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Otago Daily Times, Issue 16610, 5 February 1916, Page 6

A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that the Victoria, which was due to leave for southern ports on Thursday, is still in the stream owing to a shortage of firemen. A Press Association message states that the Government tax paid by the Wellington Racing Club in connection with its January meeting totalled £6149 2s lOd. A recruiting meeting, which resulted in the enlistment of two men, was held-at the Fountain last night, in the presence of an assemblage which contained a better proportion of men than has been the case with some of the recent meetings held at the Town Hall steps. The proceedings were carried on with vigorous enthusiasm, much to the credit of an able chairman, Mr J. M. Benton, of St. Clair. ,The speakers for the evening were Messrs R. S. Black and the Rev. W. A. Hay, whose patriotic addresses were punctuated by expressions of sympathetic and heartiest approval from the spectators. A portion of the St. Kilda Band lent the usual brightening effect of music, which was appropriate and well rendered. Meetings will be arranged as usual for next week, when it is expected that a largo number of men will respond to the Empire's urgent call for soldiers. , One new case of infantile paralysis was notified to the Auckland District Health' . Department yesterday, making (says a Press Association telegram) the number of notifications to date 72. A telegram was received yesterday by the local Collector of Customs from the Comptroller of Customs, Wellington, stating that the exportation of hides weighing 451b or more has been prohibited. Among the members of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals there is one who is not only imbued with the patriotic spirit, but remembers also the minor duties of citizenship, and writes to the secretary: "As I expect to be shortly leaving for the front, I would esteem it - y a favour if you could keep my membership good until such time as I return." The detachment of 76 men from " .he Army Service Corps who arrived in Dunedin from Trentham on Thursday afternoon for the purpose of loading horses on the transport Waitemata were accommodated at the Leviathan Hotel during their stay .of one night in the city. This arrangement was made at very short notice by the local Patriotic Association, and the men greatly appreciated the consideration thus extended to them. Yesterday afternoon they were engaged in placing horses on board the Waitemata, and fast evening they also took up their own quarters m this vessel. It is understood that as a result of Dr Valintinc's visit to Timara (says the Herald), the trouble between the South Canterbury Hospital Board and the honorary medical staff at the hospital is likely to be settled in a manner satisfactory to both parties. Dr Valintme will attend the next ordinary meeting of the board. The city tramcars came to a sadden stop at 6.27 last evening, and it was fully ?0 minutes before the service was resumed. .The trouble was caused by the fusing of ono of the four underground feeders between the Halfway Bush converter station and the city. Fortunately, the accident occurred at a time when traffio was somewhat slack, and it was not long before the trouble was located and another line brought into requisition. Wo are advised that at a full meeting of the Dunetlin branch of the Social Democratic Party, the manifesto of the United Federation of Labour Conference was fully endorsed, the members pledging themselves . to do all in their power to resist any attempt to impose "conscription" on the people of New Zealand. Commissioner Hodder, the head of the Salvation Army in New Z.ealand, accompanied by Mrs Hodder and Ensign Souter, arrived from Wellington by the first® express yesterday. The commissioner went Co Port Chalmers last night, and- gave an address on his experiences in Japan. Ho will spend the next few days here reviewing or organising the local activities of +he Army, and to-day will visit its various institutions and the recently acquired property at Anderson Bay. To-morrow he will conduct a series of special services for young people at the Dowling Street Fortress. Owir." to the continued fine weather, harvesting operations in Marlborough are almost completed (writes a correspondent of the Nelson Colonist). On the whole, tho crops are very heavy, for, though the district has not received a thorough soaking einco tho drought of 1914-15, still a few hoavy showers at the right time brought on the crops in a wonderful manner. Owing to the reports as to the shortage ot harvesters that had been circulated throughout the country, men of all classes flocked to Blenheim to secure the higher wages that they fondly imagined would be paid by th» anxious farmers. However, the ruling rates have l>een Is an hour for forkers and Is Gd an hour for stackers and bindormen. This rate of wages was not sufficient inducement for many to commence work, and soores returned to their homes without making a start. Among those who took off their coats was a party of eight schoolmasters from Auckland. These men, who wore not seeking higher wages, soon obtained employment, and worked with a will, being able, after a few weeks' cxperienoe/'io iisid , ■their own with other wcrissft-

