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Evening Star, Issue 17927, 24 March 1922, Page 4

In connection with the sale of produce to bo held in the Art Gallery Hall, Dunedin, at tho end of March in aid of the Plunket Society, a special meeting of the Taicri branch was held at Mosgicl. There was a representative attendance of interested ladies, and good progress reports wore handed in regarding promises of farm, garden, and dairy produce, jams, fruit, cakes, etc. In addition some donations in cash were handed in. The membership of tho Taicri branch is strengthening.

■Sir Robert Stout’s appearance on the platform at the Otago early settlors’ celebration yesterday afternoon was not of his own seeking. He and Lady 'Stout entered the hall late, and took seats at the rear. Somebody whispered to Mr G. Calder, the chairman, and ho called out to .Sir Robert : “ Wc shall bo very pleased if you will come up and let the people see you.” Thus it came about that Sir .Robert delivered an impromptu address. He spoke of the determined way in which the pioneers of, Otago fought difficulties—of their hopefulness, their readiness to work, their thriftiness; and he said that these were the qualities that made a race great. The climate hero also counted for success. Sir Robert gave authority for the statement that an average temperature of about 54deg Fahrenheit tvas the climate to produce energetic and intellectual men and women. Soft and warm climates did not produce the best _ brains. The people hero had heredity, and culture, and beautiful surroundings, and the very climate that was prescribed; and, possessing these advantages, they could do anything if they had hope and faith in themselves and the individuality which would make them trust to themselves instead of leaning on Governments or churches or associations of any kind. Such was the tenor of a spirited speech that unfortunately was only partially heard by the occupiers of the back seats. Sir Robert also quoted the remark of Edward Fitzgerald, that the people who would, govern in New Zealand were those shuth of the Rakaia, and ho added : “ That is what is happening. Otago men have spread all over New Zealand, and you find them in responsible positions everywhere.” A happy thought, as it turned out, was that of inviting the old folk to assemble at the Otago Early Settlers’ Hall on the afternoon of Anniversary Day. Many turned out who would think twice before venturing forth on a cold evening. Fully 300 gathered, as many (nr more) women as men. The party included one passenger by the John Wickliffc, this being Mrs J. R. Johnston, ninety-one years of age, daughter of Captain Cargill; and Mrs F. W. Poke, granddaughter of Captain Cargill, was also present. None of the Philip Laing’s folk put in an appearance, so far ns could be ascertained. Mr George Calder made an admirable chairman for such an occasion, since he kept affairs moving without attempting a set speech; and Mr William Paterson (secretary) seemed to know everybody, and to have quite a knack /){ introducing in such a way as to set the people talking. Mr W. H. Fere ns, too, made good use of his personal acuaintanco with the pioneers and their descendants. He it was who called out the names of the ships that arrived up to the end of the fifties, and asked, passengers by eac|i in turn to rise and be seen. The best response to this call apparently came from the Jura’s passengers. Air D. Proudfoot (treasurer of the association) and Dr Fulton also lent most valuable aid in giving animation to this informal gathering. Seniority rather than tank was tiro test of the occasion, yet it was noted with pleasure that Sir Thomas Mackenzie,. Sir John Roberts, and Sir Robert Stout were present, taking ad van tage of the opportunity to fraternise with old acquaintance;; whilst Lady Stent helped serve the tea. Sir Robert disclaimed the honor of being a very old identity; but probably he lias in Ids day rubbed shoulders with some of tho very oldest, for ho admits that ho was but sixteen years of ago when ho stopped ashore at Port Chalmers. An for Sir Thomas and Sir John, they could not, even in a moment of delirium if they wished to, sever their lives from tho history of Otago. Tho Hon. Thomas MacGibbon, who took a- keen interest in tho afternoon’s proceedings, is another who has done all his effective work in this end of the island, and can give age , to the majority of the party. Mr Job Wain was also there, and-; but if wo start a list there will bo no ending.

Dr Thomas MTvibhin, concerning whom the Public Service Commissioner has just published an official finding, has been about two years in the service of the State', most of the time being spent in Dunedin. If ho comes hero again as medical officer of health he will be sincerely welcomed. Already a movement is on foot amongst tho local medical men to tender Dr M'Kibbin a dinner on his reaching Dunedin to take up the duties of health officer for Otago. Tho difference in salary betweep Auckland and Dunedin ia approximately £l5O a year. There seems to be an opinion hero that Dr MTvibbin’s eagerness in Ids work lured' him on to a tearing of recj tape, and that departmental censure was bound to follow, but that the finding is very severe. Such happenings in the Public Service are not freguent. The last that wo remember, previous to this, was the Seddon affair of many years ago. The secretary of the Otago Motor Club (Mr P. H. Power) has received advice from the Bruoe County Council that motorists are advised that they cannot go the short _cut, but will have to go round by Tokoiti, where a temporary bridge has been erected on private property.

