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Otago Daily Times, Issue 13861, 26 March 1907, Page 4

It will bo gratifying to citizens to lenow that llr Goodman, electrical engineer, last night, made a lest of the electrical power on the section from Waipori to Halfway Bush, and that everything worked well. Probably 0110 of the busiest spots in or about Dunedin at the present tinm is t!h: Kensington railway crossing, where the construction of the overhead bridge is under way. The foundations of the abutments are of concrete, made of broken metal and cement, 1 and a huge pile of the former lies at tlio rear of the signal box. The embankment, which will meet tlio bridge, is steadily advancing, and will consist of material obtained in excavating the new I linnet. The piles which are to sustain the bridge lietween the Anderson's Bay road and Kensington are nearly all in situ, having advanced to about the point where the northern extremity of the old platform wa-s. As developed, tlio bridge at the Ar.dcrson'a Bay road will not be at all unsightly. Tiio abutments aro being plastered, and the parapet panelled, the whole presenting a castellated appcarancc.

The alignment of tlio bridge shows that tho now line, which is lo havo a gradient of one in eighty from (ho ovcrbridge to Anderson's B::y road, will about bifcct the olivine shed?, necessitating ihoir removal. The Water Committee of the City Corporation will recommend to the council to-morrow evening, that- the work of cleaning out the southern irs»rvoir be completed at a further cost, of £50. Taking advantage of the recent low condition of this reservoir, tlie walls ot the enclosure havo boon cleaned, and the races cleared, and, with the expenditure of tho £50 recommended, it is anticipated that', the whole of the cleaning .work will tic completed. Tho fishing season is always open at the city wharves. Fishers of all ages, from the lit tie chap with obviously "made-down" pants suspended by asingle brace, to the hoary veteran, who lias perchance found tho voyage of life rough, aud now frugally combines sport, with tho economical provision of fish, seek, by devices as various ns their personalities, to till the bags always provided. Sometimes, though rarely, their efforts are rewarded by trevalli, more frequently by mullet, but most- frequently of all by the despised red cod. Tho lastnamed appears to abound just now, and! frequently a row of figures, intent on tho water, lines the coping from end to end. The catches, however, appear to bo indifferent. Tli? red cod is wrongfully contemned. But. his llesli is soft, and ho must bo handled carefully. If taken with ca.ro and killed by bleeding instead of asphyxia, scaled, trimmed, and eviscerated, and then stuffed and baked, even Epicurus would smile upon the banquet. The Hockeri Library Trustees will to-night place before the subscriber to tho housing fund tho outcome? of their discussion as to housing Dr Ilccken's gift to the pcoplo of Dunedin, As will be seen ,from an advertisement in ihis issue, tile trustees will propose that, a wing l>c added to tho Museum, and that tho City Council be requested to make over to tho University the custodianship of tho collection. It. is quite time tint the building,regulations of the city provided for the safety' and convenience of the public mora efficiently than at present. During tho construction of a building foot passcngors arc compelled to walk round a narrow plank footpath, which is often dirty and frequently dangerous. It is not long sinco a bucket fell from the topmost storey of a building undergoing alteration in tho busiest part of Princes street. The height ivas such as lo make the barricade below of no avail, and several who were passing narrowly escaped serious injury. In other Utrgc towns tho footpaths are left entirely unobstructed, but tho public' safety is assured by. tho provision of a roof of stout planks. The present arrangement in Dun-' cdin can only be described as archaic. Tho air of placidity which usually surrounds the functions of tho Magistrate's Court was most rudely disturbed yesterday morning, and the dignity of tho court was considerably imperilled by an individual who was protesting against a summary, separation order being granted to his wife, tho grounds being persistent cruelty and failure to provide reasonable mcane of maintenance for complainant and her children. Dofcndant- said he was good to his wife. Tho only time lie had any trouble with her was .when in, tho height of her passion lie had to hold her down, " When sho gets upset sbo, is a perfect tiger," lie assured the court. Mr Widdow«on, S.M., however, took an uncharitable view of tho case from his standpoint, and granted tho order. Defendant (addressing tho magistrate): "I'll never pay that much. I'll go to gaol for tho term of my natural life. Ton can take mo for 12 ycar6 if you like." To the plaintiff: "As for you, you

