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Evening Star, Issue 20720, 17 February 1931, Page 8

The Hon. P. A. de la Pcrrcllo, speaking to a ‘ Star ’ reporter on tho Dunedin railway station this morning, said: “ A wrong impression seems to be made by what has appeared in the papers about the Melbourue-Blulf steamer service. _ That service_ is not abandoned. Cabinet has authorised me to negotiate with the shipping company in duo time as to a renewal of the subsidy for a resumption of the passenger service next summer. Meantime there will he a cargo steamer every three weeks.” The Hon. W. B. Taverner (Minister of Public Works) was engaged to-day in dealing with deputations, which were all of a private nature. Rough water, brought up by a strong nor’-castor, prevented tho decision of tho interclub eight-oar championship, which was to have taken place on tho Upper Harbour last evening. Rattray street wharf was thronged by a crowd of perhaps two or three hundred, and disappointment was felt when the racing programme could not bo commenced. The selectors (Messrs W. J. Wilson, E. V. Fairbairn, and W. G. Glengarry), who wore on board Mr C. W. Sunstrum’s Thetis, called tho race off for half an hour from the scheduled time of starting, 6.30, but there was no improvement in the conditions, and it was announced that tho eights would be hold over until to-morrow evening. Up to this morning a total of fiftyfive entries for tho various events at the Otago Aero Club’s pageant had been received by tho secretary. ‘‘Bombing the baby” attracted the largest number of competitors, there being 14 entrants. Tho number to enter for the other events are;—All transport race, 7; Otago aerial derby, 8; Landing competitions—B class pilots, 9; A class pilots (over forty hours), 6; A class pilots (under 40 hours), 2 (local pupils who pass the test for their license on Friday will be elegible to compete in this event); aerobatics (B class pilots), 3 ; balloon chasing, 6. Since the engine sheds were erected at Kensington the residents in that locality always know when a north-east wind blew, because smoko and smuts were their daily portion. The attention of the authorities was directed to it, but for years complaints were unheeded and protests wore in vain. When the Hon. W. B. Taverner was appointed Minister of Railways, however, hope revived, and to his credit amelioration was forthcoming. Although at extra cost smokeless fuel was provided, and the south side of the oval breathed pure air. Lately, however, the old trouble has returned, and again the bitter cry of the householders i •• heard. Tho Otago Expansion League moved in the matter when representeLions were successfully made to Mr Taverner, and again at the request of tho victims tho present Minister has been approached. Inquiry was promised, but so far no remedy has been applied. The recent succession of north-east winds aggravated the discomfort, and a further request was forwarded to the Minister in Wellington. The Minister has again replied that inquiries are being made, and a further reply is promised as soon as possible. In the meantime the people of Kensington are praying for a continuance of south-west winds.

The intrepidity of a Napier fireman on the day of the earthquake is one of the incidents that will stand out for long in tho thoughts of the beholders. Mr Martin Kilpatrick, whose outfitting shop in Hastings street was destroyed, leaving him without anything of his business possessions, is now on a visit to his parents, Mr and Mrs A. Kilpatrick, of St. Kilda, and thus describes what ho saw: “The main part of the Masonic Hotel had fallen, leaving one comer rocking violently, when a screaming woman appeared on the third story balcony. The Napier Fire Brigade set up a ladder which did not reach her. The men set it plumb upright, running a terrible risk in doing so, and still it was too short. But a uniformed man mounted as it swayed, and, though the top rung was even then below tho affrightened woman, apparently by 2ft, the plucky fireman managed in some manner to get her on to his shoulders and carry her down. To the onlookers the rescue seemed to bo almost miraculous.” Mr Kilpatrick also narrates that a telegraph polo foil and pinned a boy who was being led by jus father, breaking one of the youngster’s legs in three places. Whilst tho father was seeking some way of getting the boy out an upheaval of the ground momentarily lifted the polo, sufficiently far to enable him to drag tho boy clear. From what Mr Kilpatrick and other refugees say, the Hod Cross did magnificent work not only on the day, but since, in tending and providing for the needs of the sufferers and homeless.

At tli 3 Tuapcka County Council meeting on Friday last it was resolved—- “ ’That in view of the present economic conditions, the Otago Hospital Board be asked to endeavour to reduce its levy for the incoming year on contributing local bodies; also that an effort should bo made to reduce the board’s contribution to the employees’ superannuation fund, and that other contributing bodies within the board’s jurisdiction be asked to support the resolution.” There was a pretty severe frost experienced in Lawrence on Sunday morning, but the bright sunshine which followed later fully compensated for tho nippy chilliness of the early morn. It is very unusual (writes oux correspondent) for Jack Frost to make an appearance in this locality at this season of the year. The executive of tho Otago Aero Club is expecting about a score of visiting machines at the end of this week when tho pageant takes place. The New Zealand Government has intimated that it will send six or seven planes, while Now Zealand Airways and the Shell Oil Company are both sending one. There will be two jwivately owned machines and seven aero club pianos from Canterbury, Wairarapa, Wellington, Invercargill, and Marlborough in addition to the three owned by the Otago club. The eight pupils in training at tho aerodrome, North Taieri, will be examined for their A class licenses on Friday. Tho examination, which is a practical ono involving tho handling of aeroplanes, will bo conducted _ by tho Director of Air Services (Wing Commanders. Grant-Dalton D. 5.0., A.F.C., R.A.F.),

