MOTOR TRAFFIC ON THE PENINSULA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15937, 3 December 1913, Page 4

MOTOR TRAFFIC ON THE PENINSULA.

The plebiscite which is to be taken to-day on the question whether or not the whole of the roads in the Portobello road district should be opened for motor traffic provides the most effectual means for ascertaining the opinion of the ratepayers on the subject. It is impossible to suppose that motor traffic can be indefinitely prohibited in the district. No sane person can avoid the conclusion that the whole of the roads in the dominion must sooner or later, subject to suitable regulation, be thrown open fof traffic of this description. And the point to which those must direct their. attention who are apprehensive of the consequences of motor traffic on dangerously narrow roads,' with, in the case of the lower road between Dunedin and Portobello, a high bank on one side and a sharp drop into tho harbour on the other side, is that connected with the regulation of the tTaffic. Provided that tho plebiscite is favourable to the opening of the roads in the Portobello district and that the Road Board acts, as it may be expected to do, in accordance with the expressed will of the ratepayers, the by-laws which will have to be framed for .the regulation of the traffic must be of such a character as will prevent any (abuse of the right that will bo accorded to motorists. In particular, it will be necessary, by the rigid enforcement of a reasonable speed limit, to compel a certain class of motorist that is not unknown in this locality to remember that the king's highway is public property, and that it is incumbent on thorn to accord duo consideration to other persons who may be using tho road. The Otago Motor Association is, wo gather, prepared to co-operato with the Road Board in tho prevention of any abuse of the Tight which, if the poll is favourable, will be granted to owners of motor-cars and to motor-cyclists to ran their vehicles on the Portobello road. This being so, if strict regulation can be relied upon, the settlers upon the Peninsula will probably be satisfied before long that tho introduction, of motor traffic upon tho thoroughfares of their district does not involve any of the serious perils of which some of them have beon apprehensive.

The Governor, with tho Countess of Liverpool, left for Wellington by the express at noon yesterday (says a Press Association message from Auckland). Ho was accompanied by Oaptain G. F. Hutton, A.D.C., and Captain C. Shawe, military secretary.

At the quarterly meeting of tho Executive Committee of the Shipwreck Relief Society yesterday a letter was received from his Honor Mr Justice Williams, thanking that body for its congratulations on his recent elevation. Hiß Honor concluded his letter thus:—"l hope the society will continue to prosper under a president who will be more of a skipper and loss of a figurehead than I have been." Tho pleasantry was fully appreciated by tho members.

A very heavy mail arrived in Dunedin last night by tho second express from the north. The mail comprised 185 bags and 28 hampers, and was made up of English and Australian letters, etc., brought across from Sydney by the Zealaudio, and also matter from northern ports. Owing to tho strike some of the mails have been accumulating for the past fortnight. Six men were sent up from the local office to meet tho exprees at Rangitata, and they got through a lot of the sorting before the train arrived. Tho mails will be ready for delivery this morning,

Tho English mail which was despatched from Dunedin, via Auckland and Vancouver on October 23, arrived in London on November 29—five days late. The mail which left Dunedin via Naples on October 23 arrived in London on November 30—one day late.

The salvage party working on the wrecked steamer Tyrone has sent ashore a large quantity of fittings and gear during tho past few days, including spare bronze propeller blades, three massive patent anchors and heavy cable. Yesterday a spare propeller shaft, weighing about six tons, was sent up to Port Chalmers, and judging by tho variety and quantity of material that has been sent ashoro up to tho present very little that is salvablc is likely to bo left on the wreck by the time Diver Miller and his party are finished with their task.

Mr J. E. Trigss, Conciliation Commissioner, -will leave for Invercargill to-morrow aiternoon to hear a dispute filed by the Butchers' Union.

The monthly mating of the Membership and Finance Committee of the Dune-din Expansion League was held yesterday; prescntr— Messrs S. Solomon, K.C.. (in the' chair), A. Moritzson, H. K. Wilkinson, E. J. Hallcnstein, Geo. Crow, and W. S. Wilson. It was reported that the total additional subscriptions received this year amounted to £140 12s 6d. It was decided not to continue the present canvass till the strike was settled.

At a combined meeting of the sub-commit-tees of tho Horticultural Society and'Duncdin bands, held last evening, it was unanimously decided to recommend to the General Committee of the Horticultural Society the advisability of postponing the proposed grand rose fcto until tho 17th inst, the continued inclemency of the weather being the main factor in this decision.

