Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 15020, 31 October 1912, Page 4

The chairman (Mr G. AY. M'Tntcch) reported to tho Acclimatisation Society Inst night that that body were approaching the City Council with a view to obtaining their co-operation in the matter of acquiring a property at the north end of North-east Valley, known as Betlmne's Gully, with au area of 203 acres, and consisting partly of bush and partly of grass lands. There is a good water supply available on the property. The proposal is in pursuance of the suggested centralisation scheme. The support of the City Council is being sought, on the ground that such a step would increase the tram revenue, and that part of the reserve could be used as a recreation ground, with ample room in later years for. a zoo. Tho chairman announced that the scheme had already been mentioned privately to several councillors, who had expressed themselves in favor of it.

Mr Paulin telephoned at 2 p.m. : Squally to a galo N.W. to S.W. winds, with heavy electrical rain. The City Council last night appointed a, •committee, consisting of the Mayor (Mr J. Wilson), Crs Clark,'"Sinclair, and Stewart, to cany out the necessary arrangements in connection with the conversazione to be tendered to His Excellency the Governor during his visit to Dmiedi'n. The American newspapers give the office which Sir George Reid so ably fills a more high-sounding title than its official designation (says the Sydney ' Morning Herald'). The Chicago 'Examiner,' for example, refers to him as "the- Lord High Commissioner for the Common wealth." The ' Examiner' features a dory about Sir George, awl Mr J. B. Forgan, the president of the First National Bank, singing a duet at a, luncheon given by the Illinois St. Andrew's Society. First. Mr Forgan swing a verse of ' Aukl Lang Sync,' it wiys, and then " Lord High Commissioner" Reid and Mr Forgan together sang the second verse with a, fervor that only native-born Scots can instil imo Burns'e lines, and finally the rest of the guests joined in. Tho reporter makes no comment on Sir George - 6 singing, except the somewhat vague statemeift that "the listeners, had not been so stirred for a long time."

The London 'Times,' in a leading article, discusses the possibility of securing more intimate relations between Great Britain and tho Oversea Dominions, and urges that annual defence conferences should be held. It is considered that this would bo the best method for securing a.n interchange of ideas. The article, says : "Tho Dominions' members of the committee would have no power to commit their Governments to action of any kind, but it would mean that tho Dominions-' opinions would be consistentlv represented in the inner counsels of English Government, and that the knowiedge of the British Government would circulate in tho Dominions directly through their own Ministers."

A cable to the Sydney ' Sun ' states that 000 .English pilgrims, headed by the Duke of Norfolk, England's leading Eonian Catholic nobleman, have been received in audience at the Vatican by the Pope. The duke, on behalf of the Catholic Union of Great Britain, read an address, assuring His Holiness of the union's fidclitv and devotion. "

A man who was described ;is living in one of the loneliest parts of England wis given a parliamentary vote recently by the revising barrister at Brampton, Cumberland (says the 'Daily Mail'). The Conservative agent said he had visited the place, a farm situate on a fell between Bewcastle and Halt-whistle, on the border of Northumberland. In an area of 30.000 acres there were only four cottages. The members of this farmer's family had lived in the cottage, concerned for "600 yea,rs, and tradition said that the kitchen fire had never been extinguished for 200 years. The claimant would have to walk 15* miles to vote. The Liberal agent, said he endeavored to Teach this remote spot, and, finding the route so difficult and dangerous, turned back when he had still" 12 miles to travel. Ho understood a, child was at the place who had not seen another child for two years. The trade route across the Andes has been .resumed. The railway line was considerably damaged by a. series of gigantic avalnncb.ee that followed a terrific thunderstorm. The herculean labors necessitated in clearing the railway may be gathered from the fact that in one place the line was buried under about 6,000 tons of rock. Sir Albert Spicer, giving evidence in London last week before the Empire Trade Commission, argued that Great Britain should send healthy boys to the. Oversea Dominions free of co&t'if tho Dominions were willing to find places for such boys. Mr H. Rider Haggard, the well-known novelist, said lie was dubious whether any large numbers of boys could be transferred to the Dominions with advantage to all parties-.

The City Council last evening received 12 applications for the position of assistant at the Public Library. They, were referred to the Library Committee to select three names for the consideration of the council at the next meeting. When tho profit and 'loss statements of the various trading departments of tho City Corporation for the past half-year came before the City Council last evening, Cr Stewart suggested, in view of the fact that the Roslyn councillors would be present at the next meeting, that consideration of the statements should' be deferred for a fortnight. Possibly the chairmen of. the different departments might want to amplify their statements for the purpose of assisting the Ilcslvn councilors to batter understand the position. Cr Stewart's suggestion was finally adopted.