Speaking at Trinity Church on Sunday the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse mentioned that the special offertories that day were for the earthquake fund, and doubtless later on there would be an urgent appeal for money witli which to restore the Methodist buildings. Tho Rev. F. Copeland, chairman of the Hawke’s Bay district, wrote that tho parsonages at Waipawa, Napier, and Hastings had suffered considerably, that the beautiful church in Hastings was a total ruin, and that the Napier church with its new school was badly damaged. To tho Otago Acclimatisation Society it is reported that hundreds of trout, eels, perch, and ditch trout are dying or dead in the Kaitangata Canal, evidently poisoned. The same thing lias happened in the previous two or three seasons. Some persons think that the liming of the land is the cause. Others suspect the borough ash dump at the blind end of the canal. The society’s agent has sent samples of tho water and of the dead fish for the purpose of analysis. Albert Barclay appeared before Mr J. R. Bartholomew. S.M., in the Police Court, charged witli keeping a common gaming house. Defendant pleaded guilty. Chief Detective Cameron stated that the detectives had visited the defendant’s house in South Dunedin on Saturday morning, and had found evidence that betting was being carried on. The defendant was acting in a small way, but he was known to have been operating for about nine months. A fine of £25 was inflicted.

Five minutes’ chat this morning with Mr A. 0. Hanlon, president of the Dunedin Jockey Club, sufficed to disperse any anxiety in the minds of the club’s numerous friends and supporters as to the effect of recent losses over race meetings upon the finances. Mr Hanlon said: “The club, in common with others, has been hit up, especially over the Cup Meeting, the returns from which were seriously reduced by the depression, the earthquake, and the bad weather. But in spite of those handicaps the loss over the Cup Meeting was only round about £1,500, and to-day the club is financially in a better position than it was three years ago. There is no need for anxiety. We are cutting our coat according to the cloth, and our position is strong as owners of the freehold of our property. By continued care we shall pull through all right. This bad luck is not going to last for ever.” The General Committee of the Manawafcu Agricultural and Pastoral Association passed a resolution expressing satisfaction and approval that the Government had decided to adopt tho economies and reforms urged in the committees’ resolution last December, adding: “ The committee feels that the Government deserves the support of all sections of the community, as the matter is of the greatest national importance and of extreme urgency, and should therefore be treated as being above party politics.—Press Association. Some concern is felt at Port Chalmers in regard to a forthcoming high explosive blast at Quarantine Island. Tho rock in question is being removed in order to facilitate the navigation of the channel between Quarantine Island and Goat Island. _ Holes are being drilled for about sixty charges, which are to bo fired simultaneously in order to shift as largo a portion as possible of the slightly submerged rock, and householders adjacent to tho island would like to be assured that the concussion will not damage their dwellings. The matter is being referred to the Harbour Board, for which body tho rock removal contract is being carried out. Following the placing of the cable steamer Iris on tho market for sale, nineteen of her complements are retiring from tho Pacific Cable Board’s service, including Captain H. R. Hughes, the purser, the chief engineer, the cable foreman, and the chief jointer. All have been in the service for twenty-eight years. Pending the sale and transfer of the thirteen remaining members of the permanent staff, the vessel will bo under the charge of tho chief officer, Mr W. Oliver.—Auckland message. The Secretary of tho General Post Office advises that the following message was received from the chief postmaster at Nelson to-day;—“The lightkeeper at Cape Farewell reported Tate last night that a ketch-rigged yacht passed close in yesterday afternoon and set a course for Wellington with a good breeze blowing.”—Press Association.

Your eyes arc Nature’s most precious gift. Take caro of thorn. Consult W. V. Sturmer, , optician, 2 Octagon, Dunedin. — f Advt.l

S. E. Ferguson, G.P.0.0., consulting optician, watchmaker, and jeweller. Consult us about your eyes; our advice and long exporience is at your disposal. Optical repairs a specialty; done at shortest notice.—4s George street,.—[ AJvt.] Williamsons aro tho practical jewellers, and will attend to your repairs promptly and efficiently.—Next The Bristol Co.— f Advt.| To meet outside competition and tho demand for a cheaper plough the firm of Keid and Gray Ltd., Burnside, has designed a now tractor, plough which will soli at considerably less price than tho standard plough. A public trial of tho now plough will be given on Mr Sim’s farm, near the St. Clair "olf links, tomorrow afternoon, at 3 o’clock, to which all interested are invited. The plough will bs operated by a caterpillar tractor kindly lent by A. S. Paterson and Co. Ltd. Attention is drawn to an advertisement for a demonstration of the “ caterpillar " track typo tractor to bo hold on the property of R. Sim, Esq., located near tho St. Clair golf links, on Wednesday, 18th inst.