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Otago Daily Times, Issue 14089, 18 December 1907, Page 4

Yesterday's sultry weather was severely felt by people both in and out of doors, and even the most energetic dawdled languidly along the pavements. Long after sunset windows and doors were placed wide open to admit as much air.as possible, which, as it was mostly tepid, did not irnprovo matters much. A local minister just returned from Auckland states that the temperature there was not. nearly as oppressive as that in Duncdin yesterday.

A poll of the ratepayers of Greater Dunedin will be taken to-day at the Garrison Hall on the question of widening King Edward street, South Duncdin. As the question is one intimately touching the proStress of that part of the city, thero is no doubt of the'importance of the step.

The highly interesting series of pictures connected with the wreck of the Dundonald and the life on Disappointment and the Auckland Islands of her castaway crew, which appear in this week's Otago Witness, are supplemented by those of another catastrophe nearer home —the burning of the Parliamentary Buildings in Wellington. There is a magnificent picture of tin; fire in progress al 4.30 a.m., and a series of views showing- the handsome buildings before and after the fire, the Chamber in which the representatives of the people met, now reduced to a stack of chimneys, the comfortablo lobby decorated for some festive occasion, and in sharp contrast the same spot with a fireman battling with the advanniug flames. There are, in addition, a number of otlier illustrations, rendering the number specialty suitablo for tending to friends at a distance.

A claim against the corporation (or £855 ks arisen in connection with tho fire in Maeluggan street a few days ago. It is claimed, we understand, that blame attaches to tho corporation employees.

The committee of (lie Duncdiu Chamber of Commorce held the last- monthly meeting for 1907 in the Chamber of Cominerco Room, Stock Exchange Huildings, yesterday a(tornoon. 'l'hose present were Messrs W. Gow (president), P. Dnrr (eecrotary), .1. W. Henton, D. M'P.herson, 11. Salmon, U. R. Ritchie, I«. \Y. Harris, anil J. M. Gallaway. Only routine business waa transacted.

Keeping- a sievo fdlod with water seemed child's play to the uphill strngglo of an individual figuring as tho bankrupt before a meeting of creditors yesterday. • It appeared that he married when an cleaner, and over since iiie wife had bcon an invalid, necessitating tho omploymont of a nurse and a housekeeper. Heavy doctors' bilk had to bo met continually, and though ho neither drank nor gambled lie found himself sinking in a slough of debt, Things got to such a pass that, the only hope seemed to be to iile his schedule and start afresh but, hoping against hope, ho struggled on, partly paying off old clobts and incurring new ones. Eventually the inevitable happened, but his creditors, while blaming him for not having filed a schedule before instead of obtaining goods that he had no ho|)c of paying for, decided that this was not a casti in which tho Ixmk'rupt should he prosecuted. The bankrupt proniised to do Ilis best, and the ease was adjourned sine die.

If was alleged at the time of the rescuing of the crew of tho Dmulonaht that the stores at the depot at the Auckland Islands had been depleted. Speaking to a Southland Mows reporter, Mr Hatch, who is prosecuting the oil trade in the southern islands, indignantly resents any insinuation as to the depots .having been visited by some callers and depleted. Certainly, ho says, it was not borno out at tho inquiry ro tho DundonaM wrpek, and in tho absence of some stores asks: "As in tho caso of tho African war stores, docs the Government take all precautions necossary for an ofliccr of tho Marine Department to see tfie stores ordered properly packed and scaled down, and, perhaps, receive the Broad Arrow brand as a certificate that they wore properly supplied and packed for transit to t.he islands?"

It lias been decided to. appoint Mr William Allan Armour, M.A., to the j-ositioa of assistant master in the Otago Boys' High Softool. Mr Armour, who is at present first assistant in the South School, Invcrcargill, gained his primary education at the Arthur Street School, Dunedin, of which lie was dux in 1695. Later on ho attended the Boys' High School. He joined i.he staff .of the Kaikorai School us a pupil teacher, and also served in the North-East Valley School as second assistant. Subsequently he was a teaclier in (lie Wanganui Collegiate Soliool, which ho left in November, 1005, to take up his present position in lnvercargill.

