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Otago Daily Times, Issue 16785, 29 August 1916, Page 4

Tho National Mortgage art'l Agency Company received cable advice from the Capetown agents for the Itangatira that thoy expect to ship a small quantity of cargo, consisting mostly of oils, whiskj, and acids, by tho lonic. They also state that they do not think any cargo will be forwarded after that. It may bo of interest to those who have relatives with tho Fourteenth Reinforcements to know that, en route to their destnation, a call was ma do at Durban In connection w:th this call a graceful act of courtesy was peiformed by a resident of that city in writing to tho relatives of Sergeant G. R. Anscll, who was a member of the Fourteenth Reinforcements. The writer informs Seigcant Ansell'e mother, to whom ho is a stranger, that the men appeared to bo in excellent health, and a number of requests -were made that postcards should bo forwarded from Durban to friends in New Zealand. "Your Now Zealand soldiers aro a fine body of men," adds tho writer, "and ha\e nobly responded to tho call of tho Empire. All good Wishes for tho safo and speedy return of your son and tho gallant troops of tho dominion." A sitting of tho Pensions Board was held at Oamaru yesterday morning. The board dealt with 15 cases, 10 of which were renewals of claims granted through application to Wellington, and five of which were new claims. Of tho latter three were claims by soldiers and two by dependents. Tho live new claims were adjourned to enable inquiries to bo made in Wellington. Of the 10 applicants for renowals one was granted a permanent pension of 15s a week for part al deafness (tho regular pension in such cases), three were notified that their allowanco was to cease, three had their allowances extended for a further period, at the expiration of which, they must report again, one had his pension extended for a further period and was told that the extension was final, one had his allowanco of 10s increased to 20s and tho period of allowanco further extended, and one was told his pension would bo reconsidered in December. Tho action of a number of local fruit sellers in offering eggs for sale at practically cost pr-ico has brought values down with a run. The result will no doubt be Mewed by the general public with great satisfaction. Grocers do not, however, consider that this outside competition is fair to them. They have to close their • shops early in tho evenings and at 1 o'clock on .Saturdays. On the other hand, fru.t sellois aio allowed to keep open on week nights and also on Saturday afternoons and evenjngs. A good story is told of one grocer whose establishment is m tho close vicinity of some fruit shops. Tho latter shops had big placards in their windows on Saturday morning stating that eggs were on sale at Is 3d per dozen. Tho grocer in question saw a lino opportunity to compete wiih the competition without loss to himself. On closing his shop for the week end at 1 o'clock he placed a large placard in h s wi:idow, stating that lus price for eggs was Is per dozen. Of course, on reopening his shop yesterday moinm';, the placard was immediately removed. No doubt th* little bit of initiative roused d.seontent in the minds of the housewives who wc-n- called on to pay Is 3d, when with the closrj shop next door eggs were quoted at Is. At a meeting of tho committee of the Clutha A. and V. Sociitv on Sitiirday it vsas resolved to celebrate the fiftii th anniversary of the society by )-.->]diir> a two days' show this year. The dat»s were fixed for December 7 and 8.

r J ho Firo Biipade received r. call toMt»>r3 J! Hudson and ( o.'s biscuit factory at 20 miuiitf& to 7 List evening, a fire having broken out underneath a bi rich in tho tinsmiths' shop. Tho alarm was given by tho Giinnoll spunkier installation, which simultaneously emits a spray of water and gives an alarm. IJie brigade qui'My put out tho fire with the mechanical apparatus, very little damago being done.

