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Evening Star, Issue 19722, 24 November 1927, Page 6

A meeting which was to have been held in, the City Council Chambers last night to consider what steps should bo taken to commemorate suitably the passing of Mr Sidey’s Summer Time Act lapsed on account of the very small attendance. The mayor suggested that the co-operation of the bodies controlling the various sports in Christchurch should be sought, with a request that they should circularise clubs under their jurisdiction with a view to securing subscriptions from members. If necessary the meeting could bo called at a later- date to decide what should bo done with the money, or it might he forwarded to form part of a national fund. This suggestion was agreed to. When a letter in reference to the proposed tribute to Mr Sidey was received at a meeting of the Canterbury Rowing Association, tho proposal was severely criticised by the chairman (Mr F. D. Kestevcn). “This thing is being overdone.” stated Mr Kestevcn. “ I have never seen such a thing. Ho has received tremendous kudos. It is not the only Bill that has been passed Mr Sidey has been working for it for a number of years. I don’t know what the Prohibitionists would want if they were successful; they have been working for Prohibition all their lives.”—■ Christchurch correspondent.

“We can only say we are dissatisfied, and there’s not much satisfaction in that,” said Mr E. Oswald Reilly, of the Central Produce Mart, when asked this morning for some comment on the arrangements made, for the number of calls at Dunedin of the fruit steamer Maui Pomarc. Mr Reilly considered that four trips only were not a bit of good—possibly fruit would be provided in this way for the months of July, August, September, and October, but it was certain that at least six trips should be made to Dunedin. If more suitable arrangements were not made it would mean that in the summer time the local merchants would have to restrict all their consignments of fruit.

Although telegraph offices generally will not be open during the day on Monday, December 26, all those usually open till midnight on holidays will be open till 10 p.m. only, to enable news to be supplied to morning papers for next day’s publication. At other places the evening attendance will be that usually observed bu holidays.—Press Association,

Intense dissatisfaction over the Government's .refusal to allocate the petrol tax on the same basis as the tyre tax is being felt all over Otago. The question is one of vital ■ concern not only to motorists, but to local authorities; in fact, the'opposition to the Government’s actions has passed beyond, tho motorists to tlio ratepayers and citizens. That is the reason why the indignation meeting to bo held tomorrow night has been called by the mayor, tlio Otago Expansion* _ League, and the Motor Club in conjunction. Men who take more than the average electors’ -interest in politics view the Government’s actions as a benefit for tho north, and one of tlio actions calculated to raise the North y. • South question. Motorists will have much interest in to-morrow night’s discussion, for, on the face of figures so far made public, the South is being taxed to, provide money for North Island roads. Otago counties have reason to be aggrieved at tho Government’s refusal to allocate the petrol tax on the tyre tax basis, particularly as they had shown by adopting the Motor Club’s reading scheme that they were prepared to help themselves if funds were not available from the existing highways taxes. But the imposition of the petrol tax has caused an abandonment, (or is it only a postponement?) of tho local hettcrrnading scheme, and motorists and comities of Otago are emphatic in their demands for equal value for the extra taxes they are forced to pay. The meeting promises to .be quo of the most representative hold hi Dunedin for some time. •

Hugh John M’Leod was convicted at Christchurch and ordered to paycosts on a charge of commencing a scheme whereby prizes were disposed of by mode of chance. A second charge of selling liquor without a license was dismissed. Tho magistrate said this was certainly not sly grog selling. Defendant ran a scheme to help a school ‘ improvement fund, and the prizes included ■ bottles of whisky and bottles of Association. An Association message states that flic Secretary of State for. tlio Dominions, Mr Amery, and his partyspent an hour at HangaLiki, and arrived at To Kniti at 9.40 this morning. They received a Maori welcome at tho, station, and tho mayor (Mr W. J. Broadfoot) accorded tho visitors a civic welcome from the steps of the Phmket room, over 1,400 people being present besides school children. The party left by 'motor car for''New Plymouth at li) in beautiful weather.

The through express from Invercargill to Christchurch was an hour and a-half late in reaching Dunedin to-day. The engine that was to have been used on the express at Clinton was derailed in the yards, and another engine had to bo brought from Balclutlia. _ It ts expected, however, that the train will connect with the ferry steamer. At Tahnna Park to-day, a frequent, subject of conversation _ was as to whether the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society could or should make any alteration in regard to the annual summer show in the hopo of reducing the loss which is inevitable when wintry weather spoils it, as was the case again this year. In these chats not much was heard of the old proposal to change the date to February, but one idea that did seem to commend itself to some members of the society and would probably bo supported by owners of live stock was to restrict the summer show to one day, and it is quite possible that a proposition to that effect will bo seriously brought forward when the “heads” come together. The attendances at the Dunedin Art Society’s Exhibition at the old Art Gallery in Cumberland street were well maintained yesterday, and to-day being Show Day, there was naturally a large influx of visitors. The display pf pictures is one calculated to please artlovers, and even by the general public a visit of inspection would be well repaid. The exhibition is now drawing to a close, and those desirous of taking the opportunity to inspect the pictures on the walls should do so as soon as possible. Two pictures were sold last, night, these being ‘Trees in Autumn, by° Miss Kathleen Salmpnd, and ‘ A Breaker,’ by A. H. O’Keefe. * Twenty-five girls from the Caversliam Girls’ Home, which has been transferred to Burwoodj Christchurch, went north to-day. This is the last batch to leave Dunedin, being under the charge of Misses Neipier and Johnston, who have been transferred to the staff at Christchurch.

In the absence of ilic Rev. Y. G. Bryan King, Mr G. Muir occupied the chair at the monthly meeting of the St. John Ambulance Association held last evening. The reports submitted by the secretary mentioned, among other matter’s, that the ambulances had been in use on. 83 occasions during October, the distance travelled being 031 miles. As an indication that the benefits of the association are not conlincd solely to Dunedin it might bo mentioned that the work included trips to Knri Bush, Shag Valley, Seacliff, Berwick, Tairoa Head, Palmerston, and Dunback, some of the journeys being made ju the middle of the night. In the same month the nursing staff paid 408 visits, and the work of the hospital hostess was constant. A considerable sum was disbursed for medical and other comforts for aged indigent patients. The courses of instruction in home nursing and first aid are now drawing to a close, but a number of railway first aid classes yet remain' to bo examined. A considerable amount of correspondence was dealt with, and the questions of equipping outlying stations and improving the comfort of the ambulances were also gone into. In these and other ways the lack of adequate support seriously affects the usefulness of the association, and some surprise was expressed at the apathy of public bodies, business firms, and the public generally in this respect. It was pointed out that the work is a public utility, and if abandoned by the association would have to be carried out by some public body at much greater expense, and probably with less flexibility and efficiency. The meeting closed after the transaction of routine business. Owing to the heavy weather it was impossible to commence play in the annual cricket match between the Waitaki Boys’ High School and the Otago Boys’ High School first and second elevens to-day. If the weather is favorable the teams will meet at Carisbrook to-morrow morning. Sec the new bags at William'son’s. They arc fine value and quick sellers (next Bristol Piano Co.). —[Advt.]^ For spectacles that soothe the eyes consult W. V. Sturmer, D. 5.0.1., G.A.0.C., 2 Octagon. Our business ,s exclusively optical. —[Advt.l For Diamond Engagement Rings and reliable Watches, Peter Dick, the most reliable watchmakers, jewellers, and opticians.— [Advt.] Go to Williamson’s' for that gift. A better than ever ” selection awaits you at fair prices. Next Bristol Piano Co.—[Advt.]