Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 21381, 7 April 1933, Page 8

The postal authorities advise that the Rangitata, duo at Wellington.on Wednesday from London, has 900 bags of English mail and 250 parcel receptacles for New Zealand. The Dunedin portion should bo to hand on Thursday afternoon.

At the monthly meeting of the Mosgiel School Committee the Education Board advised that Dr W. J. Boroman had been appointed as first assistant in the secondary department, and sent for the committee’s information a circular letter re wages tax on certain payments made by the school committees. The Unemployment Board advised that the holidays at Easter lor relief workers would be Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday, and Anzac Day. The request of the Otago Methodist Young Women’s Bible Class Union in connection with the use of the school for the Easter camp _ was granted. Accounts totalling- £26 7s 6d were passed for payment. A whale 23ft long has been discovered ashore at Mason’s Bay, Stewart Island., Upon investigation it was found to be a strange tvpe. Books on the subject were consulted without result, so it was decided to send a photograph to the curator of the Christchurch Museum. In the meantime the skeleton is being preserved.

At the annual meeting of the Otago University Debating Union the secretary submitted his report of the year’s activities and successes. He stated that tho debates for tho year had been of a verv high standard, although the attendances had not been satisfactory apart from the first few meetings. Tho union had sent two of its members, "Messrs E. S. Tuckwell and J. C. Mowat, to Wellington to participate in the Blqclisloe Medal contest, and later to Auckland to represent the University at the annual Joynt Scroll debate. Although those two debaters had failed to capture the trophies, they had acquitted themselves very creditably indeed. The secretary made special mention of the University’s representation at the Dunedin Competitions, every placing going to University men. Tho election of office-bearers resulted Patron, Sir Thomas Sidcy; president. Air E. S. Tuckwell, jun.; vice-presi-dents —Dr Elder, Dr Fisher, Professor Ramsay, Messrs J. B. Chilian, J. M. Paterson, and C. Gilray; secretary, Mr R. E. Guthrie: committee —Messrs J. C. Mowat, L. B. Stevenson, W. Race, G. FI a veil, and J. Kemnitz. A meeting is to be held this evening, by courtesy of the mayor, in the Council Chamber, to discuss the formation of a Dunedin branch of the British Music Society (New Zealand section). The British Music Society exists to stimulate the love and knowledge of music, and to further the cause of music in all its aspects, national, imperial, and international. Membership is not restricted to professional and amateur musicians—anyone who loves good music is qualified to become a member of the society. The mayor has kindly consented to preside at the meeting—a statement of the aims and purposes of the society will be read by the bon. organiser (Miss Ida G. White), and the speakers will be Sir Thomas Sidoy. Dr■ V. E. Galway, Mr John Leech (president Music Teachers’ Association), and Mr T, Vernon Griffiths (editor ‘ Music in New Zealand ’). and others.

On Wednesday night Mr John Brownlee, the distinguished Australian baritone, paid a visit at Ins own request to the practice of tho Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Choir and was warmly welcomed. Mr Brownlee paid a tribute to tho tone and balance of tho choir and said he had heard nothing better in New Zealand or Australia. He also paid a tribute to the excellent spirit of comradeship which was in evidence. Mr P. R. Anderson, chairman of the choir, returned thanks on behalf of members to Mr Brownlee for his kindly visit and interest.

“ Are there any moratorium cases? ” asked His Honour Mr Justice Blair at the opening of tho Nelson session of the Supremo Court, when the list of cases was being arranged. The registrar replied that possibly there would be one. “ Nelson is one of the places where I am singularly free from moratorium, cases,” said His Honour. “It is most remarkable, and quite different from other places. In other places the great bulk of cases are moratorium applications.” Preliminary arrangements for the tariff inquiry in accordance with the Ottawa Agreement are practically complete, and it is likely that the first sitting will he held in the next few weeks, despite tho fact that the British manufacturers will not ho ready until June. Meantime attention will be paid to domestic problems and no decisions will be reached until the British manufacturers have had an opportunity of stating their case.—Wellington Press Association.

Two largo vessels are to make Port Chalmers their final port of loading next week. The. motor ships Opawa and Port Dunedin "are to arrive to-mor'-row, and after loading general cargo and fruit and wool, are to sail on Wednesday evening for London via Cape Horn’ and Dakar. As both vessels aro taking the same route, it will be interesting to watch which one arrives at her destination first.

