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Otago Daily Times, Issue 13998, 3 September 1907, Page 4

The welcome rains of tho past two weekt. have worked wonders in tho farming districts throughout ■ Otago. On tho Peninsula, where some of the settlers had suffered heavily from (he prolonged drought, tho grass has now come away abundantly where there were formerly nothing but barren, dried-up areas. A practical farmer on the Peninsula, speaking to a Times reporter yesterday; said that owners of catllo will at this stage lmvo to exomieo a grave care for the safety of their stock. The heavy green, moisture-laden grass would, if cattle were fed on it too freely, eauso scour, which in their .present, low condition would almost assuredly proyo fatal. Dry fodder has certainly attained a big price, but a judicious admixture with tho green would prevent any such evil eventuating

The inquiry by the Royal Commissioners (District Judgb Ilasolden and Messrs Kliott, Gordon, nnd Forbes) into tho Nightcaps mine disaster began in earnest yesterday, when the evidence of William Handysido (managing divector of the company) was taken, and tho .examination of Mr Green (Inspector of Mines) was commenced on tho plans of the mine. To-day the evidence of Mr John Lloyd (mine managor) will bo proceeded with.

Tho Tramways Committee of the City Council will bo invited at- its next meeting to decide upon tho merits of tho Quertiei patent electric suction track and street cleaner, 0110 of these machines having been placed under offer to tho corpora-' tion. principle upon , which the contrivance is operated m that the rail grooves are scraped out by it snd. the material sucked up into hoppers or bags which can bo expeditiously discharged, while, when it is so desired, the tramway track and street may be watered at the sa.me, timo through the use of the rear jets of tho sprinkler. It is claimcd by those interested in the machine that through tho agency of suction tho points on the track may bo cleaned out more effectively than by any other moans, and that the cleaner commcnds itself also on account of its simplicity, since it may. bo thrown in or out of operation bv tho pressure of a button. It is estimated that if it should remove dust from tho track and rails at an average rate of 2cwt to tho mile, this being said to be a, moderate computation, ,fc would, by going twico over a tramway system such as that of Duncdin, lift six tons of material in a day. Upon this basis it is represented that, as compared with the ~recent cost of track-cleaning, the utilisation of the electric suction cleaner would involve an annual saving of £1300, irrespective of tho cost of trade and street watering under existing conditions.

Though tho deliberations of the Board of Benevolent Trusloos last night did not lead to anything very definite, tho\ at least showed one thing very plainly, and that was chat the present strengtn of tho nursing <;taJf for the 6ick at the institution is very inadequate. Dr Closs pomfed put that nursing thero was a very different matter from hospital nursing', and gave it as his professional opihiop that nursing by inmates should be done aH'ay with. Female nurses should bo employed in all eiek wards, and he thought that font nurso were required, tie proposed to havethroo Wards, and quoted the ntimbei of patients at 46. At present the nursing is hemj dono by Nurse Smith, who receives assistance from a junior nurse :'oce;it-ly precurodv

Tlio .following is a copy of a telegram sent by the secretary of the High Schools Board <o the Hon. J. R. Sinclair yesterday . ill connection with tho Girls' School building:—"School opens 17th inst., nnd a number of parent?, after reading Dr Moron's report, aro anxious alxmt children's health. Will Government authoriso tailing temporary premises pending final decision upon fatp of building? Board thinks prompt action absolutely hccksiaty."

Tho deputation froin tho Employers' Federation that waited on tho Minister of Labour in connection with clause 2 of tho amended Factories Act complained that if passed aa drown it would compol all electric and gas generating stations to he worked nrf(lor the Factories Act It was pointed out that ao tho conditions of work in such stations were bo different from thnso prevailing in ordinary factories the net could not well bo applied to them. The Minister undertook to havo tlio clause nltorod so tliat it would govern only eases whcro ( .onßrgy was to be sold in tho open market, This will exempt from tho provisions of tlio act mining companies and generally (hoso generating electricity for their own use, but will moan that tho City Corporation will require to rcgistor as factories its generating station at Waipori, tho. transformer station at Ilalfv;ay Bush, and thp converter station in Cumberland street. -■

