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Evening Star, Issue 22366, 16 June 1936, Page 8

A function at which' most of the Ministers will probably be present (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington) is the unveiling of a memorial to tho late Sir Maui Pomare at Wai- , tara on June 27. The Prime Minister (the lit. Hon. M. J. Savage) proposes to attend the ceremony.

Permission to Cook Strait Airways to raise its fare hetAveen Wellington and Blenheim from 25s to 27s 6d has been given by the Minister of Transport (Mr Semple). The company has alAvays maintained (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington) that the Transport Co-ordination Board fixed the original price at an uneconomic level.

A particularly audacious theft occurred when the premises occupied by a tailor situated almost next door to the Taranaki street police station, Wellington, were broken into and a parcel of clothing rcipoved from the front of the window. The parcel contained a dinner jacket and trousers, together with several overcoats and other pairs of trousers. The thief was evidently disturbed, as the parcel was found by the police when they discovered tho crime. The only article missing is an overcoat.

An interesting reminiscence in connection with the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company’s liner lonic, which is shortly to be sold after 83 years’ service, was related to a ‘ Star ’ reporter yesterday by pSergeant T. M'Grogor, who is in charge of the Oainaru Police Force. Sergeant M'Gregor came out from Perth (Scotland) in tho lonic in 1905, the vessel berthing at Wellington on January 4. after a somewhat uneventful trip of six weeks. This was not considered a record for the voyage, but the time taken was regarded as being highly gratifying to all concerned. The lonic had been only two years in tho running at that time, and was declared to be the “ elite ” of the company’s ocean-going vessels, as well as of any other company’s then in operation. There were over 200 emigrants on board on this trip, all of whom came to New Zealand and settled in various parts of the Dominion. The only break in the monotony was experienced on rounding the Cape of Good Hope, when all passengers were battened down for three days owing to the mountainous seas which continually swept the decks and played havoc with woodwork, effecting considerable damage. The vessel, however. rode the storm exceptionally well. Tho informant told the reporter that he had kept up a correspondence with many of the passengers who came out that trip, and he understood there were still a number living in this country.

A Dunedin exhibitor at the Waikato Winter Show Association’s annual fixture, held last month, has received advice that he was awarded the first ptize lor granulated honey in the open class. Ho is Air Alan Hutchison, of Cloverlea Apiary, who now possesses the association’s first prize card as proof of his success. When tho award was made the judge remarked that it was pleasing to note the large number of entries from as far south as Dunedin.

Although colds are prevalent at present, the health of the community is particularly good, stated the Medical Officer of Health (Dr M'Kibbiu) to a ‘ Star ’ reporter to-day. During the last week the only notifiable diseases reported in Otago and Southland have been; Pulmonary tuberculosis (Southland 2, Otago 5), scarlet fever (Southland 2, Otago 2), pneumonic influenza (Southland 1, at Gore). So far as pneumonia following influenza is concerned, Otago has got off lightly, and though Southland’s figures have been a little heavier, they arc not alarming. Good progress is being made on the work in connection with the Anzac Avenue bridge. Excavation is well advanced, and the concreting of the south-west abutment is complete. Steady progress is also being made on the centre pier. The new Gainsborough picture purchased by the Art Gallery Society is expected to arrive in Dunedin about the end of the present month, and arrangements are already in hand for a private showing. The main activity of the local branch of the Government Tourist Department at present is concerned with bookings by business people, but already inquiries are being made concerning the winter sports, which commence next month at Mount Cook and the Chateau Tougariro. Winter sports will also be held regularly at Arthur’s Pass, and with excursion trains running from Christchurch these should prove very popular, as has been 'ho case in the past. Many bookings were made for the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers during April and May, but there has been a falling-off during the present month.

“ There is every indication of a good season in the seed line,” said a local seedsman this morning. Seed potatoes are moving, and the same applies to shrubs. He predicts a fairly early season. The present weather conditions are proving a delight to gardening enthusiasts.

