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Evening Star, Issue 22774, 8 October 1937, Page 8

An exceptionally generous . offer has been made to tho I'luuket Society by the Dunedin Choral Society, which has intimated its, intention ot giving the whole of the net proceeds of its next concert to the former’s building fund. An exceptionally strong programme lias been arranged fox' this concert, including the first complete choral symphony ever written— 1 A Sea Symphony,’ by Vaughan Williams. This will bo the first occasion of the presentation of the work in the city. The Plunket Society has gratefully accepted the offer., and will co-operate in ensuring the success of the concert.

With a view to expediting the construction of the foul sower to serve the \\ akari district, the Works Committee of the Drainage Board reports that authority has been granted to make application to the Government Labour Department for the employment of an additional 15 men under the special scheme whereby the department finds a subsidy of £4 per week per man, leaving the board to find the balance of 10s Id. With the employment of these extra men it is estimated that the work will be completed in approximately six months’ time, and thus effect a saving of probably three or four months. Health returns for the week ended to-day show a decrease in the number of cases of tuberculosis in Otago and Southland compared with last week’s figure, only three cases being notified to the Department of Health in each province. In addition, Otago has two fresh cases of scarlet fever, one of infantile paralysis, and one of pneumonic influenza, while Southland has one of erysipelas. The district medical officer of health (Dr T. M'Kibbin) stated this morning that the infantile notification was the same as that reported during the week. The patient was doing well in the Hospital. Ho stressed the point that the case was on a par with many mild instancs that were not reported during-the epidemic last year. The Electric Power and Lighting Committee of the City Council reports that the steam plant on the reclaimed land has been in use since April last to enable the winljpr peak loads to be carried without, increasing the demand on Waitaki. On odd occasions it has also been necessary to run the Diesel plant in addition for brief periods. At present the level of the water in the dam stands at 58ft, compared with 67ft, but it is proposed to shortly review the operating arrangements with the object of permitting the dam to rise.

So intense lias become the pressure in modern election campaigning that candidates are finding it increasingly difficult to keep pace with their programmes (says the Melbourne ‘ Age Broadcasting, aeroplanes, and fast motor cars have made travelling a good deal easier, but the additional ground covered has made it necessary for candidates to prepare many more speeches than in previous years. In view of the added strain involved in reaching all sections of the community it is refreshing to find a man sufficiently original to invent a new means of putting his case before the largest possible number of his constituents. The Federal Treasurer (Mr Casey), who represents Corio, has written a special speech which he intends having translated into Italian for_ the benefit of several hundred naturalised foreigners living in the Werribee district. As the contract for the pressure tunnel at Waipori is nearing completion (reports the E.P. and L. Committee of the City Council), a start is to, be made on a number of supplementary works in preparation for the connection of the tunnel to the existing plant. These works could not be undertaken until an accurate estimate could be given as to when the tunnel would be ready for operation. The works are expected to occupy some six months, and authority has been giv'en to employ additional staff.

While losing no opportunity to urge the supersession of Melbourne’s tramway system, advocates of the trolley bus are inclined to overlook the fact that their seemingly glowing transport picture has a rather less < attractive side (says the ‘ Age ’). It is interesting to learn that the cost to Woolwich (England) of road reinstatment was £127,000, or £13,000 per mile of abandoned tramway track, and the bill for another London suburb (Camberwell) amounted to no less than £250,000. It has been pointed out that in some London metropolitan boroughs the addition to the rates for, road reinstatement, following the withdrawal of trams and the substitution of trolley buses, hab been as much as 2s 6d in the £. Henceforth boroughs having trolley bus routes will have to face each year the cost of maintaining that part of the roadway formerly used for the tram track, together with a further 18in on each side of the outer rails.

The report of the consulting engineers on the progress of work in connection with the Waipori pressure tunnel for the periods ended September 11 and September 18 indicates that the contractors have 29 men employed. Work is proceeding on the surge tank and construction of anchor blocks; a further 55 cubic yards of concrete have been placed during the periods. Eight years ago Major W. E. Long retired from the 4th Hussars, and although he wished to see the world he was averse to the continual packing and unpacking inseparable from travelling. To solve the difficulty (says the Melbourne ‘ Age ’) he resolved to take his home with him, and the only satisfactory way of accomplishing this was to travel by ship. After voyaging on several routes Major Long decided that the England-Australia run was best suited to him, and accordingly he booked as a “ permanent passenger ” aboard the liner Balranald. In eight voyages Major Long made the ship his home, only leaving it for a short period in, London, when it docked for overhaul, but eventually the Balranald was sold to shipbreakers, and Major Long was forced to shift to the Monfolia. Now, after six voyages, he will e forced to shift again, for the Mongolia has arrived at Melbourne on her last voyage before being sold. Despite his disappointment at not having a longer stay on the vessel, Major Long is still confident that a permanent cabin aboard a liner is still the best home, and on his return to London he will transfer his furniture to the Mooltan.