Serious damage was done to a twostory wooden dwelling at 39 Duncan street early this morning when sparks from the sitting room grate set alight to tho building. Mrs E. Smith, the only occupant of tho house at the time, was wakened by a dog barking, and just managed to escape before tho ceiling over the stairs collapsed. Tho brigade was called at 1.13, and upon arrival it was found that the premises were burning from end to end. Tho building was owned by Sir M'Dongall, and was insured in tho Standard Office for £7OO. The contents were covered in the North British Insurance for £250. At 0.513 and at 1.37 the machines were called to Messrs J. Rattray and Son’s premises by automatic false alarms.

Several requests have been made in recent months to Mr W. J. Bardsley that ho accept nomimition for a city seat on the Harbour Board. For nineteen years ho was secretary of the hoard, and his services .would undoubtedly have been valuable, particularly ou financial matters. However, Mr Bardsloy will not be a candidate at the forthcoming election. “ I hope to give service to my city at some further time,” said Mr Bnrdsley, when ho replied to a ‘ Star ’ reporter’s inquiries. Mr Bardsloy has leased' his home at St. Leonards for a year, and. for family reason-;, will sucud the winter cither at X;'so;i or New Plymouth.

Motorists’ Petrol Co. how am I going to fare if the Anglo-Soviet trade agreement terminates on April 17?” asks “ Europa,” in a letter to the editor. Another ship with petrol From Russia is already on its way to New Zealand, and, at tho present time, I supplies to last Otago for many weeks are stored in the bulk installation on the Dunedin waterfront. If Russian supplies are blocked tho company will probably obtain its petrol from Rumania

A scheme devised by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce for carrying on farms jointly by stock ami station agents, mortgagees, and farmers themselves has now been in operation for two years, and continues to meet the need for which it was created, according to a report presented to )the Canterbury chamber. The schenip, stated the report, was recognised as a basis not only by the adjustment of, commissions, but by individual leudeis, mortgagees. farmers, and others interested throughout the dominion. —Christchurch Press Association. j A bright interlude was prodded in the university cricket match yjsterday when a box of matches exploded in an Otago player’s pocket. The visitor was fielding in the slips, and sat doim witli a bump in stopping a hard ball. [Almost simultaneously wreaths of smoke spread round him, to tho amazement of tho spectators. He quickly discovers] what was wrong, and hurled the in tchbox away and ruefully surveyed his barred pocket.—Christchurch Press ..ssociation. The Port Chalmers Band tuned out last night and played for tho Sea Scouts and Cubs, on whose behalf a v ry entertaining concert was given n the "Town Hall. The Scouts and Cbs led in singing the National Anther. Mr L. tf. Jack played tho accompan nonts.

Save your eyes. Be wise and conult W V. Stunner (optician, 2 Octagon! thus conserving good vision for old age.— Advt.l Tennis enthusiasts will have an oportunily of seeing Mr (J. K. Malfroy, tb wellknown international tennis player, exhibition matches with loading Otago flavors at the Logan Park courts to-morro - , at 2 p.m. The matches will consist of ingles, doubles, and combines. Some very i foresting tennis should bo witnessed, a d the public will no doubt be pleased to 1 ive an opportunity of seeing this well-known player in action. There is rmioimccd in (his issue a reduction of Gs per ton; in the price of hintcu

WATER SHORTAGE CASES BEFORE COURT HBMINAL PENALTIES INFLICTED In the Police Court this morning, the water shortage with which Dunedin is at present confronted, gave rise to a number of charges against several defendants, during the hearing of which allegations were made by Mr B. S. Irwin, counsel for one of the defendants, that “ it was notorious that the council would sell water providing it were paid for.” Mr Irwin also said he had information that on one occasion 92,OUO gallons had been supplied by the corporation at a price of’ £4 10s. The court adjourned to enable evidence to be called by the corporation in regard to this matter, but when the hearing was resumed Mr A. N. Haggitt, who prosecuted on behalf of the City Corporation in each of the cases, said that he had been in touch with the town clerk, who said that he did not desire heavy penalties, as the cases were in the nature of warnings. James Martin Samson, who was represented by Air Irwin, pleaded not guilty to a charge of using the ordinary water supply for other than strictly domestic purposes, and His Worship upheld counsel’s submission that it had not been proved that the defendant used the city supply, tho charge being dismissed. The other charges, in which convictions were recorded, were as follow: Bertha Gleudining (Mr G. M. Lloyd) and Arthur Corrie Miles (Mr A Jeavons), each charged with using ordinary water for other than strictly domestic purposes;, James Neville Murdoch and Stewart Dalrymple MacPherson, each charged with using the ordinary water supply for other than strictly domestic purposes, and with using water through a hose without a person being in charge of such hose. The defendants. Glendining. Miles, and Murdoch eaeh pleaded guilty, and Mr Haggitt stated that MacPherson, who did not appear, had advised that he was pleading guilty. CHARGE DISMISSED. Mr Haggitt said that in Samson's case the alleged offence took place on March 12, at about 7.15 p.m. One of the inspectors went to the defendant’s house on receipt of a telephone message from someone, saying that a hose was being used. The inspector found the hose connected to the city supply. The following evening another message was received, and the hose was found connected to a tank, but not with the city supply. John George Brooks, a water inspector in tho employ of the corporation, said that, on instructions, he went to Samson’s house. He found Samson hosing the lawn with water from the city supply. The water was coming from a hose tap near the front of the building. Defendant was getting about a loft spray fi'om the nozzle'-of the hose. Samson said he was not aware that the restrictions were still on, and shut the water off right away. To Mr Irwin, witness said that defendant could not have a storage high enough in his own supply to get tho pressure he was getting. Mr Irwin submitted that there was no case to answer. The inspector came along and said that he practically guessed that Samson was using the city water. That was tho only thing that the prosecution had to prove, and it was the only thing it had failed to prove. Samson might have misled tho inspector, but that was .carried a little further the next night, and defendant “ pulled his leg ” a little. “ The corporation makes a song about the shortage of water,” said Mr Irwin, “ but it is notorious that the council will sell water providing it is paid for.” He said that in St. Kilda, by paying 10s under a contract, a person could uSe a hose. Other summonses had been issued against people, who had complained bitterly and their summonses had been withdrawn.

The magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.) said that he was informed one summons had been issued.

Mr Haggitt: One was withdrawn by leave of the court, the corporation deeming the explanation satisfactory. After reviewing the evidence, tho Magistrate dismissed the charge against Samson.

NOMINAL PENALTIES IMPOSED

In respect to the charge against Miles, Mr Haggitt said that on March 18 one of the watermen of the City Corporation found the hose being used, and it was connected with the city supply. It was being played on to a vegetable garden. “ My remarks are common to all the prosecutions,” said Mr Haggitt. Under the by-laws no one was authorised to use a hose at all. It was a privilege granted in normal times, and when tho dry weather came along that privilege was frequently abused. Notices were inserted in the newspapers asking the citizens to co-operate in tho restrictions on the use of water.

“ At the very best,” said Mr Haggitt, “ if people used the hose on the low levels it might lead to disaster if a fire occurred on tho high levels.”

Mr Jeavons said that the offence with which his client was charged occurred while tho defendant and his wife were away from home. Defendant’s father-in-law, who came from Southland, noticed the parched state of tho ground and turned on tho hose. In view of the circumstances counsel asked that the matter be treated as trivial; The defendant Murdoch said that he did not have the hose in full use. There was just a trickle coming off the grass. Ho thought that by the way the water was being used for bowling greens tho restrictions could not be so serious. The Magistrate asked if it were correct that the corporation, in face of the alleged shortage, was disposing of water to bowling greens.

Mr Haggitt said ho had no instructions on the matter, but ho did not believe it was correct. Ho believed that water had been supplied to one bowling greon on one occasion. Mr Lloyd said that the cricket pitches were all watered with hoses.

Mr Irwin said that the information he got came froip the Fire Brigade. It was that on one occasion 92,000 gallons had been supplied at a price of £i 10s. The Magistrate said that if water wore being sold by the corporation for purposes which were no more useful, and possibly less useful, than those for the purposes under review, then those wore facts that should ho iakbn into consideration by the court.

The court adjourned to enable evidence ‘to he called by the corporation on this matter, but,' on resuming, Mr Haggitt said he had been in touch with tljo town clerk, who said that he did not desire heavy penalties' in the cases before the court. They were in thw nature of warnings, and- it was desired that the court should treat them as such. Counsel added that letters had been sent to the outlying boroughs asking that the supply he conserved as much as possible, and replies had been received that the boroughs would do all in their power in the'matter. - The Magistrate said that when there

was a water shortage it was necessary that steps should be taken to conserve the supply. It was felt by certain members of tlie public that the corporation bad not been so careful as it might have been in restricting the use of water hy others than users of garden hoses. The matter was before the corporation, and it was not for the court to make any suggestion or statement about it. It was stated that the. cases had been brought in the nature of a warning, and he would so treat them. Each of the defendants would be convicted.

Mr Lloyd said that with regard to the defendant Glendining, the water was used only for hosing a car. The defendants Glendining and Miles were each fined the amount of solicitor’s foe (10s 6d). Murdoch was convicted without penalty on the charge of using water for Other than domestic purposes, and on the charge of using water through a hose was fined the amount of solicitor’s fee (10s Cd). Macphcrson was also convicted on the one charge without penalty, and fined the amount of solicitor's fee (10s (hi) on the other