THE WOOL SALES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16593, 17 January 1916, Page 4

THE WOOL SALES.

The decision to postpone indefinitely the wool sales that were to have been held in Dunedin this week—a decision which will involve also the postponement of th» sales throughout the dominion—will net, we may be sure, have been lightly arrived at. It is a decision which will put buyers and brokers alike to a considerable amount of inconvenience and expense, and will, perhaps, least of all affect the growers, who, if the market indications are to bo accepted as reliable, are not likely to suffer any shrinkage in the prices through the delay in the sales. The postponement is, as will be seen by the explanation which is contained in our news columns, due to the existence of uncertainty as to the provision of shipping space for the wool. The shortage of shipping has become exceedingly acute, and unfortunately, as long as the requirements of the Admiralty, which are necessarily the ftrst consideration, continue to be as heavy as they now are, there does not seem to be much prospect of any marked improvement in the condition of affairs. Such Telief as it is possible to provide will apparently have to be secured through the agency of the Imperial Government. The wool that is grown in the dominion is required at Home to meet the needs'of the Imperial Government in respect of the clothing of the army just as the moat that is exported from the dominion is required to feed the army. It may be presumed, therefore, that the authorities at Home will devise means for

providing shipping accommodation for the wool that is at present held up in New Zealand for the lack of cargo space. The postponement, of the sales/however regrettable it may be, seems to be a conrsc thai is dictated by a reasonable consideration of all the surrounding circumstances. A telegram from Carterton states that William Charles Zabell, aged 43 years, a dairy farmer, oommitted suicide by shooting himself on Saturday night. He leaves & wife and five children. John Laurie, who was injured through A fall from the s.s. Aparima in the dock at Port Chalmers, died in the Hospital at 1.20 on Saturday morning. An inquest will be held at the Hospital this afternoon. Mr H. C. Robinson, organiser of the Unity platform, intends to approach the Dunedin Waterside Workers' Union to-day with a view to arranging to place the platform before the members during the lunchhour. A genuine "message from the sea" arrived in Dunedin on Saturday. It appeals that when the Sixth Reinforcements were some days out from Wellington Sergeant R. L. Aitken, of St. Kilda, threw a bottle overboard containing a message. The bottle found its way to the beach at North Karamea, West Coast, where it was discovered by Mrs W. N. Johnston, who has now forwarded the message on to Sferg-eant Aitken's relatives. Nurses Eagle, Campbell, Don, ark! Meroer, four of the Otago nurses required to report themselves at Wellington to-morrow morning, will proceed north by the second express to-day. At the City Polioe Court on Saturday, before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., a male first offender for drunkenness, aged 19 years, who declared that he had drunk a bottle of whisky, was convicted and discharged, and another first offender was fined 10s, in default 48 hours' imprisonment. Charles Erickson, also charged with drunkenness, was remanded for a week for medical treatment. At the meeting of the Waihemo County Council, at Palmerston, on Saturday, Wednesday afternoon was declared the weekly half-holiday throughout the county for the current year. In the Polioe Court at Port Chalmers on Saturday morning, a prohibition order was issued by Messrs J. Watson and A. Cable against a man on the application of his employer. Speaking at a meeting of tho St. Albans Rod Cross Committees last week, Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., laid stress on the great need there was for Red Cross work, and illustrated his remarks by narrations of the sacrifices mado by tho youth of the dominion in offering their services and their lives to help to prevent the country coming under German domination. .The eacrifioea made by the young men, and by the mothers, of the dominion, were of such a character, he said, that they could never do too much to assist tho sick and wounded soldiers. Referring to tho argument advanced against giving to war funds, that men in the dominion were making much money out of the war, Mr Isitt saidi that such a state of affairs was intensely irritating, but ho was not responsible for the fact that war profits were not being taxed, and that there was no conscription of wealth. If he