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Evening Star, Issue 19326, 12 August 1926, Page 4

Since the Christchurch Builders’ Association decided that the building of a house for £3OO was quite within the hounds of possibility the secretary (Mr Winsor) has been visited by_ a largo number of people who have inquired for plans, it lias been arranged that as many builders as possible will submit plans of houses which they will guarantee to erect for £3OO, and applicants will have choice of those. When the typo required has been selected the applicant will bo referred to the builder whose plan it is. The association will act independently of the City Council in the matter. The report on the South Island Main Trunk railway, which was included in the recently-issued railways .statement, has been thoroughly checked, ami a writer in the Marlborough ‘ Express ’ denounces it as stale and absolutely valueless. He points out that the report was prepared on August 4, 1925, and presented to the Prime Minister on August 19, the clay before the South Island deputation waited on the Minister to push the claims of the line. Mr Coates promised the_ deputation that a survey would bo carried out, hut there is nothing in this year’s statement to show that the promise has been kept, and conclusions reached by Messrs Fay and Casey are based not on such a survey, but upon guesswork. The writer also points out that Messrs Fay and Casey’s report was written nob after investigation on the spot, hut in the Wellington office, and he points out that at the time Mr Fay, at any rate, had nf> knowledge whatever of the local conditions, having been in the dominion only a week or two.—Blenheim Press Association telegram; Two Auckland men were in Dunedin this week for the purpose of inspecting the Peninsula Ferry Company’s two laid-up steamers, Waireka and Waikana, which are now at Portobello, the idea on the part of the visitors being that one of them might be purchased for the service between Auckland and Riverhead. As the outcome of the inspection an offer was made for the purchase of the Waireka, but the price mentioned was considerably below the directors’ value, and no business has in the meantime resulted. Indiscriminate burning of tussock is now illegal. It has in the past been one of tl-* causes of our pastures deteriorating. Permission has to be asked for. This year there seems to be a greater desire than usual for such permits. No fewer than twenty-eight were granted yesterday by the Otago Land Board, relating to high pastoral country right through Otago, from the 'Waitaki River to the Lakes district*

Tho soloists engaged by the Dunedin Choral Society for the performance of ‘ Judas Maccabeus ’ next week are Madame-Ottlev, Mrs W. J. Davidson, Mrs A. J.’ Thicker, Mr Harold Prescott (tenor),-and Mr F. C. Cooper (bass). ‘Judas’ has not been given in Dunedin for twenty-five years, so it will comp as new to many of our citizens, and the society suggests that this is a, suitable tune for more to enrol as honorary members. One of the features of the outbreak of pneumonic influenza which is now in its dying stages, has been an unusually high proportion of deaths (states a Christchurch message). In mentioning this aspect Dr W. Fox, sup orintendent of the Christchurch Hospital, ■ remarked that, generally speaking, a. different type of person was attacked from what was the exnericnce in former big influenza epidemics. Durthe previous epidemics ho mentioned that many of those affected ■ by ;-i c-u----monic influenza were strong types physically, after being young and bigchosted people, but on the present occasion tho less robust typo often suffered, many of those attacked being middle-aged. Katunlly such people were not so well equuped to resist the disease, and hence the- proportion of deaths was high. An. . Auckland Association message states that John ■ Francis Schdroski pleaded guilty in the Police Court to the theft of articles valued at .£2O from a fellow-employee on a farm, and he was committed for sentence. Aroused admitted that he cub into another man’s trunk with a tin opener.

A twenty-year-old English public schoolboy pleaded guilty at Christchurch this morning to a charge of theft of £43 from a fellow boarder. He complained ho Had hard luck since arriving in this country; that he had been injured and was penniless. Now, however, friends were willing to put him on tho right track. He was admitted to probation, and the name was suppressed, the Magistrate remarking that there was every chance of his becoming a good citizen.—Press Association.

An Association message from New Plymouth states that in the Supremo Court, Sydney Wallace Hardie, who was found guilty yesterday of attempted carnal knowledge and other charges, was sentenced to reformative detention for a period not exceeding three years.

There was a full attendance of the committee of tho High Street School at the monthly meeting, Mir Garth Gall away presiding. The head master reported that several of the staff and a number of scholars were absent on account of influenza . The school is being painted. The unveiling of the memorial gates recently erected in memory of the fallen soldiers in the Great War will take place to-morrow, at 2.30. A large gathering of oxpupils, relatives, and friends is expected.

