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Otago Daily Times, Issue 16964, 28 March 1917, Page 4

The supplementary district electors' list closod yesterday with approximately 2000 names. The main roll shows a total of 23,285 names, or a total of about 25,386, as against 25,029 at the elections two years ago.

Two; farmers in the Milton district, who came into town yesterday morning by the train by which a South Otago didft of reinforcements travelled, brought under our notice a case of what seemed to them, as it will also seem to the general public, needless officiousness on the part of a railway servant. The second front carriage that was set apart for tlio rocinits being insufficiently largo to acoommodate them all, four of their number took their seats in a firstclass carriage. A railway inspector, who discovered them there, made a demand upon them for a double fare, and, upon their naturally refusing to pay this, ushered them through the train into anoth-er second-class carriage. Our informants were warm in their expressions of indignation' over the circumstance that, when the authorities had neglected to reserve sufficient accommodation for them, a few of the recruits who had quietly occupied seats in the nearest available carriage should have'' been bundled out of that carriage because they reasonably declined to comply with an inconsiderate demand. In the opinion of our informants, the action of the official betrayed, on his part or, if ho acted under instructions, on the part of his superior officers, a complete lack of appreciation of the fact that these men were going to fight for their country, and to offer the sacrifice of their lives, if need be, in the defence 'of the liberties of the Empire.

, A Press Association telegram states that it a meeting of the Christchurch City" Council on Monday night, Mr J. M'Combs, M.P/, submitted a motion in favour of granting Home Rule to Ireland and asking his Excellency the Governor to forward a-message to the Imperial authorities. The Mayor (Mr Holland) ruled such s motion out of order, but Mr M'Combs moved that the council disagree with the Mayor's ruling. This motion was carried by eight votes to seven. A number of councillors then left the chamber. The Home Rule motion was finally carried in tie form that the council view with pleasure the resolution of the Imperial Government to make another effort to settle the Irish problem, and believe that the winning of Irish confident is of supreme importance to the cause of Britain and Iter Allies.

A very massive piece of forged steel construction work is at present being carried out for a Wellington firm by Messrs Stevenson and Cook, of Port Chalmers. This consists of a largo hydraulic press of 640 tons capacity, and having, a working pressure of 40001b to the square inch. The complete ynaihhine, with pumps and intensifier, will weigh some 20 tons. All the castings and the ram are of solid steel, and the boring of these involves the use of very modern machinery, and also of, considerable engineering skill. The press is similar in many respects to that used for ■ forging 1 shells, and though the makers do not know the purpose for which it is intended, it is conjectured that it is for use in connection with the manufacture of roofing tiles. Designs for its construction were called for throughout New Zealand, and that submitted by Messrs Stevenson and Cook was accepted. This firm, which also docs a great deal of work in connection with shipping, is engaged at the present time in forging a new tail shaft for the steamer Arahura

The forthcoming mayoral election at Port Chalmers promises to arouse a greater degree of interest than usual, and it is just possible that the electors will have a fair number of candidates to choose from. The names of Crs Stevenson and Prwell and Messrs John Tait (aji ex-councillor) and D. A. De Maus (a former mayor) are all mentioned as likoly to be- in the field. Dr Borrie, who was approached, has declined nomination. The present Mayor (Mr T. Scollay) has been asked to offer his services for a further term.

During the visit of the New Zealand members of Parliament to England, they were shown over the Vickers-Maxim works. In honour of the occasion, and to commemorate the visit, the firm had kinematograph pictures taken. The film was forwarded to the High Commissioner (Sir Thomas Mackenzie) for presentation to the Now Zealand Government, and the pictures having arrived in New Zealand, the film censor (Mr Joliffc) gave a private exhibition to members of the Ministry who are at present in Wellington. The pictures were well shown, and were witnessed by the Hons. G W Russell, A. Myers, and W. Fraser. The process of manufacturing gtin3 of huge calibre is depicted in minute . detail, and absorbed the interest of thoso who were privileged to see the pictures. As the film is only about 800 ft in length, it is not of sufficient length for an evening's entertainment, and in order that the public may see it, the Government intends to loan it to the picture theatres to form part of their programme. Another picture, or series of pictures, thrown on the screen were scenes in Florida taken by the Paramount Company. The company has made arrangements in other countries to advertise the scenic beauties, and is desirous of completing similar arrangements with tho Now Zealand Government.

