JAPANESE CURIOSITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14491, 6 April 1909, Page 4

JAPANESE CURIOSITY.

It is, of course, difiicult to say Trhnt measure of credence is to bo attached to the information which the Federal .Minister of Defence is said to have received indicating that Japanese spies have been making a thorough examination of the country lying between the Northern Territory and Brisbane, '1 lie story, though discredited by the Japanese Consul-general in Australia, is narrated with a good dent of circumstance. It is to the effect, thai", three or four Japanese have attracted the attention oi tlie squatters prominently to themselves by taking cinematograph pictures and eliciting a fund of informal ion described as "likely lo be useful to an army 011 the march." These alleged spies would ,seem te have shewn themselves to be sociable fellows and to have been not- as secretive as they might have been. The Commonwealth i<; perhaps a. little nervous just now concerning the Asiatics ivithin her gates. The recent revelations with 'respect- to the wholesale smuggling of Chinese into Australia, have disturbed public confidence and impressed the community unfavourably on the subject of Oriental doggednpss and astuteness. .Moreover, the Commonwealth is painfully conscious of the dangers to which she is exposed in the existence of a vast and practically unpopulated Northern Territory. Unpleasant visions of irresistible horde.s of brown invaders may conceivably disturb even the most unimaginative of Federal .Ministers of Defence. 111 the character of spy or secret agent, the Japanese has probably nothing at all to learn. Three representatives of the type were reported to have been captured recently in South America. The story of tho presence of Japanese secret agents iu Queensland follows hard upon nil alleged discovery of a similar kind in Sydney, and the one account, may appear to give colour to tbe N other. It has been suggested also t-liat an emissary of Japan has been visiting Stewart Island aud exhibiting an extraordinary amount of knowledge respecting the depth of water in the bays of the island. The obvious comment, of course, is that it would be imiike a secret agent to prate about what ho had learnt. And this was apparently ths fatal flaw in .. .>% gisfe , .ceateo

111 " " ■1 .i ihwm ufc interest was laid in Sydney. A few-, weeks ago the Morning Herald created some stir by announcing that, as tho result of an investigation conducted at the request of tho Federal Depart-. menb of External Affairs by Mr It, Levien, one of 'tho commercial agentstor Victoria in the-East, the astounding information had bean divulged that a prominent Japanese commercial firm was conducting business operations in Sydney merely as a cloak to conceal proceedings of a more, sinister appearance. An official report on tho subject was quoted, which stated, in unambiguous terms, that Government, funds brought tho firm in question into existence and supported it, and that its business was only a niake-believo to shelter tho operations of the partners who were engaged in secret-service work in Australia under Consular supervision. The Consul-general f or Japan i u tha Couimonwealt.il lost 110 time in throwing ridicule on the discovery. Ho said" "The story is not only untrue hut ridiculous. Tho Japanese have been credited with a certain amount of diplomatic astuteness, but they would ill deserve such a, reputation if they wasted their time aud energy and resources in sending agents to play a costly masquerade in a friendly torritory where every, thing of importance in connection with tho defenco of or the policy of the country is made public in tho newspapers." Subsequent statements made by Mr Levien were less alarming than his original report. It appears that when ill Japan ho had himself refused an application from one of tho suspected merchants for an exemption orde<' for admission to the Commonwealth, and in discussing tho subject bo ventured the opinion that the loyalty of the Japanese was so great that practically every Japanese was a spy—using the term in the military and 110+. in tho more offensive sense, —inasmuch as 110 would keep his country posted on any matter coming under his notice. The difficulty about stories of secret agents is that they generally seem to lack a, sequel.

