LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 31, 6 August 1923, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

In connection with land prices in early days, a correspondent) "An Oddfellow of the M.U.," writes to "The Post" :—"Your report in Friday's issue of the address by the Chief City Librarian on the early city reclamations, inter alia, says:—'ln the meantime the Government had granted a right to the Oddfellows to recover land, and they reclaimed the piece at the corner of Grey street and Lambton quay, recently sold for a very large sum.' Many of your readers may gather the impression that this was a free grant and a special privilege to the Oddfellows. But this was not so, as similar giants were made to individuals or other societies willing or game enough to undertake the work with the privilege of paying for the sections after they had reclaimed them. Your jubilee number of the Bth February, 1915, contains many interesting articles on these early reclamations and the prices they cost and the sections realised. Well, alter reclaiming the site, the Oddfellows, thought they had better get a title to it, and, as no price had been fixed by the Provincial Government, the matter wa3 referred to arbitration, and the arbitrators fixed the price at one thousand pounds, which amount was promptly paid over by the Antipodean and Britannia Lodges of the 1.0.0. F., M.U., and the receipt of this sum is duly acknowledged in the title deeds. The further particulars given in your report of Mr. Baillie's address prove conclusively, I think, that the Oddfellows paid what was at the time the full market value, of the site they reclaimed."

There is a two-fold purpose behind the idea of holding a Forestry Day in Wellington on Friday next. In the first place there is the beautification of city homes and gardens that will follow-the purchase and planting of the shrubs, trees, and seedlings which will be sold on that day in the city streets. In addition to this, the local branch of the Forestry League hopes that next year a start may be made with planting the vacant spaces of the Town Belt. Such a move would add immensely to the attractiveness of the city's surroundings. The proceeds of Forestry Day this year, however, are to go to the national funds of the New Zealand Forestry League, to help in its work of saving the forests and promoting afforestation. Friends of the league have promised donations of shrubs, trees, atid flowers, and the offerings are certain to be plentiful and interesting.

That precision is an enviable quality no one will deny, especially those connected with Police' 1 Court procedure. There are times, however, when the quality, is exaggerated to such an extent that it changes to triviality, and an example of this occurred in the Dunedin Police Court on Friday, when the case of a man charged with negligent driving was being heard, states the "Otago Daily Times." A witness was giving evidence and in the course of a long statement that suggested long hours of preparation, remarked that the vehicle was approach ing him "in an erratic course." "Just a minute," interrupted the Magistrate (Mr. H. W. Bundle), "what exactly do you mean by 'an erratic course'?" The witness was willing to explain: "Erratic according to Webster —," he began, but once more he was interrupted. "We don't want to hear about Webster," said the Magistrate, "we want to know what you mean by erratic as far as this caso is concerned." And in good, plain English, without any further reference to "Webster" witness went on with his story.

Some recent arrivals in New Zealand well past middle life, who have not found the country to their liking, recently had to seek relief from one of our benevolent institutions, states the "Auckland Star." "This country is not so good as the 6ld Country," said a man and his wife, "and we wish we could get out of it." "If you want us to help you, don't blackguard our country," replied the person addressed; "and let me tell you this, that if you had only come out here when you were younger, and been able to go out into the country to carve out a home for yourself in the backblocks, you would have found this country a place flowing with milk and jibney. There are scores of people out here who enjoy our climate and have become affluent because they were not afraid to work and rough it in their young days, and with all its faults it iE one. of the best and freest countries in the world." Ih reply to further complaints, the guardian of the benevolent funds said "that the newcomers would be helped, but he would not hear one word more in the way of complain!; about New Zealand, for- it was a graild little country, and generally the cause of complaint lay in the conduct of the growlers themselves, and when properly sifted it could be found that lack of energy and initiative was at the back of all the trouble."

