The Oamaru Mail. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1910.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10630, 6 December 1910, Page 3

The Oamaru Mail. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1910.

Difficulties which appeared to bo connected with adequate representation at the Coronation ceremony and the Imperial Conference have been surmounted in the best wav possible. The Prime Minister will take Dr Findlay with him. The selection will conduce to the effectiveness of the discussion at the Conference of the numerous questions which affect the. interests of this Dominion intimately and which are embodied in Sir Joseph AVard's resolutions. Dr Findlay will also be a. ready and admirable help to the. Prime Minister at tiio minor functions which will be held' in connection with the visit. Had 10 been decided that the Attorney-General was to go Home to be the Prime Minister's coadjutor the great occasion connected with the initiation of that practical Imperialism which is to make the British Empire one in commercial interest and one in defence, as well as one in the close ties of brotherhood—if this had been the sole aim it would have been universally acclaimed. But there is legal work to be done which involves nearlv a million of the State s money, and Dr Findlay, being well acquainted with the two cases which involve so much, will, it is expected, materially contribute to fair settlements. Apart from all these considerations, Dr Findlay has honestly earned a holidav, and. if he can snatch a few idle hours out of the several weeks he Will be Home, he will deserve the ■respite as well as add to his reputation for cleverness.

The following paragraph from the November number of tho Century Magazine, affords an appropriate addenclum to the cablegrams relating to the actions of the French Government concerning alcohol: . ."it is reported that the official dispen.saries have printed on tho hack ol prescription blanks a scries of concise sentences .setting forth i lie effects ol alcohol and giving a. wholesome, warning against the use of convivial beverages. .Public placards to the same eliect are posted on municipal buildings anil in hospital wards. Moreover, the French Minister of Education has recently 'issued a circular lo all heads of schools, both primary and secondary, under bis department, desiring them to establish school temperance societies, and announcing that an oflicin! inquiry is about to be made into the methods and results of the teaching of temperance in schools.' " A .sample placard is given, the headline of which is -'Alcohol is a poison." whilst subheadings proclaim that alcohol degenerates man ; alcohol causes insanity: alcohol causes tuberculosis; .alcohol degenerates the race; alcohol depeoples France, it will be seen that the results of all these warnings of shocking consequences have not been satisfactory and that M: Briand has now promised legislation to deal with the evil. This is sensible. It is as useless to expostulate with alcoholics as it is with any other lunatics. When . the Prime Minister informed the House that the next session would not open till July 31st, there were Opposition protests against postponement beyond the usual time. Though the Opposition perpetually cry out that there is too much legislation and that it would be, well to give the country a rest, they objected to even a month s delay in "order that the Governmentmi'dit not be placed at disadvantage tluriiv the absence of the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General while attending to business in, the interest of New Zealand and the Empire. the Prime Minister would have done well to have taken the Opposition at their word when they said that a substitute could hnve been appointed to occupy Sr Findlnv's place in the Council. It mav not be fully realised, that, as Dr Fhidlav is the sole representative ot the Government in the Council, he must be there alwavs. or the business of legislation mav be arrested.' It is, indeed, quite possible that an Imprest Supply Bill which makes provision for the payment of the country's liabilities including the salaries and wages of public servants, might some day be stuck up through the inability of Dr Findlay to he at his post. That this impasse lias not already occurred is only due to Dr Findlav's marvellous constitution and his entire disregard of indisposition that does not actually kill on the spot. During the tedious and tiresome session which has just closed he was obvious y several times present when he should have been in his home. On siich occasions he never comnlameet, but put through his tale of Bills and returned to his task bright and smiling. This oucht not to be. The Legislature which protects mankind from being driven and oppressed should see that its public men are not thus enslaved, and. if Sir Joseph Ward had taken advantage of? hk opportunity to appoint an assistant to Dr Findlay in the Council he would have done his duty to the country and to a much overworked, though always willing and ready, At-torney-General.

An apple which is supposed to be the largest grown in England this year was sold by public auction at Covent Garden on a recent morning. The apple was a Gloria Mundi, its weight being 2/ oz its circumference 161 m, and its height Sin." and it was grown by the King s Acre Fruit Tree Nurseries at Hereford. Bidding for the apple began at a■ sninea. and it was eventually sold for £l4. the proceeds going to the Charing Cross Hospital. The monthly meeting of the South School Committee was held in the school office last evening. Present—"Messrs'A. Lucas-(chairman), T. Hunter, L. Dewar, A. Cross, S. B. Paterson,