" But nothing transpired in this direction. • Defendant was ignominiously thrust out of the rosin. The reclamation of the Southern Reservo is proceeding apace. The means now taken of covering up the garbago with soil immediately after its deposit is not only more sightly, but a great mitigation of tho nuisance formerly caused. The " tip," however, is still the resort of gomins (of both sexes),, who, grope among' the rubbish in search of unconsidered trifles, such as kindling wood. etc. / Whon it happene that a quantity of fruit has been condemned and deposited on tho reserve, tho news secnw to spread with great alacrity, and a general feast ensues. ' Whether- this is consonant with tho laws of health is a matter for tho authorities; but it certainly seems a wasto cf energy .lo condemn fruit as unDt fo. consumption and immediately place it where it is accessible to all who care to tako if. It is now about five yearn since the city garbago was first placed on tho Oval. There are five corporal ion dust, carts, and each takes about, five loads per day. The reserve is now about lialf reclaimed. Assuming that a like quantity of rcfuso comes from other sources, such as warehouses, shops, and faotorics, the approximate date of completion is easily deducible. And it has to bo remembered that a largo amount of material was rccenlly obtained from an adventitious source—viz., the excavation for tho intercepting sewer, from which some thousands of loads were taken.

Mr J. Wadded Smith, during hi 9 occupancy of the chair at tho annual meeting of tho High Street School Old Boys' Club last evening, announced that the committee of tho school had made up its mind lo have a swimming hath in connection with the school. The intention of the connnittco was lo tako the old hall, remove tho floor, leave tho building standing, supplement it with skylights, and make an up-to-dato bath for swimmers. If the committee, tho teachers, parents of the scholars, and t.'io club combined the scheme could easily bo brought to a successful issue. The swimming hath would bo a great, help, not only to tho school, but also to tho club, and should help to foster a larger membership of Iho club.

An invention in the shape of an air pump by which it is claimed that the'pump-ing-up of the four tyros of a motor ear can ho accomplished in ten minutes, as against, u mucli longer period "with the present method, has l>een made hy two yonllis of this i-ify named George Stephens and "lirian •Mahoney, apprentices in Messrs R. Hudson and Co.'s fitting shop. The invention lias been submitted to motor-car exports, and the opinion expressed hy them that the ptimp will prove to bo a very big success indeed. Its construction ia simplicity itself, and it. is almost automatic in its working. The invention has been patented. A sitting of tho Assessment Court for tho City of Duncdin was held before Mr 11. T. Widdowson, S.M., yesterday morning. Several objections had boon file, but there being no appearance of tile objcctora, tho cases wcro all struck out. Tlks fish auction mart, which formerly consisted of part of the railway station platform, is now situated in tho goods yard, immediately opposite the swing l>ars at-' the foot of Jetty street. A bank haa been constructed, and on one sido tho railway trucks draw up, while on the other the dealers' carte stand awaiting their load. A subetantial roof covers in the whole. There was a. plentiful supply of fish yesterday morning. Largo ling sold at three for a shilling, and gropcr at 2s 6d, 2s 3d, ami 3s per pair. There prices aro to dealers. It. is understood that the eale i 6 perfectly, open to private buyers, hut there were nono visible yesterday morning. Tho construction of the extension of tho Jetty street wharf to the present limit haa now boon completed, and a beginning lias boon mado with the "return" wharf in a southerly direction. Tho. extension southward will be in line with tho Victoria wharf. Into the work of construction largo quantities of reinforced concrete are being introduced for stringers, sheeting, etc, Tho pieces may lw made of any size, and thc«> are now ready for use quite a number, which, while not- bulking more largely than timber, aro much stronger, and havo tho quality of indestructibility