A somewdiat gloomy future for the reputation of local Rugby football if junior playeis aro not moro strictly contiollcd wo 3 predicted by Mr V. Cavanagh at the meeting of the Rugby Union Committee last night Ho commented very &tiongly on tho diaracter of tho play in the Third Grado match between Southern and Alliambra at Montecillo last .Saturday. Ho was quito. •satisfied, ho said, that the referee had no control at all, and lit the teams play as they liked. It was "sciag, scrag,'* from start to finish. This vas tho second time ho had seen tho same kind of thuig. Referees seemed to think it didn't matte* what the play was like just now, and ona had said to him, "This is only a war game.' Let it go." That would breed j tremendous lot of dirty football in tha future, and the Rugby Union would bo spending its time suspending players who liael learned dirty habits in tho junior grade*. Tho rominitteo ought to writo to tho Kefcrees' Association, ask ng it to deal moro severely with dirty plaj. "Thowhole, gamo bristled with dirty incidents all through. Both s,des were at it all tho timo," concluded Mr Cavanagh. The chairman (Mr 11. Harri«) asked if the committee had not already this season written to tho association on tho subject, and tho secretary reported that on June 5 ho had been instructed to atk tho association to bo moro strict with junior t players. Mr Cavanagh: "They aro not carrying that ant." On tho motion of Mr Cavanagh, seconded by Mr Priest, it was resolved to writo to the Referees' Association ask.ng it to impress upon referees tho necessity of cvcrcising better control over junior grado matches. Mr Cavanagh was appointed to wait on tho Referees' Association to bring tho matter before it. The Civil List pensions granted by tho Imperial Treasury for tho past financial year include tho following:—£2oo to Mr Joseph Comyns Carr, in consideration of his services to art, literature, and tho drama and of his straitened circumstances; £170_ to Lady Murray, in consideration of her late husband's services as editor of tho »New English Dictionary; £150 to Mr William Hurrell Mallock, in consideration of his distinguished literary work and of hia straitened circumstances; and £50 to Mrs Amy Bullen, in consideration of the literary work of her husband, tho late Mr P. T. Bullen, and of her inadequate means of support. A meeting of shareholders _in the Duncdin Starr-Bowkett Building Society was held in tho Oddfellows' Hall, Stuart street, last evening. Mr T. J. Walker presided over a fair attendance. Tho 152 nd ap- ' propriation of '£SCO in tho No. 2 group was offered for sale, but as there were no buyers it was balloted for, cluster No. 28 being drawn, held by one shareholder. Tho 46th appropriation of £500 in No. 3 group was offered for sale, and realised a premium of £45 per cent. At the monthly meeting of the Clutha' branch of the Farmers' Union on Saturday, the chairman (Mr J. Christie) stated that ho took strong exception to a statement that had appeared in the newspapers as coming from Lady Stout, to the effect that farmers should go to tho war and their work bo undertaken by womenfolk. Ho said the wives and daughters of tho farmers were doing all they possibly could in tho way of war work. It was a man's work farming land in New Zealand, and a strong man's work at that He had never yet seen the woman who could harness and handle a six-horso team. Farming in New Zealand could not bo classed with farming in France. It was noticeable that although farmeis had como in for a great deal of criticism since the outbreak of the war, it was from tho land that the £9,000.000 war loan had been raised. Tho money had in tho first instance como from. the farmers, and it was only through their tenacity, perseverance, and industry during the past 50 years that tho raising of such a loan was made possible. Speaking at the monthly meeting of tha Clutha branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union on Saturday, Mr J. Christie said it seemed a curious fact that although tho Go\ eminent could put an embargo on hides, meat, etc., it could not interfero with tho liquor trade. Tho middlemen of Dunedin had mado good to the extent of about £50,000 through the recent embargo that had been placed on hides. Why should those interested in the liquor trade not bo called on to make somo sacrifices at the present critical period? A Press Association message f rom Wanganui states that a suggestion for consideration by tho Government has been mado by two local farmers regarding tho New Zealand wool mdustiy. A great part of tha New Zealand wool is seedy, duo to tho presence of bid-a-bids in the pastures. Recently another vanety of weed, which catchca tho lambs, mado its appearance. The wool, being full of weed, is affected in prico on account of tho cost of cleaning. Tha Belgians were formerly the principal purchasers, but since tho war tho demand has decreased from that quarter. The Belgians treated seedy wool by the roasting process, destroying tho burrs without damaging tho wool. It is suggested that the Government should endeavour to securo tho serv.ces of a Belgian expert to como to New Zealand to treat seedy wool Representations are being mado that higher prices would bo obtainable for wool so treated, and that th's would mean thousands' of pounds to tho settlers. Mr Veitch, M.P., is drawing the attention of the Government to tho matter. A message from Now York states that an American correspondent who has returned from Berlin quotes a German captain as saying:—"The bravest man I ever saw was an Australian. It was in the street fighting in Franco Ho was a bg fellow, and was literally wading through our company. I swear I thought he would kill the lot of us. lie used up all his ammunition, smashed his rifle, and then ho picked up an iron tor. When all was quiet I went out to examine the wounded, and found tho Anzac clean plugged through, but still game. When I askeel him ' Can I do anything for you?' ho half sat up, dug lis h.'nd kito his trousers pocket, produced a cigarette, and said, "1 hanks! Much obliged for a light." Tho question of the encouragement or destruction of opossums is still a live one in official quasteis. 'ilic Otago Acclimatisation Society at its meeting last night had before it a communication f 10m tho Department of Internal Affairs informing it that tho question of tho desirability of distributing opossums in \anous parts of New Zealand, more e°pc< ially in the native bushes of both islands, had been brought prominently before the Minister. With a view y to obtaining tho fullest information on tho sjliicct he asked tho society to supply mfuimation. particularly on the following points: —Whether it was desirable that opossums should be liberated m other parts of tho dominion, if so what localities wcro considered most suitable, from what pairs should opossums b" taken for liberation, do the skins di.teror.ito it tho opossums aro transferred from a colder to a warmer part and impiovo if sent fiom a warmer to a colder, and, finally, what e\idenco had tho society as to the destruction caused by opossums to orchards or other property. The chairman (Mr G. W. M Intosh) questioned "uhotner thev were in a position to inform die Mvister about the effect of tailing opossums fiom e'olde 1 to a warmer climate, but several members at onco asserted that the skins would undoubtedly deteriorate. Tho questions asko.' wcro referred to tho Game Committee to report.

