AN ARTIFICIAL DIVISION.

Evening Star, Issue 20863, 5 August 1931, Page 6

AN ARTIFICIAL DIVISION.

The separation of St. Kilda from Greater Dunedin is an administrative fact and a geographical absurdity. It may have had advantages for the smaller borough when a distinctive system of rating, to which it still cleaves, served a purpose in promoting subdivision of large vacant areas for which it is no longer required. But it gives small independence to the lessor entity when for practically all its services, for the means of life and for the grace ol burial, it must rely on the city, and it can have its inconveniences, as the present difference between the mayors of Dunedin and St. Kilda on the subject of unemployment relief illustrates. Unemployment relief has constant perplexing difficulties for local as well as for central authorities. To prevent overlapping and imposition the widest local boundaries, as distinct from a multiplicity of authorities are an advantage. Mr Black has given notice to the Mayor of St. Kilda that the relief depot in Dunedin must he dosed to the needy of that borough owing to lack of funds; St. Kilda must provide a depot of its own. Mr Beattie protests that this notification is embarrassingly sudden — which His Worship of Dunedin holds it .should not be, claiming that intimations of it had been given weeks ago—and that it is unreasonable; and on the score of unreasonableness he makes what appear at first sight at least to be some strong points. The depot is supported by public subscriptions, and in the response made to past appeals for subscriptions St. Kilda has borne its full share. Its share, wo believe, is liable to bo very easily underestimated, because some residents of St. Kilda who live next to St. Clair prefer to pass as residents of that suburb, and so their gifts are credited to Dunedin. Apart from that consideration Mr Beattie asks his confrere whether general gil ts mado by St. Kilda donors, the grant from tho trustees of the Dunedin Savings Bank, or St. Kilda contributions to special collections were intended to ho used exclusively for the city area. There can bo only one answer; they were not. So far as tho benefits are concerned of funds popularly, not officially, provided it seems impossible that St. Kilda can be denied its share.

Even tho advice which, might be given to the suburban residents, “ Don’ t cou-

tribute any more except to a. depot of your own,” is not practicable. If a street collection is being made no ouo can distinguish a St. Kildan from a Dunedin man. The collection box is thrust under both their noses inevitably. It is as hard for one to refuse as for the other. Local government lias established differences where Nature knows none. The strength' of the Mayor of St. Kilda’s special argument breaks down on a further consideration. Special funds have been raised to which St. Kilda lias contributed, but those funds have all been spent. _ It is the future, now, for which provision has to bo made. Co-operation, it seems to us, and the most centralised system that is possible will make the best basis. There are obvious disadvantages in a multiplication of depots. But co-operation requires that St. Kilda shall do more than it has done up to the present. The “ pound a week scheme,” which makes a main support of the central depot, has been or is being elaborately organised in the city. St. Kilda must organise its own part in that sustaining effort, since nobody in the city can organise for it. We have no doubt that St. Kilda will be willing, but a beginning should bo made at once under the council’s, or some other central body’s, direction. Unemployment makes other difficulties for all parties. St. Kilda is not employing single men at present on relief work. It has no work of a suitable kind which it can provide. The city has been employing about two hundred men from St, Kilda, and the suburban borough has employed a few from the city. The suggestion has been made recently that each borough should look after its own, but the practicability of that course is limited by St. Kikla’s smaller resources for finding work. It appears only a reasonable arrangement that, when St. Kilda men aro employed under the No. 5 scheme by the City Council, that council should receive from tho neighbouring borough a proportion of tho cost of supervision, which thus iar it has not done. All these mutters should be capable of settlement by a little consultation; but relief administration would bo much easier if tho purely artificial boundaries between St. Kilda and tho city did not exist. Meanwhile a clanger has been caused of a now local suspension of tho No. o scheme through tho Government's paring down of its allocations. Tho Government no doubt is short of funds till amounts due under its revised scheme of taxation come in, but the work, which is limited now to three weeks out of four, must not be held up again on that account. The Government must find funds, as it has done before. The appeal of tho Unemployment Committee, calling its attention to that necessity, has not been made in any too pressing form.

His Honour Mr Justice Kennedy was engaged in tho Supremo Court this morning in hearing an appeal on law and on fact by a partially successful plaintiff against the decision of the Magistrate’s Court at Blacks. Tho appellant claimed for the Uiflxrenco between £212 17s 2d, which was the amount claimed in the lower court, and £97 6s 2d, tho amount for which the magistrate gave judgement. The appellant was Thomas Caxrufch, builder and contractor, of Poolhnrn, and the respondent was Alexander Kinney, innholder, of Chatto Creek. The claim made in tho lower court was in respect of materials supplied and rork done in tho alteration and extension of a sun dried briok_ building, and also lor commission claimed to bo payable under, a verbal contract. Mr A. A. Hnggitt appeared for the appellant and Mr J. B. Callan for the i-spon dent. The case was continued tins afternoon.

