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Evening Star, Issue 17955, 28 April 1922, Page 4

A concert arranged by the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union, ami held in the St. Clair Hall last night, was well attended, and deserved Id 'be, for it was quite a good concert, pleasing the people and bringing credit to the performers Songs were sung by Mrs W. Evans. .Miss it. Foster, Miss Cieland, Mr Graigic, Mr French, and Mr Hector MvKay; there wgs a vocal duet by Mrs Evans and Miss PWter; a piano solo was given by Miss J). (Jrigg and a violin solo by Miss B. Paine; and the reciters were Mrs M‘Niven, Miss Doreen Todd, and Miss Pita Lamb. .Mrs H. C. Campbell played most of the accompaniments, and thus helped the singers very much. Nothing lias been heard for a while about the research into the incidence of goitre that the Department of Health instituted a year or so ago, but it is understood that the matter has not been entirely dropped, and an inquiry on the subject leads to the hope that the information already obtained as the result of observations throughout New Zealand will bo built upon by further original research. Already enough is known to throw disci edit on the theory that goitre is induced by the use of certain watc. The trouble has been proved to occur in persons who have altogether abstained from the water of different kinds that is most commonly suspected by the people at largo. America has adopted the system of giving little doses of sodium iodide to children as a preventative, and that is now l the practice in the schools. The medical belief is that this is a wise thing to do. The Swiss, going one better, are administering the iodide to expectant mothers. These steps arc regarded as significant. New Zealand is apparently holding off a little longer before committing itself to a scheme. There seems to be reason to hope that the waiting is combined with watching, and that the general need for economy will not cause the shelving of this important question. The current report to the effect that diphtheria is becoming a trouble in and about Dunedin is not true. There arc only three known cases, so Dr M‘Kibbin stales, in answer to an inquiry, and they arc wide apart. That is about the normal number. The officers of the Health Department are specially watchful _ about this disease, not because Dunedin is specially liable to it, for such is not the fact, but because of its insidiousness and the need to grapple with it quickly. As to typhoid, another enemy that has _ to bo fought in the gate, this district is now happily free. No notification has been received since February, when there was one case at Middleinarch. The Supreme Court at Wellington reserved decision on the motion for a new trial arising out of the case Eliza .lane Gallagher versus William Walker Bickncll. This action was heard at Mastorton, occupying three days, and the jury awarded £BOO damages. The parties belonged- to Greylown, and the ground of litigation was alleged brcacV of covenant to repair in a lease. The grounds whereon the defendant is asking for a new trial (reports, an association message) are that the damages awarded were excessive, and that certain members of the jury bad been guilty of misconduct in discussing the evidence with witnesses; that one witness for the plaintiff’ had been guilty of misconduct so as to affect the result of the trial, in that ho informed' the foreman and jurymen that the defendant made profits to the exeat of' £2G,OCO out of the lease from the plaintiff to defendant. “Of the ports I have visited in various parts of the world I give the palm to Wellington for the most modern system of loading and discharging vessels and handling cargo,” said Mr Gordon W esche, general manger of the P. and 0. Company, prior to leaving New Zealand on his return to Sydney. Mr Weschc added that he intended to tell the harbor authorities in Sydney that they could profit by following the example sot by Wellington. What will the Plunket Society do in return for the splendid financial support it has received from the public? Answering this question Dr Truby King stated the other day that they undertook that the death rate among young children would bo reduced in five years from seventy to thirty-five per thousand. Ho referred to the facilities which had been given to the society by the Government, particularly the arrangement whereby the society is promptly informed of every birth registered. The society had been trying to get that for fifteen years. Already things wore improving, said Dr King, for whereas the death rate had been seventyfour pier 1,000 the year before last, it had been only sixty last year, and this year ho Imped it would be only fifty, so that they were on a fair way to keep their promise to reduce it to thirty-live per thousand in five years. The little casino-roulette game of “put and take,” which is enjoying a wide popularity at present, has cast its spell over the younger generation. Within the Itedcliffs tram shelter early on the evening of Anzac Day (says the Christchurch ‘Press’) a. party of boys were engaged for a lengthy period in spinning the fascinating wheel for pennies, pencils, and other stakes. The shelter was conveniently appointed tor the purpose, possessing a series of benches for the accommodation of the “table” and the “school,” and a bright gratuitous light overhead. This, it is understood, is the first occasion whereon a minor tram shelter has been used as a social centre.

