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Evening Star, Issue 20671, 19 December 1930, Page 8

Nature does nob often throw out gold for picking-up by passers-by, but such an, occurrence is reported by a fishtrawJcr’s crew that visited the Nuggets this week, kino gold glittered on the scales and skins of the fish that came up in tho net, and after their dying flappings some of the dust was swept up from tho deck—enough to enclose and bring to Dunedin for the convincing of tho sceptical. It is conjectured, no other cause being assignable, that the gold camo out of tho Molynonx River with fine sand that was stirred by tho net. Charles Benjamin Bowden, a salesman, aged forty-live, admitted in tho Magristrate’s Court that on dates between April 5 and December 5 lie stole a quantity of toots and shoes valued at £SO, the property of Pannells Limited. Ho was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment by Mr Mosley, S.M. A secen 1 charge arising out of the same circumstances —receiving goods knowing them to have been dishonestly obtained—was laid against Lawrence Gladstone Clark, a traveller, aged thirty-five. Clark pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supremo Court for trial.—Christchurch Press Association telegram. The postal authorities advise that tho Kaponga Wt Sydney via Newcastle on Monday with live bags of mail for Dunedin. Tho mail should bo to hand oa, Monday next-

The lambing season estimates, _ apnounced by tho Minister of Agriculture, gives tho number of lambs for the South Island as 6,967,041, and for tho dominion 14,714,315. These figures were only surpassed by _ last year, which was a record.—Wellington Press Association telegram.

The birth of tho four thousandth child at the Batchelor Hospital was reported to tho meeting of tho Hospital Board last night. It was decided to present the mother_ with a email memento of tho occasion.

“ This is just another stage of tho cleaning up of tho free-for-all that went on at tho railway goods shed twelve months ago,” said the Chief Detective in the Magistrate’s Court, referring to tho case of Arthur Kirk, aged fortyfour, an ox-railway employee. Kirk pleaded guilty to receiving on February 14 last six pounds of tea, valued at Bs, tho property of tho Railway Department, knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained. “ You have been already punished,” said the Magistrate. “ You are convicted and discharged.” Kirk was before tbo court on October 30 last on another charge. —Christchurch Press Association telegram.

“ I was wondering whether 1 ought to order you to bo ilogged as part of your sentence. It is what you thoroughly deserve, but I have decided not to do that. I am going to inflict a long term of imprisonment. This sort of thing cannot bo tolerated in this community.” These remarks were passed by Air Justice Ostler to-day in sentencing William Williams, a young man, to six years’ imprisonment, with hard labour, for raping a girl of six years at Mastcrton. The judge described the offence as particularly brutal, callous, and violent, and added that tho prisoner was a man of bad character with convictions for theft against him.—Wellington Press Association telegram. Within the last fortnight largo hauls of soles have been taken at the Nuggets and other parts of tho Otago const, and as a result the price dropped very much, the retailors offering the fish at values that tapered off to 3d per lb—tho lowest prices for many years. Today, with the demand acute and tho supply much reduced in consequence of tho north-easterly weather, tho position was completely changed, the price of soles approximating winter rates. Groper usually “comes in” at about tiiis time of tho year, hut it is still scarce.

There was room to spare on all the express trains that left Dunedin this morning. The holiday rush is expected to sot in to-morrow.

Butchers’ moat is at quite reasonable prices in Dunedin. Sides of mutton were to-day ticketed at 7s lid and sides of a well-grown lamb at 9s 6d.

The secretary of tho Otago Motor Club has received information from tho engineer to the Vincent Comity Council that tho following new bridges will bo open for traffic as from Monday nextHindis River Bridge, lower crossing, on tho Cromwcll-Tarras road; Hindis River Bridge, Ardgour, on the Ard-gour-Tarras road.

The Pahiatua County Council decided that all wages, salaries, and also councillors’ travelling expenses be reduced by 10 per cent., tho matter to bo reviewed in three months’ time. It was also decided to dispense with the services of three employees who havo other means of support. A motion was carried that the time had arrived for the Government to reduce all salaries and wages of all departments; also that tho Arbitration Court bo abolished. —Press Association telegram.

Mr R. Niebol, of tho firm of Moore, Moore, and Nichol, received by the last English mail confirmation of the news previously published in this paper in connection with tho new whaling company that originated in Dunedin. Its title is tbo British Antarctic Whaling Company. Tho capital is £225,000. A very strong hoard of directors has been secured in London. Provision is made in the articles of association for tho appointment of local boards. The company is to take over and acquire from Mr John G. Neil all the rights in a license to bo granted by the New Zealand Government to operate two whaling vessels for a period of twenty-one rears from September, 1931. in New Zealand mandated waters, including the Ross Sea, with tho use of the Balleny Islands as a base, and the benefit of an agreement entered into with tho Arni-stroug-Whitworth Company for buildin" a whaling vessel lor £350,000 and five chasers for £105,000, delivery of these six vessels to bo within eleven months from acceptance of tbo contract. Tbo necessary financing of the company has been arranged. The firm of J. 0. Neil and Co. is appointed managers of tho company for a period of five years. Congratulations to those Dunedin business men who originated tho scheme and havo pushed it so fains to bo an important factor iq South Sea whaling.

Tho Dunedin market is by no means over-supplied ,with strawberries and cherries. It is just as well that the ripening of these fruits is a little late. There will bo all tho more to satisfy tho Christmas rush next week. Black currants in limited quantity have also made their appearance in tho marts. If tho main crop of these is delayed by Nature so much the better for the many house wives, who will bo starting jam-makiug when they return from their holidays. There is every probability that fruit generally will bo plentiful between Christmas and tho New Year. An abundance of bananas is assured, and they arc good.

Your eyes arc Nature’s most precious gift. Take cafe of them. Consult W. V. Sturdier, optician, 2 Octagon, Dunedin.— fAdvt.] Taxi Paros Reduced.—Gold Band Service Co. Ltd. (phone 18-066), Bed Band Taxis Ltd. (phono 10-953); 24-hour service. Ring for new fares.—fAdvt.]