Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 17482, 13 October 1920, Page 4

This morning the members of the Arbitration Court visited Messrs Donaghy's rope and twine works and the New Zealand Wax Vesta Company's works, in order to _ obtain first-hand knowledge of conditions, to assist them in arriving at decisions in -these disputes. To-morrow morning the Court will hear, the Otago timber yards and sawmillers' dispute, and in the afternoon will hear the clerks' dispute. In the first case there is almost a complete recommendation from the Conciliation Council, but in the clerks' dispute there is no recommendation whatever.

Our Parliamentary Reporter wires: Unless public opinion expresses itself strongly there is danger of the Marriace Bill (dealing with tho Ne Temere decree) and the Hon. J. MacGregor's Bill (to enable a verdict of 10 out of 12 jurors to be accepted in all criminal <%'ses save capital offences) being included among the massacred innocents.

A girl, apparently about 10 years of age, entered a Diinedin shop, and, advancing"to the counter, remarked to 'the assistant who stepped forward to serve lier: " Could you oblige me with change of 2s 6d?" replying in the affirmative; the tradesman drew from his till the required change; but on lifting ths> coin he found it to be a Coronation medal, the hole in which had been filled up' with silver paper. The girl, on being questioned, said that a tradesman in the City had passed it on to her mother. With two companions she set off for the nest shop, but she was unsuccessful in her quest "there also. Portion of the Town Belt at Port Chalmers is at present a delightful picture of narcissi in bloom. This planting of the Belt -with bulbs was proposed last year by Cr Allen, and it was taken up by' tne Borough Council and the school committee. The school children did. the planting. Ae there is still room for more beautifying of the Town Belt in' this direction)' 'all local amateur gardeners and others may lend a helping hand by forwarding spare bulbs to >lir G-. F. Booth, the rector of the scmbol, who will take charge of the bulbs and get them nlanfed by "the children in due course. The planting done so far has certainty been productive of good results, by converting vacant spaces into plots of pleasing bloom and refreshing attractiveness.

There has been such a huge demand for petrol of late that nobody has been able to get enough to _staifc building up his stock. Every shipment is practically cleared out for immediate consumption as soon as it arrives. The Government aTo therefore still enforcing the regulations as to attempted hoarding Isy consumers or dealers. Kerosene has been very scarce, but relief is in sight for Dunedin, as two shipments are expected to arrive this week.

Dr Fulton (president) occupied the chair at the meeting of the Otaso Institute, which was held last evening, when ilr P. Rouse read a paper on 'The Development of Artificial Fertilisers.' Though of a highlytechnical character, the lecture was interesting as tra-cing the history of what has become an- important industry. It is only in comparatively recent years, said the lecturer, that farmers had lost their prejudice against artificial manures, though as far back as the end of the eighteenth century chemistry had made such strides that'the theory of plant nutrition was clearly understood. After describing at length the principal types of manures—phosphatic, nitrogenous, and potash—Mr Rouse spoke about the many experiments which had been carried out in connection ,with the extraction of nitrogen from the atmosphere and in ether directions for obtaining the constituent parts of fertilisers. He mentioned that at the outbreak of the last Great War Germany had full control of the situation so far as the output of potash was concerned, but since that time other sources of supply had been sought and found in the allied countries. In New Zealand the fertiliser industry was only In its infancy, but the prospects were entirely favorable for its development. A vote of thanks to the lecturer was carried on the motion of Professor D. B. Waters, and questions were put to the lecturer by him and several other members and replied to.

Drs Valintine, Wylie, and M'Eibbin have been in the Clyde district inspecting the local hospitals. The main object of the visit was the selection of a site for a provincial sanatorium which the Government have in view.. . Various, sites were inspected, one near Clyde finding great favor. On the establishment of the sanatorium the function of both hospitals will be specialised according to their suitabilitv. The party visited Waipiata to-day.

.Mr Paulin's forecast: —Squally S.W. to S.E. winds, and electrical rain showers, especially on the cast coast.

The thermometer at 11.30 a.m. to-day registered 78deg in the shade.

