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Otago Daily Times, Issue 16315, 23 February 1915, Page 4

A meeting of the Public Reception Committee of the Otago Expansion League was held yesterday at noon, Mr Mark Cohen presiding. It was decided to tender a complimentary luncheon to Messrs Meredith Atkinson and Stewart on Friday, at the Y.M.C.A. Dining Hall. Mesers Atkinson and Stewart come to us with very high recommendations in the educational world. They are organising tho University Tutorial Class movement, which has had magnificent results in England in bringing together the university and industrial workers who desiro opportunities to study From this has grown the Workers' Educational Association, the history of which reads like a romance. Within 10 years it has grown into a federation of 20C0 working cJius and educational organisations, opening up a new way of life to rcauy thousands of working men and women.

Students at the Dunedin School of Art are much gratih'txl at tho news nx-eivtd from Melbourne 'Jial Miss A. K. 'ei i y whose drawings •nd studies in pencil, cl &r----ooal, and colour, have ro .if reals bc-eti strongly in evidence at the annual exhibitions of tho School of Art, has gained the double success of first prize " Drawing from tho Antique," and the first prize ''Anatomical Drawing," at tho Victorian Art Gallery. Each oi these prizes carries with it a £10 scholarship. MiSs Perry is evidently pursuing her further studies in the Victorian School of Art with the same earnestness and ability which marked her progress in the Dunedin school. She reached Melbourne just before the war broke out, and such early success is a marked testimony to tho soundness of the training afforded in our School of Art.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington stiles that yesterday was tho 89th birthday of the Hon. Captain Baillie, M.L.C. He received a letter from the lato Eaxl Roberts, dated October 31, in which the field-marshal said: "We are living in interesting times, arid tho future of Great Britain and the Empire will depend a great deal on the manner in which two or three of the great questions are settled. The army and navy must be much stronger. If an Expeditionary Force had to go abroad on account of trouble in India or Egypt, or any of the oversea dominions we should be helpless in this country. Tho country seems to bo gradually waking up to tho danger wo are ; n."

The ceremony of ordination of Sister Agnes to the position of deaconess of the Tokomairiro Presbyterian Ohurch was conducted at the morning service on Sunday by the Rev. Professor Hewiteon. The newly-ordained deaconess—Miss Agnce M'Millan—was engaged in the Presbyterian Church Orphanage work at Christchureh prior to her appointment.

Two hundred and fifty-six ministers and lay delegates, including among the latter two ladies, will meet in conferenco in Christchureh on Thursday to discuss matters pertaining to tho Methodist Church in New Zoiland. Iho conference, which will deliberate for about a fortnight, represents a Church which has in New Zealand 259 ministers, 24,252 members, and 90,234- adherents. It has large interests both in Homo Missions anc' Foreign Missions. It has 409 Sunday schools, with 30,191 scholars, in charge of 3196 teachers. Five ministers will retire into tho rank of supernumeraries Six probationers will be ordained to tho full work of tho ministry, and tho conference will consider the claims of seven ministerial candidates. The question that promises to ex».it© most discussion at tho confeconoo relates to tho proposal to modify tho law concerning the appointment of ministers. At present no minister can stay in any cirouit longer than fivo years. It ia proposed to make it possible for a minister to stay in a circuit without any restriction whatever as to time, subject to tho annual appointment by the conference. On this mattor opinion is sharply divided, and tho result of tho discussion will bo awaited with interest. Foreign mission affairs will bo lifted into fresh prominence by the visit of the veteran missionary, tho Rev. Dr Goo. Brown, who knows moro about missions in tho South Seas by practical experience than any man now living. For all his 80 years, Dr Brown etill preaches and speaks with remarkable vigour. The majority of the Ofcago ministers, and also Mr E. Rosevear (vice-president of the conference), will procoed to Chriatchurch to-day.

To-day is tlw* hiindnvli.'i 'A tin.! birth of tin; first white child iu ,\.~w Zf.ihi.nfJ. thfi son of Mr ;u;i! Mir John j<ing, of Itangihoni, i;i iiio Hay of Isliiiids. 'lhc boy V.U.S christi ik'il by ?.1:>--ik-n on February 2.\, 1315 'ill- sc.coi,.; white child to Im( Imrn in Now Z<<d.i.Mil -.v.-i-i ;i jjirl. tin- .laughter of Mr and Mrs William Hall. :i ship-builder, mid Ins wif.' h.-.iu;'hf here by Mirsdeii. 'I'll is <\ti;i otCurri-i ■ >\\ Mny 2'i, 1811). It is ini.'ivstiiu' !/. tn.U- that Uir first iMiropr-.'i.i '-hild !o l«- Vai ;n the South Island is stil! ;j|ivi-. !)... i.-- <' .ptairi John Ciua-d, of J.'on I'ji'ierivuod. :vh > was born nt 'JV Awaiti. m 'JViry (.ii.iiinr■ !.