Mr Paulin telephones: S.W., to S.E. winds and rain showers.

The Priysc Minister has promised to see if the Valuer-General can visit Canterbury in connection with farmers’ mortgages. -v

Our Christchurch correspondent wires: At last nighty meeting of the Canterbury Labor Representation Committee the following motion was passed:—“That we express full sympathy with onr fcllowworkciv? of South Africa; but, in spite of the setbacks, look forward to ( the day when victory will bo ours through international working class unity.”

The steamer Paloona, which arrived at Wellington last night from Melbourne, brought twenty-nine bags of mail from Australia, 110 Lags from the United Kingdom, and fourteen parcel receptacles. The Dunedin portion is expected, to come to hand to-morrow evening. An interesting exhibit at the Young Bird Show, opened Jo-day at Pullers’ Hail, is two small turtles. They arc quaint-look-ing creatures, and 'their variegated “shells” give them an attractive appearance. They will go into a state of coma in a few days’ time, and will remain so fot three or four months. It is really their sleeping time now; but they are being fed to keep them awake while on exhibition. The “shells” of these turtles are so strong and hard that a ton weight could bo placed on them, and the creatures' would suffer no injury. •

Another instance of the wav in which British women throughout tho world helped to' keep tilings going while their men folk were fighting for the Empire was related at Auckland^this week by Mr 11. H. Itusbton, who occupied a Government position in British East Africerliuriiig the war, and who saw service with the British troops. Ono of tho mast interesting memories of the campaign,” said Mr Rushton, “ is tho way tho women managed the farms, »They wore not email holdings, cither, but estates of three on four thousand acres, and sometimes women managed three or four farms each. The native, workers wore for the mast part loyal, or else, of course, it never could have been done. There were sporadic risings among ono very strong tribe, the Masai, and attacks were made upon British stations, but no serious damage, was done,. They were heavily fined for these outbreak's, and tho money used to replace losses to British, settlers.”

“As an illustration of the hurry ~in which the will was marie, neither I nor the typisto who took it down took any record of it,” said a solicitor jvhen giving evidence in a case at the Christchurch (Supremo Court on Wednesday. There is no record of it in our office.” " Did you charge for it?" asked Mr Justice Sim. “No, sir,” was the reply. “Indeed, a. very serious omission,” commented His Honor. Om account of the unfavorable weather the Port Chalmers Howling Club has decided to abandon its gala day on Saturday.

Despite ■ the bad weather, the children at the Summer Camp at Vauxhall are getting on very well, and are keeping quite healthy. Dr Mecrcdy, the school medical officer in charge, states that iho average gain in weight.of forty-two children for tbo month was 2Db, Two children remained stationary, and two lost slightly. The two latter have gained weight since. The weather condition.! are not in any way affecting the health, of the camn.

Taking advantage of smooth water at the Heads yesterday, Mr Wilkie, Harbor Board engineer, and his staff commenced to lay the moorings which will keep dredge 222 in position when the work of driving ferro-concreto piles for Die new mole light beacon is being carried out. A Hamilton message says that the W.C.T.U. Convention, was attended this morning by over 100 delegates. The secretary’s report showed that sixteen new unions had been formed during the year, and that the membership was about 6,000.

Since the announcement was made that the Dunedin Jockey Club intended to apply for one of the spare totalisator permits, and, if granted, hold a race meeting at Wingatui on April 22, in aid of some public cause, considerable interest has been aroused as to what tbo exact destination of the profits will be. The D.J.C. committee met yesterday and .decided that object shall be the funds of the Otago Soldiers and Dependents’ Welfare Committee, for the benefit of disabled soldiers. A programme has been drafted, including the Lady Jellicoo Handicap, of 125 sovs, 1-jm, a steeplechase of 125sovs, a InfVdlo race, a welter, and a maiden, and the project now only awaits the granting of the permit, to which there can hardly bo any objection, so a favorable reply from the Minister is expected almost at once.