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Evening Star, Issue 15916, 23 September 1915, Page 4

Mr T. C. Harrison, of St, Clair, today received a cable from his son, Dr P. Harrison, surgeon-major, stating that the Sixth Reinforcements landed safely at Cairo.

Mr W. S. J. Collett, Government Tourist Agent, received the following telegram this morning from the manager at the Hermitage, Mount Cook : —“ Skiing conditions perfect, weather fine, frosty nights.” The juvenile case, where a 15-ycar-old girl was charged with, at Portobello, illtreating two .cows by applying some blistering preparation to their teats, was concluded this morning, it being stated that the defendant’s mother had bought the cows from complainant for £2O. In convicting and discharging the girl Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., emphasised the fact that it was a serious matter, and intimated to the girl’s mother that the report ho had received concerning her homo was a most unsatisfactory one, and that she must turn over a new leaf. There, must be no canse for complaint in future. She must look after her children, and take care to bring them up properly. Three writs, each for £I,OOO, have been served on the Wellington Gas Company in _ respect to the deaths from coal gas poisoning at Wellington on April 39 last of three Chinese—Young Wong, Young Chung, and Young King. The writs were issued on behalf of the widows of deceased and for the administrators of the respective estates. The three Chinese were _found dead in a room at 528 Tinakori road, and at the inquest on May 28 the coroner returned a verdict “ That the deceased died from coal gas poisoning, due to an accidental escape of gas from the service mains, caused by an abnormal gas pressure being exerted from the Miramar manufacturing 'station after 10 p.m. on April 29, which the governor in the high-pressure main at Onepu road failed to regulate.” A witness in an assault case heard in the Police Court this morning was giving evidence as to the good character and habits of accused. He evidently experienced some difficulty in finding'language sufficiently strong to describe his feelings, but finally he delivered himself thus: “Really, your Worship, I could not be more surprised if you yourself were charged with the offence instead of the accused.” No one enjoyed Ithis better than Mr Widdowson himself.

The Very Rev. Father Coffey, Admin■strator, announced at St.* Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday, 12th inst., that he required £I,OOO to open the Christian Brothers’ new school- free of debt. Since, then he has received contributions to the amount of £950, and promises which make up the sum asked for. The result (says the ‘ Tablet ’) is a magnificent tribute to the generosity of the people.

‘‘What would be the effect of two whiskies on an empty stomach?” This poser was given to Dr Evans in the Police Court this morning by Mr Widdowsou, b-M. It appeared to he sometliing in the nature of a staggerer, but finally the doctor _ committed himself to the extent of saying that he could hardly conceive two glasses of whisky could so affect a man that he would know nothing from 7 or 8 o’clock until the next morning—an answer which was sufficient for* the purposes of the case before the Court.

Thomas Arthur Bruce, of Tapanui, laborer, was charged at the Magistrate’s Court, Tapanui, on Monday, with shooting deer without a license, and was fined £5, and court costs (7s). Mr H. A. Young, S.M., was tire presiding Magistrate. Mr Bedford, in his address last night on war finance, pointed out that the American exchange on London had been rendered particularly adverse bv the enormous -quantity of Canadian bills on London which had been poured on the New York Exchange during August. These bills represented debts of Britain for this years wheat shipped to the Old Country. These debts, added to the debts to the Uni tod States, made the balance against Britain very heavy. August is the biggest month in the year for Canadian bills. The biennial convention of • the NewZealand Christian Endeavor Union will he held in Wellington next month, on the 19th. It is expected that most of the provincial unions will send delegates to the gathering. The Otago representatives are the Rev. J. T. Pinfold and Mr D. T Pearson. The Rev. H. B. Gray is the present president of the New- Zealand C.E. Union, and it is expected that the Rev. Wm. Rhirer, of Wellington, will be his successor.

An increased water supply for the City, which has been talked of for some years, is now receiving the fullest consideration of the Water Committee of the City Council.. Members of that committee hope to visit the Lee Stream before the next meeting of the council, w-ith a view of reporting on the advisability or otherwise of bringing in a supply from there. It is estimated to cost about £123,000, and should snch a scheme be adopted it will be necessary to ask the ratenavers’ consent to box-row that amount.

Yesterday afternoon, the sacred solo for mezzo-sopranos being on in His Majesty’s Theatre, tw-o out of the four entered competitors came forward to sing ‘Pa c ut Portera,’ from Rossini’s ‘ StabatMater,’ and performed so badly, displaying complete inability for their task, that our reporter was not surprised to hear Mrs Montague say to the judge, as she' rose from tho piano stool: “If either of these is recalled to-night you will have to get another accompanist. lam not going to be made an exhibition of before an audience. Just then one of the two other competitors, supposed to be scratched, presented herself for the preliminary hearing, and sang perhaps a littlo better than her predecessors, but the performance was still much below competitions form, and Dir Maclean, the judge, said: I regret very much that I am not warranted in giving any marks at all in this contest. It must oome out of the programme.” So far as we remember, this is tho first occasion during tho 14 years’ run of the Dunedin competitions that a contest has been in this way declared “off.”

