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Otago Daily Times, Issue 16591, 14 January 1916, Page 4

Tho arrivals in Now Zealand from oversea during December (a Pres3 Association message states) totalled 3007, against 3328 in the previous December. Tho departures were 1980, • against 1801 in December last year. The figures exclude members of tho Expeditionary Forces. The following message (a Press Association telegram from Wellington states) was despatched by his Excellency the Governor so tliat it should reach his Imperial Majesty the Czar on January 14, that 'being New Year's Day in Russia:—"l respectfully desire to tender to your Imperial Majesty, on behalf of myself and the Government and people of the dominion of New Zealand, an expression of our great appreciation of tho steadfast and .united efforts of your Imperial Majesty's Government, and of the dauntless spirit which has been, and is being, displayed by the heroic Russian armies against the common enemy, a spirit which has gained tho admiration of us all. ' "I cannot understand," said Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., at a deputation of the Technical Board to the Minister of Education at Christchurch on Wednesday, "why there should bo this crusade against pictures. I do not often go —it is six months since I have been, I thinly—but I fail to seo what ground those who decry them stand on." Pictures, he continued, were the wholesome amusement of the working people, who derived, not only amuse'ipent, but instruction, from them. It was true they were sometimes silly, sometimes vulgar/ It was said they were demoralising to the children, but children had a happy knack of not seeing things on their worst, side. " I have seen more 'smut,' more vulgarity, at a theatre — shown on tho stage—than I have seen in all tho pictures/" he said. We have been informed that considerable feeling has 'been excited in a certain Otago district by the receipt, at this critical moment in recruiting, and on the eve of a harvest which is giving much anxiety, of large numbers of Government notices containing the usual threats, of prosecutions about rabbits, noxious weeds, etc., and signed with a name that suggests German parentage. It is felt by the settlers that, if places in the public service and salaries out of tho increasing taxes must really be reserved for persons of German extraction, and with German names, tho very least the Government can do is to confine the duties of these people to some office building,, and not to confer upon them the exceptional and extraordinary powers, including the power of summons ancj punishment, which tho law confers upon New Zealand inspectors of stock. It is felt in the locality in question to bo monstrous that British settlers should bo dragooned and ordered about at such a time as this by peremptory and minatory notices, apparently signed by a German, Moreover, such notices aTo personally addressed to every homestead in the country— which is more than any recruiting notice is,—and many farmers who are receiving them are at almost the very moment taking into their homes sons and brothers who have returned maimed and broken by Germans in tho war. The feeling aroused is very strong, and at least one settler, whoso son has enlisted, has been heard to say that, if this outrage continues, recruiting is dead for over in the county in question. Another settler says that, if Mr Massey had been a German agent, instead of a British Prime Minister, ho could hardly havo thought of a more effective counter-attack upon his own recruiting aoheme than to order that large numbers of men should be diverted at this special moment to work which farmers themselves, in whose interest it is ordered, over a German signature, feel that, for patriotic reasons, they must waive for the present, even at some loss to themselves. Some judicious revision of things certainly seems to bo called for. . The old block of shops and offices known as Galbraith's BuiMings, with frontages to the Octagon and Princes street, has, with tho freehold of tho allotment, been sold by the Galbraith family (in England) to Mr Alfred James for the sum of £14,000. It has not yet been definitely decided what the now owner will do with the old buildings, but it is possible that these will be pulled down in the near future and shops and residential chambers erected in their stead. It is understood, however, that' an even larger scheme is in contemplation. The area of tho section is 13£ poles, arid the frontages are 65ft to Princes street, and £3ffc to the Octagon. Tho tenants at present are Messrs Hunter and Williamson (dentists), Mr Townsend . (jeweller), Miss Mackenzie, Mr Waters (chemist), Mr iSpiro (hairdresser), and Mr Holden (piano and organ seller). Largo quantities of fruit havo been despatched from the Roxburgh district since Christmas, the season much earlier than usual. Last week (our correspondent, writes) an averago of 15 tons daily left Beaumont, whilo several consignments wcto sent from lidiovale. Five motor lorries and seven horse wagons are engaged in its transport, and as soon as the apricot crop is in full swing these will have all they can do to cope with tho loading All classes of fruit are giving big yields, apricots being particularly heavy, and in the course of a week those will give growers a busy time. Labour is plentiful. Quito recently a grower advertised for two hands, and he received 42 aqpplicatioß&,

Tim South Otfogo quota of the Twelfth Reinforcements mustered at Milton on Wednesday evening", and the local Y.M.C.A. again, with its usual energy and good feeling towards the men, entertained them at a social gathering. 'There was a very largo attendance, and the rooms contained a happy gathering of young men, who entered heartily into th-j various amusements. A splendid musical programmo was carried through, and was much appreciated. Several of the visitors contributed items. Tho Mayor (Mr C. Kiu/r) was present, and addressed the gathering, wishing the men Godepced. The gathering broko up with cheers for tho troops, responded to by the men with cheers for tho Y.M.C.A. The Auckland Farmers' Union yesterday (a. Press Association message states) passed a resolution protesting against any proposal to hold "local Territorial camps this year, or during tho war. The introducer of tho motion said that tho recruiting for the front had been a heavy drain on the labour available for industry. The motion read as follows:—"That, in order to free men for activo service, tho Auckland Fanners' Union is of opinion that the Government should forgo local Territorial camps during the period of tho war." A prominent shipping official stated at Wellington yesterday (a Press Association