An inquire- into alleged dumping of Italian ma,rble into Australia wafc made some time ago by.the Tariff Board; in response to representation that the Italian currency had depreciated severely, and that the importations of marble from that country threatened the Australian industry with extinction. The board (reports the Melbourne "Age") found that despite the depreciation of the' lira, the landed cost of Italian marble in Australia was greater than the cost of Australian marble. It is contended that since this investigation the position has changed to some extent. Representations were made to the Tariff Board by Mr. Forde. M.P., who pointed out that plant to the value Of £10,000. had been installed at the white marble* quarries of Erilain (Central Queensland) and Paris' Creek, South Australia. Owing to the sfevere Italian competition these quarries had been compelled to close-down.'. Fipures for 1921 showed that nearly £70,000 worth of marble had been imported into the Commonwealth to supply a demand which could easily be met by Australian production. The present 'duties oil marble range from 25 to 40 per cent-, according to ils roueli or finished condition, and H is contended that tlfis protection is inadequate. Some users of marble for headstones and building purposes prefer the Italian product. although the splendid qualities of 'Australian marble tire becoming more widely known tliroUßh ueo in public i^ud private hnildillgfi.

The Postal authorities have received advice from Sydney that the Marama left at noon on the 3rd instant for Wellington. She carries 157 baits of mails for the Dominion, including 82 from Australia and 75 parcel receptacles.

At the result of a meeting at Napier on Friday of representatives of public bodies of Central mid Northern Hawkcs Bay, ;i strong deputation will come to Wellington to again urgo on thn Minister of Agriculture llui great advantages that wjll accrue to the dairying industry if a butter grader is appointed for the port of Napier.

"It is deplorable to think that the conditions in New Zealand are ideal for rearing super-men, yet 60 per cent, of the children in our schools suffer from diseases other thnu dental diseases," remarked Colonel Hunter in an address to parents at Mastcrton. Including dental disease, the percentage rose to 90.

Recently a record was claimed for an Auckland boy's school attendance. He had attended school for eight years and seven months without missing one halfday. The record of three Bisters who had attended school in Paeroa, for seven years without an absence was ateo noted. A correspondent points out that these record are beaten by the Smailes family, ol Waipukur'au. Last year it was rePu ltei, to the !ocal School Committee that Fred Smailes had an unbroken record of eleven years' attendance, with the added credit of never being late; Archie Smailes, ten years' record; and David, nine years.

Apropos of thousands of sheep snowed up m the high lands of Otago and the objection which is being made to planting heather (says a Wanganui correspondent) Mr. M'Kenzie Forbes, one of the heads of the Caledonian Society, expressed the opinion that heather was one of the finest shrubs they coutd introduce into the poor mountainous countries of New Zealand. It was valuable as fodder for sheep, and it was a noted fact that they never heard of the loss of sheep in the Highlands of Scotland during snowstorms. The reason was that when sheep were snowed in they had plenty of feed to keep them alive. Mutton fed on heather also was palatable, and Mr. M'Kenzie Forbes considered that if the farmers of Southland with high country land introduced heather, they would not have a repetition of the losses experienced during the recent snowstorms.

That he had stolen £5 of his employer's money to enable him to go home to Sydney at Christmas, to see his parents, was the excuse offered by an eighteen-year-old youth who appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day, on a charge of theft. The money was taken from under the counter in a shop, and, according to Chief Detective Kemp, it offered a sudden temptation which the boy could not resist. He had frankly admitted the theft when approached by Detective M'Lennan. , The Senior Probation Officer,, Mr. T. P. Mills, pbinted out that the defendant had not wasted the money, but had deposited it in the bank. He had no vices, and was quite a good boy. Restitution already had been made. The accused -was admitted to probation for six months, and it was ordered that his name be hot published.

A series of unexpected incidents marked the opening of the trial in the Auckland Supreme Court on Thursday of Reginald Benjamin and Trevor Leonard Richard Cunningham, conjointly charged with alleged conspiracy to. defraud and false pretences (states the "New Zealand Herald"). When .their names were called Benjamin stepped into the clock, hut Cunningham was missing. After his Honour had.consented to issue a warrant for his arrest, and had dealt with the question of estreating his bail, Cunningham put in an appearance. At once he pleaded not guilty, while' Benjamin admitted his offence and was remanded in custody for sentence. Cunningham then said his counsel, Mr. Cahill, had not arrived, upon which bis Honour reminded accused that he, too, had not put in ah appearance. His Honour told accused he would watch the case on his behalf and the police would communicate with the lawyer. A little later it Was announced that Mr. Cahill was _ ill with influenza, and his Honour decided not to proceed with the case at once to permit accused to obtain counsel.