The weaving of mats, sowing of large crops of potatoes and kumeras, and the fattening of pigs and poultry are in full swing at Te Ami just now, reports the Poverty Bay 'Herald,' in preparation for a big hui that is to be held next MaTch. It is expected to be the largestgathering of Natives ever held in the district, and some 10,000 will probably assemble, including Maoris from all parts of New Zealand. The main object of the gathering is to be the opening of the new Te Arai church, which has been erected in place of the previous historic chapel that was destroyed by fire. In connection with' the new church, an effort has been made some of the fine Maori carving that was such a centre of attraction in tho old church. For 12 months or more special carvers from Rotorua and TJriwera ha.ve been at work, with the result that the new chapel will contain a. largo collection of productions. The carving, however, will be less of the ancient class than the former collection, as tho tools aro entirely different, and of a more modern typo than thos-o used in the olden days, and tho .representations are not so grotesque. Advantage of so large an assemblage of Natives will bo taken to hold the yearly Maori Parliament, when numerous matters will be considered. The condition of the Oval was referred to at the meeting of the City Council last night by several councillors. Cr Shackloek reminded the council that it had been promised some timo ago that the reserve would be put in attractive order. The place was in such a disgraceful condition that many people were under the impression that it still served as a rubbish tip. He had noticed that day two heaps of vile-smelling rubbish. Something should be done to" let the public know that tho reserve was no longer a rubbish tip. Cr Clark concurred with Cr Shaddock's tcCr Hancock said he had seen one of tho General Committee's drays tipped up there on Tuesday. (Laughter.) This prompted the Mayor to remark that if Cr Hancock's statement were true the man responsible should be reprimanded. Cr Green said he. had given the inspector instructions not to deposit rubbish at that reserve. Cr Todd mentioned that the wet weather had prevented the carrying out of improvements, which would now lie effected as goon as possible. He would see that a notice board was erected warning persons against depositing rubbish at the reserve.

Two well-known authors. Sir A. Conan Doyle and Mr .Joseph Hocking, who were formerly opposed to Home llulo for Ireland, have recanted. In a letter to the London ' Times' they 6ay that their later experiences convince them that the present irresponsible system of government of Ireland will not be remedied while the country is entangled in British party politics. At the outset, yesterday's special meeting of the Drainage Board threatened a tow. It ended peaceably. Mr Small began by stating that the Plumbers' Registration Bill was more objectionable than any previous versions of the Bill that tho board had opposed, in that it took away fees and the right of examination, and tho only men he knew of who supported it were tho master plumbers of Wellington and Auckland. He felt that the board would have come short of their duty if they had not opposed such a Bill. "Mr Burnett said the meeting had nothing to do with the merits or demerit® of the Bill. His only point was that two members went to Wellington without the authority of the board. If the board wished to op-po.-'e the Bill, the city's representatives in Parliament could have done that. Mr Small replied that members were too busy otherwise to attend a committee to give evidence. Mr Douglas spoke at length, eA;it\ng that ho consented to go only after being pressed by the executive, and he maintained that what the deputation did was in the interests of tho board and the public. He also declared that he did not go in the interests of the plumbers. Mr Stephens (solicitor) said it was on his advice that Mr Small and Mr Douglas went on the mission. Mr Harlow wished it made clear that the only thing he took exception to was the action of the executive in sending these members without consulting the board. Dr Fulton 6poke in similar terms. Mr Arkle (chairman) ruled that the executive were fully authorised according to the minutes empowering them to act. There had been a bungle in the posting of the notices. Mr Christie added that the executive were empowered "to act," n.nd they did act. The secretary made an explanation as to the posting of the advices, and then, on the motion of Mr Marlow, seconded by Mr Burnett, it was resolved to confirm tho action of tho delegates. The trouble thus fizzled out. The Home-trip habit is gaining in popularity every year, both in Australia and N nv Zealand, but particularly in the Commonwealth, where there are quite a large contingent of well-to-do people who have forgotten what winter is, owing to tho number of times they have missed it by imitating the swallow. This year the booking by the Home passenger steamers is very heavy, and those who have the remotest intention of proceeding to Europe at the end of tho present summer should be advised of the position. The Sydney office of Messrs Thomas Cook and Son's have advised the Wellington branch that never in the history of tho firm in Australia have the applications for accommodation on the Home steamers been so numerous as this year, and already nearly every Orient and P. and 0. steamer is booked up from February to the end of April. On two or three occasions the Wellington manager for Cooks has cabled to Sydney asking for accommodation in certain steamers, and the reply has come: "Can offer no accommodation." The 0s terley, which is to leave Sydney as far ahead ns March 26, is practically fully booked now.