At tlio animal meeting of the Dunedin Boy Scouts’ Association, held last night, Mr A. Cl. Holderness ' (District Scoutmaster) said that there was some unauthorised person canvassing Mornington to enrol subscribers for the ‘Boy Scouts’ Gazette.’ This person was asking 2s, which was not the subscription, or a donation of Is towards the Boy Scouts’ movement. Sufficient evidence was being sought to place the matter in the .bands of the police,

Mr Paulin advised at noon: —Squally to a gale, N.K. to N.W. winds, changing to S.W.; heavy rain showers, and cold. The, Minister of Health, when .a.skell at Auckland why the fact of there being an outbreak of typhoid at the Mental Hospital was not made public, said Dr F. Hay, the Inspector-General of Mental Hospitals, had explained that the authorities did not want to cause the’relatives of patients unnecessary alarm. When a patient was ill those interested were notified at ouco. There was no secrecy about the matter, and the health authorities had been aware of the infection at Avondale from tile beginning. When no notice was received the relatives could take it that the patient was in his usual slate of health. Out of a total of 1,100 patients in the Mental Hospital the Minister found that there had 1 been forty-three males and fourteen females attacked by typhoid. There had not been any fresh cases during the past three or four days, and iis a matter of fact the epidemic was practically at an cud so far as the institution was concerned. A cheerful, immigrant breezed into the Main Trunk express near Taibape the. other day. “Oh, yes,” he said, “I like New Zealand. I've been here two years, and I’ve made good money. You can keep it here, too, though one feels the lack of amusements as compared with the Old Dart. I earned good money at Homo, but I couldn’t keep it. Your standard of living is better, too; I-haven’t seen any margarine lately, and I don’t dine oil' a ‘doorstep, a swimmer, and a special (slice of bread, kipper, and special cup of tea) like I used to: there.’ 1 He undid a bundle and tilled in time whetting a nick out of his axe edge. “Aren’t^ you. going back?” be was asked. “ Some time,” he replied, “ I want to see the faces of some old friends when I pul! out some money. They arc earning good wages, but "there arc too many ways of spending it.”

At last night's meeting of the Hospital Board Hr Talboya mentioned that it had been reporlccl that a recipient of charitable aid bad gone lo a grocer and asked to be supplied with chocolate fingers, salmon, sardines, and other such, things. It had also been stated that certain people had asked to be'supplied with only a portion of their order, and to have the balance given them in cash. If this sort of thing Vent on the board would have to take” into consideration cancelling orders and distributing its own charitable aid.

Mr William VHF.lrea, who has resigned from the Otago Education Board's _ employ, after 41-j yea re’ service, has written thus to the board in notifying that ho surrenders his position as head master at the iNomial School:—“My regret ps that my service has not been more fruitful, for years have shown me only how crude our 'methods of education are, and how far practice lags behind theory. I think the time is not far distant when the pupil's part, in his own education will get more attention ; when the teacher's part will be to show the pupil how lo educate hira.self —how to study—so that when school (lavs are past ho may have the power and the inclination lo improve his cllicicncv.”

During the month of March dredge 222 lilted nineteen loads, equal to 15,82/ cubic yards, of spoil from the Victoria Channel between piles 23 and 24, the whoH cf tho material being deposited at the Vulcan. During tho period a spare bottom tumbler vvns'Ydted. and a- pile-driving derrick was erected on the stern of tho dredge. The last soundings o f tiro victoria Channel show considerable improvement, duo partly to dredging and partly to the effect of half-tide wall. During tho mmdli the Vulcan pumped into the Lake I ogan reclamation area all the spoil received from dredge 222.