Sir J. Thornton, head master of To Ante College, gave a most interesting address in the Burns Hall, First, Church, last niglit, beforo a moderate audience, his subject being "The Future of the Maori Rate." One of Mr Thornton's objects in giving the addresses is to influence the people generally in this portion of tho Dominion in tho welfare of the Maori face, with a view to uplifting the race morally, socially, and spiritually; and ill the course of an eloquent and impressivo address he thoroughly aroused the interest of his hearers in tlio subject. At the conclusion of the address it was resolved, on the motion of Dr Ilocken, seconded by Mr W. Ruriu)tt—" That this meeting, fully recognising the eaiins of the Muori race, as an integral portion of the people of this Dominion, io flic sympathy and practical co-operation of their fellow-citizens, readily acknowledging the serious responsibility that is laid upon tho moro enlightened section of the community to assist the forward policy of the Young Maori party, and willingly accepting the truth of the r.tatemeiit that the advancement of the lUiori race in every direction of progress ionda to Ihe ultimate benefit of the State as a whole, is unanimously of the opinion that the people of Dunedin be asked to take immediate practical stops to comply with the wishes of tlio lecturer and his pai'tv; and lo the end that this might be promptly carricd out, one of tho daily papers be rcspcel fully asked to open a sulscription list, 6iie.li n list lo close when the sum of £100, inclusive of the proceeds of to-night's lecture, bus been realised." On the motion of the ltev. Dr Xisbet, Mr Thornton was heartily thanked for his address. A similar vote was, on the motion of Dr Wi Kepa, accorded to the Mayor (Mr ,T. IxHklon) for

presiding.

The final il lustra led lecture given by the Rev. Uobort F. Elder, in tlio Choral Hall last evening on " Argentina: the Land of Tomorrow," was well attended by an audience that showed the deepest interest in what the lecturer had to say concerning a vorv interesting country. The lecture was similar to those given by Mr Elder previously, and towards its conclusion the lecturer emphasised the fact that now was flic time to evangelise the country, rather than wait for another generation, when tho work! would have become so much more difficult of accomplishment. At tlio conclusion of his remarks Ml- Elder was accorded a, very hearty vote of thanks, which was carried by acclamation, the chairman (Mr X. Patorson) also making' complimentary reference lo the manner in which the pictures had been shown by tho lantomist, Mr Jones.

Tho Diocesan Board of Nominators has unanimously nominated the Kev. J. G. S. Bartlefct, of St. Mark's Church, Wellington, to tho cure of St. Luke's, Oamaru, in succession to the "Ven. Archdeacon Gould.

Mr T. Mackenzie, M.l\, chairman of the Olago Education Board, has received no less than 30 invitations to attend tho breakup of schools at tlio end of this week. Naturally, Mr Mackenzie has had some difficulty in making a selection out of this number, but he lias decided to go to the I'urakanui School on. Thursday night, to Lower Harbour on Friday a! mid-day, and to Waitati on Friday evening.

The English mail which was despatched from Wellington, via Brindisi, on Novorabor 8, arrived in London on the 13th inst.

Tlio Dunedin am! .Suburban Oneml Labourers' Industrial Union oE Workers yesterday filed a reference with the Conciliation Board in connection with tl>o hours and conditions of labour outside of that connected with building operations. Wo understand that this dispute will bo referred to tho Arbitration Court, direct in tho course of a day or so,

Tho election of a councillor to (ill tho extraordinary vacancy caused by the retirement of Cr Chishohn from the Council of the Borough of West Harbour took place yesterday. and resulted as follows: —Mr William Forgic 16, Mr Shaw Crosland 4. Jlr Forgie was therefore clectcd.

A communication was recently received by the Dunedin Bakers and Pastrycooks' Union ol Workers from the Wellington Union, asking tho former's opinion in regard to the federation of the unions of the Dominion. The local union has considered tho' matter, and has forwarded a reply to the effcet that it is in favour of federation. The probability now is that a conference of the unions of the Dominion will be held shortly to consider the constitution and other matters in connection with tho proposed federation.

Prospecta in the poultry trade at the present timo arc by no moans bright, and it is considered in somo quarters that it. will bo another two years before matters have shown any marked improvement. So far as the local fiovernment poultry depot is concerned, operations are on a. very moderate fcale indeed. Most of what- docs come along is snapped up by the retail trade locally, while any surplus that Micro has boon lias found its way to tho North Island, principally Wellington, where poultry lias reached a high figure. Tho solo cause of the shortage of supplies and the general dullness of tho market is that fowl feed has boen too < v v, by reason of

which poultry-raising has been mado almost unroimmerative. Tliero is, however, a tendency towards a fall in tho prico of wheat; and if such should continue, food next, year will bo cheap, and becauso of their scarcity poultry will continuo to ndo high in priiv. This will bo an incentive to fannors to devote their attention to poultry-raising. But stocks have of necessity been so diminished as a result of the increased expenditure in maintaining them that next year will hardly bring any appreciable improvement. It will mean t.lio year following before the industry is put. on a sound footing again. The reecnt position of affairs .will, however, have ]md the etFoct of wiping out. old stock, which, of course, is a most desirable result.