Yet another famous painting is to be added to the notable collection of pictures in the Auckland Art Gallery, as the result of a purchase just completed by the Maekelvie Trust. This large canvas, by the late Phil E. Morris, A.R.A., is entitled "Sweethearts and Wives," and was brought to New Zealand by Mr. A. Sinclair witli the collection which he is at present exhibiting at the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. The picture, which was exhibited s at the Eoyal Academy, depicts a group of women and children hurrying along an old stone quay to give welcome to the incoming vessel that brings back tb them their menfolk. This work has been widely published as an engraving, but when the original is seenit is possible to realise how much was unavoidably lost in the process (states the "New Zealand Herald"). The feeling of movement and the fine composition of the scene were faithfully reproduced, but the glorious colouring which vivifies every detail was missing. The artist, Phil R. Morris, wrs born in 1836, and was made an A.R.A. at tlio age of 42. He died in 1902. The painting requires some cleaning, and is at present receiving professional attention, so that it will not be on view at tlio Art Gallery for the next two ur three mouths.

A well-known authority on sheepfarming in Southland, Mr. Jaincs King, has just returned to luvercargill from aii extensive tour of the snow-bound country round Kingston. Mr. King has been engaged in farming in this district since 1880, and his opinion, therefore, carries considerable weight. Interviewed, he says it was the worst snowstorm .he lias ever seen in New Zealand; Other experts support this view. Severe frosts set in oh Tuesday. They have practically put a stop to the thaw and are having a detrimental effect on feed. He says that the losses are bound to be very severe. Farmers are getting sheep, out, but cannot get feed for them. Most of the sheep got out are in terribly poor condition. Some have been buried for a month l and more, without.the possibility of a bite to eat. Sheep in this condition are hard to keep alive, If they have been eating wool, as is frequently the case, they carinot be saved. Many runholdera are railing fcheep away further south, and 1300 were railed on Wednesday from Laurent Peak station' to Hed'gehope. Many more are follbwiiig. llepVeseritiitions have been made to the Prihie Minister to truck sheep free of charge. A reply, was received to the effect that the matter has been referred to the Railway Department. The local traffic manager says that -it is almost certain that concessions will be made. Many sheep are dying as a result of being put on the turnips too soon. Mr. King s'iiys the Government must assist by rating farmers only on the number of sheep shorn at next shearing time. The snowfall is certain to have an ad\-6rse effect on the lambing season, as the ewes are very weak and in BOhie cases slipping lambs already. Mr. King says he has not exaggerated, the position, and spades as a result of careful investigation.

It is ueuarfor persons fined in the Magistrate s Court to ask for time to nay. An offender at the Christchurch Magnates Court on Friday " asked, Could I have time?" "Yes," replied Mr. Wyverii Wilson, S.M., "that is the alternative.

llie Shannon correspondent of the Manawatu Standard" states that a diversion dam lia s been built and the water is now going through the by-pass tunnel at the Mangahao hydro-eectric works. A start has been made with the driving of the steel sheet piling to enable the foundation of the main lam to be excavated and concreted. A commencement has also been made with the work of placing of concrete in ihe Tokomaru dam.

"In my opinion, within the next few years bacon will return you as much as butter-fat," ,was (states an exiVaP ft ?? c°urag'uS remark mado by Mr. F. J. Nathan to the annual meeting of Norsewood dairymen. "But you treat your pigs shamefully, you know you do, he added, and went on to say that there was no animal that gave better value for good treatment and good food than the pig, "though it may seem funny for a Jew to advocate the cause of the-pig," he concluded amid laughter. "

M!l\ W- Q""in, a merchant of Invercargill, who.recently ieturhed from the tast says that if the story he heard from a high Chinese official in Pekin is true, neither British nor Dutch sceamen discovered Australia. According to this Chinese official, Australia was discovered by the Chinese, probably by the crew of a junk blown far out of her course. Thi s information, eaid the official, was cleaned from a book in the archives of China called "The Classic of M6untain and Flood," which until lecehtly had been regarded as fable, but which the Chinese were beginning to think was a true story of adventure. In the'book, which hae been proved to be 2000 years old, and which is, perhaps, 3000 years old, there is reference to a large island been regarded as fable, but which the sun rose in a different direction. Features of the coast line are described which coincide with the Australian coast. In the same book the pyramids and the sphinx in Egypt are described, the exact number of the pyramids being given.