Messrs T. Ross and H. M'Lennan, J.P.'s, conductcd a sitting of the Police Court yesterday morning. Robert Gordon Mahone pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness. Sub-inspector Mathieson drew the attention of the bench to his condition, and asked that lie bo remanded for a week to get over his bout. Mahone was. remarded for seven days. The adjourned case in which Robert Prydo Turnbull was charged with using obscene language within hearing of a public place was further heard. Julia M Laren, an occupant of the adjoining house, handed in a written statement of the language she had heard accused use There was a somewhat sharp passage between Mr W. L. Moore, who appeared for the accused, and Sub-inspector Mathieson, Mr Moore claiming the right to speak in mitigation of the penalty, and the sub-inspector objecting to his speaking at all at that stage. Eventually Mr Moore submitted that the man s trouble was drink, and that the chargo v/afi the outcomc of quarrel. Turnbul! was qui to prepared' to take out a prohibition order against himself. The bench inflicted a fine of £2, and witnesses expenses (6.?), with the alternative of 14 days' imprisonment, and strongly advised the man to take out a prohibition order.

Messrs T.' Scollay and N. Dod-2s. J.P.'s. held a short sitting of the Police Court at Port Chalmers yesterday morning Two first offenders, for drunkenness, were convicted and discharged, and a prohibition order was granted against a woman on tho application of the police. Mr H A. Young, S.M., occupied the bench in tho Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, and disposed of a large batch of cases, the only one for publication being that of the New Zealand Express Compapv V. Hubert Holyoake, of Motueka, Judgment was given for the plaintiff company, by default, for £30 8s 4d. with costs (£3 9s).

A Press Association message from Wellington states that the British Government advises that the matter of prohibiting the importation of fruit to Britain is not yet decided, but in the meantime fruit /for tho navy will bo admitted, including gifts from the overseas dominions.

A public meeting-was held in the Green Island Hall last evening under the au-spices of the New Zealand National Association, having been convened by the Mayor of Greon Island (Mr LindsayJ, who presided over a good attendance. Mr E. Sincock dealt with the aims and objects nf the association. and incidentally stated that there was at the present time only one thing paramount to t:ie aims and objeeta of the <i-ssociat:on. This was the winning of the war.—(Applause.) The next thmcc was the adequate provision for all men and their dependents of the wherewithal to meet their financial obligations. He dealt with the present rate of allowances to the dependents of soldiers, which he cla-imcd were inadequate, and urged that the Government be compelled to revise its present scale of payments to the wives and dependents of soldiers. Regarding the recent appointment of a First Division reservist to the position of secretary to a member of the Rational Efficiency Board, 'he said that in the unavoidable absence of Mr C. N. Sourr, ho was in a position to say that the person appointed had not been a particularly keen enJiusiast so far as the war was concerned, ana his appointment to the position he now held was nothing short of a national scandal, and one that should not be tolerated by loyal citizens. It could well have been olfeied to a returned soldier, than whom no h-d a letter claim. Mr Irwin dealt trenchantly with the ineptitude of the*Govurnmunt to realise its obligations to the men who were fighting and bleeding for us in the trenchcs. These men were entitled to the best we could do for them; but what did we find ? Immediately they returned they were ignored so far as the National Government was concerned. The people should rise up and tell the Government in no uncertain manner that those heroes from Now' Zealand should get the best wo oould give them and that any failure to do this would be resented in a positive and deliberative way. 'Mr R. R. Douglas spoke on behalf of the association, explaining the constitution which had been adopted. At the conclusion of the address a resolution was carried conveying the thanks of the speakers and affirming the princpies for which the association stood, those present forming themselves into a branch of the association. ■

A little before 8 o'clock yesterday morning a young man named William L. Shiel, of Forbury road, while riding along the Anderson Bay road towards Princes street south on his motor bicycle had a severe fall. From • what can be gathered from eye-witnesses it would appear that when opposite the Oval Shiel met a cart' on the wrong side of the road, and a tramcur running out to the south. He rode between the cart and the tramcar, and his machine must then have swerved to the footpath, as the next thing seen was Shiel in the air and he fell on the footpath, the cycle being brought up by the fence at the Oval. The injured man was conveyed to the Hospital, where it was found that he had received a broken collarbone and a few minor scratches, and that he was also badly shaken. He is progressing as favourably as can be expected.