On Monday afternoon Cre Sullivan (ohairman), Hayward, Todd, and Hancock (members of the Water Committee of the City Council) paid a visit to the Silver-stream, and inspected the water-race above Mr Scott's farm with regard to a complaint that tho water was leaking from tho race. After making a careful examination of the locality the committee was unable to detect any leak.

At the Magistrate's Court. Milton, yesterday morning, Duncan Allison, who was arrested at Christchurch on Saturday, on a oharge of theft of £5, was brought up before two J.P.'b. The; v charge was reduced to permit tho justices dealing with tho case, and the accused was fined £2, in default 14 days' imprisonment. It transpired that accused was arrested at a registry office in Christchurch whilst making arrangomejite for his marriage.

At tho meeting of the Clutha River Board on Saturday the chairman and secretary were authorised to communicate with the Public Works Department in referenco to the alterations now being made at the Balclutha bridge, it being stated that it was proposed to reduce the epan at the north end to the common level, tho span at present being 20 inches higher. It was pointed out that the alteration giving 20 inches more waterway had been made some yeans ago at tho request of the board, and to reduce it to the old level now would considerably impede the steamer traffic in time of high river.

Included in tho remits suggested to be discussed at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute, to bo held at Auckland, in January, is one from Wanganui, which proposes that "in view of tho great and increasing importance of tho functions of education boards, some effort should be made to bring members of boards into touch with a wider form ol popular franchise than is involved in membership of school committees." At last week's meeting of tho Wellington District Institute it was decided not to support this remit. One member remarked that so far from tho function of education boards being " great" and of " increasing importance," he had been unable to find out that they had anything to do. In fact, he added, the boards were now. costing a great deal too much money: more man the schools of the country. 1

It his been stated that a natural enemy of the Californian thistle has made its appearanoo in Southland. The plant has been attacked by a blight of some description which threatens its extinction. Mr Gazzard, of Makarcwa, submitted an affected plant to a Southland News reporter on Saturday. Tho specimen showed that the leaf on both sides was covered with a sporadic growth which closely resembled red rust on the oat plant, and which developed into chocolate colour, Under the microscope life was distinctly visible. The insect appears to absorb somo substance from tho plant, which ultimately withers up. Mr Gazzard has given diseased plants considerable attention, and says that one pleasing feature ia that tho trouble, whilst it will also attack docks, docs not prejudically affect the surrounding vegetation.

Mr P. C. Webb, M.P., has been much in' evidence on tho Wellington'wharves since the advent of the strike (says the Dominion). Just prior to the Wahine's sailing for Lyttclton on Saturday evening, he was again prominent. Ho had booked a passage by what his companions call a "soab" ship. A few minutes before tho vessel left, an express arived at the wharfside with a bulky parcel wrapped up in brown paper. This was deposited in a sling of luggage- which was about to bo hoisted on board when a Union Company's official asked what it oontained. A boat note was produced and the official promptly declared tho parcel to bo cargo. Ho thereupon gave ordors that it could not be accepted. Some argument ensued, but the official remained firm. Subsequently Mr Webb camo along the wharf, followed by the expressman, who was carrying the parcel whieh had just been refused as as cargo. Mr Webb told tho carter to hand the parcel to a steward who was in waiting, and the latter commenced io carry it on board. Before he reached the deck, however, he was stopped and ordered to tako his burden ashore. It is stated that Mr Webb was interrogated by another Union Company's official, and aflked what the parcel contained. He could not give ft satisfactory answer, however, and again the much-handled brown paper parcel was dumped on the wharf. Tho first official then camo on tho scene and took the situation in at a glance. Nothing moro was said at that moment, and tb.6 carter was compelled to take his freight back to his cart. It is understood (eonoludee the Dominion) that tho parcel in question contained Red Federation literature.

