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Evening Star, Issue 20687, 9 January 1931, Page 8

Large consignments of cherries and strawberries (chiefly the latter) from Beaumont, Island Block, Ettrick, Roxburgh, and Coal Creek Flat arc railed daily to the Dunedin and southern markets, and from what our Lawrence correspondent can learn tho growers have no cause to complain of their returns. Tho peach and apricot crops give promise of being exceedingly abundant, which is cheering alike to grower and consumer—tho latter especially so, when peak prices prevail not. A larger number of visitors than usual came to Lawrence during the season now closing for their holidays (writes our correspondent); in fact, several who take note of such matters say there was a record crowd from all parts of tho dominion. Lawrence and its surroundings arc not without attractiveness for tl 10 holiday-seekers, and il an Amenities Society wore termed locally, alive to tho value of advertising and propaganda, a stiii larger number of visitors would conic this way tor their holiday-making. Roxburgh is now reaping the benefit of tho good worn sot agoing by tho recently-formed Progressive League, which is out to make known tho many attractions of the town and district, resulting in over-in-creasing numbers of visitors, including Roxburgh, in their itinerary. Mr J. K Simpson, Mayor of Lawrence, should give a lead in following in Roxburgh’s footsteps.

Appreciation of the action of the postal authorities in making available to the public of New Zealand the air mail services in other portions oi the Empire and tho United States is shown by the returns from tho Post Cilice. Since July 1 last, when tho scheme nunc into operation, approximately 7,000 leiters have been posted in New Zealand for conveyance by tho air mad services from Karachi to London and in Australia, Canada, and the United Slates By far tho greatest number were lor transmission by the Karaehi-London .service. There are over B,OUO miles ol air routes in operation in Austraii i.— Press Association.

Mr Jacob Elliott, of the Otalmbu Kailway Workshops, has been elected by ballot to represent the North Island members of tho A. 5.11.5. at a conference. lu a. second ballot he was returned as executive councillor lor tho North Island A. 5.11.5., and has also boon returned to represent tho second division on tho Kailway Board oi Appeal. Mr Elliott is tho first railwayman to hold the three positions simultan-eously.—-Auckland Association message A deputation of Invercargill unemployed waited on the Hon. P. A. de la Perrello this morning, and he later addressed a mass meeting in Post Office square, where about 400 were present The deputationists declared that there were at least 400 unemployed, and tho position of married men was desperate. They requested immediate assistance. Tho Minister stated that tho board’s No. 2 scheme, under which subsidies were granted on farm improvement work, was now in operation, and cash allocations were available, as well ns subsidies for works in the towns.—Press Association.

Tho following, message has been re coivcd at Wellington from Makuroni (Otago) : Bert Thomson, of Alexandra, a returned soldier, loft Makarora on December 17 to tram]) over tho Haast Pass to tho West Coast. Ho has failed to reach any populated point on tho coast, and is known to have been carrying only a small quantity of provisions —Press Associations.

It is yet a far cry to the next General Election day (writes our Lawrence correspondent); but that does not impel parliamentary candidates meanwhile to “ hide their light under a bushel.'’ Mr Charles Todd, of Dunedin, is already in evidence, and has made known to many of tho electors in tho Tuapeka district, as also to others m the north-western portions of tho very wido and expansive Wakatipu electorate, that in due course ho will seek election as the Deform Party’s can-, didate. There should bo a very “ willing go” between Mr W. A, Bodkin (the silling member) and Mr Todd, hut it is yet early to forecast of the twain who will bo privileged to write “ M.P.” after his name.

Some years ago ona, of the biggest industries on Banks Peninsula was grass seeding, and every summer large contingents of men would go to the Peninsula during the cocksfoot season. Now, however, the industry is practically dead, and few men go annually to the Peninsula for the grass seeding. Captain T. Hempstalk, master of the small steamer John Anderson, told a reporter at Christchurch that some years ago ho would take as many as "000 men to the Peninsula during the cocksfoot season, and most of them would come away with fairly large cheques. This season, however, practically no men had gone to the Peninsula, as cocksfoot was becoming very scarce. There were a few paddocks of it. and what there was was bettor than lie bad ever seen. The importation of seeds from other countries had, in his opinion, helped to kill the industry.— Christchurch correspondent. Alarm at tho belief that the Covcrnment shows a disposition to interfere in private enterprise by placing restrictions on the carriage of passengers and goods by motor transport companies in districts where there are adequate railway facilities was expressed by several citizens of Christchurch when commenting on the statement made by the Acting Prime Minister to a deputation which waited on him concerning the suspension of work on the Gis-borne-Waikokopu line. “.1 think everybody will agree in the main with the statement of the Acting Prime Minister with regard to the railways,” said Mr W. Maehin (vice-president of the Non Zealand Associated Chambers of Commerce). “It is quite impossible lor New Zealand to go on pouring out money on work which cannot he productive within a reasonable time while her national income is so shrunken. The Government has done several courageous things already, the country is looking to it to be even more drastic and courageous, and probably on this question of railways nothing would please the wbolo country more than that the Government should carry out the -ecent commission’s recommendations to put them under non-political control. There is a suggestion in Mr Ransom’s speech that lie will try to cure the present evil of inelastic political control by introducing the further evil of Government restriction of competition in this case. It is certain that two evils will not produce a benefit. There are plenty of ways in which a commercial railway undertaking, free from political direction and influence, could meet its competition on commercial lines, and now seems to bo the time to give it its freedom, rather than to shackle its competitor.’'—Christchurch correspondent. The members of tho Kaikorai Band met last night, and considered further the question of attending the band contest at Wellington next month. It was decided that, owing to tho present financial depression and the amount of distress prevalent, to make an appeal for contest purposes at such a time would bo very inopportune. It was therefore decided not to take part in the contest. On Christmas Day Mrs Kay, an old resident of Ngaruawahia, attended her fiftieth consecutive Christmas service at Holy Trinity Church, Ngaruwahin and partook of her fiftieth consecutive Christmas Communion. This is a record of faithful and regular attendance at the church probably unequalled in tlie dominion (savs tbo Auckland ‘Herald’).