J. Bee, T. Williamson, and R. C. Mam (secretary). The headmaster was, also ui attendance. The correspondence included a letter from the Education Board, granting a subsidy for improvements to the school grounds. The Com"mittee decided to carry out the work during the holidays. The headmaster s report for the- month showed the average attendance to'have been good and the roll the highest for some years past. The latter now stands at 344. it was resolved that the school break up on Wednesday, 21st, the infant classes at 2.30 in the afternoon and the higher standards in the evening, and that parents and friends be invited to the prize distribution. The Committee decided to reassemble the school on Moiv dav, 6th February, in place of 2nd February, as previously arranged, owing to the Education Board granting two extra days this year. The Committee, donated two medals for competition at the schools' swimming tournament. Mr A. Barsdell, on behalf of the Boy Scouts, was granted the use of the gymnasium hall. The pupils of the tour higher stnndards having presented to the school framed pictures to be hung in their respective class rooms, the cost of same having been paid by the scholars, the headmaster was asked to convey to the pupils the Committee s appreciation of such handsome gifts for the adornment of the school walls. Messrs S. B. Paterson and 11. C. Main were appointed a visiting committee for the month. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting.

The respectful refusal of Mr Tyors, Commisioner of Taxes, to accept the sum of £l5O from the State as a reward for his services in detecting irregularities of certain firms in regard to the income tax, will have a salutary efl'cef. The system of rewards to public officers should be restricted to displays of heroism where, life is imperilled, and should not be extended to those who have only done their obvious duty. Are we to assume that the performance of the duties of public servants are, as a ruleso perfunctory that, when an officer exhibits adequate interest in his work, he should be awarded a premium? The monthly meeting of the Middle School Committee, held last evening, was attended-bv Mr A. Riach (chairman),. Rev. F. G. Buckingham. Messrs Lee, Swimird. Church, Galloway, and Chalmers. It was derided that the annul break-up take place on December 22nd, the previous motion to break-up on the 23rd being rescinded. It was arranged that the distribution of prizes take place in the School Gymnasium. starting at 2 p.m. It was resolved to repair and top-dress the asphalt, during the recess. Mr Douglas Robertson was recommended for appointment to the position of first assistant. The Committee decided that public attention b" drawn to tho fact that the school property is lto part of Takaro Park. Mr Massey's querulous comments on the contemplated North Otago rainmaking operations arc of a piece with his attitude towards everything the Government sanctions. When he declared that "he did not believe in going into the Tohunga business" —meaning that to attempt by explosives to bring rain down wa.s to exercise wizardryhe exhibited his ignorance. Dynamite and witchcraft are two quite different things, and, moreover, it will probably ha news to Mr Massey that, on the Alps, explosives are used to cause the bursting of clouds at such places that injury will not be done to the fruit crops by a deluge of rain. The Summer Show of the North Otago Horticultural Society will be held in tho Drill Hall en Thursday afternoon and evening this week. The number of entries received indicate that the show is not losing in public interest, and while'it may bo found that the continued dry weather has forced plant life to such an extent as to make the show late, still this disability will be more than compensated for by the profusion of flowers that will adorn the tables. The display of roses is certain to be a magnificent one, owing to the keen'competition centering round the rose bowl, at present held by Dr Steven, Kurow. The decorative classes have been well patronised, and there will also bo the usual profuse display of pot plants and foliage. During the evening of the show music will be supplied by the Peerless Orchestra and the Garrison Band.

Tho Legislature .Committee investigating the charges of corruption made against the New York State Government has received striking testimony supporting the charges. Mr Otto Foelker, the chief witness, now a representative in Congress, and formerly a State Senator, who risked his life two years ago by being carried on his sickbed into the Senate Chamber to vote for Mr Hughes' Bill against race-track c;amilling, "declared that Mr Patrick M'Carren, since dead, who was a State Senator and leader of the Domoerats in Brooklyn, offered to let him be reelected practically unopposed if he would vote, against Mr Hughes' Hill. .Air Frederick Schrocdor, then Quarantine Comniisioncr, offered a cash bribe of Cln.lKlil for the same purpose. Mr Schroeder is now in prison for larceny from a hank. Mr Frank Gardner, formerly n State Senator and now under indictment for bribery, was examined, but refused to answer <|ii options. Mr Foelker testified that Mr Gardner offered him a bribe of .C'-Wlfl. According to Mr J. T. ITeberley, who returned to Bluff last week from the Campbell Tsland whaling station, the Terra Nova will call at Campbell Island on her way to Antarctica. Mr lleberley, who returned by the Amokura, had an opportunity while that, vessel was at Port Chalmers, of speaking to Captain Scott, and he offered him half a dozen sheep if he .should call in at Campbell Island on his way down. Captain Scott accepted the otter with alacrity (says the Southland News), and seemed keen on making Campbell Island the last port of call in"~New Zealand —because Campbell Island is in reality as much a part of "God's Own Country" as Stewart Island, or even the South Island. Mr C. H. Mason writes to the Timaru Herald as follows: —Rain seems probable about December 9, but the tendency is for much drier weather than is desirable, unless means of assisting Nature is resorted to for obtaining additional or augmented showers. A cheap and effective method will be found in burning green gorse, scrub, and such similar matter as many farmers have available. Hedge cuttings should be burnt as early as possible after being cut, otherwise the gases, the essential part, will be consumed instead of ascending. Fires should be started only during calm weather, or when the brecKo is off the sea. Pain will probably follow the experiment within four days, but, of course, much will depend on the extent of the experiments and existing weather conditions. If each farmer in Canterbury who has a few gorse hushes within easv "access will devote an hour weekly to' this purpose, the present shortage of rain will soon cease.

