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Evening Star, Issue 21819, 7 September 1934, Page 6

The first “ straw ballot ” to he organised in New Zealand is being conducted by ‘ National Opinion,’ the organ of the New Zealand Legion. A “ straw ballot ” is the well-known American device to attempt to forecast the result of an election. Experience has suggested that if in 2 per cent, of the population of the United States one-third favour one party and twothirds the other, then it is almost mathematically certain that when the same issue is put to the other 98 per cent, of the community they, too, will vote in the same proportion.

It is stated in a Press Association telegram front Invercargill that the Southland County Council has increased by 5 per cent, the salaries and wages of all its employees. The council’s staff had suffered two 10 per cent. cuts. Four resolutions;, each criticising some phase of the Government's administration, with particular emphasis on' the extension of its term of office, were adopted (says a' Press Association telegram) at a large public meeting in the Wellington Town .Hall last night. The speakers, all of whom were members of Parliament, were Mr H. M. Rushworth, Mr A. J. Stalhvorthy, Mr R. M'Keen, and Mr H. Atmore, A resolution was carried asking the Government to resign in November and go to the country, and, in the event of refusal, calling on the Governor-General to dissolve Parliament upon that date. Hearing of the dispute between the employers and the Otago Operative Plasterers’ Union was continued before the Conciliation Council yesterday afternoon, the commissioner (Mr S. Ritchie) presiding. The assessors for the union offered to accept 2s lid, 2s O’.d, and Is 9Jcl respectively for journeymen's wages, and also made an offer regarding payment for overtime and suburban work. The hearing was adjourned until September 19 to enable tile employers to consider the offer. The annual conference of tlvo New Zealand branch of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons was continued this morning, delegates being occupied for the most part with demonstrations at. the Public Hospital. Yesterday afternoon there was a full discussion on fractures of the ankle joint, after which demonstrations in anatomy and in cancer research were given by Professor Gowland and Dr A. M. Begg respectively. In the eyening a dinner was held in the Fernhill Club, many visiting fellows and local members- of the college being present. Probably not many boys in Otago utilised their term holidays to such pecuniary advantage as did two Cromwell lads from the Cromwell District High School during the past vacation. Martin M'Calc and Leslie Betts daily climbed well tip the Cairnmuir Mountain, at the back of Bannockburn, and as a result of prospecting work secured between them a little over half an ounce of gold. M'Cale’s father is a miner employed at Cornish Point mine, while Mr D. C. Betts, young Leslie’s father, has for many years been one of the most enthusiastic members of many local gold-mining syndicates. The mild weather experienced lately and the great improvement in thc_ temperature of the water at the Municipal Tepid Baths have led to large attendances since the pool reopened last Monday. The condition and pleasantly warm temperature of the water have been very favourably commented upon by swimmers, and this should also lead to a big increase in the number of learners attending at the baths. It is pointed out as a fact that in. years gone by New Zealand used to import about nine million feet of timber annually Horn Canada, and that the supply from that Empire source is now not much more than two million feet, the cause of that reduction being attributed to the working of the tarriff, since Japanese timber (largely used for furniture making) is called on to pay about ‘ one-third less duty. The Canadian wood is mostly Oregon, cedar, and hemlock. The wood that comes from Japan is sawn into boards. The South Australian oranges and mandarins that arrived on Tuesday were in good order and are now out of wholesalers’ hands. Mandarins were particularly short of requirements and very high prices were paid. Samoan and Niue bananas by the Maui Pomare, also came to hand on Tuesday. This fruit, being in perfect condition, met eager demand. Heavy consignments of pines during the week made the values very reasonable. Plentiful consignments of apples and pears are still coming, and values are low. , The demand is only for first grade fruit. Further supplies of Californian grapefruit, lemons, and oranges are due next week, and should meet a good inquiry.

