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Evening Star, Issue 21006, 21 January 1932, Page 8

Tho reservoir storage is gradually gaining, reported Cr W. Begg to the City Council last night. At present 130,000,000 gallons are stored, while tho maximum storage is 150,000,000 gallons. Tho mayor (Mr R. S. Black) said he had hoped the chairman would give some statistics on rainfalls, as he had noted with pleasure that Dunedin had not experienced as much rain as either Wellington or Auckland. Cr Begg: 1 was praying for more rain. Tho Police Court sat for a few minutes this morning to enable the magistrate (Mr J. 11. Bartholomew, S.M.) to deal with two cases of drunkenness. A first offender was fined 12s (id, in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. Forrester James Styles, a second offender within six months, was described by Sub-inspector Cameron as a relief worker, whose drinking habits had been tho subject of complaint by his wife. A prohibition order was asked for by her. The defendant said he had met a few friends and did not do much 11 shouting.” “If I take out a prohibition order I am only looking for trouble, am I not?” he said in answer to a query as to whether he would sign an order. “ A man likes a glass of beer now and then.” His Worship remarked that the idea of taking on a prohibition order was to keep clear of trouble. Having meditated on this point, tho defendant agreed to put his signature to an order, and was convicted and discharged. “He is the first bookmaker of whom I have heard that lie has lost money over his business,” remarked Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, when Richard Smith, aged i forty-one, pleaded guilty to a charge-of bookmaking near Stratford on June 26, 1920. The police stated that in 1929 the accused laid the odds with a policeman, as a result of which a summons was issued. They had been looking for him ever since. Counsel pleaded that the accused was not aware that the police had been looking for him. He had carried on bookmaking in Taranaki for six months, losing £250. A fine of £2O was imposed. In view of the urgent demand for economy no hope was held out by the Minister of Education (Hon. R. Masters) for the restoration of the annual Government grant of £l5O toward the maintenance _ of the public schools library system in the Wellington district when a deputation, representing the Wellington Federation of Educational Associations, waited upon him yesterday. The Minister said that if a grant were, made in Wellington lie would have to restore the grants made in other districts, which would involve an annual commitment of about £3,500. “ I’ve done my job. I must leave it to tho bankers and politicians to do theirs,” said, a farmer to a ‘ Taihape Times ’ reporter. “ I’ve cut bigger clip of wool this year and. of better quality than 1, have ever cut before in the last twenty-five years; my lambs are tho primest 1 have ever handled, and my sheep and cattle are fatter and sleeker than I have ever seen them before. I can do. no more. I, in common with thousands of other farmers in the dominion, have certainly had no finger in bungling the markets.” “We are spending £17,000 in England in advertising New Zealand lamb as the best m the world,” said Mr D. Jones, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, speaking, at Belfast (Canterbury) this week. “ The shops in England realise that this is true, and New Zealand lamb enjoys an advantage of up to a pound. If we let the standard of our lamb fall below tho standard of that produced in other countries, we will lose the benefit of all that advertising.” Tho City Council last night approved of the route for stock travelling from the Peninsula to Burnside, as recommended by the General Committee. Cr J. W. Munro, M.P., said he had discussed the question with the fanners of the Peninsula, but he could do nothing but support the recommendations. If .the routes were unsuitable the farmers and stock drovers would have to take other steps. He mentioned that Cr F. W. Mitchell had spent much time on the question. “ How long will this resolution / iast?” asked Cr J. B. yhack lock. “It seems to mo to be a hardy annual. 1 do not know how many times Cr Wilson and I have seen a' resolution of this soft.” Tho mayor referred to tho element of risk to citizens, both young and old, from cattle, and the necessity for minimising the risk to life. The.‘General Committee had spent much time on the question before bringing down the report. An interesting discovery which affects the returned soldier and the taxpayer has been made, states the ‘ Dominion.’ Records of observation on over 2,000 New Zealand returned soldiers who came back to their country in A 1 condition prove that many returned soldiers are now found to be suffering pulmonary damage by poison gases inhaled in 1916-18, although they showed no such symptoms during the time they wore on service. In commenting on this a medical journal says: “ Recent Press comments express tho opinion that gas in warfare is a merciful weapon and that casualties caused thereby are for the most part not severely injured. While this may bo true, it is clear that it is a lethal weapon, tho late effects of which are highly injurious to the taxpayer, who has to foot the pensions bill until the war generation has passed away.” Several children under ten years of age have responded to the appeal to blood donors made by the Christchurch Hospital, as a precautionary measure with regard to infantile paralysis (says the ‘Press’). In tho meantime, however,. as there are no cases of the disease under the .otice of tho pathologist, Dr A. B. Pearson, acceptances of blood donations are confined to those, over tho ago of twelve. The authorities do not anticipate any outbreak of infantile paralysis, but they arc preparing for any eventualities. “ There is certainly a decided improvement in tho spirit of the people in Australia since the elections,” said the Rev. Dr C. J. Morkane, rector of tho Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, who arrived at Wellington this week by the Ulimaroa from Sydney after a holiday visit to Australia. People seemed to have gained more confidence, ho said, which was a striking contrast to the feeling prevalent twelve months ago. During Christmas they seemed to spend their money more freely, and some of the business firms reported hat trade had been better than for years past.

