Southland Pipe Band to the Commonwealth demonstration. The recognition thus given to the band has evoked widespread satisfaction. The Southland Education Board's inspector has just completed the examination of the Invercargill and Gore Convent schools, the results in each case being very satisfactory. Nearly 100 men are already employed on the Orepuki-Waiau Extension Railway, and more are to be put on at once, a further hum of £12,00(1 having been voted by Parliament for the work. Last Sunday evening a sacred concert was given in the Catholic Church at Orepuki by members of the choir, when the attendance was patiMfactory notwithstanding the boisterous weather prevailing. It is the intention of the choir to repeat the programme at an early date.

The latest ' bone of contention ' locally is, where are the Southland Railway Workshops to ba built ? Besides various places in the vicinity of Tnveroargill. Riverton, Otautau, and Gore are each agitating in its own particular interest, but the choice certainly lies between Invercargill and Riverton.

During his visit to Southland the Hon. J. G. Ward is to be banqueted at Winton, when a pair of carriage horses will be presenttd to Mrs. Ward by the electors of the Awarua constituency. The horses are intended for the landau which was presented to Mrs. Ward by friends in England. Mr. Ward will also be tendered a banquet at the Bluff, the occasion being tue opening of the new post and telegraph offices.

His Excellency the Governor arrived in Invercargill on Thursday and proceeded thence to the Aparima, where a day's fishing was indulged in. He also visited Orepuki and followed his favorite sport in the Waiau waters, taking time, of course, to visit the Sbale Works now in course of erection. The coming of his Excellency caused little or no interest ; in fact, some of the railway officials along the line were unaware of the Vice-regal party having passed through until the information appeared in the papers. The Catholic choir in Gore sustained a severe loss lately by the departure of Mrs Neave for Dunedin. This talented lady acted gratuitously as leader for a number of years and brought the choir to a great degree of perfection, consequently her place will not be easily filled. Prior to her departure she was the recipient of a presentation which marked the congregation's appreciation of her services and the goodwill existing between herself and the other members of the choir.

Extensive buildings have been oommenced in Gore, all of which are business premises? Messrs. McGibbon and Sons are erecting three-storied structures with a seven feet cellar at Main street corner, opposite the Post Office, Mr. Hartley being the contractor. Mr. James Holland is about to erect an arcade of modern design on the site of the recent fire, which is expected to be the best of its kind in the Colony. Mr. Owen Kelly has begun the erection of three two-storied buildings in Mersey street for the Jlataura Eiixiyn proprietary.