Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 21036, 25 February 1932, Page 8

Unable through drunkenness while out on bail to enter the dock the previous day, a young Maori named James Hammond appeared before Mr Justice Smith in the Supreme Court at Hamilton and pleaded guilty to breaking and entering and tho theft of three bottles of beer at Ohura on January 23. The accused was admitted to probation for one year provided he takes out a prohibition order and makes restitution.

Mr A. H. Kimbell, Undor-secretary for Mines, made a strong appeal at the Gas Conference at Mastcrton for the use of New Zealand coal, appealing that before placing their orders overseas they would bear in mind the suffering of the miners in New Zealand and do their best to order as much New Zealand coal as possible. He said the industry was suffering acutely to-day, and quoted figures showing a large decrease in the output for 1931 in Westport and Greymouth. He drew attention to the increase in imported coal as compared with 1930. The postal authorities advise that the mails, which left Wellington on January 26 per Makura via San Francisco, arrived in London on February 23. “A day of thrills“ Dickinson’s hig feat ” are the headings of the Wellington ‘ Post ’ writer, who concludes a Plunket Shield article, as under: “With the wickets falling fast, and runs hard to get, two old campaigners were reserved for the final bid for victory, and McGirr and Lowry in the unusual role (ftjr them) of a ninth wicket pair were undoubtedly the right men in the right place. It was fitting that McGirr should.be at the wickets when the winning hit was made in his last Plunket Shield match in Otago. Though, of course, the result was disappointing for Otago, in that it meant defeat for them after a determined struggle to win, Otago, though defeated, is to be complimented upon ■the splendid performance put up. in this, as well as in its other shield matches this season, and for the advance which it has made. There would have been no complaints had the Plunket Shield been won by it.”—-Own Reporter.

The possibility of important new industries being established in the dominion as the result of the setting up of the Development of Industries Board was referred to by Mr I. Woolf, a member of the board, at a meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association last evening. He said the Prime Minister and Mr Masters were enthusiastic regarding the development of new industries, and were greatly concerned at the large amount of unemployment among boys who had recently left school. One of the proposals under consideration was the manufacture of wool packs from New Zealand flax. If this industry were set going every flaxmill in New Zealand would be working again at full pressure. Another proposal was for tho manufacture of an article not now made in New Zealand, which, it was asserted, could bo sold at a price cheaper than the imported goods. Capital of £600,000 would be required, and employment would be provided for eighty men from the outset. Mr Woolf emphasised that the board was acting in an advisory capacity oply —Christchurch correspondent. The formalities of the session have now been disposed of, and a start will be made this evening with tho Address-in-Reply debate. Notice of his intention to move an amendment was given in the House by Mr Holland (Leader of the Opposition). In accordance with custom, Mr Holland will move the adjournment of the debate after the mover and seconder have spoken, and will announce the terms of his amendment when tho House resumes on Friday. The sitting of the House following tho delivery of the Speech from the Throne was brief, formal business only being transacted. There was a crop of questions, with and without notice, but the number was not as great as the first business day of an ope ing session usually produces. Notice was given of the introduction of two private members’ Bills—the State Lottery Bill (Mr G. C. Black) and the Silver and Copper Coinage Bill (Mr C. A. Wilkinson). —Parliamentary reporter. The first joint caucus of the Government party was held last night, and lasted until 11.30 p.m. Interviewed subsequently, Mr Forbes said that there was a full muster of members, all of whom had been accounted for, either by their presence or by apology. There was a general discussion on the work of the session and the legislation to be dealt with, and a fine spirit of unanimity prevailed. Mr Forbes said ho was entirely satisfied with the result of tho meeting. The question of restricting the number of Government speakers on the Address-in-Reply debate had not been discussed, and tho question of the appointment of the Chairman of Committees had not been gone into. —Parliamentary reporter. Tho hydro-electric works at Waitaki did not suffer from the floods this wee£. The Waitaki River did nipt seriously rise. The explanation is simple. The Waitaki is fed from the New Zealand Alps, which lie to the west, whereas tho rain came from the east. The big boundary river continued in sedateness when the lessor neighbouring streams rising in the foothills nearer the sea grew impetuous and uncontrollable.

Adjourning the Hunter Estate case in the Supreme Court, Wellington, tho Chief Justice (Sir M. Myers) said ho would give counsel a special appointment some time next week, when what transpired as the result of the Public Trustee’s proposals would bo known. Then, if necessary, ho would want to hoar what leading counsel for Lady Hunter had to say on tho question of jurisdiction, and, if necessary, he would also want to hear what Cyril Hunter’s proposals were. North Otago settlers are conferring with one another and with the authorities as to tho feasibility of irrigating to counteract further droughts. Whilst most of the farm land near Oamaru was parched this summer one bright and green spot in the landscape stood out, its grass green, its sheep thriving. This was Mr A. C. Hurst’s farm at Windsor. It provides a vivid illustration as to i ho value of irrigation. Mr Hurst derives his supply from the Oamaru water race. The present question is whether other properties share in the benefit, and side by side with that proposition is another as to tho desirability of cleaning out the Steward Settlement races so as to permit of that disused system coming again into operation. It is understood that tho Unemployment Board is favourable to the setting up of a single men’s camp and going on with the Steward Settlement work. Mr T. M. Ball, district engineer of the Public Works Department, paid a visit to North Otago this week, and that may be interpreted as an indication that some irrigation proposals are being officially considered.