Perennial flowers, probably the most extensively oultiv&ted of all the docorativo adjuncts to the public and private gardens of the city, are in the zenith of their form during the present month. The casuai visitor to the Botanic Gardens, now presenting a striking array of floral beauty cannot fail to be attracted by the -wealth of colour in the numerous beds of both perennials and annuals, -which, under skilful management, have never displayed » more charming appearance. A decided novelty at the northern approach is a bed containing varieties of the .new collarette dahEa—flowers of a single character and of a splendid upright habit, features which make this plant specially suitable for garden decoration. Two varieties of a strong nature, quite distinct from the usual type of flower, are 44 Tuscan," red, with white collar, and white-tipped petals, and " Balmoral," magenta, with white collar. These •wonderful flowers will be represented by choice specimens at the annual autumn show of til© Dunedin Horticultural Society on February 23. Although not so copious as in some seasons, the rainfall in the vicinity of Dunodin has been ample for '.he development of fine flowers, fruit, and vegetables, and the executive of the Horticultural Society is sparing 110 efforts to place before the publio the best grown and most representative autumn flowers, together with all the eeaaohsble fruits and vegetables. At the meeting of the New Zealand Institute in Wellington on January 28, a grant of £25 was made from the Hutton fund to the Portobello marine fish hatchery for the furtherance of research on marine food fishes, especially their marking and distribution.

Last week proved a somewhat eventful period in the life of an adventurous little fellow of two and o-half yoais, who resides with his parents at Palmers ton North (says the Manawafca Standard). . On Wednesday he was taken for a walk to the river, and unknown to his guardian, mado his way into tho water, and would certainly have been drowned bat for the timely arrival of a girl, who went to the rescue. Tho following day the little boy wandered on to the railway line ee a. train was approaching, and a tragedy was again averted by tho driver bringing his train to a standstill. Saturday had a still further adventure m store. Being taken to a picture entertainment, he evidently tired of the performance and made hia way out, unseen, to the Square, where he was discovered and taken home by a young lady, who notified the polioe of the boy's whereabouts. The police later had an inquiry from an anxious mother, and t&ey had the satisfaction of giving iho information which led to tho little fellow's restoration.

An important trade development baa taken place at Wanganui, all the bakera having amalgamated their businesses with the object of reducing the price of bread. This is to bo partly achieved by the delivery carta working certain streets only, thus preventing overlapping and the runs being operated by perhaps half-a-dozen different delivery oarts at the same time. Another important feature of the new development is the introduction of the cash Bystem. No credit whatever is to be given, and to start with bread is being reduced to 4s 3d per dozen coupons, with a farther lowering of price as soon as circumstances permit.

On Tuesday evening Mr R. Davis, of Geraldine, saw some boya birdnesting 'n some trees near a creek running through has father's property in Cox street, and, thinking he heard something fall, questioned a small lad, who stated that one >f their number was up in the tree, bot they had heard nothing fall (says the Timaru Herald), i Mr Davis looked about, and, .Teeing nothing, waa about to leave, when he thought he would have a look at the creek, and there he found a lad, whose clothing had caught in the barbed wire, and whose head was under the water of the stream. Mr Davis has not yet recovered from a rccent burning accident, and is unable to use one arm, bat with the other arm he polled the boy out of the water and sent one of the youngsters for his father. The boy, whoso same ia Burn am, and who was. about nine years of age, was all but drowned, but under medical caro is recovering.

Shortly before 3 p.m. qn Tuesday something in the nature of a cloudburst broke over Culverden (Bays -tie Lyttelbon Times). Accompanied by thunder and lightning the rain fell in torrents, and -within half an hour dry -watercourses had been converted into raging- torrents,. and roads and fields resembled lakes. A feature of the storm was its extremely local nature, as RcrtherJbam, Balmoral, and even farms within a couple of miles of Culverden did not receive any rain worth speaking about. The violence of the storm waa apparently felt most severely in the township. A heavy thunderstorm also broke over Oxford the same afternoon. The zone of the storm •was very narrow, and extended from west to east. The lightning Was most vivid and the thunder terrifio. Torrential rain fell, and in the Bhort period of less than -tn hour ,71in fell.