The mail winch was despatched from Duncdin, via Suez, on February 25 arrived in London on tlio afternoon of tlis 2nd inst. On Good Friday tlio Telegraph Oflico will l)o open from 9.50 to 10 a.in., and 5 to 5.3 C p.m., ami on Easter Monday from 9 a,m. to 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. to midnight. Tho Telephone Kxchange will be kept open continuously on both days, as usual. The City Council, at its meeting to-mor-row night, will bo recommended to uialco tho following rate for the year:—General Kilo, Is 3d; sanitary rate, 4|d (Oaversham and South Duncdin Wards only); water rates, a lnininiuni rale of 10s, up to 5 por cent. on rateable values. There is also a special rate of 9(1. which is a continuing, rate until certain loans are paid off. These rates are the same in amount as the ratca levied last year. Tho Taieri Drainago Board's engineer, Mr M. Miot, has reported that to construct a- channel for tho Silverstream "rom the Gladtield road to i'he river, embankments varying in height from 6ft to a maximum *>E 18ft- will require to be made across 92 chains of good ground .and 27 chains of wot ground covered with willows. A road bridge and 250,000 cubic yards of earthwork will be required for tin's route. If the couTHi of the stream is to be taken to Wio original outlet the height of the embankments will bo reduced, and 200,000 cubio yards is tlio amount of earthwork it is estimated will be required There is no decided advantage in either as regards cost Personally, the engineer favours the rout© to the original outlet. the ordinary meeting of the Benevolent Trustees, held yesterday afternoon, was attended by Messrs \V. T. Talbo}t> (chairman), E. A. 'tapper, J. Loudon, D l.armich, H. A. J.tC'reii, J. M. Callaway, arid 11. ]i. Mollor. Tho secretary reported that the outdoor relief eases for the last month totalled J46, which ill the whole represented 33 men, 126' ivonicn, and 2-10 children, tlio average cost being £52 16s per week Some 20 l-olief cases were then dealt with. Next jflondaj's ihoeling, ou account o( the holiday, was postponed till Wednesday next, 14th inst. ihe annual meeting of flic Presbyterian Synod of (Jtago and (Southland will be opened ill First Church to-night, at 7.30, when the liev. S. W. Currie (of lialclutha) will open tho proceedings with a sermon, after which tlio Sacrament of the Lord'* Supper will be administered. Tho Modera-tor-elect (liev .lames Gumming, of Waikiwi) will then take the chair, and follow ing this step there will come ordinary busi< ne.ss. (Some matters of considerable importance will come before the Synod. Nev» regulations will be adopted in connection with the administration of church funds, and on Wednesday evening a conference will be held in regard to young people's societies. Tho Synod will also decide tlio steps to be taken to fill the vacant sorship iii the Theological Ilall, caused by, tho deatli of the liev. Dr Dunlop. On account of drainage into the harbour, principally from the Water of Loith, the Oily Council pays an annual contribution of £369 to the Otago Harbour Board. Provided this sewage is diverted inioihecity'r drainage system and carried to sea, the contribution will cease, and as the quantity drained into the liatbonr its small compared with what it was a few years ago, Ihe council is taking steps to confer with the Drainage Board'with a view to preventing any sewage from making its way into tho harbour. Evidently the niglif classes wider the auspices of (lie Technical Ckv.es Association are, in Mime branches at least, going to lie rather crowded. This is particularly the case in tho electrical engineering course the, inquiries being numerdns since tho appointment of Mr Stark. In incchnnical engineering the new workshop' is n source of attraction, and these clasK\s, !hm!m» limited in numbers, are, likoly to be quite full. Further, this year, c or the first time, the trains Iwtweee JJunedin and Port, Chalmers have been so arranged that they suit, the hours of |,he classes, and this, together with the fad that, most of ihe students from Port. Chalmers are engineering students,<is going to increase the rush for those particular classes. ■The wandering cattle nuiv'inc* in nn everlasting sourco of annoyance to memlwrs of suburban borough councils, who ~oem to be continually endeavouring to devit-e effective measures ro keep tho streets clear of wan<!<»'ing <|uadntpeils. A Port Chalmers ratepayer, having complained of animals brows* "'.g promiscuously alxmt the public highways, one councillor dec-hired last evening that a recent prosecution resulted in the infliction or a fine of 1?. without costs, but the/boroitgh finances suffered to tlio extent of 19s on the transaction. Another councillor spoko vehemently of the impotence of the council to rid the streets ol ccrtain cattle, which winded not- across the lea, but tripped up pedestrian by straining tether rope; across tiic footpath in a vaiii effort to reach fresh pasture). It was thought that a good cause far complaint had boon mado when it was declared by a councillor that a lady had suffered inconvonionce on tho tightrope, but when this same member declared solemnly aad impressively that ho had actually to pirch an old cow <!f tho footpath in order to attend 1 tl.-e council mooting his fcllow-coraicillwa vea-o u:o imlisfliuvt to laugh, and two now dewing a Kibame whioli will efcriko dismay iuj.v Ui->