In anticipation of the resumption of the popular excursion traffic to Portobcllo and the other attractive week-end resorts tlio ferry steamer Tarcwai has been renovated and improvements made to assure the comfort and convenience of passengers. ft is pointed out that the train connection at Port Chalmers ensures a reliable service to and from the city. An additional attraction on the cross-harbour route is the fish hatchery, whoso courteous superintendent has now recovered from a serious illness and is always pleased to show visitors tho many interesting phases of marine life observable at tho hatchery reserve.

A paragraph in this column referring to the loss of the General Grant omitted to state that tho vessel was wrecked on the Auckland Islands, not tho Campbell Islands. According to a statement made today by tho Hon, A. J. Murdoch, arrangements have been made for tho cheese instructors of the dairy division to confer this week at the .Dairy Research Institute, Palmerston North, on various questions relating to chcoso manufacture. Some of the instructors have boon in touch with experiments carried out there, but the latest arrangement will enable all of tho officers concentrating on instruction work to become more closely acquainted with the activities of tho institute concerning cheese, and also with tho institute’s laboratory tests of milk, Tho Minister states that tlio excellent co-operation existing between the institute staff and the officers of tho dairy division should help to make the conference particularly valuable and further co-ordinate the work of dairy research and instruction.—AVellington correspondent. A largely attended meeting of Mcthven (Canterbury) farmers carried aresolution requesting tho Government to grant immediate relief from tho land tax, especially tho 1921) amendments, otherwise many farmers and pastoralists would be compelled to leave their farms. A further resolution was carried—- “ That failing Government action tho assistance of tho Dominion Executive of the Now Zealand Farmers’ Union and tho Sheopownors’ Federation bo obtained in initiating a campaign to persuade Parliament and the country generally that unless some measure of relief is afforded to tho farming community the primary industries must inevitably fail, bringing about tho downfall of the dominion.”

Stormy weather continues witli heavy seas on hath coasts, delaying shipping (states 'an Auckland message). The Waimea arrived from Napier yesterday sixteen hours late, and the Wingatui from Wellington twelve hours late. Both experienced very rough trips. The Kamona, which lel't Wellington on Thursday night, is believed to bo sheltering on the coast. The liner llangitane, which was duo to-day from England, is encountering bad weather, and will not arrive before Thursday morning. Tho cargo services on the West Coast arc still disorganised owing to tho bars being unworkable.

Tho ‘ Bruce Herald ’ states that through reduced volume of business at Milton Post Office the personnel of the stall' is shortly to bo reduced_ by two members—one from the clerical division and one from tho telephone exchangel. Tho officers are to be transferred elsewhere at an early date.

Pleading guilty to a charge of being unlawfully in possession of an automatic pistol, Lewis Friend appeared in the Police Court this morning. Chiefdetective Quartermain said that the police had received information that Friend was carrying an automatic pistol about. He was interviewed yesterday, and admitted possession of the pistol, which was found in his residence. When asked for an explanation ho said that it bad been given to his wife by a seaman friend in Wellington. He would not give tho name of this man. No ammunition was discovered in the house. “ Our information is that ho has been carrying tho pistol about for some time,” said tho chief-detective, “ and in these days we like to know who has one and who has not.” For the accused Mr White said that his wife had been living alone in a flat in Wellington while ho was away in Australia. She had been very nervous and had been given this pistol for security. Three or four weeks go she told her husband about it, and he, while intending to dispose of it ultimately, foolishly hung on to it. That there was no ammunition was in his favour. He denied that he ever carried the pistol about with him. Tho Magistrate ' (Mr Bartholomew) stated that possession of a pistol must be regarded as a serious matter, and he was not satisfied with the position put before the court. The case would be stood down for one week to enable further inquiries to ho made. Bail was allowed the accused in his own recognisance of £2O.

A four-roomed wooden house situated at 130 Bay View road. South Dunedin, owned and occupied by Mr Thomas Spinks, was badly damaged by fire tins morning. Tho City Brigade was summoned at 2.30, but the house was well alight when it arrived. The cause of tho outbreak is unknown, but when discovered by tho owner, the fire bad a strong hold near the kitchen range. The building was insured for £250 in the Victoria office, and the contents wore covered to the extent of £SO in the same office.

