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Evening Star, Issue 22083, 17 July 1935, Page 6

Several members of the crew of the Pakeha failed to report for duty when the vessel was ready to put to sea at 5 p.m. yesterday. Some drifted back, but at 8 o’clock there were still one or two who could not be found, and the vessel’s sailing was postponed till this morning, when she got away at 7 o’clock to continue loading at Lyttelton, Bluff, New Plymouth, and Auckland.—Wellington' Press Association. The story in last night’s ‘ Star ’ about a duel in Auckland leads to the revival of other stories on the same subject. Charles Mathews, the famous English comedian, who touched at New Zealand during his tour at the end of the ’sixties, used to tell one. A Frenchman and an Englishman quarrelled in Paris and the inevitable duel was arranged to be with pistols in a darkened room, the doors locked, nobody inside but the combatants. The crowd in the corridor waited awhile for, the firing. The duellists were in no hurry to begin. Each realised that to fight in the dark would court a miss and expose himself. So they moved about warily till the Englishman struck an idea to avoid a ridiculous denouement. lie would fire up the chimney, thus making the necessary noise, and practically inviting the crowd to burst in and end the business. He promptly acted on the thought, and brought down the Frenchman. Mathews used to add: “When I tell the tale in Paris it was the Frenchman who did the firing.” The cold weather lately in Dunedin has enlivened the coal trade, but not to an uncommon volume for this time of the year. If an unusual demand from consumers did arise it could be promptly satisfied, for the Dunedin wholesalers can and do draw from 13 mines apart from the pits in the Green Island district. It is questionable whether any other city in New Zealand has so many sources of supply. In connection with_ the reported drowning at the Okarito Lagoon on March 10 of William James Hayward, in spite of diligent search no trace of the body has been discovered. The coroner reported the facts to the At-torney-General, who referred the matter to the Solicitor-General, who has dispensed with the necessity of the coroner viewing the body, and has, directed that an inquest be held. This will shortly take place at.Okarito. —Hokitika Press Association.

“ There are more stray dogs about Dunedin at present than there have ever been, and something must be done to deal with the nuisance,” a member of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals stated at yesterday’s meeting. ■ It was explained that while cases concerning wandering dogs had been dealt with, # it was not the duty of the society’s inspector to do this. Much of the trouble could bo attributed to the fact that the corporation ranger’s residence had been disconnected from the_ telephone ex change, and it. was decided to ask the council to consider having this service restored in the interests of all concerned. At moonrise yesterday evening a bank of clouds obscured the southeastern sky, therefore nobody in Dunedin saw the total eclipse, for by the time the orb rose above the clouds the shadow had begun to pass upwards. From that stage, however, the spectacle was undimmed and interesting. In the earlier moments the glimpses were but fleeting between the cloud strata. “ Lindis Pass ” forwards £2, for the Toe H appeal to provide wireless for camps.

The gates at the Kawarau Dam on Lake Wakatipu were closed under a permit from the Public Works Department on Sunday evening. It is understood that the closing is to some extent for the benefit of overseas visitors, but that the company’s engineer, Mr Vickerman, will visit Cromwell, make certain observations, and carry out further investigations. Before the closing the river had been at a very low level, but on Sunday evening the spell of hard frosts which had been experienced for the past week or two, broke, and heavy rain fell in Cromwell. The dirty appearance of the river on Monday morning would suggest that the ram had been general, but the river has fallen considerably, and with the indications for frost it will probably continue to do so. So far it is not down to the level obtained three years ago, but despite this fact several parties have been seen at work on the banks of the river prospecting for gold. The milk supply being now a subject in.the minds of the community as a body, it may be of interest to publish something about the cattle that are drawn upon. Years ago the Ayrshire was the dominating milking breed in New Zealand, particularly well represented in the Waikouaiti district and other parts of Otago. Its dominance does not exist now. Not that the Ayrshire’s value is lowered. Many dairy farmers still give it a prominent place in their esteem. But the Jersey, with its richness in butter-fat, the Friesian with its great volume, and the Shorthorn with its robust constitution have come into the spotlight, and the herds that give Otago milk are mostly from crosses of the four breeds. The same remark applies to the whole Dominion in a greater or lesser degree. In the North Island, however, the proportion of Jerseys is larger than in the South. They seem to thrive better in the warmer temperatures. These facts are gleaned from authoritative sources, and the opinion of rnen who study the subject seems to be that the practice now prevailing as to the breeding of good milking cows could . not be improved upon if the price of milk is to remain as it is.