message states) that there are now plenty of firemen offering, and no steamer need fear trouble on that account just now. In fact, moro men arc waiting than positions could be found for. The explanation in many cases was that holiday was over and money was spont. It appears probable that further litigation will take plaxie in connection with tho St Clair Pavilion, as it is understood that there will bo an appeal against tho judgment of Mr Justice Sim in the case Searl v. the South British Insurance Company, relating to tho rebuilding of tho pavilion. i The request of tho Hon. Mr Russell for | assistance from the patriotic associations in equipping tho hospitals and convalescent I homes for returned soldiers has resulted (a Press Association message states) in the Auckland Association carrying the .following resolution:—"That this association cannot see its way to aocedo to tho request. The association is of the unanimous opinion that tho appropriation of patriotic funds to be administered for the general purpose of the Government in the provision of hospital equipment would be undesirable, it being tho obvious duty of tho Government in this connection to provide what is necessary for the comfort of those invalided and continuing under its care." Tho slaokness of country constables in regard to sheeting homo cases of cruelty to animals was commented on at Tuesday night's meeting of tho Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at Christchurch (says tho Press). Redress or prevention occurred only when the secretary or an officcr of the society visited a country distriot, when the local constable at once gave warning or took action. It was decided that the Inspector of Police be written to drawing his attention to the fact that oases of cruelty generally came to light only after such visits, and asking him if independent action could not be taken. The Wellington Farmers'' Moat Company is at present employing at tho Waingawa works about 400 men, and paying out to the weekly wa.ges hands between £1400 and £1600 per week (says the Post). Since the middle of December it has handled over 4000 carcases per day of mutton and lamb, besides beef. The Wuirarapa Age states that tho first block of additional storage is being pushed ahead, and when this is finished tho company will have extra storago for 46,060 carcases. Another blook, with a capacity for 64,000 carcases, is now in the oourse of erection, and will givo a total capacity for 238,000 carcases—tho second largest in tho dominion. At a cost of £15,000, the company is now erecting a byproducts block for handling tallow and manure, which, when completed, will be tho finest in Australasia. A now preserving department 1 will toe built on the site of the present by-products block. Tho machinery for this department has already been ordered, and runs into a big figure. One machine in this department will have a capacity for turning out automatically 3500 tons per hour, irrespective of size. At tho meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at Christchurch on Tuesday night Mr G. Spiller said that, on the ' first day of the last Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting, a new device for urging the horses to mcreaso their speed had been used (reports the Lyttelton Times). This consisted of a wire one ond of which was attached to the animal's ear by means of a clip, whilst the driver held the other end. A slight pull of this wire caused tho horse much agony, and thus urged it to greater effort. Mr Spiller said that a prominent racing man had described the device as a "brutal instrument of torturo." A letter was read from a prominent veterinary surgeon stating 'that, «n his opinion, tho device did not inflict pain. He contended that the horses enjoyed the racing, and that a slight twist of the ear was barely felt by them. Tho society's inspector had attended Plumpton Park on one day of the last race meeting in order to investigate the matter. Tho instrument was used in three races on that day. (Some of the drivers favoured tho use of it; others did not. In his opinion, it was an instrument of torturo. It was decided to instruct tho inspector to visit tho next trotting meeting and report if the device -were used. Tho Akaroa Mail states that the prospects for this year's cocksfoot harvest on Banks Peninsula are perhaps the poorest on record, owing to the continued dry weather. Tho seed on tho lower levels has been sacrificed owing to the great scarcity of grazing, and even where cattle have not been turned into it, there is very little seed showing. In some localities, however, tho seed gives bettor promise, and it would be wrong to say this year's crop is a total failure. Some of tho higher paddocks are looking remarkably well, considering the season, though, of course, the grass is stunted owing to the lack of moisture. Taken as a whole, however, an optimistio estimato of this year's crop would bo 10,000 sacks, compared to the usual 80,000 of an average good year. A few days of rain would do much to improve the seed, which is now maturing in the husk. Autumn vains would also improve the paddocks wonderfully for grazing purposes in tho winter, as there is very little bottom in most of tho paddocks this year. The seed this year is very free from extraneous grasses and weeds, and a very clean sample should be harvested. Tho price of cocksfoot this year, also, promises to bo exceedingly good, as it is almost certain that none will bo shipped from Denmark, as its crop will be required in Europe. A lino of 500 sacks of last year's crop was sold a few days ago for 9|d, the weight being in tho region of 121b. There was only one case before tho Police Court yesterday morning, this being a charge of drunkenness against a first offender, who was fined 10s, in default 48 hours' imprisonment. At tho inquest held at Invercargill on Monday, before a deputy coroner and four jurymen, concerning the death of Felix Thomas Culling Mannix, 14 years of ago, who lost his life by drowning at Avenal the previous day, a verdict was returned that deceased was accidentally drowned while, bathing. The jury also commended the bravery of Randle Ivan Harris, 15 years of age, who endeavoured to savo the deceased. Tho lad is to be recommended to the notice of tho Royal Humane Society. Thero wore throe candidates for the position of the employers' representative on the Arbitration Court. These were Messrs W. Scott (an ex-representative) and M. Stevenson (both of Dunedin), and S. I. Clarke, of Auckland. The actual votiag. which gavo Mr Scott tho position, is not divulged, but it is understood that Messrs iStovenson and Clarice secured one -vote each, and that the remaining -votes went -to Mr Sooto.