T|in regular meeting of tho D lined in Parliamentary Union was held last evening in the board room of tho Agricultural Hall Buildings. Mr Lawless asked tlio Premier if ho would givo tho Houso an opportunity of discussing the Arbitration and Conciliation Bill nowboforotho Dominion Parliament, to whioh tho Premior replied that it would bo discussed next mooting night. Tlio adjourned debate on tho Nationalisation of Industries Bill was then taken up. Tho speakers were Messrs Bedford, Lawless, Ritchie, Lovatt, ami Arkle. Tho amendment was withdrawn, and'Mr Ferguson replied. Tho question on boing put loot by ono vote, and Mr Ferguson th'op moved the adjournment of tho Houso, the motion being carried.

Tho New Zealand Shipping Company's Orari, which sailed from Wellington on Sunday took with her, Mr G. B. Bullock (the local manager) informs us, a shipment of meat for the garrison at Gib-l-altor. Somo timo ago tho Kaikoura landed about 3000 carcasos at this fortress, and tho present shipment is boliovcd to be slightly jarger.

At, a mooting of tho newly-formed Provincial Council of No-licenso Leagues in Duncdin yestorday, at which delegates woro prosont from Bruce, Waikouaiti. Invercargill, and Dunedin, it was resolved that tho Government bo requested to tako injiiiodiate steps to deal effectively with tho looker syelom, boor depots, and bottle licenses.

Mr William Scott, secretary of the Otago Employors' Association and ono of tho local delegates to last week's conference in Wellington, when asked by a Times rcportor yestorday if ho had any opinion ttf olfcr in fogard to tho conforenco held, said that the resolutions of the conforonco .in regard to tho Industrial Con-, ciliation and Arbitration Aot Amondmont Bill wore to bo discussed by n Bpooial meeting of tho Otago Employers' Association oil Thursday aftornoon, and until tho local association had deliberated upon those'matters ho did not fool disposed to express any' opinion.

Owiiig to only two or thrco members of the oxecntivo of the Otago Central Railway Lcaguo putting in an appearance last evening tho meetipg was adjourned to a future date.

Rosobery street, Mornington, one sido of which borders on tho Windlo Settlement, is in u very bad condition owing to tho rccont rains, and footways and roadway r.rj) anklo doep in mud in many places. Tho Mornington Thorough Council has monoy in hand for-'expenditure on the street, but owing to tho recent wot woatlior work intended to bo carried out could not bo proceeded with. Mr Nolson, town clerk of tho borough, informs us that whoif the weathor permits concrete channels and asphalt footpaths will bo put down tliji wliolo length of tho street—a boon which will bo appreciated by tlio many residents in the locality and also by pedestrians whoso businoss or leisuro takos them into this part of tho borough.

An Agreement lias been arrived nt between tbo Otago Slaughtermen's Industrial Union of Workers and tho Christchuroh Moat Company in regard to the conditions of labour governing tho man employed fit the Burnside Freezing Work?. Tho agreement is exactly similar to that which governs tho conditions of labour at tlio, company's factories in Canterbury. The Slaughtermen's Union has failed to effect a settlement with tho employers of slaughtermen at tho Burnsido Abattoirs, Mid tho diiguto will lio dealt with and an award made at tho coining sitting of tho Arbitration Court.

A, meeting of tho Otago Motor Association was called for last evening to discuss tho tariff on motor cars nnd other miitlom of common interest, but the attendance was somewhat meagre, and it was accordingly decided to allow tho matters to stand ovei for discussion at tho annual meeting of tho association, which is to be held on tho 23rd inst,

| That tho ordinary inmates of tho » Benevolent Institution aro well looked iftor as rowards diet is known to Hie trustees. It seems that this is also the caso with tho bed-ridden, ai|d Dr Closs informed tho meeting last, night that somo nf these'last woro eo weighty that it was ■uoi'o than ouo uunso could do to turn llioni over in bed. "Why, soihe of tho incurablos weigh from 16 to 18 stone," remarked . tho doctor., A tense silence succeeded' this; statement. T'hp trustees lpokod thoughtful, They wpro probably' trying to calculate what the more robust inmates might weigh.

