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Evening Star, Issue 22272, 25 February 1936, Page 8

Probate has been granted by His Honour Mr Justice Kennedy in the estates of Mary Maria Walker, spinster, Dunedin; Carl Axel Jacobsen, fisherman, Oamaru; Ann Thompson, widow, Dunedin; Donald Mitchell, retired traveller, Dunedin; and Annie Maskill, widow, Alexandra. Letters of administration have been granted in the estate of Annie Geggie, spinster, Balclutha. There has been a vast amount of speculation of late as to what sum the Government, under its guaranteed price policy, will offer the farmers of New Zealand for their butter fat. The Farmers’ Union, in its recent representations to the Government, pointed out that Is 4Jd lb would be needed to cover farm production costs, but rumour has it that this is more than the Government can finance (states the ‘ Manawatu Times’). If what was learnt from an authentic source is correct, it is the intention of the new party in power to compromise with Is 2d per lb. “ And this figure won’t be far out,” the informant added. This is the tale—it is true—ijf a fisherman. It happened recently at \Vairakei, where, among other things, there are fishing waters and enthusiastic anglers (relates the ‘ Auckland Star ’). This fisherman had hooked his fish, but was at a loss to know how he was going to land ,it. Swelled by bounteo is but unseasonable rainfall, the river was running exceptionally high, and so he was unable to wade into what normally was shoal water. What was more, he had forgotten to bring his landing net. How was he to get his prize ashore ? Before his puzzled gaze there suddenly sprang a black and white shape into the swirling water. It grabbed the 51b beauty in its mouth and proudly laid it at the feet of the astonished but delighted fisherman. It was Sam, his fox terrier. Only one thing is worrying the fisherman: Was Sam’s impulsive_ action a breach of the fishing regulations? The instability of the policy of the Board of Governors, the unsatisfactory financial arrangements for veterinary research, and the lack of equipment to undertake it were the main reasons given to a representative of the Christchurch ‘ Press ’ yesterday by Mr Allato Leslie, former veterinarian at Lincoln College, for his resignation. He had no feelings of hostility toward the board, Mr Leslie explained.

There was a clean sheet at the Police Court this morning.

The splendid spirit pervading the J. C. Williamson touring company which is at present playing ‘ White Horse Inn ’ at Christchurch has extended beyond tHe company itself, and all the members from the principals to the chorus have thrown themselves into making a great success of the biggest benefit performance it has given (says the Christchurch ‘ Press ’). The company will play ‘ White Horse Inn ’ on Sunday evening, and the proceeds are to be devoted to the benefit fund being organised for tHe widow of Squadronleader M. C. M'Gregor, who was killed in a tragic aeroplane crash at the Eongotai aerodrome, Wellington, last week. A benefit performance for the same fund is also to be given at Dunedin when the company reaches that city.

At the present time the number of registrations at the women’s unemployment bureau stands at about 70. This total fluctuates considerably from month to month as’ unemployed girls and women are placed in positions or register afresh. They receive a comprehensive domestic training at the rooms, some 32 being given employment in the period between January 13 and February 12. Despite the total of unemployed girls and women, there is still a keen demand for competent and experienced domestics. The proprietress of an employment agency said this morning that it was extremely difficult to secure girls for this work. She added tHat it was not a question of wages, citing a case where a girl was wanted in a new home where there were only two people. There was no washing or ironing to be done, and wages of 35s a week were offered. She had had this position on her books for a week and could not fill it. There was also a shortage of cooks for guest houses both in the city and country, and it was almost impossible to get men to go to the country for labouring work. They evidently preferred to stay in the city in the hope of something more attractive turning up.

Tormenting the sea lion which has now frequented the ocean beaches for almost a year lias frequently been deplored in these columns, and courses of action against offenders have been propounded, but not settled. This is unfortunate, as cruelty to the otherwise inoffensive “Joey” persists,■ and only to-day a domain official was required to take it on himself to reprove two men of mature age and defend the marine visitor, whose slumbers were being rudely disturbed by resounding whacks from a 6ft stick. One can scarcely expect the sea lion’s temper to remain unruffled after such treatment, and it would be a pity if later it were made to suffer for attacking an innocent admirer in repayment for the sins of others.

Unusual activity was witnessed in the shipping basin a little after 10 o’clock this morning, when, besides some dozen pinnaces on the water, there wore five vessels in the basin. The Marania, Karetu, Awahou, and H.M.S. Wellington were all berthed, while the Waimarino was just berthing. Passengers from the Marama were undergoing lifeboat drill, some halfdozen boats being in the water; while five pinnaces from H.M.S. Wellington were also afloat. The Norden, an oil tanker, was also berthed further along the wharf. At Port Chalmers the congestion is also marked, the Fordsdale having stood off outside the Heads since Sunday afternoon waiting for a berth. It is hoped to bring her in this afternoon* sriien the Rangitiki sails*

The exhibition of lithographs which lias been secured on loan from tlio Senefelder Chib, London, and which is now housed in a room of the Art Gallery at Logan Park, js attracting considerable attention. Comprising 72 works by a number of British and Continental' artists of note, the display is a highly interesting one, giving an excellent idea of the potentialities of this form of art. In England, the United States, and on the Continent lithography is appreciated by a large body of art lovers, and the exhibition now being staged should arouse much interest in it in New Zealand. The works reveal that in lithography there can be delicacy of treatment and strength of delineation to produce a very pleasing general effect and artistry of the highest order. The exhibition is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a small charge for admission to the room in which the works are shown, the rest of the gallery being open to the public as usual.

A correspondent writes: The innermost planet, Mercury, will be at its greatest elongation west on February 26. It rises at 3.20 a.m., and will be seen in the early morning low down in the east. Mercury is the nearest planet to the sun at a mean distance of 36 million miles, and is the smallest, having a diameter of 3,000 miles. Mercury revolves around the sun in a little under throe months. Like the other planets, it shines only by reflection of the sun, whose illumination he receives, and as he is in close juxtaposition with it his .light is bright enough, though his volume is inconsiderable. Tourist traffic is being well maintained, and an officer of the local Government Tourist Bureau said that every week the figures showed an increase on those of last year. This was general throughout New Zealand. Queenstown and Pembroke are both very popular at present, and the four-day Eghnton Valley trips are also being well patronised.

An Eltham Association message states that the old-established Taranaki daily, the Eltham ‘ Argus,’ has changed hands, the proprietor, Mr A. W. Packard, having sold to Mr Chas. S. Rush, late of the ‘ Times,’ Dargaville, and previously of the Palmerston North ‘ Standard ’ and ‘ Manawatu Times.'

The first picnic organised by the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association will be held at Waitati on Saturday. The sub-committee in charge of the arrangements has completed all its plans, and everything points to a successful outing. The Port Chalmers committee of the association, which has for some years held a picnic on its own account, has decided to join the larger effort, and will help to swell the attendance. An interesting programme of sports events has been arranged, and the children will be suitably entertained. Members of the public are invited to attend.