It is understood (.hot- Mr J. R. Bartholomew, of Alexandra, has been appointed a stipendiary magistrate.

It, is proposed to spend (-lie sum of £10,060 on public works in oily ami suburbs this year, as against £17,000 last year.

The value of life insurance is brought prominently More the public when a. sudden calamity liko the, wreck of Mie s.s. Penguin comes on us. Tho Government Life Insurance Department, has had six claims (seven policies), iiifiuring £2000, in ooimection with the Penguin disa.skir. The relatives of tho unfortunate victims have been assisted by the ollicors of the department in every possible way in procuring (lie ncoesfrary proofs to obtain tlio policy moneys.

The infHMgor of the Bonc.o'ent Tiisl-iiution (Mr Mcc) was a bio to roport to tile meeting of the trustees yesterday t hat, in response to tho publicity recently given to the matter, he had rcooived a number of oilers from singers and eociotics to go out to the Ilorne on some evening and give the inmates a treat in the way of a musical hour. Tho trustees expressed gratification

If is understood that Mr G. I". Bcwloy will bo t candidate for the representation of Bell Ward in tho City Council at Mie forthcoming muiiicip-jl eleeiions.

Jwo Muscovy ducks, which aro of the domestic order and somewhat rare in these parti;, escaped from "Sweetings ' yesterday morning, ami after fb'ng about town, at a low lovol alighted on tho Bank of New Zealand building, where they spent some time, and proved a source of attraction to a. nurnlvr of people. man was sent up to Uio to)) of the iiiiildihg later in tlio day with the objeet of sc-cnring them, but they separated, and again made off to another part of the town.

ilu? average daily attendance al the Carnogio Public Library for the week ended April 3 was 529 pcr.-ons, The following is a list of books donated to the library during the past week : — Font-toon volumes, suitable for the children's library, by Mr David h. Iheomin, Hoy a I terrace; Alison's of John, Duke of Marlborough," 'I voir., by Mr C. D. Blent, Cromwell; l ' Kveiyn's Diary (| vols.), Luhke's "Ecclesiastical

at. the information, and one jocular mcmlic '^ r '' ''Cnmuiy,' The Taller (4 vols.), suggested that the trustees themsolv Wright's "Domestic Manners," Wright's might get up an entertainment for t History of Caricature," " Letters of Alarf(o.nclit of the Home. This led another inch f;."t vot. I'idler," Oxford British Anthologies ber to remark that sufficient amusement (10 vols,), Burton's "Anatomy of Melanmight lte afforded by throwing their own eholy, ' by Mr George doachitn, Morninglneolin?* open to tho inmates! ton. The London I'osv Ollieo, Directory, anil

Already considerable interest is being displayed in tho coming Wintor (show, which opens in Dunedin on June 1. A larger number of entries than usual in cheese and butter will tlliu year be made, including oxhihilti from liulter factories in T'arauaki and Hawkc'.i Bay. It is ploa-ing to J;no>v, too, thai tJic famed 'J'aieri an ! Peninsula Milk Supply Do. will lx> a competitor (bis year in tho faetory-ohcese item Competition in tho dairying exhibits also promises to he very keen. Applications for space are coming in freely.

Oliver and Boyd's Ivdinbnrgb Almanac have been added to tlio hooks on tho hall table.