Tho annual general meeting of tho Dunwlih Jewish congregation was held on Sunday at the Synagogue chambers. Mr I). K. Theomiri was re-elected president. Mr I). Jlondelsolni was re-elected treasurer, nnd Messrs L. W. Harris, Samuel Jacobs, L. Morris, and S. Solomon wevo reappointed to tho committee. Mr Jlendel•iilm gave notice of motion that, in addition to his commissions, tho salary of the colleotov he increased from £5 to £10' Iter annum. This will come up for'consideration at- the next meeting.

The question of sito in conncction with the proposed public swimming baths came bofore the General Committee nf tho Duncdin Cilv (Council yesterday, and it was decided to make an inspection of the sug-gesif-d site near tho ovcrbridgo, probably on Saturday, with a view to considering its suitability.

Thers was no business for tho City. Licensing Committee to transact, yesterday, and conr-criuently no sitting was hold.

As on indication that oycling 3J a sportis on the '.nine, tho members of the Dunedin Oyclim; and Motoring Club unanimously y«olved ui iheir annual meeting last ni|;ht to change the nxme to tho Dim(•.din S|'K>rl) Ctuii. Tliis stop, it is believed. will enlarge the sphere of the club's ihlliicncn and attract (jreally increased '-.umber? to the now rooms eacured in Empire Huihlinjv.

Apologies for non-aitmiJarca at the special meeting of the lsone.voient Trustees last ni;;!it were , received from Messrs LeCrcu and W. Burnett. Tho latter, in his letter,. said ho wished to protc-.it stri.ngiy against any attempt to turn the institution into & hospital for ipnura-blcs. " U'cil." blandly inquired Mr Gallr.way whan this w.-w rtad, "novo got tho incurnbtw, gentlemen, and what aro we poinj to do with them?'- Tbo question icmnincd HflaawKorwJ,.

Tho Press Association agent at Iriveroargill wired that a lioavy pea fog settled over tho town last night.

Tho ordinary mooting of tho Albany Street School Committee was held last evening, when there were present—Messrs J. H. Wilkinson (chairman), W. Aitkcn, H. Mitchell, J. 8. Nugent, .T. O'Shea, A. Brook, J. Abernethy, A. and W: R. Smith. Several necessary works about tho school were delegated to tho Works Committco (which wes appointed tlio Visiting Comm : tteo for tho month) to attend to. Tho Head Master roportcd 671 on tlio roll; also that tho prevalent eickhcss v.'fts responsible for tho diminished attendaneo as compared with that of. tho previous month. An application by the Diincdin Harriers for tho use of tho gymnasium as a dressing room on tho occasion of their road race was granted. The Savings Bank book shornl a credit of £79 7s Sd. Accounts amounting to £13 Os 2d were passed for payment.

A Wellington correspondent telegraphs to tho Press that strange stories aro in circulation about tho Dominion newspaper. It is stated that negotiations havo boon proceeding between tho New Zealand Timeo and tho directors of tho new journal (which is supposed to commence publication about September 16) with a viow' to a compromise, and that an arrangement is likely to bp como to. The latter is surmise, but the statement about nogotiations is fact. It is hardly possible to eay what tho result, will be. One story.is that tho tw'o papers named will not fight each other, and that one will como out as an evening paper, with the possibility of both papers being published from tho same office. Though it is impossible by reference to tho colony's trade statistics to learn what vohtmo of cast-off clothing is imported to the colony, it would appear (says' the New Zealand Times) that there is a, certain amount ol trade done in this direction. The importation of discarded artificial teeth would also seem to ongago attention. In any ease, a person, whoso address is Brixton, S.W. (London), circulates a card ftmongst his clientelo stating that ho "has received 'a largo order from Wellington, Now Zealand, to buy all kinds of ladies', gentlemen's, and children's cast-off clothing to any amount for cash," Tho purchaser makes casual' mention aleo ;of i';>; desiro to buy artificial teeth ant] other things. As tho tariff is now under consideration, there ecoms to bo an opportunity of attending to this matter. Moreover, tho Health Department may possibly think it worth whilo to keep an eye on tho " large order" when it come 3to hand.