Application was made to the Otago Land Board last month to transfer the lease of a ‘‘small grazing run ” of. 880 acres at Gimmerbimi from Miss Lindsay to Mr John Brown. The lease was bequeathed to Miss Lindsay, and her reason for wishing to dispose of it is that she cannot work the property. Tho current term of the lease is till February of 1929, but it is renewable. Brown and his brother jointly own 1,900 acres of freehold adjoining Miss Lindsay’s holding. The Land Board resolved to recommend the transfer, but before that recommendation had been sent on to the Minister the hoard became possessed of information to the effect that Mr T. B. Provan, a landless financial returned soldier, was prepared to take over tho lease at the price asked by Miss Lindsay for tho goodwill and improvements—namely £BOO. This morning, at a full meeting of the Land Board, Mr Galbraith presiding, Mr A. N. Haggitt appeared for Brown to renew his application for the transfer. Tho chief commissioner pointed out, in answer to Mr Haggitt, ■that the Browns already held as much land as they could profitably work, and that to grant more would amount to aggregation, whereas Provan had none. After the applicant had retired the members of the board dismissed tho whole position, and came to the decision to rescind the resolution of July 14, and decline to grant the transfer to Brown, leaving it open to Prevail to apply. “There is a great demand in England for New Zealand butter done up in properly-branded pound packets,” said Mr S. Cory-Wright, who returned to Wellington on Saturday. “ I firmly believe that if the Dairy Control Board, assisted by the producers, can organise shipments of packed butter, instead of tho bulk system, it will greatly benefit New Zealand. I had a talk with, tho chairman of the Dairy Board in London, and ho said that there were certain difficulties to be overcome, but 1 am told by refrigerating engineers that, provided tho butter is properly frozen before it is put on the ship, it will carry just as well as bulk butter. Numberless people in England spoke to me about the branded packet system, and asked why the butter coukl not be sent packed direct by the factories, eliminating the blending evil, and the tendency of shopkeepers to sell the butter under other brands to get the credit For its quality. People like to see what they are getting, and know that they got what they ask for. I believe a start has been made in this direction, and I am sure that if it were tho universal practice New Zealand butter would bring Id more per lb in England.”

A testimonial has been signed by between fifty and sixty passengers of the derailed Limited express in appreciation of the prompt action of the driver and fireman in averting what might have proved a terrible disaster had not the train pulled' up*when, it did, and also of the kindness and consideration of the guard, who made it his first duty to see to the safety of the passengers.--Wellington Press Association telegram. The first qualifying debate for the Otago University representatives at the Faster intoruniversity tournament was held in the women’s common room at the University last night, Dr Fisher being in the chair. The judges were Dr Elder and Mr C. B. Barrowclongh, 8.A., LLB. The subject was “ That the present arrangements whereby the relations between the parts of the Empire are maintained are unsatisfactory.” Mr A. II M'Clintock led for tho affirmative, and was supported by Messrs Wilson and Salmond. The negative was led by Mr P. M. ITanan, who was supported by Miss Tndhuntcr and Mr L. A. North. A good deal of discussion took place, after which tho judges made the following placings:— Mr M'Clintock 1, Miss Todhunter 2, Air Hanan 3, Air Wilson 4. Two more qualifying debates will ho held. A. case of pneumonic influenza was reported in Dunedin City to-day. Tho patient was not removed to the hospital.

From the steamer Waikoua.iii at the Rattray street, wharf consignments of 224 tons of tea are to be discharged. Also being landed are 112 tons of fresh Australian fruit, 31 tons of benzine, 293 2001 b bags of flour, 16 cases of chassis (transhipped from the Manealieri from Italy), 120 four-gallon drums of - aviation spirit, and other cargo. The 480 gallons of aviation spirit are being discharged for the Italian Consul on behalf of Di Pinedo, the Italian aviator, who is coming via the Pacific Islands.

A.message from Inglewood states that L. J. Hunter, the wanner ot the £4,000 in the Independence Art Union, is a returned soldier farmer. During the war he was maimed, losing his left arm from the shoulder. He has resided there all his life, and the windfall is yery acceptable, v

Bunny is a remorseless‘pasture-spoiler and duly cursed therefor, but many bless him as a money-bringer. It is estimated that tho sales of rabbitskins in Dunedin last week, covering a fortnight’s consignments, realised over £60.000. One buying firm alone made purchases to tho value of over £13,000. Ibis morning the express train from the south steamed into the Dunedin station sharp to'time, as usual, wearing its new coat as tho “All Red” train. It was making its first through journey -to Christchurch in its bright apparel. From now on tho express will have an exterior dignity of its own, and. more important, the interior is made as comfortable as possible. Another innovation noticed on tho platform this morning was the appearance of the “ Red Caps” ns luggage porters. There are two of them. Their duties are to attend to the wants of passengers. For the services rendered they collect direct from the passengers, the department not providing any salary. The public will Soon get used to. this arrangement, which works all right in other New Zealand cities.

Spot cash in London has brought Williamsons, the jewellers, unset diamonds at " strike prices.” King-seekers, take note. — [Advt.j Why worry? Father not employed? Prime N.Z. Mutton at tho Wharf on Friday. Full forequarter, ss: hinds, 7s (kidneys in). Bo early; limited supply.— [Advt.j For glasses guaranteed to suit consult W. V. Stunner, G.A.0.C., D.SXLI., 2 Octagon, Dunedin; ’phone 7,2s2.—[Advt.j A communication published in our correspondence columns yesterday, entitled ’’ An Unusual Letter,” should have read:—“ln your issue of the 31st ulfc. you published a letter under tho above caption, with a sub-hoading [not ‘sub-leader’] ‘Question for School Committee.’ " That interesting study of modern chemical research has proved without doubt that “ Nonibbing Laundry Help” is a master production.—[Advt.j Practical experience—that’s the teacher. Williamsons (next The Bristol Piano Co.) have been ring-making for upwards of 30 years.—[Advt.j There was an increased attendance of dancers at tho Early Settlers’ Hall ou 'Tuesday evening. To-night another of Miss Wallace’s popular dances will be held. The floor is in splendid condition, and Arthur 'Gordon and his band will feature tho latest Continental cabaret numbers.