A pathetic message attached to a will was discovered in the 700t't level at Mount Lyell after the late disaster. It was that of an Italian, Valentine Bianchi. He m an elderly man, and was found dead in the 700 ft level, near Joe M'Carthy, who also left a pathetic farewell note. It appears, the searchers say, as if, when the smoke was coming towards the two men, they descended into a depression, which gave incin air enough to write in. Valentine Bianchi's will is as follows : "12/10/12. Please give £l5O to Fratella Bianchi. (An address in the Tyrol follows.) (Signed) Valentino Bianchi. Witness : Joe M'Carthy." In the corner are thase Italian words: "Carissima parenti, pregate for me; addio, addio" ("Dear parents, pray for me; good-bye, goodbye"). The writing is very shaky. The Kindergarten Conference met. yesterday afternoon to list-en to three papers dealing with various phases of kindergarten work. Mrs T. E. Taylor's paper was designed to indicate how the kindergarten training could be most effectually mado a preparation for tho primary education to follow. Miss Dutton spoke on the rise of ordinary materials, and the wide field they provided- for the exercise- of ingenuity on the part of the learner. 'Psychological Punishment,' was the title of MissKelsey's paper. The speaker said that punishment should bo associated in tho child's mind as the inevitable outcome of wrong-doing. Parents needed to understand their children well before they could meto out to them always a psychological punishment. The pajwrs were much appreciated, and provoked helpful discussion. It is understood that the General Committee ot the City Council are prepared to offer the Domain Board £350 for the St. Clair baths. Cr Carroll has a scheme in hand for securing a site near the Oval for public baths. It lias tho advantage- of an unlimited supply of water from a natural spring.

Not since 1883, the year of pride for the ladies of this province, have there been as many births registered in Dunedin by the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages as.diave been recorded this venr. and particularly this month. ,In October, 1883, .thero were registered 194 births; this month tho total is 178. I.Dst October the number was 160. For this year the births registered total 1,513, ns against 1,480 at this time last year. Tho only defended case before Mr Widdowson at tho Magistrate's Court this morning was a claim by the Western Taderi Land Drainage Board for £153 3s 3d, as rates due by Wolsey Kain, of Arrowtown, runholder, in respect to land in the Taieri drainage district. Mr John Macgregor appeared for the plaintiffs and Mr W. C. MacGregor for the defendant. , These rates became due on September 30, 1910, and a summons was issued, the case coming before Mr Haselden on September 24, 1912. Defendant's solicitor then applied for an adjournment on the ground that the defendant wished to have evidence taken at Queenstown. Mr John MacGregor opposed the adjournment, on tho ground, that if it were granted tho judgment would he driven beyond the period of two yearn during which rates can be recovered.. Mr Haeelden granted the adjournment, pointing out that the delay was the fault of the plaintiffs. After Mr John MacGregor had opened his case to-day, Mr W. C. MacGregor suggested that tho question of time should be argued first, as if his view was correct the objection on the question of tho two years was fatal. Counsel thereupon submitted the arguments pro and con, and His Worship reserved his decision on this preliminary point. '

A meeting of those interested in opposing the proposal of the amalgamation of St• Ivilda with the City of Dunedin was held in the St. Kilda Council Chambers last evening. Mr S. B. Mac Donald. Mayor of the borough, was the convener, and there were 26 residents present. Great enthusiasm was shown in the proceedings, and numerous apologies for non-attendance w->re received. It was decided to form one large committee representative of the whole borough, and Mr Mac Donald was elected chairman. Mr E. Tamblyn undertook the duties of secretary, and Mr J. Dawson was appointed treasurer, several substantial donations being handed in o" the spot. An oxecutive committee of six was entrusted with arranging the details of future meetings and mapping out a plan of campaign, the following gentlemen consenting to act:—Messrs A. E. Usherwood, D. C. Cameron, jun., F. Scanlan, W. Ihompson, J. Dawson, and J. Harris. As several ladies had expressed a desire to work on the committee it was resolved to invite, them to the next committee meeting, with the object of forming a ladies' committee. The meeting adjourned i-'U next Friday week, the place of meeting to be arranged by the executive.