At; yesterday's meeting of the Otago Land Roard valuations in reaped of Logan's property situated at Kurow, lo be, known as the Kurow Settlement, which is to he disposed of under tho Land for Settlements Act. woro submitted and approved. There will he 12 allotments, varying from 11 lo 42 acres, tho rentals ranging from 12s lo 23s per acre. Mr Isaac Sclby, a well-known resident of Dunedin, was knocked down by a passing trarucar in Castle street, near St. Andrew fit reel, yesterday morning. Mr Sclby, who has reached the advanced ago of 8+ years, is afflicted lo some degree with deafness, and did not hear the car approaching. When tho motorman eaw him lie applied the brake, thinking Mr Sclhy was an intending passenger, but. the mishap could not bo averted. Mr Sclby was thrown to one side by the car, and received abrasions of ihe left hand and forehead. It is thought that ho sustained no infernal injuries. l)r Evans attended Mr Sclby, who was removed lo his homo in the ambulance van. The Dunedin Burns Club has recently instituted a. scholarship, valued at £15 a year, and tenable for three years aI; Ihe Otago University, which is open for competition lo members, or the children of inemboM, of the club. The conditions are, that a candidate must havo matriculated, he must not have on any previous occasion attended classes at the "University, ami that, should ho lie successful, ho must, keep terms for three years. The first examination in connection with this scholarship was commenced last night, and will bo eoticlitdcd to-night. Tho papero, which were set and will he examined by Dr Nisbet and Mr 11. Gilk Uon, consist of u eoriis oi questions based upon tho following subjects: — Hallowe'en, "Collar's Saturday Night," " Marniion," "Roll Roy," four .chapters of "Tales of a Grandfather," and the lives of liurns and Seolt. Four candidates have entered for the examination. One of our reporters had a private view yesterday of three admirable portraits of Qirmnincnt Now Zoalaiulers which have been painted by Mws Grace ,1. Joel, the wellknown artist. The portraits are those of the lalo Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Mr John Robert;, C.M.G., and Mr John .MacGregor, Mr Soddon's portrait is one (lie best we havo seen of the lalo Prime Minister. Hut. the best work of the three is unquestionably tho portrait of Mr John Roberts. Tho dignity, ease, and naturalness of the poso aro most striking. The colour, though oniy a grey harmony, is charming lo ihe e.ve. It is a "speaking" portrait ; the flesh colour of head and hands vibrating with life. The strongly-marked characteristics of Mr Roberts are well 'brought oul. Upon entering the studio with tho portrait facing one, it; requires no great effort of the imagination to fancy the man himself getting up from the chair in which bo is comfortably seated and doing tho honour* of the place. The portrait does Miss Joel eo much crcdit that it is not surprising to find that she purposes exhibiting it abroad. The portrait' cf Mr MacGregor is a head study, painted in a subdued key of beautiful colour. It, is a lino portrait, and distinctly characteristic of (he man.

At a eummoncd meeting of the Hoyal Oaic Lodge of Druids, Caversha.ni, hokl last evening, tho delegates to Ihe Dimedin Friendly Societies' Dispensary reported upon tho proceedings at the special meeting of llio Dispensary Board held on llio 15th inst., and wero accorded a voto of thanks. Secretary tiro. B. C. I.owry resigned hia position as secretary, and Bro. 11. I'. Harvey was olcclod to fill tho position. District President Ero. lierkiiisliaw. on behalf of llio lodge, presented Bro. Lowry with a. repeating rille as a. memento of Rood feeling. Bro. tl. Logic, jun., was elected auditor in place of Hro. Harvey (resigned). Bros. Hudson and Harvey were elected delegates to tho Friendly Societies' Dispensary. The, lodgo takings amounted to £56. ' At the I'ort Chalmers Folico Court yesterday Andrew Kollon, [or being dnmk in tieorge street, on Saturday, w'as convictcd and discharged. Mr Andrew Thomson was tho presiding justice.

Traill nrrimgemonls for the opening of tho Otago Central railway to Ciydo aro adveriisfid. Tho choir nf S. PeUr'g. Cnvorsham, wiil perform Dr Siainer's meditation oa "Tho Crucifixion" on Wednesday at half-past 7. Tho soli for soprano, lonor, and bassos arc in llio hands offun'shcd singers, and the chorus will contain -10 voices. Miss Amy Jlurphy intends giving a sacretl concert on Good Friday night in the Oarrison Ifnll, for which jx particularly attractive programme is bring nrranged. Tho Central Mission is providing for a crowd at its anniversary tea. mid concert in llio Garrison Hall to-morrow evening. A record attendance is expected, as this is the last, anniversary the "Rev. \V. A. Sinclair Will take part in for some time, as lie moves to Cliristchurch next month. First grand show o! autumn mid winter goods nor/ on view at Dallas and Walt's.— Advl. We beg lo direct, special attention'lo the new range of boys' Shamrock suits which wo have opened. They are very up-to-date, and tho prices range Ironi i:is tid to 01s.—llollisons Ltd... " Elizabeth," Milliner, 42 Princes street (over Braithivaite's).—New motor caps in tweed, .urge, and flannel for Kasler wear; snmrl autumn models, " Itealin" collar supports. veils, hnir nets.—Advt. Tourists desiring mementos of Xew Zealand TTiil find it to their advantage to inspect tils magnificent selection o! articles in genuine greenstone displayed at 0. and T. Young's, 88 Princes street. -Hie potency of the "Lancer" cure in eneci of Influenza, is most remarkable. It seems to act .iko a charm in tlio quickness with vhit'li it gives relief! "Lancer" Influenza Cure, 3?. All chemists'.—Advt. no is Bf.tlcu Dick'.'—Tho moot reliable Watchmaker and Jeweller, opposite Cofleo I'njnee. Moray place, Dnncdin. Charger strictly moderate.—Adrt.