The celebrations began with a thanksgiving service last Sunday, and they are being carried on through the week. The first part of the week has been devoted largely to the entertaining of the old identities, and from tomorrow there will be special attractions for the children. More than 300 pioneers who came to the town prior to 1871 are being entertained at luncheons, afternoon teas, and concerts, and reminiscences are flowing like water. The town is gaily decorated with bunting and many of the business people have gone to considerable pains to make their premises more than usually attractive.
The site of Invercargill was decided upon in 1855. Like most colonial villages Invercargill began with a whare. In 1859 the population numbered 259, the administering body being the Provincial Council of Otago, and in 1861 the Town Board was formed. Four years later the Town Board dissolved, and the Provincial Council again assumed control. In 1871, the population having grown to 1900, a municipality was proclaimed, and within three years 2,400 people had made the town their home. At the latest census Invercargill had a population of 15,204.
Bubonic plague in Brisbane
Brisbane: An outbreak of bubonic plague is announced at South Brisbane. One death is reported. The health authorities concealed the matter for 21 days. Investigations proved that six rats which were examined were infected. Besides the six infected rats found in South Brisbane, two were caught in the North Brisbane area with suspicious symptoms. The Home Secretary announced in the Assembly that there was no need for public alarm, as 15 days have passed since the original case was discovered, and no suspicious cases had been reported since. Action has been taken to destroy rats on the waterfront and in warehouses, and other restrictive measures are being enforced.
Kiwis win Brighton bowling
London: Some of the New Zealand bowlers who entered for the Brighton Bowling Tournament spent a very pleasant time there last week, and what is more managed to carry away the
Championship Cup for the rinks competition. Two New Zealand rinks were in the semi-finals for this competition and met one another. Messrs J Hayden, J. Johnson, F. Hill and H.J. Bray won the semi-final and went on to beat a rink from Croydon by a narrow margin in the final.
Bowling, it seems, is becoming a pastime for women (writes a London correspondent). It is, too, becoming a game for royalty, for King George has had a green laid out at Windsor, and does not disdain the ‘‘wood’’ himself, so one can imagine that when the New Zealand team arrives home with its laurels, it will find its womankind eager to share the dominion’s lovely greens. A graceful woman, we are told, is a pleasant sight when playing bowls. As she stands delicately poised, with one foot on the mat, known as the “footer”, to bowl her wood, she looks her best.
Moreover, the gentle exercise is good for the figure. That, one supposes, is a reason why our city fathers take to the game when they begin to acquire more avoirdupois than is pleasant for them to carry. — ODT, 16.9.1921.