Writing to a friend in Napier \Bays tho Hawko's Bay IloraJd) a. passenger who left on the Remucra in Juno for London, "via Panama, states that apart from tho now inevitable excitement from submarines, tho journey had been ruoro than interesting in other ways. At about 5 o'clock one morning just before reaching tho Panama Canal, stated tho writer, passengers sleeping on deck beard someone call out " Goodbye," following upon -which there was a splash. Instantly tho vessel was a scene of excitement, and while its course was altered and a lifo-boat lowered, a man could be seen struggling in the water. Little hope was entertained of effecting a rescue, as already black fins wero darting in the direction of tho unfortunate, rrum. Marvellous to relate, tho apparently doomed passenger was saved m tho nick of time. Ono or two sharks had already got at him, however, for on his reappoaranco on deck he was dripping -with blood as well as with water. Tho man was a religious maniac, and taking advantage of tho crowd of passengers gathered round him, ho commenced to preach a sermon. Tho arrival of tho ship's doctor and nn officer cut this short, and tho dripping preacher was immediately placed under restraint. Following upon this a man on board alarmed tho passengers by threatening to kill his-wife. Ho was s milarly dealt with. On arrival at ono of tho Panama ports a passenger who had gone ashoro struggled to tho ship's side just as tho vessel was about to leave. Ho was in a bad way, having been nearly hacked to pieces in a fracas at tho port. Ac tho moment of writing tho letter (tho Remuera was then leaving Panama), a girl on board had taken seriously ill, and was not expected to livo tho journey. The latest report received by the Minister of Public Health shows that on August 17 there wero 271 sick and wounded soldiers in hospitals in New Zealand, and that there were 92 soldiers who w ere out-patients, a total of 363 soldier pafients. At the hospitals at Rotorua thero aro 78, and at Hanmer 21. Considerable use is now being made of the convalescent homes. In tho homo at Epsom (Auckland) thero are 25 soldiers, at Lowry Bay 19, and at Devonport 13. Tho following remit from the Ravcnsbourno School Committee will come up for consideration at the next meeting of the Schools Committees' Association:—"Tho Ravensbourno Committeo proposes that in order to obtain economy, uniformity, and efficiency in tho matter of school books, it bs recommended to the Minister that tho Government, having all tho necessary printing and publishing machinery, and also having in its service professional men possessing tho necessary technical skill, should undertake the compiling, printing, and publishing of all class books, copy books, etc., used in our schools." "Is there a firo fiend in our midst?" asks tho Foxton Herald. "Incipient fires have been frequent of late. Mr King's mill had a narrow escape a short timo ago, as did Goldingham and Beckett's store shed, and a few nights after thero were two outbreaks in tho Cordage Company's mills, and another night thero was another fire which destroyed Mr King's tow shed adjacent to tho mill, and at a later hour a fire was discovered in tho Awahou Company's mill, whde a deliberate attempt was made errlier in the night to set firo to Mr R. N. Spiers's timber yard. ' The circumstances surrounding tho outbreaks point to deliberate' incendiarism by some person or persons of crimmal tendencies. Certain millowners have been in receipt of anonymous threats of destruction of property if the services of certain employees are not dispensed with. Tho millers have appointed night watchmen, and others aro taking steps to keep a sharp look-out for persons unlawfully on or about their premises." At a meeting of tho provincial executive of the Union, held at Palmerscon North, the President (Mr T. Moss) referred to the matter of tho shearers' demands, which were likely to como beforo tho Arbitration Court shortly (says tho Post). A eubstantial increase in the present award was being sought. After a general discussion on the rate of shearing, it was decided strongly to recommend to tho Shecpowners' Federation that any 'ncrease m the rate of pay for shearers and shed hands should bo in the nature of a bonus and not an increase in tho present award rates. It was stated that the extra cost of living so frequently used as a reason for increase of awards d'd not, in the of shearers or shed hands, fall on the employee, but directly on the farmer, who had to provide "koep" whilst the men were shearing, including the days when it was too wc£ to be shearing and the men wore doing nothing. ♦ Great sale of second-hand motor cyclesTriumph, Douglas, 8.5.A., Calthorpe, Clyno, etc. All m perfect order, condition. Must sell. —Wilson, Princes street, Dunedin. —Advt. ThisSweek Mollisons (Ltd.) aro offering a fine lot of new sample blouses for summer wear, all at 4s lid each.—Advt. Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for coughs and colds, never fails.—Ad\t. Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most -whiskies, but is worth the money.— Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Tolephono 1859.— Advt. Who is Peter Dick?—Tho most reliable Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Certificated Consulting Optician, 490 Moray place (off Pnnces Etreet), Dunedin. Charges moderate.—Advt. j