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Evening Star, Issue 17926, 23 March 1922, Page 6

Though our citizens seemed' to bo doubtful beforehand as to whether Otago Anniversary Day would be generally observed as a holiday, it turned out to-day to bo quite closely kept, all tho principal business houses and tho general shops being shut. Flags were shown from tho Town Hall and most of the Government buildings. The Early Settlors’ building was the main rendezvous for those who addressed themselves to a fitting celebration of the arrival of tho John Wickliffe seventy-four years ago. The museum was largely attended all day. In the afternoon there was a gathering of old settlers and their descendants, who were given an opportunity of chatting and were entertained with an impromutu programme. This evening the big anniversary celebration meeting is to take place. The chairman thereat is to bo Mr George Caldor (president), who was brought here, at tho ago of three years, by his parents, who were passengers by the Mariner in 1849. The only other speaker will bo Sir Eobert Stout, One of the sacred treasures of the Early Settlers’ Museum, brought out from the safe only on special occasions, is Donald Cargill’s * Bible, printed in 1670. Donald Cargill was a minister who suffered martyrdom at tho stake in tho Edinburgh Grassmarket on Juno 27, 1681. The Bible was presented to tho Otago Early Settlers by Captain Cargill, one of the martyr’s descendants. Tho ship’s Bible used on tho Philip Laing during her voyage to Otago is-also in this museum; likewise tho mirror from Captain Ellcs’s cabin; and a most picturesque exhibit is a model of the Philip Laint? under full sail. She was a wholesome-looking barqilo of the old rijj, single topsails. In one of the Phihp Laing’a subsequent voyages she carried 1 troops to the Crimea. There is no replica or painting of the John Wickliffe in this museum, but those who remember her say she had a smarter appearance than the Philip Laing. An. old lady was asking the native missionary in a far-off Pacific island 1 the meaning of “golden wedding.” The answer was i “Well, when you are married twenty-five years that is your silver wedding. When you are married fifty years that is your golden wedding. When you married sixty years that is your diamond wedding; and when the old man dies that is your jubilee.” This story was told at Wellington on Monday night by the Rev. A. M’Oailum, president of the Australian Methodist Conference in the South Sea Islands, ,

Mr Paulin supplied Uie following weather report at noon:—Squally N.W. to S.W. winds, heavy rain showers; barometer rise after sixteen hours.

At Wednesday’s meeting of the executive of the North Canterbury Farmers’ Union a. letter was received from the Levin Farmers’ Union suggesting that it would he advantageous if, through the medium of the union secretaries, farmers in the South could sell their produce of seeds direct to farmers in the North. Members of that branch wore desirous of purchasing oats, wheat, seconds, grass seeds, etc., direct from farmer growers in the South. The chairman said the matter was a business proposition. The executive, he thought, might go into it. The union was not a trading body at the present time. Mr D. Bates thought it was possible that in tho near future such a state of affairs as trading through tho union might bo advantageous. He moved that the matter he referred to the executive. Tho chairman said that if the fanners would bring the secretary a list of what they had to sell, in tho event of such inquiries as the one before the meeting the secretary could inform tho parties what was offering. A big question like the one opened might go before tho New Zealand Farmers’ Unions’ Conference. It was time, possibly, that something was done to set up tho machinery for such trading as was suggested. Tho motion was carried l.—Christchurch correspondent. Tho development of tho Y.M.C.A. throughout tho world was referred to in an interview in Auckland by Mr J. J. Virgo, honorary world’s representative of tho Young Men’s Christian Association. There were now 9,000 branches of tho association, said Mr Virgo, with a membership of 1,600.000. There was no central fund, each branch being autonomous, but tho buildings altogether represented a total value of over £30,000.000. It was significant that pressing applications had been received by tho world’s alliance for branches in Czecho-Slovakia, Jngn-Slavia, Serbia-, Rumania, and other European countries; while tho associations in China and Japan had progressed remarkably during tho past twenty-five years. Tho World’s Committee had "been greatly strengthened by tho appointment of Ur Karl Fries as tho world’s general secretary, Groat Britain and America had also appointed representative associate secretaries at Geneva, which, is the headquarters of tho World Alliance. Mr Virgo spoke in tho highest terms of the work in New Zealand. Practically every building in the Dominion was free of debt, and A vigorous programme was being carried, out. Auckland boasted the largest boy membership in Australasia. London has no bright nows for rabbiters or_ skin merchants in New Zealand. A private cablegram received yesterday announces that at the auctions tho market "'as irregular, that the New Zealand skins were mostly withdrawn, and that all other sorts were sold at 10 per cent, decline.