Two cases in which reservists .refused to take the attestation oath were before the Sccond Auckland Military Service Board at Te A'roha on Thursday. Mr F. Earl, K.C., presided. Edwin Keyes (schoolmaster, Springdale) claimed that he was medically unfit, though he had, been passed by a Medical Board. Appellant also urged that he was entitled to exemption in the public interest, on the sajne ground as Marist Brothers were - exempted. He had declined to attest because of the cavalier treatment ho had received from the Medica l Board. He called the chairman of the Sdbool Committee, who generally, but unofficially, supported the appeal. Appellant asked for time to appeal to a Higher Court, but was informed thfere was no other court except the final Medical Boarcl in camp. In that was his only hope for exemption. The appeal was dismissed, and the appellant was invited to attest, but he declined to do so. The board ordered him to report in camp on April 10. Drummond Anderson, shift foreman, Waihi, appealed on religious and conscientious grounds. He stated that he had absolutely no intention of going soldiering, and would even die for his convictions. Ho was a registered minister of the Waihi Spiritualist Church. Appellant saH that if he assisted the Medical Corps he would be aiding incapacitated men to recover and return to active service, but he was willing to mind soldiers' property. It was mentioned that the first Victoria Cross won by a New Zealander in the present war was won by a Spiritualist, Sergeant Roy Bassett. " Would you not like to emulate him?" asked the chairman. "No, he has not grasped the fundamental philosophy," said appellant. "Ho has grasped something quite valuable," retorted the chairman. The chairman added that the attitude of the appellant was extremely foolish. Appellant declined to undertake non-oombatant service. The board then dismissed the appeal, and ordered him to report in camp on May 1. The old-established stock and station agency business of Messrs J. A. Duthio and Co., Milton, has changed hands, the commodious grain store, shearing shed, and sheep and cattle yards, situated alongside Milton railway station, having been purchased by the National Mortgage and Agency Company, Dunedin.

Amongst men who, upon cxajnination bv tho Military Medical Boards are classified CI or C2—unfit for military service abroad but fit for home/ service—there exists some doubt whether they should hold themselves ready for a call at any moment, or should resume their ordinary civil life in the confidence that if called up again they have the right of appeal. We have good authority for saying that all members of Class C (1 and 2) of the expeditionary force are transferred to the home sorvico section, and if called up will have the same right of appeal as those passed fit for active ser-

A boy came before Mr H. A. Young, S.M., in the Juvenile Court yesterday morning, charged with stealing shoes and boots from Messrs Harris and Won. On the application of Chief Detective Bishop the caso was adjourned till to-day.