A man who had lieen injured whilst- in Government, employ appeared yesterday afternoon l>efore the Benevolent Trustees to apply for relief. Ilk case directed attention to l.lifi dilferenco seemingly existent Iwtween private employers ami the Slate, it being remarked that t.lio injured man was experiencing difficulty in pressing the red tape of oflicialtlom into action to tho extent of receiving compensation for his injury. Temporary relief was granted by tho trustees, and tho man was directed to ficc the trustees' solicitor and by his enso before him, when Iho ma tier would bo again considered. Mr Loudon undertook to see the manager of the department in which 'he was injured and report to next meeting. It xviia remarked in tho coarse of the discission on this case that there womed to exist very great difliculty in obtaining compensation from the Goveinme.nt in cases of this nature, the chairman (Mr Talhoys) sliding that this wan the second case of tho kind which had come before tin* trustees, ami another meinlier, while stating that the Government would |wy, regretted the time it took to do it, litis brought from Mr Loudon t.lio suggestion that tho heads of dopartmeni-s should have power to advance money in cases of tho hind. Next meeting will pee the matter further considered.

Tho eccrclary of the Clinton Branch of the Farmers' Union bits written to Mr Hng'i Mitchell, provincial secretary of the union, stating that his branch approves of a scheme of immigration, provided thai, farm labourers ami domestic servants only are sent out lo the country, as in t-ho past a gic*it many of fho men who camo out wro 110 US! at all for farm work. In its opinion, if Mx-relaricfi of branches of the Farmers' Union were notified when suitable immigrants wore likely to land, a good number eould bo placed in situations practically on arrival.

ilio different classes, comprising three separate courses—technical, commercial, and domestic—in connection with tho Dunedin Technical Classes Association, commenced yesterday. I n previous years tho pupils of these classes were allowed to take isolated eubjtcls, but this yew they are required to select, ono or other of the emir** offered. The entries for the domes tie course aro the greatest, and those for the commercial courses fairly satisfactory, but technical students, strictly speaking, arcptactically few. It seems that, recent train alterations will, to somo extent, interfere with the couiKS as laid down Many of the pupils are country pupils, and consequently the drawing class, whxli it had been contemplated to take Ijehavn 4- p.m. and 5 p.m. will be held too la to to 1 )9 of advantage to (hem.

11. may bp foiiio mouths yet (says our Wellington correspondent) More the details of the (joveriiiiicnl's retrenchment scheme arc completed, ilii the meantime there is a good deal of uneasiness in thb public service. °The Tourist Department, the Public Health be)wiinleul, iind 'tlio Agricultural Department "re likely to lie vei-j- consider;!lily iiffopti-.1, and pof-sibly tlierc may be some retrenchliient, in connection dtli the Railway Department. A competent authority recently stated Mint the railways eonhl lie worked with nearly 5000 less men than at present, but whether (hits is so or not, it is evident that many stations are overstuffed. A telegram slates that the Hon. .1. Itigg, M.L.C., is .standing: for the Wellington mnyonlty a Labour Candida!.-. A ' meeting of tho .Milton ; /:j 011 'riiuivtlav, called to 'o'::,'.';: - - w '"»iu:;on that the wards be ■> U. Li.il the borough be an undivided o:«'. •:/: [.'.own was last, Four coun*l f'l.- Mm confirmation and four 'IMayor gave his casting vote A ma.'i v.l:o J., charged with having (ommitted iny at Chriskhureh, at the hearing of an information was arresUsl in Dunedin l.'L-i evening by Detcelivos Hunt and Lilley. U,. will 1;.. brought, before the court t'nis inoining, wlk.ii probably a remand to Christchurch will be applied for. A Napier telegram stales that private advice has been received from Wellington to the effect that the Government has do-c-.tlcd to acquire the Tangoio Ksiale for closer settlement. A small gvey monkey, consigned to a lady residing at. Wed'Jerliurii, Central Otago. escaped H- lenlay, ;uul hail a brio! and exciting race for liberty. It W as ra , r j (( | along Waie.r street, chained and caged, when it contrived to escape, and with a shrill si]UC!ik- bounded away over the footpath, hotly pursued by its attendant. It w ,nt tip tin* steps of the Stock Kxeliaiin,-. Building like a fiat'h. and bolted into u snii.- of otlice?. The man and the cage followed, laying no heed to stiirileil clerks ami surprised men of business, the monkey rtbhed from room to room, and then, headed oil', commenced to climb. Relentlessly the man with the cago followed, and after much dodging and rcrainbluig the little animal was cornered, caponed, and returned to the 'Pile Milton Tirajjch of the Farmers' Union discussed tlio immigration of farm laliourers and dom<istic servants oil Monday night, and carried a resolution: —"That this ineelin.L' is of opinion lliat. a largo mintlx>r of farm and domestic servants are required, and .that tJuwe are llif classes which should bo brought out." At the same minting complaint was made regarding the railage of shwp— that sheep trains were hung tip at side stations instead of going right through. At tlio City Police Court to-morrow a man will be charged with attempting to defeat tlio course of justice on the hairing of an information lo'.ating to an indictable ofleiuv. It is alleged Unit the defendant interviewed witnesses who are to bo called by the Grown jiff! Jo them. ,