In the trawlers' dispute, which was heard by the Conciliation Commissioner yesterday afternoon, a .complete agreement was arrived at, 7s 6d per week being added to the basic wage and 2s 6d per week deducted from the- bonuses, the wages thus being:—Mate or leading deck hand, not less than £3 10s per week; engineer or man in charge of engines, not less than £4 10s; fireman, not less than £o ss; deck .hands and cook, £3; all with found. A bonus of 12s 6d per week additional to the above rates is to be paid. The award will remain in force till October 15, 1922. . If a person were a trickster, a charlatan, or an impostor of any kind he would scarcely enter voluntarily such a lions' den «s the Police Station would, in the circumstances, be j nor would be voluntarily risk a battle of wits with a bunch of 10 or a dozen police officers (a chief detective and a sub-inspector amongst the number) and a couple of newspaper reporters. So when the boy " Argus," who is showing just now as a thought-reader, and Sergeant Copeland dropped into the City Police Station yesterday they did something to support their claim to genuineness, and a good deal of curiosity was manifested as to how they would shape. They shaped so well that it was not long before they had the lynx-eyed detectors of things that shouldn't be fairly baffled. Sitting in a corner blindfolded, the boy first described articles in the manner adopted by him in his stage work. At the outset some of the knowing ones thought they had a clue. " Code,' they murmured," and winked their satisfaction at their own astuteness; but soon things were said\and done which could not be accounted for in that or any other way, save by accepting the fact that " Argns "' (a bright, intelligent, natural little lad. by the way) was the possessor of wonderful psychic gifts. . If i"*v doubts had existed amongst the audience it had, before the finish, so far evaporated that several questions were put to the lad regarding eventualities. One-high-placed official sought information concerning his probable promotion and transfer. Another put questions touching recently committed, but as yet undetected, crimes. These questions were all written, the boy not being allowed to see or hear them. But he answered them in terms which, gave the answers at least the appearance of feasibility. He described persons whom, .lie said, were the perpetrators of the crimes, and aaded a hint regarding the probability or otherwise of thdir capture. So the assembled officers cot a clue or two after all. However it is all done, Sergeant Copeland and his young charge may be assured that it is clever enough or wonderful enough to satisfy police officers and pressmen—two classes of men who often take a good deal of convincing in matters of the kind.

At the general meeting of the Otago Motor Club, held last night, the president (Mr A. E. Ansell) said that the club had done good work in connection with outings ■'for soldiers. He proposed that outings be also given to inmates of the orphanages and old peoples' homes, and so, perhaTos, bring a few more rays of sunshine into their lives, and give pleasure where it was needed and appreciated. Messrs A. Gibb, P. Breeu, F. J. Carter, G. Walters, and H. Halhday were appointed, as a committee to go into the matter and make arrangements.

The first vessel the cargo of which was handled by H. L. Tapley anfl Co. under their contract with the Otago Harbor Board was the Ayrshire, and with her .and the other vessels they have since worked theTe has been no trouble, so far aa we know, arising out of the new arrangements.

A weighty statement was made to-day by a Bunedin merchant to a 'Star' reporter during a chat about the telegram from the chairman of the Board of Trade in reference to the wheat harvest. "Theonly risk we- run is that our people may get panicky about flour, as they did about sugar, and create a shortage by hoarding. I am perfectly certain, from actual facts, that if our people use a wise discretion as to buying there will be no trouble about the supply of flour out of the next harvest. Tho quantity of flour held in private hands, particularly by bakerg, indicates that there will be no natural shortage. If our people start hoarding, end make a. shortage, we have ourselves to blame."

As the result of a special Court of Inquiry recently held in Wellington, it has been declared that 8/1684 Private Charles Andrew Wood, who was originally reported missing since April, 1915, was lulled m action at Cape Helles on the night of May 8..1915. Private Wood was a member of D Company, Third Reinforcements, N.Z.E.F. D Cc.mpa.nv left Alexandria, for Gallipoli on the transport Saturma at the end of April, 1915, but Private Wood missed the transport. He sailed for Gallipoli in an Australian transport, and joined up with the New Zealanders at Cape Helles on May 7, 1915. He took part in the engagement at the Daisy Paten, and was killed on the night of Mav 8. His next of kin is Mrs G. Wood" (mother), care of Mr Peter Christie, 5 Steep street (off Maitland street), Dunedin, and Mra T. Martin, Kaikorai Valley. London advises that a mail was despatched for New Zealand on the 7th instant per lonic via Panama.

Time, gentlemen! Minutes tick along merrily when you are enjoying Watson's No. 10 Whisky.—[Advt.]

Tho Prince of Boys' Games: Scallywag; 13s 6d, 13s 6d; postage Is. " White House," George street.—[Advt.] What, all married? Yes, all married now to Keep Smiling- Boot Polish. It gives such a brilliant shine, and only 8d large tin. "So say all of us." Dunedin grocers.—[Advt-.] On Friday, October 15, the Peninsula Ferry Company, Ltd., recommence a daily service to tie various Peninsula resorts, which to visitors and residents no doubt will be good news. The t-.s.s Waikana has received a most thorough overhaul in every detail, and is now in just as good order as tho day she was launched. Particulars of time-table, fares, etc., appear in our advertising columns. Mr Alex. M'Leod, merchant tailor, has removed to larger premises, 30 Octagon (upstairs), nest to Barton and Trengrofe's. —[Aavt.J

Watsons No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— [Advt-.] Naw Zealanders on service found that there is" no brandy like Cognac brandy, and no Cognac brandy lite Marteli's.—[Advt.] New season's phctograpaio goods; esesl. lent stock now arriving. Cameras from Ga, bend your order early to B. J, Gill, 11 and 13 Frederick street, Dunedin." 'Phono I.IW —CAdvt.]

Au .-attractive concert is to be given in the Greon Island Hall to-morrow evening. Particulars are advertised.

Choice Jewellery —Large selection diamond -ings, watches, broochea, pendants, and silverware. Compare our values. Peter Dick, jewellers, etc., 490 Moray place.— [Advt.]