Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 18255, 20 April 1923, Page 6

A total eclipse of the sun will occur on September 10 of this year. The path of totality begins its course in the ocean south of Kamchatka, crosses the Pacific Ocean, and, after landing north of the Californian Peninsula, passes over Mexico and ends in the Caribbean Sea. The maximum duration of the total phase will be about three and a-half minutes, a shorter period than that of last year’s eclipse, of which the maximum was six minutes, and about five minutes at Wallah

A Gisborneite has received from abroad fourteen Russian bank notes, the total sum represented being 581,601 roubles (states the ‘Poverty Bay Herald’). The notes are somewhat like our own bank notes, except, of course, that the language is different! The largest note is no bigger than the small ten-shilling bank note m circulation here. In pre-war days the sum mentioned above would have been the equivalent to a considerable amount in English currency ; but now, of course, the amount it represents is infinitesimal.

“New Zealanders arc the most polite people I have ever met,” said Dr Armstrong -Smith at Palmerston North. “If one seeks the aid of a New Zealander to reach Ids destination, the latter not only directs, but actually goes out of his way to put him on the right track ; and even when one is returning and happens to meet the same person, he kindly inquires “ Well, did yon find the place all right ?" A very singular occurrence in the, nature of erratic tidal movements at Auckland happened during the week-end (says the ‘Star'), and the cause is attributed to subterranean disturbances. There was nothing in the nature of a tidal wave p but just an interrupted ebb and flow of the tide, which was prolonged enough to be easily observed. The Auckland Harbor Board's tide gauge chart shows that the tide was full in at 6.15 rum. on Saturday, and then fell until 9.30 p.rn,, when it stopped for a few minutes, and again fell for three-quarters of an hour. At 11.10 p.m. the tide began to rise, and the rise continued for twenty-five minutes then a fall of twenty minutes until midnight- registered low water on the chart. Immediately afterwards the flood commenced, and lasted until 0.45 a.m. It then ebbedfor twenty minutes, rose for forty, and ebbed for fifteen ; and after 2 o'clock it flowed steadily until ton minutes before 5 o’clock, when another ebb of twenty minutes was recorded. After flowing again for forty minutes and ebbing for thirty, the erratic movements ceased at 6.20 a.m. Labor troubles and industrial unrest would vanish quickly if every body of employers adopted the same attitude toward their workmen as the Auckland City Council has done with regard to the men who built the groat Nihotupu dam (remarks the Auckland ‘Herald'). Reference to the part placed by the actual workers, made by the ‘mayor at the opening ceremony, was greeted with loud applause from over a thousand listeners. “ \Vc are proud to say that there has not- been- a single accident on the job since the council took it over,” Mr fJnnson said. “'I he utmost precautions have been taken for the safety of the men, and everything possible done for their welfare in the way of comfortable accommodation and facilities for recreation. In allotting the credit for the completion of this grouty undertaking, 1 wish particularly to mention the foreman and the men themselves. It. lias been a source of deep pleasure and admiration to us all year by year to sec the way in which these men bavo worked and the interest they have taken in their Job, and to-day, on behalf of the council and Auckland citizens, I wish to acknowledge our indebtedness to the staff of sixty or seventy men who have s'een the building of the dam through to completion.”

The Alexandra 1 Herald’ stales that Mr A. Taylor, of Conroy's, is making another attempt to land pears on tho London market in good saleable condition. Profiting from last year’s experience, ho has packed the pears in closed crates. Each crate contains three trays. Winter Nells is the variety sent, of 2Jdn and 23 in grades. A consignment of about twenty-five crates has been despatched to go with tho Ruahino. One or two other local growers are preparing consignments to go with tho next steamer, the Rananga.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Board of Governors of tho Otago Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools it was decided to call a special meeting of tho board to confer with the officers of the Education Department, who are coming to Dunedin shortly to inspect the proposed site for the new high school. The Provisional Committee set up in connection with tho proposed big exhibition to be held in Dunedin about 1925 or 1926' is losing no time in making preliminary arrangements. This morning the members of the subcommittee appointed to make inquiries respecting sites visited u number of localities which have been suggested, and will report to the next meeting of the committee.