An event not recorded by tin , pros generally was tho rrc rit visit of a 'Jitumii submarine, (JJ7, to tin: chief port ol Norway. From an ncMOunt givrn in a letter from Norway, it appear. , ; thai iho sublnarino suddenly popper! i/p outside the reefs which guard thi- entranoc ty< Mie port of Bergen, and hailed a couple of men who wi'vo lishing close by. Tluso nun were ordered tf> pilot tin; submarine into the harbour to effect certain repairs. They did eo, and, when the dangerous reefs were passed, they were told they >mld go. They went as quickly as they could, atid informed tho authorities, ;;nd a Norwegian torpedo boat went out to look for i'ik.s submarine, which was apparently trying to find its own way in. Tho submarine was discovered, an<l its captain stated that hi: wanted to effect repairs. Jlu wr.s told that if he wanted to do so ho muso cumo right inside, and lay up tie wriaif. This ho refused to do, :io doubt being anxious that his boat might escape inspection. The commander of tho Norwegian torpedo boat then ordered tho intrucer to clear out quick and lively on pain of being- sunk. Deeming discretion tho better part of valour, tho German turned about, and went to sea again, personally conducted by the torpedo boat, until well beyond the three-mile limit. At u meeting , of tho Oamaru Borough Council on Friday night (saya the North Otago Times), Or Milligan moved, and Or Mitchell sesxindixi, " That application be made to trie Government for a geological survey of tht? district, combined with a soil survey." Tho mover said, that partial and unofficial surveys had no doubt been made from timrtotune, but what was wanted was a cotrialete ;ind official survey, with all tho information properly tabulated, the object being , to ascertain what the commercial possibilities o , ' the district really were. The time was coming when all our resources should bo developed, and the sooner it was ascertained, as definitely as possible, what they were, the better for the district It was understood that North Otago was rich in phosphates; cement marls were possibly available m payable quantities, and it was not unlikely that gbod coal could be found. In connection with limestone, he thought that possibly offioial tests might be embodied in the report, and stone buildings that had been erected a great number of years should be icsppefcod n.n-1 the results arrived at. Altogether, concluded Mr Milligan, ho thought such a report would be of considerable value. He suggested that tho co-operation of tho Waitaki County Council and the members for the districts, Messrs Lee and Anstey, should be invited. Councillors approved of Cr Milligan's motion, and decided to take action along the lines indicated, the motion, being carried unanimously. As a marine biologist, Dγ Mortensen, the Danish scientist, who left Wellington for Sydney on Friday, after three months' scientific work in New Zealand, was greatly impressed with the teeming life in the waters about the dominion. Much of it, ho informed a Post reporter, was unique in the world of science, and deserved a far longer and moro careful efcudy tihan he had been able to afford Hβ thought a marine biological laboratory ought to be established for the continuance of this work, and he knew of no better site than the rocks off Tsland Bay. He suggested that an aquarium for marine animals and a laboratory might be built on the islnd at Island Bay, which was absolutely ideal for the purpose. Such an institution 'would materially help the work of science and the advancement of knowledge in one of tho most fertile £e)ds of research.

"In the interests of humanity, ae well as of national v.-ealtli, a bold, vigorous, and progressive national roadinff policy is called for," says Bishop Cleary, after a motoring tour of the Far North. The tracks of the north are described by his Lordship as beinjj of a generally atrocious character. Speaking; of the steady increase of intelligent ani highly-doeirable settlers in the mountainous districts to the northwest of the Hokianga River, Bishop Cleary says that in the matter of communication a great number of them are endurang conditions of utter b+rbarism. Between them and the outer world there are only wild, narrow, bridlo tracks, which in winter axe girth-deep in mud, and in many oases are impassable. Dr Geary urges that while the land should be 6cttlcd fast and well, roading should precede settlement, and not follow it, and it should go hand-in-hand with the extension of seticement as a great national concern.

"Queensland occupies a sounder position to-day than any other state in Australia. In fact, it is the only state in Australia where economic conditions are nearly normal." Thus statement was made to a NewZealand Herald representative by Mr T. C. Beirne, of Briebane, a member of the Legislative- Assembly of Queensland, who arrived in Auckland by the Riverina on a holiday visit to New Zealand. Mr Beirne stated that Queensland was the only State which had escaped the severe drought which Australia has recently experienced, and this gave it an immense advantage over the other States. The war has been felt severely, but conditione were rapidly settling down, and! there was every indication that Queensland was the happiest place to be in in Australia at present. The wool business is one of the leading , features of Queensland industry, and the war has crippled the export of wooL Most of the wool exported from Queensland was bought by Germany, France, and Belgium, and tho war has cut off these customers, with the result that Queensland has a largo quantity of wool on its hands, with no market offering for its absorption. It is in wool that Queensland has received the severest blow from the war; but Mr Beirne stated that the past seven years had brought so much prosperity to the wool people that they could afford to stand a loss this season. Further, this loss to Queensland was being made up to some extent by the better prices obtained for meat, etc. Mr Beirne stated that, in contrast to other States, there was no unemployment, and so sound was tho financial position of the State that it had not availed itself of its portion of the commonwealth loan which was raised since war broke out.

