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Otago Daily Times, Issue 16946, 7 March 1917, Page 4

The Hon. J. A. Hanan left Dunedin yesterday morning for Wellington. The mail train from the north was hali-an-hour late yesterday in arriving at Dunedin; tho delay being caused by tho detention of tho train at Lyttolton to receive a heavy English and Australian mail.

Thero is a rumour, too intelligent to be lightly disregarded (says our Wellington correspondent), that both of our Ministers now in England! on an Imperial mission may not at once come back to New Zealand. Tho suggestion is that Sir Joseph AVard may stay in England for a time, and that Mr Massey will return alone. The ballot for men to fill vacancies for the Twenty-ninth . Reinforcements, which began on Monday, was completed yesterday afternoon (says a Wellington Press Association message). Tho list will probably be ready for issue on Thursday or Friday. A Press Association telegram from. Auckland states that Sir Jas. Allen returned to Wellington by last night's express. Yesterday morning he visited tho flying school at Kohemarama, and 1 made a flight in a now Curtis machine built at the school, being in tho air for 20 minutes. Tho Dunedin Horticultural Society's autumn show, to bo held in tho Art Gallery Hall to-day, should prove a strong attraction. A fino display of collarette dahlias, comprising some novelties, will be on exhibition. Tho entries in all other classes justify a most successful show, sweet peas and the decorative and floral work being well represented. Mr W. J. Robinson is staging a special display of ferns, including maiden hair (native and foreign) for exhibition only. It is gratifying to the society to see entries coming from Oamaru, Kaitangata, Gore, Outram, and Port Chalmers, and with the local exhibitors some very fino blooms will be staged. Tho district horticultural and trades' display is creating a great deal of interest, and no doubt keen competition will be looked forward to. An orchestra will be in attendance at the evening session. The show will be opened at 1.30, closing at 10 p.m. Yesterday morning' tho Hon. J. A. Hanan (Minister of Education), accompanied by Mr A. Walker, M.P., visited the Maori Hill School, where- they were met by members of the school committee. Mr S. N. Brown (chairman) set out the requirements of the school, emphasising the need of an additional room for tho infants, who are now accommodated in tho Coronation Hall. In reply, tho Minister said that applications of this naturo were taken in order of merit and promised to look into tho matter on his return to Wellington.

The commission to inquire into tho condition of- railway rolling stock will sit in the Appeal Board room at the railway station this morning. The commission consists of Professor Kjcott (Canterbury College, chairman), Mr J. Marshbanks (engineer to the Wellington Harbour Board), and Mr J. P. Maxwell.

The following resolution, which was moved by Cr King, was carried unanimously at the meeting of the Bruce County Council yesterday:—"That in the opinion of this council it is in the best interests of tho country and tho Empire tliat the Government should organise all branches of labour with tho exception' of those men required for active service in order to use tho manpower of tho dominion to tho best possible advantage." Mr William Stewart, who has this week resigned his" seat as M.P. for the Bay of Islands, had decided some months ago to retire from politics, but was prevailed upon to consent to await tho return of tho Prime Minister. The delay that has occurred in holding tho Imperial Conference, however, has made the date of Mr Massey's return uncertain, and (an Auckland correspondent informs us) Mr Stewart states that tie considers that it is only just to his constituency to resign now, so that his successor may be able to take his seat at the opening of Parliament, in his announcement of his resignation to the electors, Mr Stewart states that on being pressed to contest tho vacancy at the by-election in 1915 Ins decision was necessarily given hurriedly, but very soon ho found that to give the attention necessary to his electorate ho would practically have to abandon his private business, and realising this, he decided to retire from politics. Mr Vernon Kecd, former member for tho district, is announced as a candidate

The executive of the Duncdin Bowling Centre mot in the secretary's office last evening, Mr J. Abbott (chairman) presiding over a full attendance of delegates. The chairman reported that 31 players from Dunedin had vistied South Utago during tho holidays, and had won both 'games. The greatest hospitality had been extended to them, and it was hoped that the South Otago players would be able to pay a return visit to Dunedin next year. It was decided that an effort bo rnado to send six rinks to Waikouaiti on Anniversary Day to play throe rinks from each of tho Waikouaiti and Seacliff Clubs. The draw for tlm Easter tournament, for which entries close on the 30th inst., was fixed for Saturday evening, March. 31. The finals in. the tournament will bo played on tho Dunedin -ixteca.