The Works Committee reported ti the meeting of the University Council yesterday that the town clerk hud written stating that the estimated cost of the construction of a wall on the Leith bank in front of the University, plus half the cost of protecting the bed of the stream, was £8,600. ft was resolved that the chairman be asked to consult with the city engineer regarding this matter and report to the next meeting. The monthly meeting of the Mo'rnington School Committee was held on Monday, Mr A. Q. Osborne presiding. The head master reported that the weather conditions had affected the monthly attendance. The average attendance was 500, average roll 539, percentage of attendance 93 per cent. The annual examination by the school inspectors was held early in July. School medical examinations were also held during the month, and pupils recommended by the medical officer were receiving, a. milk ration daily, ,

Fire gutted a room and damaged the roof of a six-roomed wooden building occupied by Mr J. Matheson at 21 Market street las night. The outbreak was caused through a candle being left burning. When the city brigade arrived at 9.58 the fire had a strong hold, but a good save was effected.

Whatever “ sparrow shooting ” constitutes the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals intends to find out. A member at yesterday’s meeting said that ho had read an account of a gun club’s meeting, which referred to the number of “ sparrows ” obtained by the various competitors. If live birds were being killed, he hoped that the practice could be stopped. However, it was explained that “ sparrow shoots ” also referred to a certain type of clay bird competition, and to clear the point it was decided to make inquiries. If was also agreed that, while such a practice was not a happy one, the shooting of live pigeons and other birds did not constitute cruelty. Some gun clubs used live birds, but the local clubs, which had always heeded the society’s requests, were said to use only clay targets. The Marlborough Power Board has decided to take preliminary steps for the raising of a loan of £22,000 for the erection of a second stand-by plant on the outskirts of Blenheim with a view to carrying the load during dry weather periods at Waihopai Hydro. A proposal to link up with Nelson district’s Cobb Valley hydro scheme was rejected on'the grounds of heavy cost.—Blenheim message.

At the Blenheim Supreme Court sittings in March last a jury disagreed on 12 charges alleging indecency against George Walker, formerly a teacher at the Havelock School. At the same sittings the 12 charges were retried before another jury, which returned a verdict of not guilty. It was then decided to proceed at the present sittings of the Supreme Court with three further counts, and on these the jury yesterday returned a Verdict _of not guilty on two counts, and disagreed on the third count. The Crown Prosecutor announced that he would consult the Solicitor-General as to whether further proceedings should be taken on the remaining counts. —A message received this afternoon staled that the Crown Prosecutor entered a nolle prosequi.—Press Association. Hearing of the criminal cases for the quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court will commence before His Honour Mr Justice Kennedy on Monday morning next, and at 9.30 on Tuesday morning His Honour will sit in chambers to make fixtures for all other cases set down for hearing.

A request made to the Otago University Council yesterday by the Students’ Association for permission to play tennis on the University tennis courts on Sundays was dealt with in committee at the suggestion of the chancellor (Mr W. J. Morrell). After the subject had been discussed it was decided not to grant the application.

The New Zealand Brass Bands Association contest festival is to be at New Plymouth from February 24 to 29, inclusive. Mr A. H. Bailie has been appointed adjudicator for the second time, and Mr T. Gray judge of the solo competitions. Special interest attaches to this festival by reason of the fact that the association has resolved to send the winning band to Adelaide to compete at the centenary festival there. The League of Health of New Zealand Youth, a recently-formed organisation, has decided to inaugurate immediately a national campaign urging the Government to provide from half to one pint of fresh milk every day to all school children, the cost to be borne by the State. The league seeks a membership of 100,000, and has been given £SOO by the ‘ Mirror’ Publishing Company to cover organisation expenses. The patron is the Mayor of Auckland; president, Dr E. B. Gunson; vice-presi-dents, the mayors of the four main cities; the council, Messrs W. Goodfellow, T. Watson, Arthur Comma, P. D. Doidge, and H. J. Kelliher.—Auckland Press Association.

Last night the Port Chalmers Council had a lengthy sitting devoted to consideration of estimates and fixing of rates. The estimate of expenditure as compiled by the Finance _ Committee was submitted in conjunction with an income estimated to defray the expenditure. Altogether it meant an increase in the general rate. An alternative estimate proposing to divert money from the less necessary works in order that more funds be available for the essential works, and without increasing the rates, was also brought down. The estimate involving the increase of rates was eventually approved. In addition to that increase a new loan rate also comes into operation this year, making a total increase of 4|d in the '£. The Wellington Education Board today decided against increasing the salaries of officers receiving less than £3OO per annum. The board decided to urge the reopening of the training colleges in the four centres next year.—Press Association. ,

To be Well, See Well, See Sturmer.—W. V. Sturmer, Optician, 2 Octagon, Dunedin. Consulting Opticians: W. V. Stunner, F. 1.0., N.Z.; A. R. Watson. F. 1.0.. 5.D.0.. N.Z.—[Advt.] At the old-time dance commencing at the Early Settlers’ Hall on Saturday night there is to be a waltzing competition to be judged by popular vote. Good prizes are offered. Other novelties and attractions are advertised.