Jho monthly meeting of the commitico of the Bums Club was attended by all members, Mr A. Bain (president.) occupying the chair. The various subcommittees were elected for the <?n.sumg yea.r, and Mr A. M. Braik was re-appointed choirinastor. A draft programme for the April concert, was submitted 'i ml approved. This concert promises to be specially attractive, and as it will bo the first gathe ring of tho now year, inlcnditiff ntembors arc requested to obtain their tickets early. Tickets are obtainable from memta-vs o! committee, John Gillies, George sticor, and also at the door oil the night of the concert. A sub-commit-tee was appointed to revise the conditions attaching to the Burns scholarship.

The matrimonial experiences in the past of a woman 70 years of age have not been of suoh a nature as to deter tier from again venturing to enter that, state, and the report to the Benevolent Trustees by the secretary tlwt this woman, who had been receiving relief, would not require it for tho future owing ro her marriage was met by a rif-plo of laughter.

The monthly meeting of tho Anderson's Bay School Committee was held on Friday; present—Mesn-s Owen, Hellyer, Bennett, Wallace, Fii-irhairn, and Gibson. The Head Matter reported ih-.ii the average attendance for the quarter was 157, and the highest attendanco 102. A letter was received from the F.dueation Board agreeing to make certain alterations to tho schoolmasters residence. The letter was received, and tho secretary instructed to acknowledge same with thanks. The Gymnastic Club wrote asking for the terms for the use of the hall for the coming season. The conditions were fixed as before, the rent io be at the rate of £ l ). Thi balance sheet for the yea 1 : was presented by the treasurer, Mr Gibson, and wiw duly passed.

Tho subcommittee, consisting^of Messrs W. Patrick, .T. Loudon, A. M'Faiiane, (t. 11. Macl'.wan, ami T. T. Ritchie, appointed by the Ob go A. and P. Society, to confcl-wit-li manufacturers in regard to making a display of New Zealand-made gcods in tho shop windows of tlx? c'ly during show week, is now taking steps to confer with manufacturers ou tho matter. Ho far as it has gone the' prospec-ts are decidsdly encourag-