The destruction of the Kuriwno school residence by tiro was tho subject of inquiry by a committee of the Otago ’Education Board consisting of Mr J. Wallace and the lion. D. T. Fleming. They reported thus to-day. “Wo find that there is no evidence to show how tiro fro originated, but are satisfied thai the cause was accidental. Tho police agree with this finding. Tho building was insured by the committee for £SOB, and the tenant had a policy of £IOO on her effects. Had it not been for statements made by (ho local manager of tho ,Slate Fire Insurance, tho board would have been satisfied- with the report of tho local police.”

Mr 11. W, Bundle presided over n. fitting of tho Juvenile Court this morning, when four children, aged respectively twelve, ten, five, and four years, wove charged with being children not under proper control. Evidence was given showing tho homo was poor and not clean, and the children of school ago had not attended regularly. An order was made committing all four to tho Cavcrsham Industrial School, to be brought up in the. Roman Catholic religion.

A Xolson P.A. message states that the Anchor Company’s now steamer Titoki arrived from Glasgow to-day after a voyage of nine weeks. A fireman named Donald M'Clerncns, a native of Glasgow, disappeared the second day out, presumably falling overboard. Tho Titoki left two of her crew at Crislobel Hospital.

The third animal conference of the Xcw Zealand Auxiliary of the Zenana Bible and Medical Mission was held in Christchurch last week. It was one of unusual interest. Each year fresh sympathisers are being gained in Xcw Zealand for tho work that this society, with its 400 women workers, is doing amongst the needy women and children of India. The 1922 conference was tho largest yet held, delegates going from as far as Auckland and Invercargill; and it is hoped that definite arrangements will shortly bo completed for the opening of a children’s hospital.

At the Christchurch Competitions yesterday Mr Frank Foster (Dunedin) competed unsuccessfully in the junior championship recitation' (boys under .sixteen). Anita Winkel (Dunedin I was third in the humorous recitation (girls, twelve to sixteen years), three points behind tho winner. —0 u r coitespo ndc nt.

Tho statement that it was proposed to reduce tho price, of passages between the dominon and the Old Country was denied in Auckland by a, tourist representative, who, in the course of Ids work, deals with hundreds of applicants for passages during tho year. Ho could offer no reason for the'' rumor (says tho Wellington 1 Times’s ’ correspondent), as the shipping companies had not made tho intimation that such was their intention. The rumor slated that a reduction would ho made to £26 for a return passage to England in connection with the Empire Exhibition. “There ia not the slightest foundation for such a rumor/’ leplied the official. “ Under existing circumstances it would be quite impossible to lake passengers at such a rate. It would not pay tho companies to do so. I believe that -it might have been possible to do that at one time, but it is quite out of the question nowadays.”

“During the war period wo expected that when the war came to an cm! there would bo an improvement in the relations of nations and individuals,” said the Prime Minister on Saturday, when laying tho soldiers’ memorial stone at St. Andrew’s Church. Wellington. “I am not quite sure that the improvement has taken place. I think most of us are disappointed. It is true that there is no great war going on at tho present time, but there is unrest and agitation in almost every country in tho world, and when wo look around wo almost imagine that tiro people of Central Emopc and other countries are slipping back into barbarism. To us who possess tho blessings of freedom, liberty, truth, and justice, and appreciate them, it is marvellous how even a few people can attempt to alter tho existing systems of government and substitute' other systems which, in all probability, if given effect to, would put the clock of civilisation bade a thousand years. This country has always stood for Law and order, and in that respect has, I hope, given other countries of tho Empire a lead. I hope our dominion will continue to bo an example and a guiding light, if not to tho countries of the world, then certainly to the States of the British Empire, "