In illustrating tlie operation, of international exchange, Mr Bedford showed that the New Zealand Government were incidentally saving exchange charges to a very considerable amount by the purchases of meat they were making for the British Government. The former Government paid for the meat by cheque in New Zealand and received payment for the meat in London. They were thus able to apply the money received in London to meet the interest charges on the New Zealand loans. ■ In the ordinary base the Government pay their Interest to their banks in New Zealand, and the hank would arrange the payment in London on receiving' exchange charges from the Government. Thus, by buying for the British Government, the New Zealand Government were able to save several thousands of pounds formerly paid for exchange. Mr Paulin telephoned as follows at 1.45 p.m. to-day;—S.W. to N.E. winds, and some electrical rain showers. Mr Massey received to-day from London the following cable (says our Parliamentary Reporter) The General Federation of Trade Unions congratulate New Zealand on' the magnificent courage and achievements of her troops, and offers sympathy with the relatives of ail -who have fallen, {(Signed) Appleton;

As an example of .what Central Otago is capable of, we have been shown a particularly fine sample of brown Spanish onion, grown by Mr M. L. Spratt, Lowburn, whoso property adjoins that of the Cromwell Developing Company on Cromwell Plat. A small consignment of these was sent to Messrs A. Moritzson and Co, and quickly snapped up at the rate of £l4 per ton. The opinion was expressed that io finer onions have ever come from New Zealand, Victoria, or the Pacific Coast. It may be mentioned that a consignment of Mr Spratt’s onions came on the market last year, but about six weeks later than this, and owing to the fact that Melbourne onions were done brought £22 10s per ton. At present the Melbourne vegetable is still on the mar-, ket, and worth £l2 per ton. Had Mr Spratt kept his consignment back for a few weeks—and the onions a cre in such a condition as to have easily stood this—they would probably have brought £4 or £5 more.

In the Police Court this morning Alice Seconi, charged with loitering and importuning, was remanded until next Monday, hail being allowed, self in £25 and one surety of £25. Sub-inspector Broberg said that another matter that arose out of the charge was being investigated. At last night’s meeting of the City Council it was decided to purchase the properties occupied by the D.S.A. and Edward Eros, at Cargill’s Comer, at a cost of £4,100, for the purpose of widening the street at the corner and straightening the tram lines.

The spring show of the Dunedin Horticultural Society, which takes place in the Garrison Hall on Saturday, will ha noteworthy, in the fact that in addition to record entries in the- narcissi sections, some novelties in rhododendrons, flowering shrubs, and choice flowers will he exhibited by Mr Saul Solomon, who- is putting up a large table in the centre of the hall for exhibition only. This table will contain a Dr Stalker and a Fosterinium rhododendron, the former being exhibited in Now Zealand for the first time. Exhibitors have entered from Christchurch, Oxford, Oamaru, Lawrence, and Invercargill, and with blooms from the Dunedin growers—and they are admittedly good this season—an exceptionally fine display of spring flowers should grace the hall. Donations for the patriotic stall may be left at the hall on Friday _ evening or ■Saturday morning, or at the secretary’s office.

In a supplementary report last evening the General Committee of the City Council recommended that the application of Messrs • Coopers, Ltd., for a permit to build two semi-detached dwellings m Walker street be declined. The committee also recommended that applications be invited for the position of a motor inspector at a weekly wage of £3 10s. Or Shaddock moved as an amendment that the last clause be referred back to the committee. He said that the proposal would be a very -costly matter. After 12 months tire official would have very little to _ do. He considered that a tramway official could do all that was required. The amendment was lost and the report adopted.

When the Works Committee’s report wns under discussion at last night's meeting of the City Council Cr Douglas asked "'hat was the position in regard to mnd tanks and storm water drainage. The Mayor said the question had been asked him in Wellington what Cr Green had meant by saying that the Works Department had no money available. He replied that the council had no money available for doing the Drainage Board’s work. Or Green said that if the Drainage Board were, abolished Cr Douglas could rest assured that the council would not let the drainage of Dunedin remain in "any worse condition than it was at present. The exact amount of the damage by the fire at Dbna-ghy’s rope and twine works, South Dunedin, on Sunday night is not yet ascertained, but we are pleased to learn that the information derived from the inspection shows that the loss will probably be nearer £4,000 than the original rough estimate of £B,OOO. The directors of the company offer a reward of £IOO to any person able to prove incendiarism and secure a conviction of the person or persons responsible. A first offender appearing before Mr X. Dodds, J.P., this forenoon at the Port Chalmers Court was convicted of drunkenness and discharged. Charles M’Carthy, on a similar charge—the -third within the past few days—was fined £2 or seven days.

Arrangements are being made by the Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with other important organisations, for holding a great patriotic demonstration of the citizens to protest against the purchase of goods made in enemy countries, and to urge upon the Government the imposition of a surtax upon ail goods coming from such countries after the close of the war.

Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— [Advt.j

No lady should be without Martin’s Apiol and Steel PLIs. Sold bj alj chemists and stores throughout Australasia.—[Advt.l The members of the Knox Church Women’s Patriotic Committee aro to be congratulated on- the happy thought of sending Christmas presents ”to our soldiers in the trenches. It is anticipated that many wilt avail themselves of their invitation to hs present at their conversazione, which will be held to-morrow evening for the purpose or receiving the gifts. Speight’s ale and stout are acknowledged by the Dominion public to be the beat on the market.—[Advt.l

Don’t drink immature spirits. Watson’s No. 10 whisky is fully matured and very mellow, —fAdvt.i

Particulars in regard to week-end railway excursions are advertised in this issue.