Referring to the decrease in the exports from Lyttelton, tho chairman (Mr 11. T. Armstrong, M.P.) said at tho statutory annual meeting of the Lyttelton Harbour Board that it should not be overlooked that owing to tho increase in population much of the produce of tho country was consumed locally. The decrease did not mean, therefore, that there was leas production. Air Armstrong also reminded the meeting that the trade of the port had suffered to a considerable _ extent through tho opening of the Otira, Tunnel, as a result of which most of the freight which had previously passed through Lyttelton was now carried by train.

Following a social gathering on tho occasion of tho opening of the new Jionikiwi School, and in the presence of the school children and parents, a disgraceful free fight took place among settlers of tho district a few nights ago (says the Auckland ‘ Star ’). It appears that a settler asked the chairman whether tho new school could be used for dances, and not receiving what ho considered to be a satisfactory reply, ho asked further questions. This led to a member of tbo School Committee interjecting “Shut up! ” and brought tho retort from the first speaker that he would “ Knock his block off.” Both men rose to make for each other, and the chairman tried to part them, and the settlor was struck in the ensuing melee, and then other members of the School Committee joined in, while women shrieked and some of them fainted. Apparently deep-seated animosity camo to tho surface, and suggestions about marked sheep only served to infuriate some of the_ men concerned. There were no intoxicants at the gathering. Honikiwi is ten miles from Otorohanga, in tho isolated back country.

A largo octopus attacked Mr J. Newton, who was cruising in the launch Crusader with tho Kcv. Jasper Caldcr’s party, whoa they were at Stonoy Bay, near Cape Colville. It threw a tentacle around his right leg. Mr B. Clark, who was near at hand, battered tbo octopus with a largo stone, _ tho only weapon available, and forced it to release its grip. It slipped into deep water and escaped. It is estimated that tho tentacles of tho octopus were about 6ft long. An American who recently came down the Wanganui River was impressed, says the Wanganui ‘ Herald,’ with tho wonderful primeval hush that clothes the banks of tho river. He was amazed that such dense bush contained no dangerous animals or reptiles. “ I have taken photographs of this scenery,” he told a Wanganui man, “ but when J toll them at homo that you could sloop out in it all night without any fear of being attacked by creatures of tho wild they won’t believe me. I know they won't.” '(lie sum of about £6 was stolen by a. burglar who entered tbo premises of Clifford and Kolhwell, cycle dealers, in Maxwell road, some time during the night, or early this morning. An entry was gained by a back door. —Blenheim Press Association telegram.

A fire broke out in a shoo occupied by Buckley Bros., gramophone and musical instrument dealers, Hcretaungu street, shortly after midnight. The stock was much damaged, but the brigade made a splendid save and extinguished the llanics before, they had spread to the adjoining premises. Arm strong’s, jewellers, and Mrs Jon is, outfitter, suffered damage to their stock from smoke and water. Buckley Bros, stock was insured for £6OO in tho Queensland Office.—Hastings Press Association telegram. For some time past the Minister of Defence has been calling for nominations for local, advisory committees under tho provisions of tho Disabled Soldiers’ Civil Be-ostablislmiont Act. and it is hoped that those will be completed at an early date. The necessary machinery for the operation of the Act will then'he put in action. Wellington Press Association telegram.

Earl George Dabinett. charged with forging a Post Office Savings Bank withdrawal slip for £5 was committed for sentence. He was fined £2 for the theft of a, bank book.—Ashburton Press Association telegram. Tho Rotorua ‘ Chronicle ' has been acquired by a limited liability company The manager will bo Mr E. G. Guy, of Wellington, and the editor Mr L. G. Ashton (says a Press Association telegram).

Wedding time is Gold Band Taxis time. Special 7-scator Hudsons. Phone 18-066. | Advt.)

four eyes arc Nature’s most precious gift. Take cave of them. Consult w. V. Star mcr, optician, 2' Octagon, Dunedin.— [Advt.J