The General Committee of the City Council reports that, with a view to enabling tho department to considerably increase the scope and volume of milk testing, satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Government analyst and the Medical School for such testing to be done. The former will now carry out the whole of tho Reductase testing under the methylene blue system, as approved by the British Medical Council, without charge to the council. All necessary cheek testing and testing of pasteurised milk will be carried out by the Medical School at a fiat rate charge of £IOO per annum.

Tho Otago Aero Chib lias made satisfactory arrangements for the insurance of tho Miles Magister training machine which it recently purchased from tho Government. The aeroplane is now in use, and tho three Air Eorco trainees who are receiving instruction at the airport have gone solo in the new machine. The thorough overhaul which the Waco machine is undergoing is now almost completed, and it is expected that this aircraft will be in the air in about a fortnight. Air Justice Kennedy has granted probate in tho estates of William Beattie Mowat Fea, retired merchant, of Dunedin; Mary Everitt, married woman, of Dunedin: Alarion Lillias Watt, widow, of Clinton. Letters of administration have been granted in the estate of Thomas M'Dermott, ironmoulder, of Dunedin.

A Dunedin resident just returned from Invercargill states that work on the new Post Office there is proceeding apace. Considerable interest is being displayed in the project by Invercargill people, all of whom welcome the building This Dunedin man remarked that ho had heard only one adverse comment, and that from an old man who was greatly perturbed to think that the Government had the effrontery to place a post office on a site that had formerly contained comfortable seats. “ It won’t bo long,” grumbled this old man, “ before a fellow won’t be able to find a sheltered seat in the whole town to sit on.”

The Works Committee of the City Council reports that authority has been granted to arrange for the fencing off of’three unused areas at North road and for thd planting of these areas with suitable trees. This work is estimated to cost £IOO, towards which the Amenities Society has promised a subsidy of £SO.

In the case of the majority of motorists the first six-monthly period for which the warrant of fitness of their vehicles as required under th© traffic regulations was issued has expired, and the issue of new warrants for a further six months is now being undertaken at garages. From inquiries made it appears that the warrants do not expire automatically at a given date, such as September 30 or March 31, but hold good for six months from _ the actual date on which the certificate was issued. The work of issuing certificates, in fact, is spread over the whole year, depending largely upon when new vehicles are purchased. At the present time the various city reserves are looking very attractive, particularly those carrying borders or beds of spring flowers. It has, generally speaking, been a kind spring, and the early flowers have bloomed well. One of the most attractive reserve’s is that in the Octagon. The grass plots on either side of the main street are planted out with borders of primroses and similar flowers, and are making an extremely colourful display that catches the eye of many passers-by. No other city in New Zealand can lay claim to such an attractive reserve in its heart, and in the main street, so Dunedinites, even if they do not realise it, have something for which to be grateful. Considering this, it is a pity to see some people short-cutting it across these plots and showing no concern at all should a foot happen to descend in the midst of the flowers. The Finance Committee of the City Council reports that the request of the General Committee for additional financial provision for the erection of a boat shed at the St. Clair surf bathing pavilion has been referred to the committee in terms of the council’s standing orders. The additional expenditure has been approved and will he a charge against the departmental allocationc for the current year.

Viewed from the top of the Post Office the undulations of Princes street are levelled, and the appearance is conveyed that Dunedin has one long, flat main street. Similarly, too, the steep slopes of Rattray street, Elm Row', and other byways that normally provide exertion for pedestrians develop grades that look ridiculously easy and which make one wonder if the steepness exists, all, only in the imagination. A magnificent view is to be obtained from this high building, though the height belittles people and their movements, rendering them quite insignificant and apparently of no importance. At the same time a ‘ Star ’ reporter who looked down on the city yesterday afternoon was hv the amount of activity on every side. Nor was such activity confined to the streets, for on the roofs of several buildings workmen were busy repairing flashings, slates, and corrugated iron, proceedings of which the average “ man in the street ” was blissfully unaware.

