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Evening Star, Issue 19774, 26 January 1928, Page 6

Yesterday afternoon Mr J. Loudon (president of the Dunedin J übhc Art Gallery Society) received telegraphic advice that the dominion selectors in Wellington have chosen three works from Dunedin for the Imperial Institute Gallery of Art exhibition to be held at South Kensington, London, from April to June, 1928. Ten pictures were sent from Dunedin to \\ cllington, representing seven artists. The total allocation for New Zealand is sixteen, so that Dunedin has a fair share in the representation. Mr R. H. fseilsun, one of the selectors, came back from Wellington last night and imparted the additional information as to the Dunedin pictures that are chosen. One is a landscape water cobr by Mrs J. M'lncloe (Mabel Hill), entitled ‘Late Afternoon, Taumoa ’; another is Miss Kathleen Salmond’s landscape water color, ‘ A Sunny Slope,’ and the third is Mr T. H. Jenkins’s ‘The Pink Dress.’ Lack of these was in the recent Art Gallery exhibition in Dunedin.

In moving the adoption of the Library Committee’s report at the City Council meeting last night, Cr R. S. Black said that the committee recognised that the time had arrived when the necessary improvements to the library building, either by extension of the present buildings or by additions, would need to be seriously considered. Crs Hayward and Scott expressed their agreement in this, and the report was adopted.

With a view to raising funds for the improvement of the St. Clair beach the newly formed Improvement Association is making arrangements for the holding of a large carnival, which will tako place at the beach next month.

Work is proceeding apace on the new Town Hall of Dunedin. The Love Construction Company’s men are putting in the stone and brickwork rapidly, and the operations are much facilitated by the getting into action of a three-ton electric crane that hoists material of all sorts. It is quite a sight when this crane gets hold of a heavy bit of steel and moves it up and into its place without any noise or stress. All the work is now above the main hall flooring, and the joists and rougli _ boarding of that double floor are finished.

The Otago Early Settlers’ Museum is undergoing a complete reorganisation as to the exhibits on a classification scheme. It is a big job, and will last several days. Meanwhile the doors are closed. When the interior is straightened out the members and the general public will find the museum very much improved, since it will be easy to find whatever one is looking for. The secretary of the St. Clair Improvement Association has received a letter from the Hon. Mark Cohen, who, in addition to acknowledging his appointment as a vice-president of the association, writes that he is glad the residents of St. Clair have at last awakened to a realisation of the nonprogressive spirit which has been allowed to spread itself over what is one of the finest beaches of the dominion. “Not nearly enough_ use has been made of its potentialities,” continues Mr Cohen. “Those who, at the recent meeting, stressed the advantages likely to flow from the adoption of a progressive policy like that carried out at Caroline Bay some years ago are on a good wicket.” In conclusion, the writer expressed a wish to support the association in any reasonable programme of action. “Floreat St. Clair ” must be the slogan.:

His Honor, Sir William Sira, granted probate in the following -estates today;—Peter Miller, Clydevale (Mr W. G. Hay); Annie M'Coll (Mr W. L. Moore); Mary Campbell (Mr J. Lang); Georgina Waters (Mr R. Aspinall); Francis Joseph Gent,ley (Mr G. Galloway) ; Janet Wooclburn Aliee Denniston (Air A. I. W. Wood); William Patton, Wakari (Mr J. Wilkinson); Charlotte E G. Ashmore, Owaka (Mr J. Wilkinson). William Walker, Milton (Mr M. Rutherford); Dennis Carr (Mr P. S. Anderson); Harry B. Renfree (Mr J. Wilkinson); Charlotte Al‘Gregor, Palmerston (Air W. C. Arkle); Arthur Owen Buehler (Mr F. B. Adams); Thomas Ranty, Kaitangata (Mr R. R. Grigor); Patrick M'Loughhn, Miller’s Flat (Mr Stewart Fletcher); James Lambert, Oaraaru (Air J. H. Alain); Herbert Simpson, Awamoko (Air W. G. Grave). Letters of administration were granted in the estates of Alargaret Simpson Stenhouse, Balclutha (Air R. R. Grigor); Charles Stevenson, Port Chalmers (Air A. E. Gascoigne); Alary Scott, Gimmerburu (Air J. I. Fraser) ; and Robert Alexander Crusader Rodgers, Five Forks, near Oamaru (Air AL J. Gresson).

Elimination of waste in the city’s water consumption has resulted in a reduction of from 1,000,000 to 150,000 gallons daily (says an Auckland Press Association telegram). A sixty days’ supplv is available without rain. It has been decided to expedite the Huia gravitation scheme by working double shifts to complete the scheme by February or Alarch of next year. As was anticipated the prices for fat cattle at Burnside yesterday were about £1 easier than previously. Extra prime heavy bullocks made to £lB 2s 6d, while the best cows were sold to £ll 2s 6d.

The subject of drains-in-common was mentioned at the meeting of the Drainage Board last night by Air Hall (Alayor of St Kilda), who said therehad been a great deal of trouble over some of these. In cases where repairs had been necessary some of the persons who shared the drain had refused to contribute to the cost. In reply, Air J. Wilson (chairman of the Works _ Committee) said it ivas now the policy of the board not to allow drains-in-com-mon where a house could be reached by a separate drain. Where that was not practicable the owners were allowed to have a registered agreement between them. The trouble mentioned had probably occurred in respect to drains which were put in by a private contractor, hut as all drains had now to be registered that trouble would be obviated.