It is intended in future to enforce rigorously' the by-law which makes it inciunl>out on cyclists to have.clear-sounding bells or alarms on their machines, This 11<\J been a requirement under tho by-law 9 for many years, of late it has been somewhat disregarded. The importance of having bells on bicycles was very pcrtincnt.lv bi ought under tho notico of tJie authorities tho other day by a narrow escapo from a very serious accident, wliiuh I need never liavo been imminent had the cyclist, been provided with means for giving a dangerwarning. The great majority of cyclists will welcomo tho enforcement of the jaw.

In company with tho Mayor of Port Chatmers (.Mr Isaac Stevenson) and members of t-ho Reserves Committee, Mr D. T'annock made a visit of inspection yesterday to the various borough reserves, tho latter gentleman's services having been pi ured at tho disposal of the Port Chalmers Council for the purpose of preparing a report as to tho Ixjst means to be adopted by the council for the .improvement and beautification of the various reserves and endowments in tho borough, Having ruthlessly destroyed most of the beautiful native bush around the lulls, the ratepayers nrc now ill favour of making amends in this respect, and a comprehensive wheme of tree-planting is contemplated, to which end Mr T'annock "will doubtless Ik? able to render valuablo assistance as an expert.

The Pacific ktarr-Bowkctt Building Hocioty hold a meeting last evening at the Friendly Societies' Kali, King Edward street, for the purpose of disposing of the tenth and eleventh appropriations of £500. Tlio former (carrying a premium of £25 per £100) was drawn by two shareholders, tlio lady officiating at tlio ballot-box being fortunate enough to draw her own number.. The free ballot resulted in cluster 133 being drawn, hold by threo shareholders residing in South Dunedin, one member drawing £300 being unfinaraial. T.hero was a fair attendance. Mr ,T. If, Ilaneoek occupied the chair.

Out of 3t applicants, Mr White has been appointed engine-driver at tlio Mornington Council's tramshed. Messrs A. and T. Burt aro the successful tenderers for a wire cable for tho Maryliill extension.

Or Hotting liaa definitely decided to stand for tho mayoralty of North-Bast Valley.

A Wellington telegram states that Robert William Guest, who used obscene language on a Port Chalmers train on November 18, arid to avoid arrest jumped off the train whilst travelling at full speed, wag fined £1 yesterday, with the alternative of seven days' imprisonment.

An Auckland telegram states that the Parnell Borough Council has decided to apply to Mr Carnegio for a grant of £3000 for the purpose of erecting a library in the borough,

At the Port Chalmers Polico Court on Monday two lirst offenders, charged with drunkenness, were convicted and discharged. Patrick Clarvey pleaded "Guilty" to disorderly behaviour while ho was "drunk, and was fined 5s and costs (2s). Thomas Collins wag also charged with disorderly behaviour while drunk, and, having a previous conviction against him, was fined 20s, -or a week's imprisonment, and ?-s coats. Charles Sullivati and Alexander Orammomj were charged with committing a breach of the peace by fighting in George street on Saturday evening. The former pleaded "Kmltv," the latter "Not guilty," The evidence of two witnesses proved Sullivan to be the aggressor, aithougli he Jiad apparently received a good deal of provocation previously. C'rammoiid was discharged with » caution, and Sullivan was fined 10s, or 48 lvours' imprisonment. Mr D. A. De Mans, .J.P., presided.

Mr 0. C. Kettle, S.M. at Auckland) has received information from the Minister of Justiw) to 1 lie effect- tliaf I'akatoa Wand (Bell s Island), Hauraki (Julf, had been gazetted as the " Pakatoa Inebriates' Tnstitulion" for il'io reception and detention of habitual drunkards. A circular letter stated ■that tho place .would be controlled by tho Salvation Army authorities, and that, it had accommodation for 50 inmates. Men only would be admitted to the institution, and 'magistrates in any part of the Dominion might commit inebriates to the institution, tho cost of transit being defrayed by tho Government.