“ I want to sec Titania’s Palace ” has been the oft-repeated request to the door attendant at Messrs Arthur Barnett Ltd.’s during the presence of the palace at Dunedin. But the request has also been Ayorded very differently. “ Will you please slioav me Titanic’s Palace?” lias not been exceptional, and other not so numerous ones have included “ Whore’s the doll’s house? ” and “ Where’s the little castle? ” Last night a benign old lady unobtrusively entered and asked of an attendant: “ Will yon please show me Tutankhamen’s Cottage? ” The decision to launch a national campaign for subscriptions from women for the presentation of a portrait of Queen Mary to the National Art Gallery Avas ■ made at a largely-attended meeting of Avomen in Wellington yesterday (says a Press Association telegram). The Mayoress of Wellington (Mrs T. C. A. Hislop) presided. She said it Avas proposed that a shilling subscription fund bo opened, and it Avas decided that the mayoresses of tho other cities and toAvns hp invited to co-operate. Viscountess Gahvay is to be Invited to accept the office of patron. Attention Avas drawn at the meeting of the Dunedin _ Amenities Society’s committee last night to the amount of rubbish being dumped at several points on the ToAA-n Belt, and in the course of a discussion it Avas stated that if ratepayers had any rubbish to be disposed of, all they had to do was to advise the corporation, and the rubbish would be taken aAvay.

An amusing incident involving an act of great tact and courtesy on the part of tho Duke of Argyle was related to a representative of ‘ The Press ’ at Christchurch yesterday by Mr W. J. Ellison. It was in 1902, while a member of the Ncav Zealand contingent sent Home for tho coronation of King EdAA'ard VII., that Mr Ellison was one of the party of Ngav Zealanders being shoAvn over Windsor Castle. Tho guide .was a courteous, unassuming man, avlvo Avcnt to infinite pains in pointing out and explaining historical features in tho castle. Furthermore, Avhen one of the Ncav Zealanders, in his search for souvenirs, was detected in tho act of prising loose a piece of a corner stone of the castle, the guide, instead of ordering the party off tho premises, gently chided tho offender with the remark that, if all the thousands of sightseers avlio visited the castle helped themselves to a souvenir the historic walls would eventually disappear. When the New Zealanders came to leave too castle, various members of their party endeavoured to press a small piece of silver into the guide’s hand. The guide, however, very courteously declined tho tips, whereat there Avas general amazement. Tho sequel came at a State banquet attended by the then Prime Minister of Ngav Zealand, Mr R. J. Seddon, in company Avith other visiting Prime Ministers. During the evening the Duke of Argyle laughingly revealed that, his identity unknown to the visiting Ngav Zealanders—he had been tho guide whom they had tried so hard to tip Avhile doing the rounds of Windsor Castlo. Mr Seddon afterwards related the incident to Mr Ellison.

“ There is a feeling in tho community that detention in the Borstal institutions does not do offenders any moral good,” declared Mr J. K. Moloney, counsel for a youth who appeared for sentence in the Supreme Court, Christchurch, on a charge of shop-breaking (says the ‘Press’). Mr Moloney had previously stated that the prisoner’s family had asked him to make representations that the youth should not be sent to a Borstal institution, and His Honour Mr Justice Nortbcroft asked if he had any knowledge why such a request should be made. “ That was tho request I was asked to bring forward,” said Mr Moloney, ‘‘and I felt it my duty to do so.” Domestics employed in Christchurch homes arc still wondering (says the ‘Press’) if they are to benefit under tho new Labour legislation of the Government. On May 5 they formed an association which they hoped to make into a South Island Domestic Employees’ Union, but they have been able to do nothing since then because there is no provision in the new legislation removing the legislative bar against awards for domestics provided by tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act of 1908. It is thought that the Government intends to make provision for wages and conditions of work for domestics under special legislation, but meanwhile the work of organisation is being held up. In winter as well as in summer the Dunedin Botanical Gardens have much of beauty;'' to offer to the visitor. Probably the most attractive feature just now is the brilliant show of chrysanthemums in the winter gardens, the mass of flowers presenting a striking picture of beautiful form and varied hues. Outdoors the roses form the principal attraction, many of the plants being in bloom, and there are other flowers, too, to offer a surprising show of colour for this time of tho year. In the Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., judgment (with costs) was given for the plaintiffs in the following undefended cases:—Wright, Stephenson, and Co. Ltd. v. James Wilson (Taien Mouth), £6 Gs lid, goods supplied; Dreavers Ltd. v. J. Wilson (Dunedin), £2 4s Bd, goods supplied; Wanaka Motors Ltd. v. Allan Ross (Mosgiel), 18s, fare owing; Reilly’s Central Produce Mart v. Albert Edward Higgins (Mosgiel), £2 2s 4d, goods supplied; Niraino and Blair Ltd. v. G. W. Paton (Invercargill), £25 9s sd, goods supplied. Much preliminary work is being carried out in connection with tho celebrating of the centenary of Mooraki on December 2G. Tho part to he taken by tho Natives in tho celebrations has been left entirely to the Maoris, and a Maori member of the Mooraki Centenary Committee reported that the forthcoming function is creating great interest among the Natives throughout New Zealand.

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