The Kaitangata Coni Company has announced to coal merchants that the company is making a reduction of 10s per ton as from the first of nest month. This concession will be enjoyed by the consumers by arrangement with the city and suburban sellers. There is no mystery as to this appreciable reduction in the staple. The company wishes to stimulate trade, and sees its way to do so in the direction indicated, because certain reductions in wages are anticipated, and also a number of economies have been recently effected in the working of the mines. Incidentally, it may be stated as a fact that the coal in sight at these mines is apparently larger than over. The many years’ hewing' has made no practical impression on the deposits. The supply will last for generations. Therein Otago is lucky. A rich-harvest was collected by a small motor trawler oil Olago Heads last night. The trawler’s nets were cast before sunset in the vicinity of the Spit, and bighauls of (rcvalli were made in a few hours. The supply was so plentiful that tho trawler could have been filled twice. The trawler came up to Dunedin early this morning deeply laden with over 3,C00 of tho species, many being of a largo size. A crowd quickly collected at tho cud of the Cross wharf, whore tho boat was berthed, and the load Was disposed of in short time at a most reasonable price. The trawler was in charge of two businesslike young men, and they intimated to those who arrived late that they would bo along on Friday next with a similar load; Included amongst the cargo landed at Dunedin 10-day from the Paloona, which reached port at 8 a.m. from Melbourne via Wellington and Lyttelton, was a qnan- ’ tity of fruit. This consisted principally of oranges from San Francisco and KavoInnga, picked up by the mail steamer Marama on her last trip down from San Francisco. The fruit was lauded at Wellington last week and passed by the inspectors there. It appears to be m good condition, and should find a ready market. The Paloona also brought transhipment cargo ex the steamers Kowarra, Naldcra. Hobson’s Pay, Omar, and Corinna, and about forty tons of passengers’ baggage cx tho Waimana from Loudon. The need in Dunedin of a girls’ hostel is a matter that lias had the consideration of tho Women’s Christian Temperance Union, lids body has the offer of a property for the purpose. A meeting was called for this afternoon to discuss the matter and to deride whether or not it is practicable to open a, hostel. The result of tho meeting has not yet been lea rued. Some idea of the number of New Zealand dead in the Great War may- bo got from a- remark of General Ifichardson at Petnno on Anzac Day. “If those men were in column of fours and marching past,” ho said, “it would take over three hours for them t<r go by.” WTien the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates) was in tho Waimarino district one local resident naively introduced the question of a racing permit up that way, and the reason ho gave was a quaint one. He said lie was not a racing man himself, but if they had a race meeting there some of the men who patronised racing would be back at work next day. As it was, the local residents bad to travel a long way to a rare meeting, Sometimes they got back the next day, but as a rule they did not. “In many households the clergyman is only .seen on three occasions in the, life of a member of such household —at the christening of the. baby, at the marriage of the baby wh.cn grown to adult age, and at tho burial ofjlic same individual,” —A speaker at the householders’ meeting at Lynll Pay (Wellington), when referring to the Bible in schools question."Tho King, gentlemen!” and tho toast was honored in tho Ling of Whiskies— Whitson’s No. lO.—fAdyt.] Wo look back with pardonable _ priclo to illr, part wo have played in abolishing washboard slavery through tho scientific discovery of “No Rubbin ?" Laundry Help. J. Airey, agents for “No Rubbing. —[Advt.] A very attractive scries of lectures has boon arranged by the Work offs’ Educational Association, and wiT to opened to-morrow evening in tho Upper Oliver Hall, Otago University. There avo seven lectures in all, and they’ will be delivered fortnightly. Tho complete series is open to tho public free of cost. The syllabus is as follows : ‘Literature- and Life-; Tho Heritage of tho English Classics,’ Miss M. H. M. King (tomorrow night's subject); ‘Ancient Athens and Her ISimiificancc for Us,’ Profeceor Adams: ‘Tbc“ Past in the Present,’ Mr H. D. Skinner; ‘Feeding tho Family,’ Professor Strong: ‘ Individualism and Co-operation in the Animal Kingdom,’ Dr Bonham; ‘ Modern Tendencies in Primary School Education.’ Mr J. M’K. Miller; and ‘Tho Position of Labor at Home,’ Professor Pringle. Syllabuses may bo had from leading booksellers.

Two hundred sample jars St. George’s Jams, 3d per jar.—Todd’s White House, George street.—[Advt.] Members of the Methodist Young Women's and Young Men's Bible Classes are requested to meet at Trinity Methodist Church tomorrow (Saturday) evening, to listen i.o an address by the president of tl’.c conference (Rev. C. H. Laws, 8.A.). Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but. is worth the money.— [Advt.]