There were 34 more deaths recorded in Utago this month than thero were last October, the returns being 91 and 57 respectively. There is also an increase for tho 10 months ending to-day, 724 deaths having been recorded, as against 698 for the corresponding period last year.

Port Chalmers has decided to have electric lighting. Yesterdav evening at a special meeting the Borough Council resolved to enter into a 10-year contract with the City Council for the lighting of the streets of the borough by electricity irom the Waipori works. The main reason for entering into the street-lighting contract was in order that the electricity might bo brought into tho borough, where it is eagerly wanted'for power purposes by the machine shops and foundries. The only serious opposition offered last night at the Borough Council meeting to the electrical proposal was bv a councillor, who made out a very good case for continued gas lighting of the streets, and in connection therewith referred to the fact that over £2OO had recently been expended in erecting modern gas lamps in the borough, the streets of which were at present remarkably well lighted. This councillor foresaw, ho said, the possibility ot lighting the streets on exceptionally favorable terms if no street-lighting contract were entered into bv the borough until the electricity had * been brought tnere Then it would lie between the. G,ns Company and tho purveyors of electricity to capture the street' lighting by offering tho best terms. Tho arguments were forceful, but tho town wanted power lor its industries, so the electrical light was unhesitatingly chosen. The introduction of electrical power to tho town will also make possible the reclamation of Mussel Bay, an improvement which is much needed in the interests of expanding the industries of the town.

Compared to last year, there' has been this year a marked decrease in the number of marriages recorded by Mr Maxwell (Registrar of Births, Deatfis, and Marriajjes). Up to October last year there were r 619 marriages recorded, the number for the corresponding year is 566—n0 fewer than bo less Has compulsory military training taken Lie men away from the more peace" tnl drilling and discipline, in courting? Last October thero were 66 marriages recorded in the local office; this month the total is 58. Our bachelors will need to como to the mark before the year is out, and enter into great peace.

The Electric Light and Power Department authorise us to state that there were no indications that the fire at Dr Howard's house was caused bv the wires fusing. " Have you sufficient confidence in me to lend a guinea?" war, once asked of Jerrold, and the wit replied "I've all the confidence, but I haven't the guinea." Which introduces a warning to Dunedin merchants to keep both their confidence and their guineas. It is rumored that a gentleman has been not unsuccessfully seeking both lately, and has separated much coin from pockets hard to dig in. His method is thus described : Having called upon the head of a firm, he reminds that gentleman that ho had paid a previous call some months ago and presented a letter of introduction from a Home firm, which firm naturally enough has done business with the Dunedin man. The latter does not remember the introduction, but is convinced with less trouble than might be expected. Confidence having been gained, the visitor unfolds a "hard luck" tale of the recent death of his wife (this poor lady lias already died at Rotorua and several other places), and proceeds to obtain a substantial loan on the strength of the statement that his troubles have run him short of cash until his remittances arrive by the next mail I his chevalier d'industrie is described as of about middle age, sft Bin or sft 9in in height, fair complexioned, with beard and moustache wears a greenish overcoat with velvet collar, and very yellow tan boot's and speaks with foreign accent. '

Tho Acme Photo Company, George street are making quits a now show of exquisitelyfinished photographs. Country visitors are delighted with their portrait*. Tel. 965 —[Advt 1 The summer tariff for milk comes into operation to-morrow. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns. Compound Sulphur Cakes are tho best form Of spring medicine for children or adultsIs packets. Wilkinson and Bon, chemists [Advt.]

The Musselburgh School scholars give two children's concerts in St, Hilda Coronation Hall to-night and to-morrow night. Speight's ale and stout are acknowledged by tho Dominion public to bo tho best on tho market.—[Adrt.] Mr Morris, photographer, Garden Studio 554 George street (near St. David street) exhibits some beautiful ladies' portraits in sepia on left-hand side of the Zenith Studio vestibule, in Princes street. Appointments made in Zenith Studio, or telephone 2,279.—Udrc 1 The recent address given by Mr Peter Barron the public accounts, as dealt with in the report of the Public Service Commission, has evoked such general interest both amongst members of the Otago branch of the New Zealand Society of Accountants, under who=o auspices the address was given, and business men generally that it is thought another address on tho subject would be welcomed At the urgent request of the society Mr Barr has consented to give a second address on Monday next.

No lady should be without Martin's Apiol and Steel Pills Sold by all chemists and stores throughout Australasia.—[Advt.]