About 10 o'clock on Monday evening, during the ran of the Mararoa from Lystclton to Wellington, an affray occurred, as a result of which two soldiere 'brother?) named CConnell, members of the Tenth Reinforcements, who belong to Christchurch, were taken to the Wellington Hospital on the arrival of the steamer from the south on Tuesday (says the dominion). From the somewhat vague accounts given it appeared that there was among the troops on board an exceedingly truculent individual, who went out of his way to pick a quarrel with one of the O'ConncJV The man fought viciously, and after knocking O'Connell down is eaid to have «>dministered a kick which broke the man's leg as he lay on the deck. At this t.ce brother of the injured man rushed in to prevent further injury to the fallen man, but received a fierce uppercut that sent him to the deck with such violence that he bumped the back of his head on the deck and sustained slight concussion of the brain. The aggressor waa then placed under arrest by the military powers.' At a meeting of the Gore members of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, held on Tuesday (says the Matanra Ensign), the Mayor (Mr D. M'Dougall) telephoned to say that he regretted being unable to attend, and stated that he was in favour of adhering to the Otago Society on the grpund that the old society was of more use to dumb animals. Messrs P. C. Gray and J. H. Smith wrote similarly. Mr S. G. Inder wrote stating that in his opinion the best interests of dumb animals would be served by adhering to the Otago Society. Mr George Whittingham stated that as Gore was in Southland he thought that all local members should join the Southland branch of the society. Messrs W. N. Wilson and J. Latham said they thought the Otago Society should be adhered to. Mr W. F. Inder, who presided, pointed out the financial strength of the Otago Society and some of the' work done. He felt that the Southland branch should stick to tho district which it had been allotted and endeavbur to work it up. The district controlled by tho Southland branch was tho pick of (Southland. As regards tho Southland branch, they were quite in tho dark as to its financial position, as they had never yet seen a balance sheet. The speaker said the question was not one of Southland versus Otago, but which branch of tho society would best serve tho interests of dumb animals, and ho f<jlt assured that the Otajjo Society, which had rendered such valuable service in the past, should be .idhered to. In tho general discussion that followed fear was expressed that if Gore were divided between two branches of ho society little attention might bo received from either. Tho following motion was carried unanimously:—" That this meeting is of the opinion that the Otago Society should bo adhered to; that, not having any balance sheet or information relative to the Southland branch of tho society, it cannot mako any recommendation in regard to offering financial assistance to v»he Southland branch."

Some months ago certain persons in Fetono, representing themselves as having newly acquired tho ownership of a section of land, gave permission to the Borough Council to remove soverol hillocks of sand on the property (eays tho Wellington Poet). This the council did, at the same time levelling the land, and binding it to prevent any further sand drift. At Monday evening's meeting, the membere of tho oouncil received a surprise in the way of a eolicitor's letter from an individual, who, it appears, is the real owner, claiming tho sum of £10 for the removal of the sand, and threatening legal proceedings unless the claim was met within 14 days. Tho oounoil decidcd to disclaim liability, and to point out that the property had really been improved by tho action taken. A shortago of cngine-cleanera in vho Christchurch district was recently brought under tho notice of tho General Manager of Railways (Mr E. H. Hiley) by the Executive of the New Zealand Locomotive Engine-drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association. A reply has now been received by the association from Mr Hiley to the effect that the shortage complained of ; s due to the number of locomotive-running men who have been granted leave to join tho expeditionary forces and tho necessity of transferring men to the Wellington district to replace members who have gone into camp. Every effort is being made by the department to obtain lads to fill tho existing vacancies, but up to the present the supply has not been nearly equal to tho demand.

Wo have received Mr H. C. Campbell's New Zealand an.l Australian Shipping Guido for February. The United Starr-Bowkett Building Society invites applications for No. 4 group, and advertises £1000 for disposal on the. Bth inst.

.The secretary of the Money Club reports that applications for loans to tho amount of £1800 and for 36 shares were received by the Trustees during January. Notices for the following Sunday services will be found in our advertising columns: — Anglican—St. Paul's, All Slaints', St. MatAlexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Ophir, Presbyterian—Fir.=t, Russell Street, Knox, Stuart' Hall, St. Andrew's, Kensington, Roslyn, N.E. Valley, Opoho, Caversham. Methodist—Trinity, Woodhaugh, Central Mission, Cargill Road. Benevolent. Dundas Street, Caversham, Abbotsford, Fairfield, Glenaven, Rjvensbourne. Congregational— Moray Place, St. dair. Baptist—Hanover Street. _ Church of Christ —Tabernacle. Theosophical Society. Spiritual Scientists. Order of the Star in the East.

1916 8.5.A., masterpiece of motor cycle construction, has done its Ehare defeating the atrocity-committincr Huns. Examine lat-est models.—Witeon, Princes street South, Dunedin. —Advt. At MoDisons Sale this week—3o dozen Ladies' Longcloth -Nightdresses, trimmed embroidery, all 2s lid each, posted 3d extra. —Advt

False economy: Buying inferior whisky, when you can get inoomparablo WatSon's No. 10. —Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley. dentist. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859.— Advt. Who is Peter Dick?— The meet reliable Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Certificated Consulting Optician, 490 Moray place (off Princes street), Dunedin. Charges moderate. —Advs