For tho position of building inspector, tho town clerk (Mr G. A. Lewm) reported to the City Council last night, IUS applications had been received. Tho applications, ho said, had come from all parts of Now Zealand, while one was from Australia. The applications were referred to tho Finance Committee to reduce the numbers before the/council makes an appointment.

Adventures oi many kinds have been tho lot of Constable Charles Robb, of Otira, who overcame all manner of difficult obstacles in his search for the bodies of the lost climbers last week. When the West Coast earthquake occurred in 1929, Constable Robb was stationed at —Merton. Ho took a prominent part in tho work of feeding and evacuating the refugees. Then, a fortnight after the big shake, the dam which blocked tho river behind Beddonviile burst, and Constable Robb rushed to the stricken township to give aid. It seemed that all were safe, but the policeman made a hasty - tour as the flood waters were entering* the town, tie found that Mr and Mrs Wmsett and their family and employees had not left, and he quickly pushed them into a motor truck. By that time the wall of water was a few hundred yards away, and as the motor dashed up the road the water followed it. When the refugees reached Christchurch they were full of praiso for Constable Robb, and Airs Winsett declared that his work was responsible for saving the lives of herself and her family. “ Please accept my resignation from the association. When the slump fizzles out I will join again.” This was tho text of a resignation received from a member at last week’s meeting of the Masterton A. and P. Association. “ Cross him out; he will never be able to join again,” observed a member, amid laughter. The resignation, however, with several others, was held over hi the meantime.

The proposal to close George street and a part of Princes street to motor traffic on Friday nights between 7 o’clock and 9 o’clock was again before the City Council last night, when Cr F. W. Mitchell asked Cr Wilson (chairman of the Tramways Committee) to confer with the chairman of the General Committee. Cr Wilson said he had no objections to a conference, but ho could not see where the trams wore concerned. It was the pedestrian traffic which had to be considered. “ And also tho tram drivers. They have a bad- time,” replied Cr Mitchell. Cr Wilson said help would be given if the pedestrians were asked to keep as close to the footpath as possible. The mayor: If motorists were asked to,keep their cars off the road it would be j more to tho point. 1

Owing to a slight reduction in the rates given by exporters for lambs at Burnside yesterday, late prices were barely maintained, and over the final stages the drop had increased to Is 6d a head. Tho finest line offered came from Messrs Cowan Brothers, Cromwell, and brought up to 17s 9d. The rest of tho primes realised from 14s to 16s, and light and inferior quality from 9s 9d to 10s 6d. Heavy lambs hardly touched 5d lb, and prime lights Sid. ‘ s A Wellington Association message states that the Japanese cruisers Asama. and Iwate will pay a visit to New Zealand. Wellington will be their only port of call. They will arrive on May 31 and leave on June 3;

The election of officers of the Teachers’ Summer School for tho ensuing year included Lord Bledisloe as patron. Mr Milner was re-elected president. Tho dominion executive _ comprises Messrs A. Wilson (Taranaki), L. Donaldson (Opua), L. Brown (Otago), G. Head (Canterbury), R. D. Thompson (Wbangarei), Misses J. Hume (Palmerston North), W. Mansfield (Auckland), K. Kennedy (Christchurch), and F. Fogelbury (Wellington). The secretary and treasurer is Mr G. Ashbridgo (Wellington). The venue for next year will be either Blenheim, Timaru, or Invercargill, as the executive decides. —Wbangarei Press Association telegram. A malicious false alarm from the corner of Cutten street and Macandrew road was responsible for the Fire Brigade turning out at 10.56 last night. It was interesting to learn after the meeting of the City Council last night that Mr G. A. Lewin had just completed twenty-one years of service as the town clerk of Dunedin. Councillors congratulated Mr Lewin on his completion of twenty-one years of office, the longest period for which any town clerk has served the city. Mr Lewin’s predecessor in office was Mr R. W. Richards, town clerk from 1905 to 1911, who, afterwards became Sir Richard Richards, and who was Lord Alaj T or of Sydney on two occasions. Sir Richard died, in Sydney several years ago.

Tho first conference of golf greenkeepers representing all parts of the dominion was held at Palmerston North, All A. Seifert presiding. The following officers were electedCommittee —Messrs T. '•Easterbrook (Auckland), S. Ihle (Miramar), A. Biel (In vercargill), J. B. Connor (Timaru); secretary), Mr G W. Maugham (Maun-, gakickie). A greenkeepers’ association was formed, which lias the backing of the New Zealand Golf Council, /ft hopes to affiliate with the British Greenkeepers’ Association and to pro mote grcenkceping interests generally. —Press Association telegram. ,

W, V. Stunner (optician, 2 Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old age.[Advt.] S. E. Ferguson Ltd., Consulting Opticians. S, R. Ferguson, G.P.0.C.; Miss K. Ferguson, D. 1.0., N.Z., 15 George street, Dunedin. If your eyes trouble you consult us.— [Advt.J