With her holds full and her decks piled high with cases of fruit, and with heavy timber, the steamer Canada Capo (from tho Pacific Slope) attracted considerable attention at Wellington on Friday (says the Post). . The vessel isi running under the auspices of the Union ' Steam Ship Company, and brings a large general cargo for New Zealand and Australia, With the tariff reductions operating in the United States, greatly increased trade is expected, and it is likely that' a regular cargo service will be inaugurated shortly. The following is a summary of the New Zealand cargo b.ought by the boat: Two thousand seven hundred and fifty boxes apples (refrigerated), 1209 cases oranges, 4750 cases* oanned fruits, 13,150 -packages dried fruits, 5500 cases salmon, 1051 sacks seed, 2041 boxes salt, 6502 bags salt, 407 coses salt, 700 barrels oil, 30 bales hops, 8 cases automobiles, 1500 cases distillate, and a quantity of timber.

The ownership of the inland waters of the Hot Lakes district is a question that for some time has been exercising tho minds of the many-branched Arawa tribe, which inhabits that locality, and tho assistance of Air F. Earl, K.C., of Auckland, has been sought in tho matter (says tho New Zealand Herald). At a recent meeting of the Natives, at Tamete-Kapua, Ohinemutu, a letter from Mr Earl was considered. In it ho stated that he had applied to the chief surveyor to approve of a plan showing Lakes Rotoiti and Rotorua, to enable him to bring the matter before the Native Land Court, with the object of proving tho customary rights of the natives to the beds of these lakes. The Crown Solicitor, had,; however, maintained that. argument as to these rights could be presented without a plan, but Mr Earl stated that if he could not get the chief surveyor's approval ho would take stops in the Supreme Court to obtiin it. Funds are being liberally subscribed by the natives so that their case may be prosecuted, and the Ngatipikiao sub-tribe, residing on the shores of Lake Rotoiti, have raised a fund of £300. At tho meeting referred to, it was stated that tho proceedings had not been instituted in any grasping spirit, but to settle for all time what rights the natives had, if any, to certain inland waters.

The usual weekly dance will' be held at the St. Clair Pavilion to-night, commencing a; 8 o'clock and concluding at 10.30. Tho music will ue suppdcd by a string band

Un another i~igu is given tuu list of prize-winners in connection with tho

"A.13.C. Picture Puzzles" and Word-build-ing Competitions. Orders will be sent in duo course [rom Messrs Mamner Bros, and Co., Colombo street, Christchurch.

In the report of the Trinity College musio examination -Miss Isabel F. Maxwell waa credited with 85 marks. This should havo been 25 marks. _ Miss Dorothy Garland gained 84 marks instead of 64 as stated in yesterday's issue. A sale of work in aid of tho Unitarian Church .will be held in the Club House Hall, Moray place, to-morrow from 3 p.m. till 10 * p.m. In the evening there will be a concert and entertainment.

The new schools in connection with the Moray Place Congregational Church will be opened tiiis evening at 8 o'clock by hia Worship the Mayor. A short dedicativo, service is to be followed by a fir.e musical programme. ,

Arrangements for tho jumble sale in connection witli the Musselburgh School are well in hajid, and everything points to great success for tho opening in the Coronation Hp.ll this evening. The stalls will contain a fino assortment of articles, and should present a particularly attractive appearance. In addition, there will be several side shows of an interesting and amusing description, a notable ono being a "laughing gallery." Refreshments will be obtainable. The school ohildren will also contribute items to the programme.

Signal Hill: Douglases, B.S.A.'s, Triumphs showed what remarkable machines they are. Either one of these machines just worth three of any make.—Wilson.—Advt. Twenty-four dozen 6triped Turkish towels, just the thing for the seaside. Price, la 9d per pair.—Mollisons Limited.—Advt.

Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but it is worth the money.— Advt.

A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streeta (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859.— Advt.

We recommend for watch, olock, and jewellery repairs A. J. Shaw, 13 Rattray street. Absolutely the best in Dunedia— Advt.

"Spring coughs and colds should be cut short at once.' 1 They're dangerous I Don't delay talcing a few doses of the pleasanttasted "Benjamin Gum." It will soon fix you up.- Is 6d bottlo. All chemiste and storekeepers.—Advt.

Your Eyes.—A now discovery j for removing cataracts, filme, white speoksj etc., with, out operations. Send for particulars and testimonials. Free. E. W. Hall, herbalist, 117 Armagh street, Christohurch.—Advt v Dolly Feeders are the most suitable for humanised milk—so little rroublo and so cleanly; Is each from Wilkinson and Son. Nurses recommend them.—Advt.

Who is Peter Dick?-The most reliable Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Certificated Consulting Optician, 490 Moray place (off Princea street), Dunedin. Charges moderate.—Advt.