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Evening Star, Issue 21709, 2 May 1934, Page 8

A warning that the huge pine trees at Winton were being “ doctored ” was received at a recent meeting of the Winton Borough Council. The trees are almost in the centre of the town on the Great North road, and frequent requests in the past for their removal have provoked a controversy. Numerous applications have been before past councils for the removal of these trees (states the ‘ Mataura Ensign ’), and petitioners have even gone as far as to threaten the council with legal action. An inspection of the trees was carried out, and it was found that a pinus 'insignia and a gum tree had been interfered with. Both had been deeply bored and the holes filled with an amesthetic of some description and then plugged. The matter has been placed in the hands of the police. “This topic irresistibly reminds us of the story of the goldfish which, by dint of a steady reduction of water in its glass bowl, was eventually persuaded to exist happily without water,” states the annual report of the Hataitai School Committee in regard to the financial aspect of the year’s operations. “ Whilst we have not reached this extraordinary state of affairs,” con-: tinues the report, “it is obvious (at least to us) that the irreducible minimum has been attained. ’ The report does not mention the sequel to the goldfish story,-which was that the fish, when being taken for a walk one day, slipped through a hole in a foot bridge into a creek, and was drowned (states the Taranaki ‘Herald’). The bread war in Taranaki ended yesterday when an agreement raised the price of the 41b loaf to Is over the counter and Is Id delivered. Ihe agreement (states a Press Association message from New Plymouth) extends as far as Palmerston North. Recently the same bread had been selling in Taranaki at as low as bid. An agreement was made some time ago, but broke down owing to the operations of "rocorv firms which had contracts with bakers' that could not be cancelled.

“Is anyone allowed to live on this earth after they have passed sixty-five years of age?” was a question solemnly asked of Mr H. Atraore by a member of his audience at Blenheim. “ It would he pretty difficult to do so under the present conditions,” was the answer. “ I suppose you are referring to the old age pension system,” Mr Atmore was proceeding, when his questioner interrupted: “T don’t want to know anything about the old age pensions,” he declared. “ What I want to know is: Arc we allowed to live after we’re past sixty-five?” (Laughter.) Interviewed regarding tho suggestion that tho Walla Walla-Harold Logan match should bo run later in the afternoon than 1.20 on Saturday, Mr B. S. Irwin, president of the Forbury Park Trotting Club, explains that he has asked the mayor to request business places to close,at noon that day. In fixing the time at 1.20 the committee of the Forbury Park Trotting Club had in mind that there are other attractions in the city on Saturday afternoon, and so that devotees of Rugby, Soccer, hockey, etc., can see the match and then take part in their usual pastimes this early hour for the match was fixed. Bishop L. S. Kempthornc visited St. Hilda’s College this morning and, in an informal address, told the pupils of the activities of the church throughout his vast diocese of Polynesia. He said that communication had been established with all the islands in this huge tract extending east of Melanesia and the people were worshipping regularly and being taught and trained in Christian principles. Bishop Kemp-, thorne described the progress that was being effected in an educational way, and his remarks were followed with interest by the pupils and parents present. He was warmly cheered by the girls, who contributed to a collection to be forwarded to one of the church’s schools in Samoa. Further to the paragraph in last evening's. ‘ Star ’ in connection with tho supply of blankets to unemployed men going to camps, the Mayor (Rev. E T. Cox) said this morning that two of these articles arc given free to every man, irrespective of whether he hires a tent for his wife or not. As the result of a visit by two constables in evening dress to a wellknown night club on a recent Saturday evening the proprietor will probably appear in court to-morrow charged on two counts allegedly keeping the place open on Sunday for the purpose of transacting business and also as the proprietor of a restaurant with allegedly permitting liquor to be drunk on the premises at a time when licensed premises arc required to bp closed.—Christchuicli Press Association. Passengers on a south-bound car about 5 o’clock last evening were somewhat startled when the brakes were suddenly applied as tho tram was passing the Oval. Strap-hangers were thrown heavily forward, and many eyes instinctively turned to the front of tho car to learn the cause of the abrupt stop. The passengers’ feelings were relieved, however, when they saw a man alight and run back a few yards to retrieve a case that had fallen from the motorman’s compartment. Tho substantial increases in the Customs and beer. duty figures for the month of April, compared with the returns for tho corresponding period last year, as shown in last night’s ‘ Star, were accounted for by a Customs authority when questioned. During the month this year several London ships orought big cargoes for Dunedin, thus swelling the Customs duty, while the increase in the beer duty figures was due to there being five Mondays in the month. Mondly is tho day on which tho duty is paid each week. A large shipment of newsprint paper in reels has just been landed at the wharf by the s.s. Antonia from Liverpool, Nova Scotia. These reels, being extremely heavy, are very liable to damage, "and in the case of ships carrying mixed cargo claims for spoilage are frequent. In this case the mill’s representative travelled with the steamer and superintended the discharge. The usual method of using dog hooks and hand trucks 'was not permitted, and the reels were carefully lifted from the hold and rolled across the wharf, which was planked for the purpose, into the shed. Watersiders and carters seemed to take a special interest in the shipment, 'and we are indebted to all concerned for tho excellent condition in which tho paper was delivered into our store.