Very rough weather was encountered in the Tasman Sea by the New Zealand Shipuing Company's chartered steamer Daldorch, which arrived at Auckland on Wednesday evening from Montreal and Australian ports. The vessel left Sydney on tho morning of February 10, thus taking about seven days and a-half to accomplish the distance of 1281 miles between the two ports, or two days longer than is usual for a cargo steamer. For throe days after olearing Sydney Heads the Daldorch had to stoim against a heavy southerly gale, with mountainous head seas. The steamer rolled to such an extent that the ship's company at times feared that eho would not recover. As the Daldorch had discharged most of her cargo in Australia, she was in light trim, and this caused the rolling of the ehip to be more pronounced. Great waves dashed ovct hoc bows for three, days, and the decks were consequently almost continuously under water. Very little progress was made during the, he>ieht of the galp. but, fortunately, no damage was done on dock. Near tho New Zealand coast the weather moderated considerably, and the vessel steamed ahead at full speed. The vessel has tho distinction of being tho first steamer not flyinor the American flag to pees through the Panama OanaL

A Press Assoc.ition message states that the Oamaru branch of the A.S.R.S. resolved—" (1} That the attention of the Government bo caliod to the fact that milleri art: charging £15 per ton for flour, presumably manufactured from wheat imported by tho Government at 6s 3d per bushel, and sold to rnillera at 5e 9d, the country bearing a loss of 6d per bushel. The branch considers that it ia now time for the Government to fix tho price of both wheat and flour to prevent consumers from being further exploited." " (2) That the executive of the A.S.R.S. he urged to ask for an advance in pay all round, owing to the extraordinary increase in the ooefc of liring."

A cable message published by u« yesterday stated that tho fire which had broken out on the steamer Rimutaka had been extinguished, and that the cargo in No. S hold had had to be jettisoned. A message which appeared in the Wellington papers on Friday conveyed the information that the- vessel had gone to Dakar (Senegambia) with a fire in her third lower hold 'tween decks. Arrangements had been made to flood tho liolde.

An exceedingly narrow escape from * fatal aocident occurred at Ashburton on Saturday just as the midday express had got well under way for the couth. A passenger who had evidently been indulging too freely was put off tho train at Ashburton. and as it was moving off a man on the train caught him by the head, with tho result that the late passenger fell forward between the carriages. But for the prompt action of another person, who was on the patform, the men would have been drawn under the wheels. As it -vrae, he was dragged back to safety after hering had a moet narrow escape. The station master saw the occurrence, and gave tie passenger on tho train a well-deserved and most sovere rebake.

When at San Francisco on his way back to Gisborne from the Old Country (say* the Poverty Bay Herald), Father Lane visited the Panama, Exposition He saw the New Zealand court, which -was small, but very teat. The exhibits had not arrived, but what preparations were going on gave one a very fair idea of the dimensions of the exposition. The buHdinga were beautiful, and ihe site was a perfect one. It was just on the border of the sea, Mid every boot that went into San Francisco passed the exposition. "Just opposite the exposition buildings is the Golden Gate of San Francisco."

A somewhat remarkable coincidence i> related by Mr W. Reea, formerly employed in Hamilton, and who is now a member of the Ambulance Corps -with &e troops in Egypt Writing to a friend in Hamilton, ho states (saya the Auckland Star) that during the big route march through Cairo he was told off with a squad to do ambulance duty, and, with others, was lined up at a certain point where the troops passed. Suddenly a young trooper fell out of the ranks, and the writer and another were ordered forward with a stretcher to talce him in. "Imagine my surprise," states Mr Bees, "to find that our patient was my youngest brother, who I didn't even know was with the force."

The Bruce early settlers' picnic will be held in the Tokomairiro Farmers' Club grounds instead of Mr M'Gill's paddock, aa previously advertised. Motor cars will meet the train.

Dr Stainer'e lenten cantata " The Crucifixion" will be eung to-night in St. Paul's Cathedral by the Cathedral choir, under the directorship of Mr K Heywood. The collection will be for the choir fund., Caledonian Grounds. Belgian Relief Fund sports. Douglasee and Triumphs -win all events. Also doing splendid work smashing the Germane.—Wifeon and Co., Bond street —Advt

Another sensational shilling day at Mollisons on Saturday. Special -window display. See bargains. End penny section.—Adrt. Fit for the gods—a tumblerful of soda water flavoured by Watson's No. 10 -whisky.

A. & J. BlakeJey,-dentist. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray street! (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 185 a— Advt

Mr Ernest Boot, surgeon and mechanical dentist, 63 Princes street, Dunedin.—Adrl

Who ie Peter Diolrt—The most reliable Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Certificated Coasuiting Optician, 490 Monty place (off Pnnoei street), Dunedin. Charges moderate.—Adrt.