There is a marked contrast between the condition of tho water now in tho municipal baths and that of last year, before tho installation of tho up-to-date filters. Whereas the water was previously of a dark green color, which hid the bottom from view, it is now so clear that the lines on tho floor can be seen easily all the way along. The efficacy of the filtering plant, whicn was further improved recently, has led to bettor patronage by the public, the returns since the beginning of the year being considerably larger than any previous period of the same duration. The boys of tho classes from the public schools are making very satisfactory progress under the tuition of the custodian (Mr E. H. Olds), who shows botli tact and patience in his teaching of the most up-Ip-dato methods of gwimming<

"That should plovc the Prohibition ists," said Cr Begg last night, when, in the course of his address at North-oast Valley, ho slated that, the average consumption of water in Dunedin was nothing less than seventy-five gallons per head of the population each day. The work of installing the soldiers' memorial window in First Church is nearing completion, it will be unveiled at the service on Sunday morning, when it is hoped that the Rev. G. 11. Balfour will take part in the service. The window is an exceedingly artistic one. Mr Galway has arranged a musical service befitting the occasion.

The weekly community sings for the benefit of the men attached to the Central Fire Station give every promise of being as successful as those of last winter. The first of Urn season was held towards the end of March, It was a success, as was also the one on the following week and also last Thursday’s entertainment. A programme consisting of songs, recitations, Higldand and other dances was submitted on each occasion. The entertainments are controlled by Miss E. Duncan. The accompaniments arc usually played by Miss Coughlin and Mr L. Duncan, and the pipe music by Fireman Goo. Ross. An Association message from Dannevirko states; The Waipawa Hospital Board had before it to-day the proposal of the Health Department to band over free of charge the Pukcora and Otaki Sanatoria to the control of the Joint hospital boards of flic North Island. Under the provisions of the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act each institution would be vested in a board agreed upon, and a committee of management appointed. In respect to Pukcora, the members considered that the Waipawa Hospital Board would, under the scheme, become the ndnministering body, which would place too big a responsibility on the board. It was decided to inform'the department that the proposal was being considered, but that in the meantime the board is not in favor; information to be obtained of the working of a similar scheme in the South Island.

Anglicans of the Dunedin diocese will be pleased to learn that their girls hostel at Littlchounm is to he opened on May 5, tho Committee of Management (of which Canon Ncvill is chairman) having pushed on the preparations and made such _alterations as were necessary for converting the properly from a private residence into a well-appointed hostel that will accommodate twenty-five girls. Mrs Lee Cowie formerly resided there. The block of buildings at the corner of St. Andrew and King streets, occupied during the Great War as the offices of the medical branch of the Defence Department, was offered at auction yesterday afternoon bv the Lands Department on behalf of the Public Works Department, Mr Archibald being the auctioneer. Only two bidders appenrsd, and tho property was knocked down to Alex. Finnic and Co. for £5,050. Of the 1,754 votes counted yesterday in the election of a member to represent the Crown tenants on tho Otago Land Board, 995 were cast for Mr George Livingstone, the sitting member, and 611 for Mr Edmond Alfred Atkinson, whilst 148 votes wore informal. Mr Livingstone Urns enters upon his twelfth year of office. Last year he defeated Mr F. Waite by 920 to 781. The explanation of the small number of votes (1,700 odd out of 4,000 odd who are qualified) may he that the voting papers have to he signed, and that many of the Crown tenants prefer not to vote on that account.