had his way every man and woman in tho dominion would be contributing, in proportion to his or her income, to the defence of the Empire. It was, no doubt, very difficult to get our political leaders to face their plain duty, but if his hearers were animated' by the right spirit they would not allow the lapses of others , t to prevent them doing their duty. Every man and woman should put his or her shoulders to the wheel. They had not yet started to give, and ho questioned whether, in present circumstances, anyone had a right to save money this year. An offer to enlist if the age limit is raised was made by the Mayor of Wellington (Mr J. P. Luke) at tho tramwaymen's valediotory, "social" on Friday evening (states the Post).. Mr Luke said it was a very easy matter for a public man to get up and make a statement as to how many "boys" were being sent away, when ho could not be touched because of his age. "As far as I am concerned," he continued, "my age is a bar to my offering myself, but if the Hon. James Allen can 6eo his way clear t<? raise the age limit I will be one of the first volunteers to offer for tho war. —(Applause.) lam saying this with no idle boast. Many men of my age are just as physically fit as many men of 20 years of age." He added that he had' talked the matter . over with Colonel Gibbon, who had stated that men over the ago limit could stand the training all right, and would reach the front, but when it came to the critical moment they would not have the necessary physical reserve force. Referring to Mr Luke's remarks later, tho Hon. James Allen said he admired tho spirit of the Mayor. It was quite possible that the Government might be able to accept men over 45 years of age for a special purpose—wireless company that was now being formed for service abroad. Mr Luke: "Put mo down!" Mr Allen: "We want tho Mayor here. It is quite possible that ho can be even of more use here than he would be at the front."— (Loud applause.) , A permanent record of the part taken by journalists of New Zealand in tho war has been issued in the form of a souvenir programmo of a send-off recently tendered in Wellington to soldier-pressmen (says the Post). A roll of honour shows that of some 600 journalists in tho dominion over 103 had, at tho time, enlisted for active service. The souvenir bears on the front page a cartoon in colours connecting tho men of tho press with the Empire. As a graceful tribute to the men who have dropped their pens to take up the sword, Messrs Blundell Bros, produced tho souvenir free of charge. It will probably, bo news to many New Zealanders who have been accustomed to use German medicinal preparations, but to whom the idea of supporting- German trade is revolting, to learn (says the New Zealand Herald) tnat in many lines it is open to them to obtain tho benefit they desire without depending upon tho hated foe. "The fact is," said an Auckland druggist, "that tho Germans who first manufactured these articles patented their trade names at once, and it was under these names that the preparations gained fame. When British chemists began to mako the same preparations, they wero unablo to adopt similar names, owing to the existence of the German patents. But in regard to such articles as aspirin, anti-pyrm, to name only two typical preparations that have gained popularity, the public can obtain British equivalents. In his opinion, the British preparations wero in some instanoes superior and also less expensive. If tho consumer would only bo guided by his druggist as to what he needed, instead of sticking to a name which had caught his fancy, he could be both patriotic, and economical." Instructions have been received by tho Imperial Russian Consul for New South Wales that all Russians in Australia of military age must take their part in the war. They are given the option of either joining the Russian forces in their own country or else enlisting with the Australian Expeditionary Forces. Tho consul states that there are about 20,000 Russians, nearly all of tho working class, in Australia. Most of them are in Queensland, but they arc of migratory habits, and move from stato to state. There are a fair number in Now South Walos, especially in mining centres like Cobar. Russian regulations make imperative obedienco to military commands. Shirkers arc regarded as deserters, and dealt with by martial law. Ho feels assured, however, that the Russians will realise tho manner in which Australians have answered the call, and will respond with alacrity. Tho Russian Imperial authorities, when issuing this new order, notified that military service in Australian units will bo recognised as equivalent to service in their own country.