The commander of tho Japanese Temporary Naval Defencc Corps in tho islands under occupation in the South Seas has issued a set of rules concerning persons going to those islands. A oopy of these rules has just been rcoeived by tho locafl Collector of Customs. At the sitting- of tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., presiding, 13 land agents' lioenses were granted, and five applications were adjourned. Tho Hon. A. 11. Whitiugham, of Queensland, at present visiting New Zealand, told a Hawkc's Bay Herald reporter that, sirico tho war started, railway revenue in Queensland had increased by leaps and bounds above that of previous yearß. The towns were all thriving and progressing noticeably, especially Brisbane, in the vicinity of which city there were 12 military camps within fivo miles of the post office. A great way in which recruiting was assisted was by starting a march, say, for 180 to 200 miles, picking up recruits as they proceeded along; but this" movement required a number of men to act on a committee, so as to seo that tho proper arrangements were made for feeding and care of tho men. "In New Zealand," he continued, "I noticc they send a large number of men away at a certain date, and, previous to their departure, march them through the streets of Wellington, or v.-hatevor city the departure is taken from. In Australia the men depart quietly, in numbers ranging from. 500 to 1000 at a time, and in many cases the relatives of the men are the only people who know of their departure. We have a very efficient recruiting- booth in Brisbane, whero some 85 to 100 recruits are enlisted daily. The Soldiers' Club in Brisbane is run on different lines to tho ones you have hero in New Zealand. Each soldier pays ono shilling a month to bo a member, and receives a small badge, and then he can procure meals, smokes, or whatever he requires, at almost cost prico. In this way the club is able to support itself. The idea was greatly appreciated by the soldiers, as most of them have the feeling, -when in the club, that they axe not in a charitable institution." Public servants in Auckland have been advised by circular that it has been decided that contributions from members of the service, as a separate body, to the New Zealand War Relief Fund, shall no longer bo invited (says the New Zealand Herald). Prom Ihe inception of the fund to November 30, 1915, no less a sum than £21,445 was subscribed by the service. Of this total, £13,281 was devoted to tho Empire Defenco Fund, £5195 to the War Relief Fund, £2627 to tho relief of the Belgians, and £342 to other funds. In the circular, which furnishes these facta, the Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister of Internal Affairs) says:—"Since the outbreak of the war New Zealand has manfully shouldered its responsibilities in both men and money. Largo numbers of members of tho service have enlisted, some of whom have given their lives to the cause for which the Empire stands, and others have won honourable distinction in the trenches and on tho field of battle. Others, who have been unable to go, have given of their income the substantial sum which I have mentioned. I feel, as Minister of Internal Affairs, that it is impossible to adequately recognise the patriotism iand generosity which havo inspired the servico throughout. They havo given, a fine lead to tho population of the dominion throughout tho war, and I am expressing the feeling of the whole of my colleagues in the Government when I thank most heartily the members of the service for their practical patriotism." The statement in Monday's cable news that the Military Compulsion Bill had been published in England, but not' until after it had been road a first time in the House of Commons, calls attention (says the New Zealand Herald) to a curious feature in British and colonial parliamentary practice —namely, that a legislative proposal always receives its first raiding before members of tho House have ever seen it. Not until it has been "read" once does Parliament authoriso it to be printed. As a rule, the first-reading stage is purely formal, and the regular practice is to take the debate upon tho principles of a Bill at the secondl-reading stage. Occasionally, however, when a member sees little prospect that his Bill will ever come up for second reading, he may take the opportunity of speaking upon it at the time of its introduction, and a debate may follow. But, even then, as fax as the New Zealand Parliament is concerned, the principle that there is to debate on the first reading holds good, as the discission really takes place upon the motion for leave to introduce, and the first reading itself is a formal stage. "Under tho old Standing Orders of the House' 'the absurdity went oven further, for, when leave to introduce a Bill had been .given, the Speaker formally ordered the mover to "bring tup the Bill," and the introducing member usually stepped gravely up to tho chair and presented a sheet of blank paper, or, at most, a slip, bearing the Bill's short title, which, by the way, is all that is "read" by the Clerk of the House at any "reading" stage.

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