A well-known, Southland farmer, who is in a position to offer an authoritative opinion on the farming position in the south, makes a rather disturbing statement of agricultural affairs in Southland This farmer has an estate of over 3UGO acres, and he states that this year, owing to tho shortage of labour, he has not been able to put in any oat crop at all, and that tho outlook for winter feed, despite tile ' \ that he has an area under turiiips is \ .y bad. One plot of 100 acres has had to bo given ever to the woods because no men are available to work it. Five teams have been waiting over the past 10 months for teamsters, but none have been forthcoming, and the horses have now had to be turned out. This farmer stated that at a sitting of the Military Service Board at Invereargili the inspector of factories said . that plenty of men were awaiting farm work. He rang him up next day, and asked for nine men ho was prepared to pay up to 15s a day, with keep, for men for particular classes of work. He got fwo men, and has since telephoned up this inspector daily for more men, without any result. He has also communicated with tho inspector, of factories in Dunedin, but has been unable to get one man. In Southland, tho farmer points out. -they must have winter feed, and he says that the position is now serious, and must become increasingly so as the months pass. He further asserts that the Military Appeal Board is not paying .duo attention to the pleas put forward by farmers, who aro first and last producers, and states that one of the biggest producers in Southland who appealed the other day had his appeal rejected. In many cases tne owners of farms have simply had to lock their gates and leave their farms. The speaker went 'on to say that another farmer who appealed was asked if he had advertised in tho papers in an endeavour to 'secure a man to take his place. He said he had advertised in the Southland papers, without result. The chairman of the board asked him if he had advertised in the Otago Daily Times, and received a reply in the negative. Tho chairman then' wanted to know why ho had not advertised m the Otago Daily Times. The farmer said he did not take the Otago Daily Timeshe subscribed to the Southland papers. " And because he, had not advertised in tho Otago Daily Times," drily remarked tho farmer, "his appeal was dismissed."

A meeting of those who favour the candidature of Cr Dove for the mayoralty of St. Kilda was held in the local Town Hall last evening, when about 30 ladies and gentlemen were present. A number of verbal reports were made, in which the prospects of success of Cr Dove were favourably commented on. Those present / formed themselves into a committee, with power to add to their number, and this committee was' subdivided into district committees. These sub-committees are to enter upon a vigorous canvass for the candidate tliey are supporting.

A writ lias been issued by Mr P. J. / O'Regan on behalf of the widow -.>f Alfred' Haywood, claiming £2000 damages from the Union Steam Ship Company. The deceased, a cranp driver, employed by the * defendant company, was killed on thf night of Thursday, Ist inst., by falling down the hold of the Manuka in Wellington, and the plaintiff, avers that the accident was due to . the defective condition of' the ship, in that the. ledge provided for the support of the hatches was defective. The case will be heard at the May sessions of the SupremosCourt. A

A resident of Onehunga whose income for 1916 was. under £100 relates an amusing experience with the Income Tax - Department. He was astounded recent'y at receiving a departmental notification that his inoome for the year was £1039, of which £739 was taxable, and the notification was accompanied by a demand for £53 income tax. The resident' promptly returned the taxation papers, together with a suggestion that the taxation officers were suffering from mental derangement. He has since received a formal acknowledgment of his claim for an "amended" rating, but a recommendation to pay the £53 pending the usual inquiries. The .owner of an in-

come of less than is now thinking how pleasant would be the spending of an income of £1039, and how gladly would he sign a cheque for £53 as income tax to experience such affluence.

Mr J- M'Carroll, of Ar'atapu, recently paid a visit to Wellington, to have audience with the Minister of Defence, Sir James Alien, over a very important suggestion, emanating from Mr M'Carroll himself. . It had been represented to Mr M'Carroll that two million tons of shipping was constantly engaged "in carrying lumber to France, mostly required for trench propping, etc. There is abundance of timber in France, and Mr M'Carroll proposed to the Minister that he should find' 50 buslimen over military age, and proceed to France, to instruct and superintend gangs of bushmen in that country, in-cutting the native timber, anc] thus release a large amount of shipping for food-carrying and trade purposes. Sir James cabled Home to the military authorities, and expected to receive orders to put the scheme into operation. As for himself, ho considered the proposal a most valuable one.

Some discussion took place upon the subject of wheat-growing at a recent meeting of the Wairarapa P. and A. Society. The committee decided to do everything in its power to encourage the growing of wheat. It was mentioned that there was plenty of land available for wheat growing, but there was a great shortage of labour. It was thought that tho Government should exempt ploughmen and farm labourers conditionally upon certain areas being put under wheat crop. A reason why wheat was not being put in was the uncertainty of the farmer or his man being allowed to stay and attend to it. If there had been tho usual crop of wheat in the Wairarapa thero would have been the greatest difficulty experienced in harvesting it. As it was, according to a thrashing mill proprietor, the grain crop in the Wairarapa this year is barely one-eighth of the usual.