Owing to Anniversary Day falling this year on a Friday, it has been proposed that the holiday should b& observed on the following day. A meeting of retailers will bo held this morning to decide whether this suggestion should bo given effect to. Residents of St. Kilda will bo afforded an opportunity to-day of exercising their votes in connection with tho proposal to mergo tho borough into the city, and if tho recent meetings, both pro and contra, are to bo accepted as a criterion of tho interest evinced, tho number of votes deciding the issuo will not bo overwhelming.

Wo learn from a Press Association telegram from Auckland that Sir James Carroll, who returned to the dominion yesterday] said that Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward were doing splendid work in tho Old Country, and appeared'-.-fco be welL-in touch with everything. Mr J. M'Neil, an employee-in the Dunedin Post Office, whilst on his holidays, left Invercorgill at 6.30 a.m. on Monday on his bicycle, intending to travel to Dunedin—a distance of probably 150 mhos by road. Ho was given two days in which to do the trip. Reaching Woodlands at 7.10 ho had a ou.p of tea, and refreshments at Edendale, which ho left at 8.20. At Gore he took 40 minutes for refreshments, leaving at 10.30. From Pukerau to Waipahi, which ho reached at <U5 p.m., he encountered rough roads and hod to wait a good deal. Clinton was reached at 1 p.m., and Mr M'Neil allowed himself an hour for dinner. He arrived at Balclutha at 3.45, and Milton (here he had tea) at 6 o'clock. At Henley he was delayed for half-an-hour repairing puncture, and arrived at Mosgiel at 9 o'clock. It being then 0- o'clock and quite dark, Mr M'Neil decided! that he had had enough of the trip, and completed his journey by rail. The actual time taken on the trip was 14* hours, but of this two hours 20 minutes, were occupied in refreshments and repairs. For a day's journey by an amateur, Mr M'Neil's performance is certainly a meritorious one.

The condition of the railway rolling stock used on tho Port Chalmers iinc was commented' on strongly at last night's meeting of tho West Harbour Council. Cr Harndgo said that carriage No. 74, used on Monday night, was in suoh "a filthy condition as to be quit© unfit for public use. i-n a non-smoker second-class carriage in the 9.20 p.m. down train, on Saturday night, young men were smoking without being checked. • Tho class of car used on tho Port Chalmers lino was much inferior to carriages in other parts of the dominion They were not fit for cattlo to travel in, he said, let alone women and children! ■They were so bad as to bo a disgrace to tho Railway Department. Cr Mitchell con■firmed the complaint, and said that having been travelling a good deal recently in the neighbourhood of Christchurch, vho had noticed how much superior tho rolling stock there was to that on tho Port Chalmers line. The town clerk was instructed to attend the sitting of tho Rolling Stock Commission to bring the complaints under its notice.

In connection with the New Zealand National Association, recently formed in Dunedin, a public meeting will be held in the King's Theatre on Thursday, when the objects and constitution of the association will bo fully explained. Messrs J. Craigie M.P. (Timaru), J. W. Munro, and C. n! Sourr will bo the principal speakers. As the association intends to deal with the problem of what will be best to do for tho men who have fought for us at the conclusion of the war, it is'to be hoped that as many returned soldiers as possible will endeavour to bo present. Ladies are specially invited. A Press Association telegram from Napier states that the returning officer for Hawke's Bay has received advice from Wellington that Mr Fraser'e withdrawal cannot be officially noticed, as it was not made within tho legal time. Mr Fraser therefore is still officially a candidate. Though ho' advises his supporters to vote for Sir John Findlay, any votes credited to him will not be informal.

A meeting of members of the Southern Starr-Bowkett Society was held on Monday night. Mr S. S. Myers presided over a small attendance of shareholders. A sum of £2000 was disposed of as follows:—The 293 rd appropriation of £500 by ballot in group No. 1 resulted in cluster No. 4 being drawn, the shares being held by one member; for the 284 th appropriation by sale no offers wero received, and it was balloted! for, and resulted in cluster No 5 being drawn, the shares being held by two members. In group No. 2, the 91st appropriation of £503 by ballot, resulted in cluster No. 29 being drawn, the shares being held by a resident of Blenheim For the 92nd appropriation by sale, £400 realised a premium of £10 per £100.