The fat lamb sale at Burnside yesterday proved very satisfactory for vendors. Exporters were keen buyers, r.nu butchers were compelled to advance on freezing prices to procure their supplies. Prices ranged from 19s for heavies to 14s and 16s for handy weights. A few pens of inferior quality were sold from 9s 6d to 11s: extra heavy were selling at 4|d per lb, and prime light-weights up to 43d.

In the Police Court this morning, before Mr J. 11. Bartholomew, S.M., David William Campbell and Alexander Marshall, third and second offenders iospectively for drunkenness, were each fined 20s, in default three days' imprisonment. Eric John Smart, for not having the prescribed lights on his motor cycle at night, was fined 10s. The North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday gave msideration to the Wellington Board’s proposals for a revision of the hospital system, but the Wellington suggestion that the matter be placed before the emergency session of Parliament met with little support. It was decided (says a Press Association telegram from Christchurch) to support the recommendation of the Palmerston North Board that consideration be deferred, and it was resolved accordingly that the matter be held over until after the election of the new board in May. It would be impossible to convey in mere words any adequate idea of how difficult financial matters have been during the' year, stated the report to the Methodist Conference on home missions and the church extension fund. The most rigid economy, consistent with effective work, should bo observed for some time. It was the committee’s belief tha£ the minimum or standard stipends were already too low, and no reduction in those standards was recommended. It was suggested, however, that a reasonable reduction of home missionaries’ stipends be made whore more than the minimum was being paid. The report was adopted. At a sitting of the Supreme Court at Greymouth the following prisoners were sentenced by Mr Justice Adams: —Albert Amos Rouse, theft of £651 5s 7d, the property of the Grey Hospital Board, reformative detention not exceeding three years; Robert Philp, the theft of £225 5s 3d, the property of the Mokihimii Valley Medical Association, reformative detention not exceeding two years; Frederick Ward Theobald, the theft of £165 9s 6d, the property of the Stockton Colliery. Medical and Accident Relief Association, reformative detention not exceeding eighteen months. The prisoner in each case had been secretary of the organisation involved. His Honour stated that he could not close his eyes to the fact that such offences were becoming very serious. ,

A plane piloted by Mr J, N. Stephenson, with Mr J. Ewington as a passenger, made a forced landing in the mist at Kaimata, near Inglewood, yesterday afternoon. No damage was done. The plane, which came from Auckland, was to continue its journey to Hawera this morning. A heavy mist south of Raglan gave the flyers trouble. They had lunch at New Plymouth, but later found flying impossible, and landed in a rough paddock. The Presbyterian General Assembly and the Methodist Conference yesterday. exchanged complimentary visits (says a Press Association telegram from Christchurch). The Moderator, with a delegation from the General Assembly, waited on the Methodist Conference, expressing goodwill from the Presbyterian Church towards tho Methodist Church. Similar good wishes were expressed by the president of the conference, who, with a delegation of Methodist ministers, visited the General Assembly. An event of interest to lovers of old Scottish language and customs is the visit to Dunedin of the Rev. T. W. Armour, of Knox Church, Christchurch, who, before ho came to Nev Zealand, was minister of Ness Bank Church, Inverness, Scotland. Mr Armour _is to preach at Roslyn Presbyterian Church on Sunday, when the evening service is to be given an uiusual character. Lessons, prayers, and the sermon are to be in “ Braid Scots.” Many years ago services were conducted in Gaelic in Chalmers Church, but services in the broad Lovyland dia'ect are very uncommon even in Dunedin. Mr Armour’s visit will bo of sjecial interest to lovers of Robert Burns and the ‘ Cottar’s Saturday Night.’ The Port Chalmers fishermen suffered tho loss of a week’s earrings through the spell of bad weather vhich was succeeded this morinng by light winds and bright sunshine. The westher had moderated sufficiently yesterday for tho steam trawlers to put tosoa, and their catches, limited to red iod and a few soles, brought good prices on an empty market this morning. The unusually heavy sea, for this time of year, which accompanied tho bad weather spell, had stirred up the sea bottom and made the water dirty. Such onditions almost invariably follow bad .veathor on the coast, and in consequent, a few days of poor fishing aro experienced until the conditions become normal again. This morning the whole fishing fleet put to sea from Port Chalmers.