The Auckland Islands, which wore recently put up to auction, and which have been much discussed as a result of the lack of competition for the lease of the group, were visited last March by the training ship Amokura. Amongst her passengers upon that occasion was Mr J. T. Heberley, of Campbell Island fame. Mr Heberley, who returned to Bluff from Campbell Island last week, gave a. News reporter some interesting particulars respecting the condition of the Auckland Islands. The 100,000 acres of the Aucklands are, in his opinion, useless for all practical purposes, with the exception of scaling. It is too peaty and boggy for sheep, which when tried on a previous oocasion, died off rapidly. There are a few cattle on the islands, and any number of pigs and rabbits. Cattle could do well enough, but, as they would have to be shipped to the mainland to be of any use commercially, it could scarcely be a paying industry. The bush is too small for milling,* and the soil is too wet to be of any use for cultivation even the hardier varieties of English grass refusing to grow at all. In answer to several questions, Mr Heberley said that at the most only about 2000 acres of the group would? if fenced off, be of any use for sheep-farming, and even then it could carry only about 500 sheep, which could not be payable. "No," Mr Heberley remarked, in conclusion, l, I; reckon the Aucklands are not of uracil) use, leastways ~I can't see where anything could be made out of them-unless' you dig up the old General Grant and her £IOO,OOO worth of gold, and there is not much, chance of that."

Speaking in Duncdin on Sunday, Mr G. B. Niehollssaid that many people who opposed no-license and prohibition

seemed to comfort themselves with tho thought that to carry national prohibition m 1911 by a three-fifths majority was an impossiblo proposition. It was not really so impossiblo as they imagined, and their complacency might bo upset when, the numbers went up. In 1908 tho local no-licenso vote for the dominion was 63J per cent, of the whole. Tho normal increase was 2J per cent, or more, so that would mean tho voto being 56 per cent, in 1911, or only 4 per cent, from victory, a very narrow margin for them to go on. Tlio opponents of no-licenso imagined, however, that dominion prohibition would bo less popular with drinkers than local option had been, and that in that issue the party would havo wholesalo_ defections from its ranks. In moving about amongst the peoplo ho did not find any shadow of support for 6uch a proposition. Of course tho party would lose a few votes, but, so far as ho could see, very few. On the other hand it was n most usual thing—it had happened to him quite a number of times during tho past few days—to hear peoplo, drinkers especially, say: "I have never voted with you before, but now that you havo tackled national prohibition I intend to do so." This tendency of tho public mind might easily overcomo tho 4 por cent, gap separating tho party from victory.

Repairs and alterations to tho drodgo Progress, now at Port Chalmers, arc Hearing completion, and it should not be long before tlio dredging operations in tho Oaniaru Harbor arc in full suing. A trial of tlio now machinery will be mado by the contractors some time this week, after which tho Progress will be docked for cleaning, painting, and inspection. As was indicated in our shipping column yesterday tlio largest of tlio pontoons, that intended for carrying the pumping plant, has been launched, and this morning tho Hoard's engineer recoived word that tho machinery was being trucked at Port Chalmers, and that as soon as it arrived in Oamaru tlio contractors would proceed with its erection Oil tho pontoon.

The Committee of tho Waimato A. and l\ Association met on Saturday last when it was decided to recommend tho Association to hold tho next show on tho old showgrounds on the Gorge Rond. inquiries are to lie mado with a view to buying a suitable 20-acro block for u dcw showground, the general opinion being that tho racecourse was unsuitable.

The Waimato Caledonian Society's sports privileges were sold on Saturday and realised the. followiug: Publican's booth, £2-1:; refreshment booth, £lO 15s; programmes, £4 10s.