The Surveyor-General (Mr W. T. Neill) has sent to this office, through Mr Robert T. Sadd, chief surveyor for the district, a copy of the new topographical map of Dunedin and district. It is a. large map, in two sheets—the first of its kind ever issued, and it is beautifully printed at the Government printing house in Wellington. The scheme was to show tho natural features of Die country in a sort of bird’seye view, and the information thus afforded must be of the greatest use not only for survey purposes, but as affording geologists and botanists an approximate statement of heights and distances, and, incidentally, the touring pedestrian may find the map helpful as a guide to points of observation, the best routes, and how long any particular journey will take. At yesterday's meeting of tho High Schools’ Board of Governors a letter from the Director of Education was read which included the following:—‘‘lt is desired that when reference is made to .any officer of Iho department, either in official communications or in any meeting or discussion that may he open to the- Press, the title (and not the name) of the officer should bo used. When an officer carries out duties or forwards any communication in an official capacity it is not fitting that he should be referred to by name in public or in official correspondence as if lie were a private individual acting in his own capacity.” Tho letter was “ noted.” The following paragraph from the annual report of the Health Department for the year ended .March SI, 1922, was quoted by tho secretary (Mr J. Jacobs) at last night’s meeting of the Otago Hospital Board Though it cannot he expected that the fees collected per occupied bed in the larger centres should equal those in the smaller centres and country districts, yet the amount of £66 per occupied bed collected by the Dunedin Hospital, which pursues a very vigorous policy of collection, stands as" an object lesson to many another hoard.” Mr Jacobs also submitted a table from the same source showing that in the main hospital; sanatorium, and maternity hospital in Dunedin tho average cost per occupied bed compared very favorably indeed with the cost in similar institutions in other centres. Mr Quclch pointed out, further, that Otago’ had to pav a bigger percentage per head of population than any other centre—there were too few people carrying the load.

At the meeting of the Wellington City Council last night Cr Forsyth movcd-N “ That whereas at present town boards, county councils, harbor hoards, hospital boards, and education boards elect their oy> n. chairman, and as the municipal council is tho only local authority that docs not possess (his power, it be a remit to the nest Municipal Conference .(hat the mayor of every borough he elected by the council, and that the council's delegates be. amt are hereby, instructed to vote in favor of any motion to this effect pul forward at the conference.” After brief discussion the motion was carried.—Press Association.

t At yesterday’s meeting of the High Schools’ Board of Governors the lady principal and the rector reported on the proposal to install wireless sets at the .schools. The lady principal wrote: “I am of opinion that as electricity is not a part of the science course here', and as we have no member of tho staff capable of working such a plant, it would not he worth while to install wireless apparatus. Wo would rather have a gramophone,” The rector, in his report, asked that the question of installing wireless in the schools ho deferred. Tho reports were “ received.”

The annual meeting 0 f tbo Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association carried resolutions urging the Government to immediately appoint a Board of Appeal to adjudicate on doubtful cases of ex-so]diers suffering from war services. The meeting also expressed keen regret that the Government had not yet fulfilled its promise tn publish the report of the Pensions Commissioner, and urged immediate publication, also legislation giving effect to the recommendations.—Christchurch Press Association telegram.

Watson’r No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— [Advt.] A special Anzac memorial service will bo held in tho Octagon. Hall on Sunday next, arranged by the Methodist Central Mission, when tho address will be given by tho Rev. K. Walker, who had some years’ service on tho western front as a chaplain. His topic will bo ‘ The Challenge of Anzac.’ Solos will be rendered by Mrs Astley Black and Mr H. Ferguson. Staff-captain Bugler Napier will sound the 1 hast Past.’ An. organ solo will be rendered by Mr Ohas. A. Martin and anthems by the Mission Choir. Tho “sing germ” is the only germ “NoRubbing” Laundry Help allows in the washhouse. Is packet does 7 washings beautifully. A. Struthers and Co., agent for “No.Rubbing.”—{Advt J t 1

To-night, at tho Art Gallery Hall, Cr J. B. Shacklock will deliver his popular address oii ‘The Progress of Waipori.’ This will be illustrated by beautiful limelight views. The pubic is invited to attend, admission being free. Reduced Prices. —Clearing all school books. —“White House.” George street—l.Advt.] An “at home” is to bo given by the president (Mr H, L. Taplcy) and the executive of the Overseas Club on Monday afternoon next, at 5.15, in honor of the Hon. O. E. Statham, M.P., an ex-president of the club. Try Watson’s No. 10 in hot milk for nightcap. Induces sound, refreshing sloop. Great whisky.—[Advt.] Mr Charles Todd, a candidate for tho St. Hilda mayoralty, proposes to address ratepayers at St. Clair, in tho Church Hall, on Monday evening.