A mooting of members of the Mutual Help Terminating Building Society was held last evening at the society's office for the purpose of disposing of two appropriations of £500 each by ballot. Mr D. Dawson was in the chair. Tho free loan of £500 fell to cluster 196, hold by ono member, resident in Wellington, and the premium loan of £500 was drawn by a rosidont of Port Chalmers. A meeting of shareholders in the Southern Stan-Bowkctt Sooioty was hold last evening. An appropriation of £500 was disposed of by ballot, and was drawn by cluster 135, held by two shareholders. Tho salo of an appropriation, also of £500,' realised a premium of £11 Is per £100.

Tho calls upon business firms for charitablo purposes were referred 1o at the annual meeting of the Now Zealand Dairy Association, whon Mr Wesley Spragg, t]ie chairman, announced that tho sum of £10 12s 6d had been given to public institutions. This, acoording to Mr Spragg's calculation, amounted to 2d per head for each shareholder. These institutions, Mr Spragg observed, had'more than a sentimental claim upon city businesses—nothing of tlio naturo of private charity had been touched. Tho amount had, in fact, been a business expenditure. All other demands—and they had been very numerous— had boon mot out of Ihc private means of tho management. A shareholder remarked that tho amount spent in this way was little enough. Mr Spragg again disclaimed any philanthropic motives for this item of expenditure. It was, he remarked with emphasis, purely a business expenditure. Ho made. this explanation beoauso he understood that it was required. A gentleman who has been sojourning in the Urowera country told a Now Zealand Times reporter that the hand of Rua, tho t°tl«nga, wqs likoly to wane, although it was now powerful. , Rua has a canvas town and about 2000 Maoris —men, women, and children—under him. Siokness is very prevalent, Mho mortality among children being very large. It is thought that much sickness will convince tho more intelligent Maoris that Rua is not omnipotent. Many Maori schools aro closed, the parents and children having been influenced by Rua.

Diphtheria is steadily increasing in Wellington (says the New Zealand Times), and for tho month of August, 20 cases have been notified to the Hoaltli Department. There were nine cases reported last month, and 13 cases in June. Tho present provalenco of tho diseaso is most' unusual. Scarlet fever, which has been moro or less provalont. for six months, is not on tho wano, and the authorities are not able to find ft causo for ils continuanco. They heliove, however, that its presence is prolonged by unnotified eases. Actinomycosis, the i|iseaso lately added to the list of notifiable infectious disorder®, is found in botli- mjn and cattle—n- bloc<i diseaso which affects the tongue, jaw, face, and throat. It. is sometimes difficult to identify, especially in man. Its' infectivity ia great, and its organisms highly prolific.

The lesturo by Mr Lynian L. Pierco in tho Garrison Hall this overling promises to provo of great interest. Mr Pierco lias a capital selection of slides illustrating tho progress of Y.M.C.A., work in other parts of tho world, and has the faculty for telling his story in an interesting maimer, Tiokcts for admission can bo obtained Upon application at tho Y.M.C.A. Kooins, and no solicitation for subscription will ho made.

Dorothy, milliner, llig]i street, has on view soiuo lovely costumes, iu grey, brown, cream, and green; beautifully mode: reasonable prim.—Advt. \ Wo are now busy opening our new soring goods: novelties ih nil departments.—Mollisons Ltd.—Advt.

Why not have it modernised or repaired? It is surprising what can bp. done with oldfashioned or broken jewellery. Have -you any pnt away in ft drawer «nd probably never used now? We will ho pleased to m#kc suggestions and qnpto prices,—G. and T. Young, 8S Princes street.—Advt.

Influenza! Tho present epidemic - may be best combated with •'Lancer" Influenza Qire. Hie riuiditv v.'ith which it acts is simply nstouutlinj;! Nnt- a quack, hut a scientific remedy. A fnv doses cure. Prove it; 2s, all ch?iuists.—Advt.

«r i Children's Hacking Cough at nicilt \\ OOQS Great Peppermint Cure. Is 6d Jl2s'6d Who la PzTstt Dick 7—Tho ntaal reliable Watchmaker ai|d .Tewotlar. nmiosjtn Cojfci) Pal»«o, IJomy piacc, Punedin. Charev strictly moderais.-r-AdTt.