It 6 a pity I haven't got the power to cancel his license for six months, lhat as what I ought to ha\-e the power to do, ' remarked Mr. F. K. Hunt, 0.A1., at the Magistrate's Court to-day, when a young man named Charles Daniel lusher appeared on charges of being drunk while in charge of a motor-car and of driving the vehicle, at a dangerous speed. Sub-Inspector Lander explained that on Saturday eevning the accused was in a very drunken condition, and drove up Willis and Manners streets m a reckless manner until finally apprehended by Constable Flannery. He was employed by a. local gentleman as a chauffeur. On behalf of the defendant, Mr. A. B. Sievwright said that the young man until Saturday had not touched liquor for a period of two years. He met a friend, however, who had just' got married, and the pair set out "to celebrate." "I suppose he will lose his job, anyway," commented the Bench "If he had touched anybody, I would have given him three months' hard labour As it is, he is fined £5 and costs on each charge."

at I, 1S tra lad of hi 8h s Pirits," said , ,stt-. Kennedy, appearing on behalf of David Raymond James, 18 years of age, who was charged before Mr.F. iv. Hunt, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day, with stealing a bag, a cardigan jacket, and a scarf, valued at £3 10s, the property of Robert Lorimer Button, add a gold watch and chain, valued at £14, the property of Gavin Horace Menzies. "He is evidently a lad of low morals," returned the Bench. Chief-Detective Kemp said that for no reason at all the accused had run away from his mother's home, and for five weeks had been leading the lifo of a vagrant. He broke into the Wellington Boating Club's shed and committed the theft of the first-mentioned articles, and also visited a gymnasium and stble the watch and chain. On the suggestion of Mr. T. P. Mills, the accused was admitted to probation for a period of three years; a condition being that he g6es to work on a farm at Raetihi with a relative. "If you come up again, there is six months' imprisonment in front of you," warned the Magistrate.

Some idea of the material, apart itpta butterfat, required by the dairy industry was given Mr. A. J. Sinclair, assistant-manager of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, in the course of his address at the* Auckland Chaniber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday. At a conservative) estimatfe he placed the value of goods imported for the use of the industry in the Auckland province during the past season at £550,000, and showed that all parts of the world contributed to the supply. Specialised machinery, he said, came from the United States and Denmark; timber, oils, nails, wire, test-ware, and parchment, came from Britain and the United States. Birmingham, especially, produced considerable quantities of iron, steel, and mechanical appliances; and ffoni Manchester the industry drew most of its requirements in the' shape of cheese bandages, caps, and biitterfcloth. < Dairy ■ salt was teceived from Cheshire:, and tinplate, iron, dud steel from Wales. Belgium contributed parchment paper, and from Calcutta the casein factories received d. large quantity of sacks.

A story of a wild ride in a motorcar drawn by four galloping bullocks conies from the East Coast. A Te Aroba dealer \vas on his. way to town for the races at Gisborne, and when approaching Tolaga Bay got bogged oh the other side of the Mangatuha bridge. The services of d draught horse failed to shift the car,; and a couple of span of young oxeii were hitched to the machine. At the roar of the engine, however, the animals became panicky, imd they pulled the car at a hand gallop around the small flat. Three or four circuits of the flat wefre made, the motorist desperately guiding his machine around stumps and deep hollows, while the lad who was to have driven the bullocks urged him excitedly to jump for his life, as the car appeared doomed to be hurled over the bank into the river. The motorist, however, placed more reliance on the advice of an "older mail who, from thesaddle of his horse, yelled to him to ''stick to the ship." Finally the bullocks were turned across the bridge, and the rise on the other side exhausted their energy.