At last night’s meeting of the City Council the town clerk (Air G. A. Lewin) reported having received from the city valuer details of the annual valuation of the city. Tho total value of rateable property was shown as £1,217,869, or an increase of £60,671 on the figures of the previous year. The value of non-rateable property was shown as £110,299, or an increase of £6,453 on last year’s figures. It was to be noted (the report continued) that the increase of £60,671 was less by some £15,000 than the increase for the previous rating year, and this was explained chiefly by an casing up in the building operations during 1927 as compared with tho previous year.

“So far as this firm is concerned there has been no falling off in orders from Samoa,” said an Auckland merchant when asked by a reporter if the reported boycott of New Zealand goods had affected his business. The merchant said his company sent large quantities of soap to tho islands of the Pacific, and had done so for many years. There had been no diminution in the orders during the past twelve months. It would he a big loss to the firm if tho soap orders wore given to Australian firms. “Next month should tell a tale,” he said, “because February is invariably our busiest month. We usually receive largo orders from Fiji and Samoa. Strangely enough, February is also our busiest period for New Zealand orders. PerJiaps it is because the school holidays are over, people are back in town, and there is a great deal of washing and cleaning.”—Auckland correspondent.

There was a clean sheet at the Police Court this morning. Yesterday was a big day at Ratana, when upwards of 3,000 Maoris assembled to do honor to Ratana’s fifty-fifth birthday and to dedicate the temple. A most picturesque procession of apostles, nursing sisters, and choir girls in robes took place, headed by a string band. Before the dedication service Ratana preached for over an hour, and appeared to have recovered some of his old-time vigor. He spoke earnestly on temptations, and urged his people to be strong, and unmindful of criticism levelled at them. The Japanese bishop, Juji Nakada, was also present, and expressed his admiration for the Maori race. He mentioned, however, that ha had noticed that some of the Maori people were fond of drinking liquor. He considered that they should do all in their power to stop tin’s strong drinking. After the dedication service a birthday spread was partaken of, and a sports gathering was held to-day,— Wanganui correspondent. Dependable experts say that the wool to be auctioned at the Dunedin sales on .Tuesday evening next week will include the clips from well-known Otago stations, and some of the best from the high country. The offerings at the earlier sales hero this season mostly comprised wool from dry sheep—hoggets and wethers—but at these coming sales there will be a very fine selection of owe wool, ns well as wool from hoggets and wethers on the lulls. The season lias been favorable for a regular growth and good condition, and the selling agents and growers are quite hopeful as for tho results next week. The conference of secondary school teachers held at Stewart Island during tho holidays proved entirely successful, fulfilling all expectations as to attendance and results. About 100 teachers took advantage of the. educational course. Lectures were delivered by Dr Lawson, Dr Galway, and Mr R. Donn (art teacher at the Training College). Mr W. W. Bird, chief inspector of primary schools, was also present. A two-story residence of eight rooms in North River road, Waipn, owned by Mr Colin M'Crae, and occupied by his aged parents, was totally destroyed by fire, together with its contents, yesterday afternoon. A few minutes sufficed to reduce the whole structure to ashes. There was an insurance of £450 on the building. The furniture was not insured.—Whangarei Press Association telegram. If dry weather conditions prevail in the vicinity of Dunedin it is not difficult to imagine what effect tho same scorching sun has on the land of Central Otago and the Lakes District. In this connection a visitor from Arrowtown who has been in Dunedin for a fortnight had a tale of woe to tell this morning. He stated that up till the time he left that district. there had not been a drop of rain for nine weeks save for a shower on January 2. The grazing land was so helplessly parched that live stock was . being sustained with the greatest difficulty; indeed, many of the farmers were turning their sheep on to the crops, which promised to be little use for anything else. Electric power in Queenstown had been curtailed, and the water supply was being limited so that only a minimum quantity would be used. As a result the gardens were suffering. The cheesemaking industry also was affected because the cows could not possibly produce their normal supply of milk, and it was thought that the local factory at Lake Hayes' might have to close down six weeks earlier than usual. To cap all, a virulent epidemic, probably pneumonic influenza, had spread around the district almost like a plague, but fortunately this malady was now on the decline. One farmer from up that way suddenly became philosophical, downed tools, so to speak, and cnno to Dunedin, where he intends remaining until the drought breaks.

An important motion to be brought forward by Air J. Loudon at the Otago Harbor Board’s meeting to-morrow night reads thus;—“That-in view of the altered conditions of the Frederick street area consequent on the construction of the highway and the railway overbridge at Hanover street, the whole question of wharf extension and shed accommodation be reconsidered and fully gone into, and a report be submitted to the board at the earliest opportunity by a special committee c6nsistine of the chairman, Air W. Gow, Captain APDonald, Air Hayward, Air Munro. and the mover.”

The French warship Cassione, now at Noumea, will visit Auckland early in April, primarily for dicking and cleaning. The commander is Captain Panverney.—Press Association.

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