The only case occupying the attention of Mr H. A. Young, CLM., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday was one arising out of a family disagreement, in which Hy G Dowse, executor of his son's will, resident at Opoho, sought to recover, some furniture from Catherine Wilson, his son's widow, or £5 10s as an equivalent. The furniture 'was surrendered, under the terms of a will on the remarriage- of Mrs, Wilson. Defendant claimed the chattels as her private property. A largo number of witnesses were called' and the case ended in a non-suit, with £2 3s costs. His Worship, in giving judgment, said he regretted that the action'had been brought, and condemned the imputations cast by the plaintiff against Mrs Wilson. Tho claim put forward could not •be sustained, and one result of the action was to waste the few pounds belonging to tho defendant. Mr A. C. Smith appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr E. J. Smith for defendant.

A first offender, who had been brought over from Portobello, was fined ss, and°ls 6d (boat fare), in the Port Chalmers Police Court yesterday, for drunkenness. Mr A. Cable was tho presiding J.P. Tho burning question of the speed of motor cars on country roads was again under discussion at tho meeting of the Bruco County Council yesterday. Cr King said he did not think it right that motors should pass other vehicles on the roads at a speed of 20 or 30 miles an hour in the manner that many of them did l at tho present time. In his opinion the whole of the local bodies controlling roads should arrange a conference 'in regard to this matter and arrive at a definite ruling that would govern all parts of tho province. That courso seemed to him to be preferable to the present system, which meant a varying speed' limit in the different districts, and ho would move that tho other local bodies in Otago bo approached with that object in view. Cr Driver seconded tho motion. Cr Scott said ho agreed with tho proposal in so far as it referred to the restrictions upon speed, but ho wanted to know how such restrictions could bo enforced. Ho thought the real remedy and tho only remedy was to so construct the machino that it would bo incapable of an excessive speed. (Laughter.) At present the roads suffered a great deal and the community was faced with a serious danger and something should be done. Tho chairman drew attention to tho county by-laws and quoted from these to show that speed restrictions existed at present. The motion was lost by 6 votes to 4.

In connection (With tho amalgamation poll to-day, the Amalgamation Committee rooms are at tho Masonic Hall, St. Kildu. February 24. Otago Motor Club. ' Petrol consumption tost: U.S.A. and sidecar Ist Solo class: Triumph Ist. Petrol economy is a continual saving.—WiLon, Dunedin.— Advt. S. Matthew's Clmrcu. Stafford street — War intercession service, to-night. 7.45. Al, :nvited. —Advt. Akaroa.—A fortnight's holiday there, enjoying its delicious fruits and lish, beautiful domain, boating, bathing, and quiet restful-lK'-ss, moans recovery for the weary worker Advt. Eminent scientists have analysed Watson's iNo 10 whisky, and tli-.:-.uglily C nits fiurity and-quality.—Advt.

Mollisons summer sale closes on Saturday. .Sensational bargains will be under offer up to that day; don't miss the opportunity.— "Dreadful, isn't it," that a thing never achieves success but it must bo imitated' Heware, please, and see that you tret the genuine 'No Rubbing" Laundry Help A «- ™«o n °t eb ook with every Is packet. -W. M Gonnell and Son, South Dunedin — Advt. A, IS. J. Blafceley, dentist, Bank of Aus tralasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streen (su'xt iclegrapn .Oflioo). Telephone 1869.— Advt. Launch owners, motorists, and others, don t have trouble. Buy our Columbia Hotshot Batteries. Wo have a fin- assortment uf ij y Batter,es . Accumulators, Lamps Holders etc., for ignition and lifrhtine- purposes—Turnbull and Jones (Limited),' elec tncal engineers, Dunedin.—Advt. is Peter Dick 2—The moat rc-liabit watchmaker, Jeweller, and Certificated Con Mating Optician, 4SO Moray piaco (oil Priintj tiueet;, Dunedin. Cnargea moderate,—Arm