At tho joint Government caucus yesterday it is understotd that brief reference was made L tho exchange question, and this wai in answer to an inquiry as to why professor Copland had been appointed a member of the Economists Committee. Mr Forbes explained that tho ciminittec had been set up to report net only on tho exchange position, bit as well on tho general economic aid budgetary situation. It was felt, h view of the part taken by Professor Copland in a similar inquiry in Ausralia, that his experience and advici would be of value to New Zealand- or tho present occasion.—Parliamentaiy correspondent.

Port Chalmers’s main municipal problem at present is to mako i ends meet financially at tho. termination of the present term. The prospect of the ends meeting is not very promising, despite belated retrenchment measures apd the deep concern of the borough councillors. One of these, in commenting on the position to' a ‘ Star ’ reporter, said that tho problem would have _to be tackled on practical lines. An increase of the rates was out of the question. As a matter of fact the times demanded a reduction of rates and curtailed expenditure. It had also to be remembered that the vahrn of property had receded considerably since the valuation was increased all round a few years ago for rating purposes. The revenue received from water sold to shipping was now £I,OOO per annum Jess than it was five years ago. • When the express left Dunedin at 11.35 a.m. to-day there was a prospect of it running through to Cliristchurch. The break in the line at Otaio had been repaired, but the train-running officials in Dunedin were not certain that the express would not be held up at Pareora.

In looking back on the representative cricket match between Wellington and Otago there is one thing to which reference should be made, and that .is that there are few other grounds in New Zealand on which play would have been possible at all on Monday after the amount of rain that fell over the week-end. Had the weather been fine, the wicket would have been perfect, and no little credit for the fine wickets that are produced on Dunedin’s main grounds is due to Mr A. Ross, the groundsman at Carisbrook. No man in New Zealand probably could prepare a better wicket, and it is a significant fact that many of New Zealand’s best judges of the game consider Carisbrook the finest wicket in the domihion. An indication of Carisbrook’s quality is shown by the fact that although the match finished only on Tuesday afternoon and rain fell yesterday, indications point to the ground being in firstrate order for the big athletic Championship meeting that is to be held there on Saturday. One of the most useful jobs carried out under No, 5 relief scheme is the making of a playground on the Ocean Beach Domain at the back of Forbury Park. The work is being done under the supervision of the Domain Board. The men engaged are obviously taking an interest in it, and, when the depression is over, will doubtless have much satisfaction in knowing they did really useful work. The ground, towards the making of which a grant was made by the Rugby Union, will be principally used as a recreation ground for .the children of the St. Clair School. A large portion has already been laid down in grass, and the work of levelling the balance is proceeding. Water was laid on a few weeks ago to assist the growth of the young grass, the soil screened and cleaned up, and a . topdressing of ammoniated super provided. About forty men a week, working in relays, are engaged on the won:. The attendances at the Municipal Baths are keeping! up well, despite the weather that has prevailed lately. School classes for the year have been commenced, and although only three lessons have been given good progress is being made by many of the pupils. Congratulations are freely tendered to Mr J. S. Miller, of Broad Bay, on his winning' the championship in gladiolas at the Dunedin show yesterday. The honour was not easily secured. Christchurch visitors declare that the competition was keener in the gladiola classes than they expected, and Mr E. Oswald Reilly, the judge, says that ho had to examine closely before making his awards. The points in the championship were: J. S. Miller 75, James Miller (his son) 69, John Black 59. The Millers belong to Broad Bay; Mr Black’s garden is at Anderson’s Bay. The winning spikes are Red Lory, Mammoth White, Leithhouse, Sultan, Pfitzer’s Triumph, Pour la Merite, Queen Mary, and Marmora. In the competition for the John Whyte Memorial there was a great contest, Mr J. S. Miller winning with 73 ponts, and Mr John Black scoring 72J. The judge says that Mr Black’s collection for the memorial is incomparably superior to his collection for the championship, the best of the memorial lot being Irene, Mr W. H. Phipps, Lochnagar, Pearl of California, and Etruria. Our report in yesterday’s issue did not mention Miss Turner’s trade display. It was not benched when our reporter went round. Seen later, it was much admired, the wreaths, bouquets, and other devices being highly artistic. By a misprint in yesterday’s report one of the trade exhibits of gladiolas was credited to J. S. Moir and Co. The exhibitors were J. S. Miller and Co.

The unemployed registrations in the dominion for the week ended February 22 were 44,210, a decrease of 861 on the previous week.—Wellington Press Association telegram.

Save your eyes. Bo wise and consult W. V. Stumer (optician, 2 Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old age. [Advt.]

Eyesight, through which we learn 83 per cent., is the most valuable sense, and worth spending every penny on its preservation and care.—Consult S. E. Ferguson Ltd., 45 George street. —[Advt.l The gladioli trade display at the horticultural show was by J. S. Miller and Co. It was printed yesterday as Muir and Co.