Despite tire inclement weather, there was a good attendance at the monthly meeting of the St. John Ambulance Association, held last evening. Dr A. R. Falconer occupied tho chair, and ou the’ motion of Mr Somerville was reelected chairman for the current year. Mr A. Peters was appointed deputychairman, and Mr A. M'Hutehoon treasurer. The Otago branch of the New Zealand Trained Nurses’ Association nominated tho following ladies to act with tho ladies on tho St. John Ambulance Association as a committee of management for nursing:—Mrs Walter Ross and Misses Smith, Torrance, and Young. On the motion of Dr Fulton those ladies were elected, and the services of Sister Barclay co-opted in an advisory capacity on the committee. Tho secretary’s reports for July were read and adopted. That for transport showed that 109 t 11s had been responded to, involving 1,010 miles’ running for the ambulance machines. Tho nurses had an exceptionally busy month, 434 visits being paid. A Finance Committee consisting of Dr Borne and Messrs Anderson, Cameron, Dove, Harris, M'Hutehoon, Paterson, Peters, and Somerville was appointed. A letter from Sir Charles Statham accepting the position of president of the association was received. In accordance with instructions received from England, it was decided to nominate the following as the St. John section of the Joint Red Cross Committee: —Sir Charles Statham, Messrs Anderson, Paterson, M'Hutcheon, and Mrs G. M. Baker. It was decided to have tho Austin ambulance repainted- Accounts totalling £159 were passed.

A meeting of the North Island Motor Union Executive discussed < in committee the question of main highways finance. A letter was received from the Premier that opportunity would bo given to motor unions to submit evidence before the Select Committee reported. The union objected to tho proposals of tho Hallway Department to increase tho charges for using railway road bridges, of which _ there are twenty-three in the dominion, from £2,662 to £IB,OOO. Tho secretary explained that au agreement hud been reached between _ the Counties’ Association. and the union as to a reasonable charge, and tbo Alain Highway Board had been informed. It was decided that the oil companies bo requested to discontinue roadside advertising; also that petrol prices he reduced to a figure more on a parity with prices obtaining abroad.—Palmerston North Association message.

A reply was made to-day by Messrs H. L. Tapley and Co., Government distributors _ of Samoan bananas, to the local which appeared in last night's issue. They point out that prior to their handling bananas on behalf of the Government the fruit was sold at tho following wholesale prices last year:— July: Green, 23s a case, ex wharf; ripe, 28s a case. August: Green, 2-ls 3d a case; ripe, 29s 3d a case. This year green fruit had been sold at 17s 9d a case, and prime ripe fruit, of better quality than had ever been previously marketed, was sold at 20s a case, that after additional expense was incurred by covering each case of bananas to prevent any possibility of frosting. That meant that the public was at present in a position to purchase ripe bananas at 25 to 30 per cent, cheaper than was previously the case. These figures, the distributors stated, were irrefutable, and reference to market reports of twelve months ago would confirm them. A count taken to-day disclosed tho fact that the average number of bananas in a case was 300 choice bananas, tho actual figures ranging from 260 to 400 a case. The precautions taken by the distributors prevented any possibility of frosting, and the bananas were ripening out in first-class condition. Tho public of Dunedin apparently realised those statements to bo tho facts, and were giving their support to tho industry, stated Mr J. H. Duncan, tho manager of tho firm. A loading broker stated , that Tapley and Co. had secured this method of distribution with the view of assisting direct shipping to tho port of Otago, and also to enable tlio public to obtain adequate and regular supplies of Samoan bananas at cheap prices.

Excellent progress is being made with tho installation of tho now organ in Knox Church. Tho console of the instrument has been placed in position, and within tho courso of about two months all tho connections and pipes will bo fitted. Tho old organ was in tho gallery, tho choir being grouped on tho side —an awkward andinconvenicnt arrangement for the organist and choirmaster (Mr Spackraan). Now the consolo of tho new organ is in place just in front of tho pulpit. The choir will sit on either side, giving tho organist much better vision and control. Incidentally this instrument illustrates the rather remarkable development in organs through electricity during the last low years. While it is being installed other improvements are being made to tho hack of tho church. A now room is being constructed for the minister (tho Bov. Mr Herron), the choir being allotted his old room, which will bo adapted for its use. Tho architectural tone of the church _ will ho strictly adhered to in all this work, ■which, when completed, will be of much practical benefit, and will give the building an added distinction. An expenditure of approximately £O,OOO is involved.

In consequence of tlio Arbitration Court ruling out three of the four ! grounds on which the waterside workers’ unions of Auckland and tho province applied for exemption from the 10 per cent, cut, the hearing of tho case ended abruptly after two hours. Mr Justice Frazer, in . declining to admit evidence designed to show tho increased casualness of waterfront work, said that if the court did so the general order' for wage reduction would be nullified because every union in the country could bring evidence of it. In making the general order the court had taken into account unemployment and casualnss. If it had based its decision only on tho dominion’s reduced revenue the wage cut might have been 30 or 40 per cent, instead of 10 per cent. , Save your eyes. Bo wise, and consult VV. V. ” Stunner (optician, 2 Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old age.--[Aclvt.'l R.A.0.U., G.E.8., will hold another danco on Thursday evening.