A Press Association message from Wellington states that Lauri Aatos Gronlund, the 23-year-old apprentice qn the Finnish barque Favell, who was transhipped in mid-ooean from the barque to the liner Mouowai during the latter vessel’s trip from Sydney to Wellington, and who, on his arrival here, was taken to hospital and operated on for appendicitis, is reported to be making satisfactory progress. Although yesterday was a fine day it did not suit the men who went short distances from Dunedin for the opening of the shooting season. Fog in the morning made the visibility uncertain, and when the sun broke through the birds were flying too high. Better results may have been obtained further back. This morning again a mist was hanging about the valleys of this district. The Ist of May is one of the four days in the year that bring extra wox-k to the Post Office tellers by reason of the unemployed tax and levy payments. In Dunedin, and no doubt in other cities, there are many payers who like to settle promptly, to get the responsibility off their minds. So it was yesterday. The special business was not of greater bulk than usual on these quarterly occasions, but it was not below the average, and the tellers were keps very busy. The officials do nob compla in. They would sooner see a mild rush in the early days of the month than be overpressed towards the finish. Payers would also profit by attending to this duty without delay, since they can thus ensure prompt attention and avoid the. waiting that is inevitable when a crowd has to be dealt with. At a representative meeting of South Taranaki farmers held at Eltham last night it was unanimously decided to telegraph the Prime Minister emphatically protesting against his action in refusing to definitely include in the order of reference of the Royal Commission on the dairv industry the report on farm finance, with particular reference to land and stock mortgages, as advocated by Mr C. A. Wilkinson, M.P. The meeting also resolved to urge the sitting of the commission in Taranaki. —Press Association. The desirability of giving the hobby calf and pig export industries direct representation on the Meat Producers Board was discussed at a meeting or the dominion executive of the Farmers Union.' Following a reply by the Minister of Agriculture that it would bo very difficult to accede to the request, the meeting decided that the matter was one that should be decided by the annual conference. The general secretary (Colonel Row) was absent from the meeting owing to illness, and- a motion appreciative of his work was passed.—Wellington Press Association. '

Ifc was reported last night that Cr N. D. Anderson of the St. Kilda Borough Council had condemned the St. Kilda Band’s request for a grant. What ho said was that it had been suggested that the band was asking too much from St. Kilda, and residents were doubtful if the money could be raised. He thought that it could. It is understood that arrangements are being made for the Chief Justice to hold a special fixture—the first of a series throughout the Supreme Court circuit —at Palmerston North shortly exclusively for the purpose, of hearing applications under the Mortgagors’ Relief Act. The Mortgagors’ Relief Commission has over 300 applications in hand which have not yet been dealt with by the commission, although a fair proportion of these will probably be settled privately between the parties.—Press Association. Save your eyes. Be wise and consult W. V. Sturmer (optician, 2 Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old age.—f Advt. I Tho Railway Department advertises in this issue particulars of a special cheap day excursion, Dunedin to Invercargill, on Sunday, May 6. The intention is to make the excursion as attractive as possible by putting on fast special trains and exceptionally cheap fares; also reserving scats for both journeys for Is. The chief postmaster, Invercargill, will receive up to June 30 next, tenders for the conveyance ‘of mails, freight, and passengers between Bluff and Half Moon Bay, Stewart Island, for a period of three years from January 1, 1935. Particulars arc advertised in (his issue.