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Evening Star, Issue 21723, 18 May 1934, Page 6

“ The idea has my blessing, but as I don’t have to find the money you had better refer it to Mr Coates,” said the Minister of Education (Mr Masters) when a deputation which waited upon him last evening urged that the Government be asked to supply milk to the schools “ for the dual purpose of assisting the dairy industry. and of keeping the health of the children.” The Ministei said that the salvation of the dairy farmer lay not iu increased consumption, but in improved prices.

Dozens of applications from many parts of New Zealand, ranging from North Capo to Bluff, have been received by Mr D. B. M‘Vicar, of Princes street, Newtown, Wellington, for inclusion in the expedition ne may make to Cocos Island to recover the famous Lima Hoard of £12,000,000 in gold, to which he claims to have the clue. Some offer money, others state that wages are a secondary consideration—all want a chance to join in the great adventure. The lure of untold wealth in the hoardings of pirate gold in the little Island of Cocos lias caught the imagination of many people in New Zealand. Mi’ M‘Vicar has replied stating that the position is that a syndicate will have to be formed and finance raised to equip the expedition before any definite move can be made.—Wellington. Press (Association,

The Bluff oyster cutters had to keep in port for two or three days this week, the seas being too rough for their work, but they ventured out this .morning, though the prospect was not promising, the men being anxious to keep the market supplied. The monthly meeting of the Caversham School Committee was held on Monday evening, the following being present:—Messrs C. L. Sherlock (chair), E. J. Allen, E. Bczett, E. Drake, A. Hollows, W. inghs, 11. H. Milne, A. Pemberton, and G. Stirling. The head master’s report showed a-roll total of 675; average attendance 630. it was decided to organise euchre tournaments during the winter mouths. Tenders for fuel supplies were accepted, and it was reported that facilities lor efficient heating at the old school had been authorised by the Education Board. The questions of prize-giving and home lessons were discussed, the former being adjourned, and the latter referred to the School Committees’ Association. The new members of the committee took the opportunity of' inspecting the rooms at the old school site.

At May 15 the membership of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association was 1,122, which is greater than it was at this time last year. At March 31, the end of the last financial year, the membership was 2,242, and for as many as 1,122 to be financial so early in the new year is a record which many other clubs and associations would like to claim.

The Hermitage, Mount Cook, advises that a heavy fall of snow occurred at the Ball Hut yesterday, and excellent conditions prevail for ski-ing. The girls’ college championships were held to-day.

A trading profit for the year ending March 31, of £6,132 was made by the Wellington City Corporation milk department.—Press Association.

The postal authorities advise that the Wainui left Melbourne on Wednesday for Bluff with sixteen bags of Australian mail and two parcel receptacles for Dunedin. The mail is due at the local office on Monday evening. The Bledisloe Landscape Medal, founded by Lord Bledisloe in 1931 for the best painting of natural uncultivated New Zealand scenery shown in the annual exhibition of the Auckland Society of Arts, has been awarded this year to Dr J. Campbell Duncan, of Rotorua, for an oil painting entitled ‘ The Mamaku Valley. 1 Lady Bledisloe has purchased the picture. The Otago Art Society’s bulletin reminds members that the only previous award was made two years ago to Mr Archibald F. Nicol!,' of Christchurch, for a picture entitled ‘ Ashley Downs.’ Last year the council of the society decided that no work in the exhibition was of sufficient merit.

According to a report from executive officers, submitted to last night’s meeting of the Otago Harbour Board, no elaborate arrangements are being made to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary .of the first meeting of the board, which falls on July 6 next. The report read: “ In view.or the present financial position and the reductions in salaries and wages at present operating, we feel that no such similar expense is warranted as on the occasion of the jubilee celebrations in 1924. For the purposes of record, however, it appears desirable that the tabulated material appearing in the jubilee brochure should be brought up to date in a permanent form, without illustrations, and added as a leaflet to the existing brochure in the most economical manner. The report was received. The Poppy Day total for Otago has reached £1,990 15s 9d, the latest return to be received being £6 9s from the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union at Momona. There are three or four returns still to bo received, and it is confidently anticipated that they will bring the total to over £2,000. The registrations of unemployed in the Palmerston North Centre at present are 177 less than a year ago, being 1,128. From April 1 to May 20 last year the figures increased from 1,236 to 1,305 owing to seasonal conditions, but in the same period this year the increase was only from 1,093 to 1,128. — Press Association.

The Otago Art Society is maintaining the activity it displayed when resuscitated. Preparations for the winter sketch exhibition’are well in hand, and a fourth students’ competition is to take the form of a prize for the best example of etching, dry printing, wood or lino, block printing, or lithography; and as a sign that our art work in Otago is valued we have tbe fact that sixteen of the pictures sent from this part of the dominion have been hung in the Auckland exhibition.

Although heavy snow lias fallen in Central Otago the running of the trains in that district is not interrupted nor delayed. At noon to-day the officials reported everything as usual in the whole of the Dunedin district.

A correspondent writes correcting a statement that tho president of the Waikouaiti Racing Club was licensee of the Great Northern Hotel. It was his brother, Mr Joseph Toomey, who was licensee when the hotel was closed. Two outbreaks of fire necessitated the attention of the City Brigade last night. The first call was received early in the evening to Jackson’s Private Hotel where a defective hearth caused an outbreak which was quickly extinguished. Only slight damage was done to the flooring. The brigade was again summoned at 11.13 to a building owned by Messrs J. and W. Faulkner, Ltd., and occupied by M’Cluskey’s Skewer Company. The blaze was quickly brought under control, and little damage resulted. The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained. Three applications from sons of deceased or returned soldiers have been accepted by the provincial Flock House Committee, and these lads will leave at an early date to commence their course of farm training near Bulls, North Island. The committee has about sis more applications in view.