The outbreak of enterio among the Natives in the Bay of Islands is reported to bo subsiding. At ono stage the District Health Offieo bad seven nursea out, but now tbo number has been reduood to four. Local doctors who are subsidised by the department still report a buey time, and it is probable that the trouble will not be entirely overcome for a while. The number of patients in the four hospital camps established by tho department has, nevertheless, been considerably reduced. One of the principal troubles with which the authorities have had to contend is the unchecked travelling of Natives between different kaingos. It has been found that during the early stage of the infection tome Maoris have left a trail of disease over long distances as the result of their nomadic habits. At a meeting of the executive of the Auckland Farmers' Union last week (the Star states), Mr J. 0. Allen pointed out that whereas city men who enlisted frequently had their positions held open and wero in rcceipt of half-pay during their absence, farmers, who volunteered for service, often had to sell their farms at a loss or to leave them under entirely unsatisfactory circumstances. He was of the opinion that the union should do all possible to assist young farmers who wero anxious to go to the front. On the motion of Captain Colbeck, it was decided "that a committee be set up to provide all information and help necessary to assist men in the oountry to go to the war. This committee shall also collect and furnish to branches all information and help to returned soldiers." Visiting fishermen in the Katikati Harbour during the past few days have experienced some excitement on aocount of the number and sizes of the sharks just now infesting those waters (says the Waihi Daily Telegraph). Messrs H. P. Barry and M. F. Haszard concluded a successful fishing day by hooking on (using a shark line) an unusually big shark off Kauri Point. They were prepared for such an event, and quickly had tho anchor up, and soon after the shark had the launch in tow. Eventually the monster broke away. Early next morning the same party, with the sole object of hunting sharks, started off in their launch for Kauri Point. They trailed a five-foot shark in the water in the_ hope of being able to entice other sharks close enough to the boat to be within striking distance of the harpoon. However, one big chap was too "wily for them, and before they oould pull the trailed 6hark near to the boat it was snapped with almost startling swiftness, and bitten clean in two, leaving but a portion of the shark on the rope. Later a shark was hooked, and for over an hour tho launch was towed about. Sometimes the shark would take a straight course for half a mile. Ultimately it was despatched. While its length was only 7 feet 9 inches, its girth was tremendous, and it weighed over 3cwt. Its jaws in extension measured 9 inches. Tho provision whioh the State is making at Rotorua. for the accommodation of convalescent soldiers is to be supplemented by an important scheme wihich the Salvation Army will shortly have in operation (tho New Zealand Herald states). The Army authorities have secured a building in Arawa street, which was formerly used as a 6tore, and are having it fitted up as a soldiers' institute or club. The establishment is to be oocducted somewhat on tho lines of tho institutes now established by the A'rmy in TrentEam and other largo camps, as a plaoe where soldiers can find means of profitably passing their spire hours. There will be a library and reading-room, with tables at which games oan be played, and accommodation for letter-writing. Light refreshments are also to be supplied. AVorkmen are at present employed in enlarging tho building, which—it is expected— will bo fully equipped and ready for opening within the next month. Tho Rev. H. Mason expressed the opinion some time ago (says the Auckland Star) that a water basin exists beneath Pukekohe Hill. The local Borough Council made efforts to bore for the water from the summit of the hill, but had to give up the venture on account of the hard basaltic rook encountered. That tho theory of the existence of the water* was correct would now seem to be proved, as Mr S. E. Hoddinott has had bores put down on his property at Pukekohe, and after going through hard blucstone rock, at a depth of 224 ft got a flow of water equal to 480 gallons per hour. There has long been a theory that water exists in tbo old fire channels in volcanic areas, and many years ago an Auckland Byndioate offered to sink a shaft at the foot of Mount Eden, diive underneath the crater, and provide water for the city, at a cost of £10,000, but the proposal was not entertained, because it was recognised that tho catchment area •was not adequate with tho Auckland rainfall to provide the volume of water required. That water does exist is, of course, proved by the Western Springs, those on the Mental Hospital grounds at Avondale, and at Onehunga, which aro the escapes from the volcanio area. The question as to whether Gorman names should be retained for certain flowers was in evidence at the Christdhurch flower show. The National Rose Society recently decided that the beautiful white rose hitherto named I'Vau Karl Druschki should be rechristened with an English name. Snow Queen being selected. At the Christchurch display tho exhibitors of this rose were not unanimous on the point, one prominent nurseryman adhering to the original German name, whilst some other exhibitors preferred Snow Queen. Patriots will learn with mingled feelings that Mr C. Poulsen, the grower who retained tho German name, secured the premier bloom award for his specimen. A representative of the Lyttolton Times asked Mr Poulsen if he had experienced any agitation among the public for the changing of the names of flowers bearing enemy alien names, and ho replied in tho negative, and added that great confusion must ensue if tho names of flowers were altered for merely patriotic, and probably temporary, reasons.