Before the Military Service Board' at Wellington on Friday, the Railway Department (represented by Mr John Bevin, district traffic manager) applied for temporary exemptions in respect of 147 railwaymen, 121 of whom were ml led up in the ballot, .while 26 were voluntary recruits. Of the 147, 17 belonged to the clerical staff, 36 were traffic outside men (porters .etc.), 23 fitters, turners, etc., 50 firemen and enginedrivers, and 21 miscellaneous (electric linesmen, surfacemen, etc.). The chairman: " Has anything been done yet with regard to the reduction of the train service?" Mr Bevin: " The proposals are being considered i by the Cabinet." The chairman: "May we take it that something is likely to eventuate before May 1?" Mr Bevin: "I cannot say. It is for the Cabinet to decide." The 147 men were exempted from military service till May 1.

Two volumes of the historical records of New Zealand were prepared by the lato Dr M'Nab, at his own cost, and printed by the Government before his death. Thpr* is another volume, in manuscript, thevarious papers being distributed among fch« deceased's effects in different parts of tho dominion. The Minister of Internal Affairs (tho Hon. G. W. Russell) is naturally anxious that «this valuable historical worlc should be placed at tho disposaj of the public, and ho communicntcd with tho Public Trustee, as the executor of the lato Dr M'Nab's estate, asking if r.he manuscript can be handed over to the Government. The Public Trustee has replied that the late Minister's private secretary, Mr J. W. Black, is collecting tho papers, and when all the historical records are brought together the matter will be further discussed by the Minister and the Publio '.trustee.

Mr J. M'Comba, M.P., has written to Mr W. E. Woodham, secretary of tho Canterbury Trades and Labour Counci', stating that ho has definitely decidod to contest tho mayoralty of Christchurch at tho municipal elections. In his communication to Mr Woodham, Mr M'Combs states that tho two greatest issues which will be in tho platform of tho Labour body are tho repeal of tho Military Service Act and the consideration of tho question of the cost of living.

Meetings of Mr J. J. Clark's supporters will bo held aa follows:—At North-East Valloy, to-night; Roslyn and North End, Thursday; Central and St. Clair, Friday; Mornington, Monday; South Dunedin and Cavwsham, on Tuesday. At 4.15 p.m. today tho 21st anniversary of the Dunedin City Mission will bo held in the Town Hall. The Mayor of the city, Mr G. M. Thomson (the president), and other well-known citizens will assist. The annual business mooting of tho Dunedin Burns Club will be hold on Thursday evening in the New Zealand Express Company's Board Room.

Full particulars of the auction sale of part of Green Hayes Estate, near Temuka, to bo held on Tuesday, April 3, by the South Canterbury Farmers' Agency Company, appear in this issue.

" Tho motor cycle magnificent." Remarkable 1917 models. Engine develops over 16 actual h.p. Foolproof gearbox, sturdy construction throughout.—Wilson and Co., Princes street. —Advt. • S. Matthew's Church, Stafford street.— War intercession servioe, to-night, 7.45. AD invited.—Advt.

Akaroa. the old French settlement, chosen by_ our Allies as tho most beautiful harbour existing It retains this health and beauty still. Take your holiday there.—Advt. At Mollison's Easter salo you can secure all classes of holiday apparel at bargain prices. Se« window display.—Advt.

We're only too glad to recommend " No Rubbing" Laundry Help. Ladies are loud in its praiso, and say it makes the washing ■wonderfully easy.—Wardell Bros, and Co. George street. —Advt.

Things wo ought to know: Watson's No. 10 whisky is the doyen of whiskies.—Advt! A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist. Bank of Aus tralasiaj corner of Bond and Rattray street* (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859.— Advt.

Who is Peter Dick?— The moot reliable Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Certificated Con suiting Optician, 490 Moray place (off Prince* street), Dunedin. Charges moderate.—Advt Launch owners, motorists, and others, don't have trouble. Buy our Columbia Hotshot Butteries. We have a fine assortment of Dry Batteries, Accumulators, Lamps, Holders, etc., for ignition and lighting purposes.—Turnbull and Jones (Limited), electrical engineers. Dunedin.—Advt.