New Zealand whito pine ia Sliding very noticeably favour in England. " During tho past 12 moiiiliH," states* tho Wiixlotf Timber Trades Journal, " we luvre 6evor»l times referred our readers to Now Zealand whit« pino aw a good, and, indeod, as the only available substitute for tunary whitowood and Canadian pine. Shipments of tfiia New Zealand timber have beea steadily rnureaS' ing in quantity, arid as * wholn maintaining a very high standard of tfoaiit)', mtf) tho very satisfactory result to the Aippeta that over Sa per oulw ia mow being obtained for parcels of primo w'uo boards. She vee <r£ this timber has, m fact, progressed tayond tho cxpermiuntat stage, and a tiig demand is arising not only in England but amongst other European consumers, •vrJio find tliernsclves unable, even at tho exoeedingjy high prices ruling, to obtain satisfactory supplier of the American woodß with wliioh New Zealand white pine compotes. The wood is about tho samo in weight as canary whitewood, which, indeed, ii; resembles ia general characteristics, being of a pale, yelloivisii colour .(sometimes almost; p*re white), oloeo and straight in tio grain, mid Taking stain, polish, paint, and enamel exceptionally well. It ia lew liable to warp in seasoning than canary whito wood, and t* therw foTe, valuablo for all descriptions of joinery and cabinet-making, is vary wefl adapted !oc making doors, and will bo particularly valuable to tho pianoforte manufacturer."

A return tallied at the meeting ot tha Wellington Education Board shows that there aro no less than 67 uncertificated teachers at present in -the aorvico of tho board. Of these, 26 hold a provisional license to teach. Tho remainder havo no certificates whatever. Mr A. H. Vile, referring to tho aotion of other Education ■Boards in this connection, said tfrafc whilo they did not visit to tako such drastiu aotion as had been reported in other districts, he thought that tiio teachers whose names appeared in tho return should be tendered a hint on the matter or Improving' their literary sUtos. if© moved:— "That uncertificated teachers m tho sc.mca of the board Ixs tfapicatiyJ to aw every effort to become certificated, as tho Education Act provides thai iiuceriißcatod toachcrs may 'ho only temporarily employed." This was carried unanimously, ■

At tho last 'lUonftily meeting «t tha Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association it was resolved to draw tho attention of tho Agricultural Department to tho fact that tho Orchards and Garden Peats Act was being unsatisfactorily administered. Tho question of an experimental orchard for Canterbury was again brought up, and after dieoussion it was unanimously reaotvpd that application should bo made to th« Minister of Agriculture, asking that such an orchard bo established on tho Kaimabi Settlement Section, otf HarowoocJ road, it was reported that Sydney oranges infested with froit fly had borni distributed m Christchurch, and it was rceoAwd to coiiuminioato with tie Minister on tho subjcct, urging fflffiro vigorous

For the Horticultural Society's rose show today very good entries have boon received, and t.hey ombrace a wido area, as exhibitors linil from Oamaru, Ltrwronce, Mid Invercargill. Tho soason hae lieon so favourable that a splendid display is assured, and it is said that there aro somo exhibits of surpassing excellence. Tho flowers will I« shown under tho very favourable surroundings of tho main Jiall of Uie Art Gallery; and the enjoyment of visitors will bo enhanced during tlie afternoon and evening by a programme of orchestral and vocal music. The ohow should be one of tho most successful held by tho society.

The break-up of the day school in connection with tho Cavorsham Industrial School is to take place to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock, and tho manager will be pleased to see on that occasion any of the Duncdm resident who are interested in tho institution.

Wo have received the sum of £2 from "K" on behalf of tlie two consumptivo rases, and 2s 6d from "Mother" on behalf of the consumptivo boy.

'Die railway train arrangements for the Clirist-ittus holidays will be found on page 2. 'liewarc of influenza.! Don't trifle witn this malady; the after-effects may be disastrous. Attack the disease at oncc with "Lancer" influenza cure, v.'liich acts with marvellous rapidity. A few doses com, one dose preventß. 2n a hyttle, chomisls and storekeepers.—Advt. Holiday Attractions.—A huge variety of ladies' neckwear, belts, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, gloves, etc., also icady-to-wear garments specially imported for the holiday sea»on.—Mollisons Ltd.—Advt. 'Having tho goods people want, and having lliem good, is how wo have built up our bus?ness. Call in and see our new season's slock now, and get the boat choice.-G. and T. lonng. 83 Princes street.—Advt.

Who is Peter I)ick?-Tlio most reliable Watchmaker ami Jeweller, opposite Coffee lalace, Moray place, Dunedin. Charges strictly moderate.—Advt.