Probate has been granted by Mr Justice Kennedy of the wills in the following deceased estates: —Charles William Gibbs, fish merchant; John Adam Doull, grain broker; William Alexander M'Lean i(Patearoa). miner; Jane Waugh, widow; William Collie, bootmaker. Letters of administration have been granted in the estate of James Doig (Arrowtown), labourer. \ln replying to a vote of thanks, Mr P. J. O’Regan raised a laugh at the meeting of Anderson’s Bay ratepayers in the Cameron Hall last night. “ The mayor,” he said, “ is a Methodist minister, Cr Silverstone is one of the chosen people, and I am one of the Pope’s brigade. - Such a combination of advocates for unimproved value rating should prove invincible on polling day.” There was a general hold-up of the trams at the foot of Maitland street about 8.30 this morning, when a Forbury Park car jumped the points, blocking the south, townward, and Caversham lines. The tram was soon put back on the line, and all cars resumed running in about ten minutes’ time. Some of the passengers proceeding to town walked the remainder of the distance, but those coming in from Caversham had the longest tramp, having to leave their car at tho Glen road, where it was forced to remain until the out-bound tram, which was stopped at Maitland street, had passed over the single line on the hill. For some time now both the Otago and Southland Expansion Leagues have been working for the completion of the construction of the South Island Main Trunk railway, but neither is to be represented. at the conference in Christchurch next Wednesday. However, the Otago League is prepared to support any move made at the conference to bring about the desired end. Convicted ten years ago on a charge of murder, and sentenced to life imprisonment, a man was recently released from an Australian prison. He was released because of exemplary conduct, and the fact that he was aged only twenty-three when sentenced. While in gaol the prisoner took a correspondence course, proving a brilliant student, and gaining honours in four subjects. Fishermen on the Otago coast are having a lean time this week. The misty weather is not favourable for their work, neither is tho prevalent north-east breeze, and the groper, with some other kinds of fish, are spawning —hence the limited supplies on the market. Whitebait, too, is not coming to Dunedin in the quantity required, the reason in that case being that the Southland streams are flooded by tho melting snow. As some compensation for the inadequacies, the Fovcaux Strait oysters are particularly plentiful, and of excellent quality, the season for them being as good as any that are remembered. In the Dunedin Art Gallery is hung a picture that will keep tho name of the late Mr Matthew Stuart Holmes in remembrance, _ being presented by him from his private collection. Its title is * ‘ Contrast!,’ and the painter was C, Vernog

Apart from to-day’s collection of £ls Is Bd, the community singing has raised to date £2OO towards the mayor s relief fund, which compares favourably with the amount realised last winter. However, it is the desire of the authorities to be able to hand over £3OO, and at to-day’s session at the Strand Theatre, which was absolutely crowded out for the occasion, Mr H. P. Desmoulins, the leader, made a special appeal to radio listeners to show their appreciation by donations, no matter how small. Chief among to-day’s attractions was the presence of the Wellington representative footballers, who assisted to make the sing a particularly enjoyable one. They were given a rousing reception. for which they returned hearty thanks. Mr Arthur Macdonald presented a quota of his enjoyable songs, a request for them having been received from the Public Hospital. Eauallv appreciated were the trombone selections played by Mr Eric Williams, present dominion champion, whilst the piano accompaniments of Mr Alt x ettitt for the solos as well as the singing were, as always, played m the brightest style. It was announced that an Oamaru listener had presented the authorities with a ticket for an aeroplane flight over the city, valued at £l, and up to the conclusion of the sing the highest otter that had been made was £1 2s 6d.

Motorists at Port Chalmers are evidently a little lax in regard to leaving cars unlighted in the streets at night. The law makes allowance tor street lights providing sufficient lighting to assure safety, but in two cases heard in court this morning the defendants could not claim exemption on that score. Their cars had been found unlighted after the street lights were turned oil about midnight. The defendants were W. R. G. Bain ,and A. L. S. Cassie. Bain’s car had been left unlighted in Wickliffe terrace, and Cassie’s in Grey street, the street being narrow in both instances. Bain, said his car was pulled well out of the way ot traffic; Cassie pointed out that his car was rarely out of its garage at night. Defendants were convicted, and each fined 5s and costs (10s). Mr J. R. Bartholomew was on the bench. In an undefended case the Home Supply Co. Ltd. obtained judgment against H I. Glengarry for £7 15s, with costs (-.-s). ° It is one thing, pie in right hand and cigarette in left, to savour alternately the pastry and the Lady Nicotine delicacy; but rather destructive of both appetites to find tho cigarette butt in the meat. , That was a local luncher’s experience to-day. The postal authorities advise that the mails which left Wellington on August G per the Maungamn via San Francisco, reached London on September 5. Buyers of table potatoes in Dunedin are asking only for .sorts of good quality recently picked over, and prices have further declined. On the other hand, there is a steady demand for seed potatoes ot the required breeds. Some very choice lines of brown onions from Canterbury are selling freely at satisfactory prices. Growers of the neighbouring provinces are also tindin<r ready sale for lettuce of a superior sort. Don’t delay with eye troubles. To give complete satisfaction is the Ideal of W. V. Sturmer, Optician, 2 Octagon, Duncd'in.—[ Advt.f A public meeting will be held in the State Theatre on Sunday evening, at 8, when Cr M. Silverstone will be the speaker, taking as his subject: ‘ Should the City Council Grant Permits for Sunday Night Concerts and Community Recitals?’ The usual collection will be taken.