At a sitting of the Juvenile Court yesterday, before Mr 11. A. Young, S.M., a boy, aged 14 years, pleaded " Guilty " to obtaining money by means of false representations. Sub-inspector Norwood slated that the method adopted by the boy was to draw up a subscription list in aid of funds of a Bible class, head it with fictitious namps and amounts, and then go round with it and gather sums of money from different persons. After raising money in one list, he made out another, and obtained subscriptions on this also. The iists were, afterwards destroyed. The boy, who was described by the Truant Officer as an incorrigible young truant, and was given a bad character by the police, was coimnilied to Burnh;lm Industrial School, and his father was ordered to pay 5s per week towards his maintenance. A girl, about 13 years of age, was also brought before tho court, charged with, stealing clothes from a clothes lino at, St. Leonards. The girl bad previously been before the court, with some other children, on a charge of breaking into a homo in the samo district and stealing [therefrom goods io the value of £3 10s, and for this flio w;is severely cautioned, but, a for f night afterwards she had committed the j theft from a eKh-'s line. Tho girl, who had only pa=srd the Second Stamlaid, was committed Io St. Vincent do l'aul's School, hoj father being ordered to pay 2s 6d per week towards her support. A fair number of entries have been received for the field turnip competitions conducted. by ihe Otago A. and I'. Society. The judges will undertake their tour of inspection towards the end of the month. The areas in competition lie between Palmerston and Clinton. Mr F. Ayles, who has ju<l concluded his term as coach to Ihe Otago Cricket A--so-cial ion, sailed ou .Sunday h.v tho Moeraki on his return lo .Melbourne. Mr Ayles was farewelled at the wharf by a number of kcal erick'.'teis. Or Saturday evening the departing cricketer was enUnained at a social by the Opoho Club, for whom lie has played during Ihe season, and presented by the club's captain, Mr \\\ Kilgour, on behalf of tho members, with a case of razors. Cr Shaddock will again be a candidate for Soilih I)nticdin Ward at the next municipal election. 11l icspou-e to -,i largely-signed rei|uisition. Mr .lames Connor has decided to present hitu.-olf as a candidate for Nigh Ward at ihe coming municipal election. Mr L. F, Ayfon, [i;sp(\-tor of Fisheries for New Zealand, arrived in Dum-din yesterday by the Rr.kaia from London. .Mr Ayson has been absent in England for some time, and a collection of half a million Atla.nlio salmon ove, the result of his efforts, was brought out by the Kakaia. and arrived in good condition. These are to be forwarded to Lake To Anaii to l>? hatched out and liberated there. Although Mr Avj-on .spoilt Iho f'ronlcr part of his time in tie* eoth-ti-.u of the ova from various nveis, be found time while in I lie Old Count ry lo \isit the marine laboratory at Plymouth and the marine haicherifs at Aberdeen am 1 St. Andrews, liesides inspecting the ii-h markets at Hull and Grin^by.

Mr Hi-vn has received the sum of lis, collected by Mr Tourney, of the (Itoat. Northern HoM, in uid of the Children's Bread Fund.

For Influenza take Wocds' Great Peppermint Cure. Is'ever fail?. Is Od and 2s Gd.— Advt. Mr A. W. Martin, rupture specialist, beg" to announce that, he will close his present visit to Dnncdin on Wednesday, the 7th April, and, as his engagements in (he Commonwealth will occupy :i considerable period, sufferers will do well to investigate the treatment that has cured so many cases in i\'ew Zealand before his departure. During Mr Martin's slay in Dunedin lie has received patients from Queensland, Xcw South Wale;, and Victoria, and one from Liverpool, Kngland, besides attending to hundreds of local cases: but notwithstanding these facts there are still hundreds of people, owing to a most lamentable ignorance, quietly suffering the torture of trusses and aggravating their troubles. Dr Sherman's method of treating rupture removes aii suffering at once, and then Settles down to cure. Send for two free books. Consultation free. Hours iO a.m. to 12. 2 p.m. to 5. Kxtru hours Friday evening 7 to 8; Saturday 10 a.m. fa 12 noon, lieniember, U'edne.'uay, 7tli April, is positively the last day of visit,—Advt. ■ For these horrid pimples and skin eruptions try Hulfarilliv 'tablets. The safest and simplest blooj purifier. They cure all disuses arising from impurity of the hlood; Is a box.—Advt. Who is I'ktkr Dick?— The most reliable Watchmaker and Jeweller, opposito Coffee Palaoo, Moray place. Dunediu. Charges (strictly moderate,—Advt.