Other lands, other ideas. A man in this town who has several overseas pen friends is at present very much amused over a letter he received from an American correspondent. Enclosed in this letter was a packet of small seeds, in return for which the correspondent hoped he might be given a few kauri tree seeds! The donor was generous in his gift, for he sent several hundred seeds, but their value is seriously questioned by the recipient. The letter stated; “I am enclosing a few seeds. They are of a little white daisy that is probably unknown in your country. If you scatter these about any grass plots you may have they will make a very good show in a short time, and they spread plenty.” The recipient wryly added that he agreed they “ spreacl plenty,” for he had been trying for months to remove daisies from an otherwise perfect stretch of lawn, but for every one he removed two others seemed to come in its place. “ This Government can see inevitable financial ami economic changes everywhere. Evolution and progress must go on,” said Mr Carr, the Government member for Timaru, when the financial debate was continued today. “ Tho present money system is gradually disintegrating, whether wo like it or not. The Government’s job is to soften the blow that comes with the change, and to recognise the necessity that provision must be made for the present and the future. It is necessary to be far-sighted, and to be prepared for the changes that are coming. The Labour Government is Socialistic because it can read the signs of the times. The socialisation of the means of production and exchange is taking . place in the world willy-nilly.”—Parliamentary reporter. The Port Chalmers Fire Brigade was called out last night to a house in Bellevue Place. The fire was restricted to a chimney, and was quickly put out One of the most eagerly-anticipated functions to be arranged during the visit of H.M.S. Leander to Dunedin will be the children’s party to be tendered by the ship’s company at 2.30 next Thursday, the mayor (Rev. E. T. Cox) being advised to-day of the intention of the ship’s company to hold this gathering. Under the will of the late William Beattie Mowat Fea, retired merchant, of Dunedin, which has been sworn for probate purposes at under £16,000, provision has been made, after the payment of private bequests and upon tho termination of a certain life interest, for a legacy of, £I,OOO to be paid to the Free Church of the parish of Evie, Orkney islands, to bo held in trust for distribution to tho poor and needy of tho parish. There are also bequests of £SOO to the Red Cross Military Convalescent Home at Montecillo, and £SO to the Roslyn Presbyterian Church.

Though tho Dunedin Waterside Workers’ Union has passed a resolution setting out its attitude regarding the handling of scrap iron, and refuses to handle it “ whatever happens, there was no stoppage of work or refusal to discharge or load cargo on tho Yamashita Kisen Kaisha’s steamer Chifulcu Marti, which berthed at Victoria wharf this morning. The vessel had general Japanese merchandise for discharge here, and is to load a quantity of tallow and hides, but no scrap metal. She is expected to leave early this evening for Lyttelton to complete discharge and loading.

The Finance Committee of the City Council recommends that a grant ot £IOO be made to the St. John Ambulance Association towards the cost of the erection of the auxiliary ambulance station and the furnishing of tho new headquarters recently ereoted._ At present there are no funds available for this expenditure, and provision will therefore require to be made in ■ next year’s allocations. The Dunedin Waterside Workers’ Union held a special stop-work meeting this afternoon in commemoration of the fourth anniversary of the death of Mr H. E. Holland, the Labour Party Leader, all the men attending to pay their respects, while the flag was flown at Iqilf-mast, It will bo kept there until to-morrow A resolution was passed that a note of condolence be sent to the relatives at the unveiling ceremony of the memorial statue at Wellington to-morrow.

At 4.21 yesterday afternoon the City Fire Brigade was called out when an accidental false alarm was received from the electrical stores in Cumberland street. At 0.33 a.m. a malicious false alarm was received from the corner of George and St. Andrew streets.

To improve visibility for motorists the Works Committee of tho City Council has instructed the city engineer to proceed with cutting off tho corner by 12ft each way at the intersection of Tyne street and School street, Hoslyn, at an estimated cost of £l7.

Eve strain—for eye comfort, for better vision, consult. Sturme; and Watson Ltd., opticians. 2 Octagon. Dunedin.—f Advt. I The Railway Department advertises in this issue train arrangements in connection with the Dunedin races at Wingatui tomorrow.