An important suggestion was rundo by the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Word, when speaking on Saturday afternoon at a. gathering of tho Parliamentary Press Gallery. The pressmen, had wished Sir Joseph all. success in his important mission on behalf of New Zealand at the coming Imperial Conference, and in replying Iks expressed tho opinion that it would be a remarkably good thing if one or two New Zealand journalists were also sent Home to attend the Imperial Conference and tho Coronation ceremonies. Ho also suggested that arrangements might well bo made to .secure a- special news .service from "London to the Dominion, through tho Pacific cable, during tho time that the conference was sitting. The ordinary service was a- good one, but ho had round that on such special occasions as tho conference tho peoplo of New Zealand did not, under tho existing conditions, get what he thought tlioy were entitled to —a full report of tho proceedings. Ho therefore thought that this time thero should lie some special representation in London, the result of which could only be for tho benefit of tho Empire as a whole and also of New Zealand. Me would bo delighted if this arrangement could bo mado and believed that it would amply repay tho newspaper proprietors.

The bill for Ministerial travelling expenses was laid before Parliament on Saturday. For tlio financial year 191910 the Hon. R. M'Kenzie was paid lbo largest sum in travelling expenses, viz,., £4!)5. The other allowances were: — Sir Joseph Ward, £267; tlio Hon. J. A. Millar, £310; the Hon. George I'Wkls, £327; tlio Hon. A. T. Ngata, £421: the Hon. T. Mackenzie. £242; the lion. A. W. Hogg (ox-Minister), £'23l; the Hon. Jas. Carroll, £175; tho Hon. D. Buddo, £159; and tlio Hon. Dr Fiiullay. £145.

PHOSPHOL is an emulsion of Cod Liver Oil with Hypopliosphites, and is the finest nerve, bono, fat, and musclebuilder known. 5

"Sympathy without relief is liko mustard without beef." If any,peoojo deserve sympathy during the dry weather it is the farmer upon whom the townsfolk depend in the- main for their business, and by way of avoiding anything approaching tho proverbial l-eefless mustard and being practical, loose tyres arc, being mado tight by either hot or cold process as desired, while clients wait, for a trifling cost at Searle's factory.

It is true you desir- tho top valuo at lowest prices; you'll get it at Jackson's Crown .Saloon, next Post Ollico. A grand colled ion of pipes for presentation. Komombor it, is illegal to supply cigarettes, etc., after 1 p.m., so purchase earlier.

There is :t region in (lippsland, Victori:!, comprising wmio 15,000 acres, about eight, mill's .south of Rosodalo, nnd known as this Never Nover Country. Thti 11:11110 bus probably boon given to it. mi iiwiiml ol ! its apparently hopelessly iniurl.ile condition, .says the Melbourne Age When tho Minister of Agriculture pjiid u visit to it to inspect" a plot on which l)r Cherry had been experimenting, ho expressed the opinion that it was the poorest land on God's earth, and certainly the worst ho had ever seen. It grew no grass, and the trees which found a footing on it gained a subsistence, not by sending their root into the soil, but by spreading them over the surface. When stimulated by superphosphates, the land produced a plant growth of a sickly yellow appearance, which rapidly faded and died. In its natural condition tho soil will grow nothing. At tho suggestion of the Minister of Agriculture, the manager of tho experimental plot (Mr "Whclaii) tried lime as a fertiliser, and applied half a ton of it to the acre. The use of tho limo has been attended with remarkable success. Mr Livingstone, M.L.A., in which constituency this area is located, visited a local agricultural show lately, at which tho products of the experimental plot were exhibited, and ho took back with him several samples, which were on view in the office of the Minister of Agriculture in Melbourne. They included potatoes, carrots, broad beans, Japanese millet, and maize, all showing a generouß and healthv growth which would do 'credit to the'best land in Victoria. Tho vegetables would have graced any_ greengrocer's window as an attractive exhibit. It is reckoned that one application of lime will do for two_ or three years. Of course, it remains to -be proved whether the whole of tho area will respond to limo treatment in the same way, but if it does it will prove a remarkable object-lesson of the value of experiment in demonstrating the value 1 of apparently worthless country.

Energy in abundance is supplied by Stearns' Wine of Cod Liver Extract—it makes rich red blood—tho kind that nourishes broken-down tissues—weak children made vigorous.

Mr J. Swindlcy, Surgeon Dentist, will visit Kurow on Thuisday Next, Bth insfc., and may bo consulted at Spiers' Hotel. 636 For a First-class Haircut and Shave go to Dan Costelloe's Saloon, Thames street.

At the present time Sherwin Bros, claim that their stock of rings surpasses that of any other dealer. 440