Tho ono suburb of Dunedin that has suffered , by tho long spell of wet weather is Tainni Township. Much of the lowlying land there has been partially flooded for about <a week. Tho fall of an inch in the barometer brings up the tide 13 inches, and ns the barometer shown many fallings lately the tide cannot got away. Persons who built on depressed sections are having a bad time. Their experience will surely suggest tho advisability of filling up sections well hc?o v o puffing up more residences in boggy places.

Tho Dunedin wharves present .a very desolate appearance at the present moment, which is a striking contrast to that fyf Lyttelton and other largo northern porks. Tho shipping dealt with at Lyttelton during tho past two or three weeks has taxed tho berthing accommodation to its fullest extent, and several vessels have been detained over Jho allotted timo owing to tho consequent shortage of waterside labor. Tho Dunedin watersiders, on tho other hand, are having anything but a flourishing time, and they would gladly welcome a busy period. There is no immediate prospect of such a period coining. The port to-day is practically bare of shipping, the only vessels lying at tho wharves being tho small steamer .Stella, which is laid up, and the Progress, which is being converted from a schooner to a steam-propelling craft. Two or three vessels are expected during the week-end, but these will not absorb all tho available labor. There will probably be an improvement next week, as, in addition to several coasters, two or three oversea Steamers are expected to discharge and load. Very little work is offering on tho waterfront at Pert Chalmers, A largo number of the watereiders there were employed for several days early this week in loading wool and other products on two oversea vessels. The result of the garden competition held in connection with the Amenities and 'Town Planning Society was made known to-day by Mr D, Tannock. In competition E, for front garden designs, Mr J. Taylor, of Elder street,is awarded first prize, and Mrs E. Hunter, of Loyalty street, second. In competition B, designs for the whole garden. Mr W. W. Holmes, of Brighton street, Roslyn, is first, and Mr B. G. Fountain, of Easther crescent, second.

No business in the Police Court this morning.

A Blenheim telegram says: John Emlyn Thomas was charged at the Supremo Court with the manslaughter of Rose Stafford on September 24 by tho alleged negligent driving of a motor car. It was alleged that the accused was under tho influence of liquor at the timo of the accident. The jury, after a retirement of about five hours, returned a verdict of not guilty.

A holiday was largely observed to-day at Port Chalmers, but tho school children did not participate, as the school was open as usual. Some of tho shops and workshops wore also open. “ Is tho Board of Trade floundering in a bog-holo of inefficiencyasked Mr A. Buchanan, president of tho Mauawatu Subprovincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union. Tho meeting agreed with its president that it was high time the board was abolished, and passed a resolution to that effect.

Mr J. M. Coradine is freely mentioned as the Liberal-Labor candidate tor the Masterton seat at the coming election. It is stated that Mr Wilford has communicated with a supporter in Masterton on this subject, intimating that Mr Coraclioc’s selection as the new political party’s candidate would met with cordial approval. Watson’s No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— [Advt.] Fruit, Jam, and Jelly Jars, Pans, Spoons. Rubbers. Todd’s White House, 133 George street.—[Advt.] The Her. A. M’Oalluni, president of tho Australian Methodist Church, readies Dunedin on Saturday, and 1 will conduct services in Trinity Church, Dundas Street, and Central Mission on Sunday next. Among the prominent visitors from overseas who were present at tho recent Auckland Conference, Mr M’Callum occupied an honored place, his addressee always being of a very high order. All are urged 1 to hear (his distinguished visitor, especially tho Methodist community. A thrill of enthusiasm is running right through New Zealand iu favor of No-rubbmg Laundry Help. “So say all of us ” Dunedin merchants—[Advt.] "Tho King, gentlemen!” and the toast was honored to the King of Whiskies— Watson’s No. 10.—[Advt.] Tho Dunedin Specialists’ Young Bird Show will bo opened in the Fuller Hail to-morrow. Some interesting exhibits of poultry, pigeons, canaries, and cats are promised. Ladies recommend Martin’s Apiol and Steel Pillsi. Sold by all chemists andetorea &ea you got tho genuine.—[Advt.]