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Evening Star, Issue 21012, 28 January 1932, Page 8

When a remit asking the Government to establish a School of Horticulture came before the New Zealand Horticultural Trades Association Conference at Christchurch, Mr A. Shrubshall said that he thought “ scheme ” should be substituted for “ school ” in the phrasing of the motion. The time was not ripe to ask the Government to form such a school, as there would not be sufficient support to make it a success. Horticulture embraced so many subjects, said Mr Shrubshall, that some form of instruction should be available. He thought that if the Government introduced a scheme of training it would fill the present need. When New Zealand’s population was large enough to warrant a school being established, then would be the time to bring the matter up. Mr B. P. Mansfield (Napier) said that he had carried out instruction in horticulture in his home town and at Hastings. The earthquake of last year had disrupted his classes, but those who received training from him showed great keenness. The remit was passed with the substitution of u scheme for “ school.”

“ An old habit that could well be revived is that of wearing a buttonhole,” said Mr J. A. Campbell, Director of Horticulture, when speaking a,t the civio welcome to Horticulture Week delegates at Christchurch. One was never considered properly dressed in the days of his youth, unless a buttonhole were worn, and he could not see why the habit could not be resuscitated. “ I commend the matter to you,” he said; “it is not a foppish habit, and wearing a buttonhole must surely encourage a love of flowers.

There was a clean sheet at the Police Court this morning.

The report to the Hospital Board from the Benevolent Committee contains the following clause r lhe relief officer has been authorised to act regarding the application for assistance in cases where the husbands have been committed to prison.” That there bo a minimum fee of £3 for patients at the Batchelor Hospital is recommended to the Hospital Board by the Finance Committee.

I understand that more will be heard shortly of a disgraceful case lately of blending Russian butter as to SO percent. with 10 per cent, of forejgn margurinb and 10 per cent, of New Zealand butter on the part of a London store, and then of selling the blend to a credulous public as ‘ New Zealand pure cream butter ’ (says a writer in the ‘ Saturday Review ’). I warn readers meantime that all New Zealand butter comes over here in sealed pound packets.- So these mountains of butter in tho shops are all elaborately compiled for window-dressing purposes. Tho naval minesweeper AVakakura is at present at tho Rattray street wharf being prepared for her next trip to Akaroa. She is to sail at 4.30 on Saturday afternoon for tho north with another draft of R.N.V.R. members, who will undergo practical sea training. Tho vessel has yet to make four trips to Akaroa, with a week’s break after the next two voyages, when she will remain at Dunedin for another overhaul.

The efforts of the Otago Acclamatisation Society to secure an open season for stalking in the Makarora district this year have come to nought, the Minister of Internal Affairs having turned down the application with the explanation that the department intends employing a deer destruction party. Last year such a party got at the deer in the Hunter Valley, and it may be supposed that the outcome of that expedition was so satisfactory as to encourage the department to continue tho policy this season. Meanwhile the society has sold large quantities of ammunition to men who propose to go deer shooting in the Makarora and other districts. Possibly those independent shooters will in some >vay co-operate with the officially-organised party. In any case the marauding deer are in for a bad time.

The Railway Information Bureau in London, in acknowledging the receipt of a copy of the 1 Evening Star’s ’ report of Mr Carl Ruhen’s travels in Europe, expresses the hope that the particulars therein published will induce more New Zealanders to visit Germany, a country which is specialising in making travel easy and cheap for tourists. The new irrigation dams in Central Otago are evidently going to be of great service to anglers as well as to settlers. The Otago Acclimatisation Society has already put fish into such dams at Poolburn and Ida Valley, and tho policy is likely to be continued. In dams the” trout are secure from the risk they run in creeks, and the _ lesser streams—the risk of being dried to death in time of drought. Another point is that dams are accessible by roads that at their worst are easier to travel on than rough banks. In this connection it is regarded as likely that Lake Mahinerangi may become the great Otago angling resort. It is said that in this vast area the fish are thriving and multiplying. Evidently there is good natural feed in this water, and the society has helped in that direction by putting in bullies, which are prolific and suit the taste of the trout. Crayfish have also appeared in the lake, and their young are fancied as fish food.

The Greymouth Jockey Club’s main grand stand at Omoto was destroyed by fire at about midnight. The origin is unknown. The insurances were £4,000 on the building and £2OO on the contents, distributed among the Mercantile and General, South British, and North British United offices—Press Association telegram. Word has been received by the harbour master (Captain J. M‘Lean) that H.M.S. Veronica will arrive at Dunedin on February 11 from the north. She is making her periodical tour of southern ports, and will remain here until February 23. Commander H. L. Morgan, who, it will be remembered, distinguished himself by taking command of the relief parties at the Napier earthquake disaster, is in charge of the Veronica.

\The most recent addition to the Otago Early Settlers’ Museum is tho gift of a thick volume of printed speeches by that distinctive settler, Major John Larkins Cheese Richardson, most of the speeches being his own, some by Stafford, and other contemporaries. Affixed to the book is a copy of the major’s acceptance of nomination to tile Clutha electors, also tho report p,f the Kabul Relief Fund Committee' (of which he was a member), dated 1842. In sorting out the treasures to bo guarded in the newly-built strong room Mr W. Paterson came across a volume of the early issue of the ‘ Otago Mail,’ a paper the existence of which is almost forgotten. It was first published in July of 1864, the proprietors being F. J. Moss and Co,, and the printers Mills, Dick, and Co. J. Burt, one of the boys to sail the Otago boat in tho Cornwell Cup at Wellington, left Dunedin by train this morning. His brother, E. A. Burt, and the Otago delegate, Mr H. C. Brown,i leave on Saturday,

A Dannevirke Association telegram states that two burglars who broke into Culliford’s Norsewood store at 3 a.m., dynamited the safe. This disturbed the owner, who lives nearby, and _he gave chase. One man outstripped him, but the other Culliford- felled with a Maori paddle. He then returned to the shop and. handed the man over to the police. Nothing had been taken. The other man is still at large.

The postal authorities advise that the Otaio, from Liverpool, which reached Auckland on Wednesday, has two parcel receptacles for Dunedin. The parcels will bo available on Monday next.

Save your eyes. Be wise, and consult W. V. Stunner (optician, 2 Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old age.— [Advt.] Port Chalmers.—J. Watson’s clearing summer sale, general drapery, clothing, boots and shoes, furnishings, now proceeding.—[Advt.] S. E. Ferguson Ltd., Consulting Opticians. S. B, Ferguson, G.P.0.C.; Miss E. Ferguson, D. 1.0., N.Z., ,45 George street, Dunedin. If your eyes trouble you consult us.— [Advt.]

In this issue is advertised the Waihola Carnival apd sports gathering to be held on Saturday, February 6. The programme includes three motor boat races, tug-of-war (several entries), Highland dancing and pipers. Handicaps will be announced on February 4.