Untitled

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17113, 19 September 1917, Page 4

A Press Association message from Wellington states that tho exportation of iron, wire nails, staples, and articles manufactured from metal generally is prohibited without the consent of tho Minister of Customs.

A fire broke out about 8.30 lost nighfc in an eight-roomed houso in Frederick street, occupied by Mrs Campbell. It originated through a curtain coming in contact with a lighted candle. Tho damage dwno was confined to the window blind, curtains, and soino clothes that were on the table reuily for ironing.

According to a Press Association message from Napier tho chairman of the Military Service Board yesterday stated that no more men would be taken from Messrs Niven and Co.'s iron foundry, as the firm was engaged in making farm implements and repairs, and had had to refuse work owing to a shortage of hands.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark) and Mr G. A. Lewin (town clerk), who have been in Wellington for the purpose of submitting evidence to the Local Bills Committee of the House of. Representatives in connection with the Lee Stream, Supply Bill, returned to Dunedin last evening. The substance .of the measure is well known, and no further step 3 are anticipated until the findings of tho committee aro submitted to tho House at a later date, preparatory to tho second reading of tho Bill. Mr Clark and Mr Lewin expressed themselves as favourably impressed with tho attitude adopted by the committee towards the representations made by them on behalf of tho City Council.

In the House of Representatives yesterday Mr Thomson asked the Minister of Finance whether tho Post Offico war bonds would be available at the end of October. Many people, he said, who were away from home would no doubt like to invest in the bonds on their return. He also asked if tho State would redeem the bonds of a person who invested all his savings in them, and wbo got into pecuniary difficulties. Sir Joseph Ward stated that applications for bonds would be accepted till the end of October and probably after that. The Government was keeping tho whole matter open for the convenience of people who wished to invest in tho War Loan. In the event of a war bonds-holder getting into monetary diifficulties he was not quito sure that tho Post Office could purchase the bonds, but ho would see if they could not make provision by way of resale to the Treasury for small sums for people in trouble.

The company formed to work tho Taranaki ironsand is hopeful of obtaining satisfactory results. If tho manufacture of pig iron can successfully be carried out in our dominion, it will be of inestimable value and national importance.

Recently an embargo was placed on tho exportation of iron and steel from Australia, and the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. U. W. Russell) was made acquainted by tho Wellington Industrial Association with the serious problem which such a course would bring about in the dominion. Information regarding unfulfilled supplies on order by New Zealand manufacturers was gathered by the secretary and forwarded to tho Minister, who communicated with tho Australian Federal Premier asking him whether tho embargo could be removed as far as exportation to the dbminion was concerned. "The seriousness of this embargo," says the annual report of tlie association, "will bo moro fully realised when it is remembered that tho dominion's supplies have been cut off from Great Britain and India. The Australian Federal Pcrmicr's answer is eagerly awaited.

Investigations by the Efficiency Board go to show that there are 270 registered dairies in and about Dunedin, between Seacliff in the north and Brighton in the south. Owners of these dairies arc finding a difficulty in obtaining men or boys to do the milking. The necessity of rising at about 3 o'clock in the morning, winter and summer, to enable the milk, to be delivered at 6 or 7 ■ o'clock apparently fails to appeal to a great number of workers. In the case of dairy factories the milk supplies can bo • delivered at a later hour, and there is not the same shortago of labour in the herds -which are devoted solely to supplying factories. The information collected would go to prove that residents of Dunedin aro receiving their supplies of milk at a very reasonable price considering all thehardships which those engaged in the industry have to suffer.

The other day a paragraph, appeared stating that a pupil had attended school for eight years without a break. Mr W. C. Calverley quotes some cases which are unusual, and! surely go close to establishing a record. One of his children attended 10 years without a break, another nine years, while two others attended eight years without losing an attendance mark.

Some excitement was caused in Parliament House on Monday evening through a radiator in Sir Joseph Ward's room setting fire to the carpet. The fire was discovered before it had gained a hold, and was put out without difficulty.

Mr H. A. Young, S.M., presided over a short sitting of the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when judgment,' by default, was given in the case, Robert Rutherford v. William Lowe, claim £1 9s 4d, balance of an account for groceries, with costs (ss).

The boring for petroleum oil at Chertsey has at last assumed a deeidocfiy hopeful aspect (writes the Ashburton correspondent of the Christchurch Press), and the operations during the .past few weeks have afforded good evidence- that oil exists beneath the Canterbury Plains. The bore is now down to a depth of 1400 feet, with a 7£-inch casing of pipe, and for the last 30 feet alternate beds of sandl, a greasy cement, and beds of what are technically known as ''butter petroleum" havo been gone through. The works manager, Mr T. Smith, says that ho is more than satisfied with the present indications, and feels confident from his long and varied experienqo in boring for oil in other parts that they will eventually strike a flow of oil at Chertsey. Ho is awaiting tho laboratory tests of samples, which have been sent to Wellington for analysis.

The unveiling of a monument to the late Maori "King" Mahuta took place at Morrinsville, on the Auckland-Rotorua line, on Wednesday. There was a large assemblage of Maoris and Europeans—about 8000 —the former largely predominating, including such - distinguished visitors as Sir James Carroll, tho Hon. Dr Pomare (member for Western District) and Tau Ilenare (member for Northern District). Sir James Carroll, in an impressive manner, gave greetings to 'tbe dead and tho living, exhorting the living to unity in all things affecting the Maori race, and urging them not to follow after any "will-o'-the-wisp." He said that matters affecting both races would bo discussed the next day at the marae. The well-known chief Rawbiti To Whena recited the pedigree of Mahuta. The monument is of beautiful design, a life-size statue of tho chief, on a pedestal 10 feet high; in his hand he holds a taiha, the chief's weapon.

Messrs Dixon Bros.'s steamer Despatch, | arrived at Bluifl last week with the coal party from Quiche's Head (says the Southland Times). The Despatch loft Bluff on Monday week with representatives of the Sonthport Coal Company, who secured the rights over the bituminous coalfield reported some months ago. Development work has been proceeding- there for the past three months under the direction of Mr G. Hollowly, and at Guloho's Hood (99 miles from Bluff), three drives averaging 60 feet ear-h have been put in, and it is stated have established the presonco of bituminous coal in largo quantities. The formation of the country was an almost certain indication that bituminous coal existed there, and it is understood th'at the Hold runs back through the headlands towards Southport, and drives put in at another'point further west establish the presence of the coal. A surveyor and engineer are on (.ho ground at the present time. At Quiche's Head there is an Admiralty anchorage right helow tho drive with a depth of wntnr from 45 feet. Southport itself, on the other side of the peninsula from Gulcho's Head, pre seats an ideal bownehip site. '

Reference to the conscientious objectors who wero taken away on a recent transport (says the New Zealand Times) was made in tho Uouso of Representatives on Thursday by Mr Webb, M.P. for Grey, who asked tho Minister of Defence to tell the House the whereabouts of these men, and what had been done with them. The men's parents were vory anxious to know. Sir Jomea Allen stated that ho could not toll the men's whereabouts. Tho Defenco Department did not know it itself just now. If the honorable member would give him tho parents' names, be would let them know as soon as the Defence Department itself knew, so that it could communicate with them.

Major Luak waited on the Auckland Patriotic Association on Wednesday with reference to tlie establishment of a wounded soldiers' college (states tho Auckland Star). Tho object, he said, was to get a largo building and assist tlio soldiers in every possible way, so that the medical treatment oould be combined with instruction in agriculure, etc. This would mean that, as the men were recovering in strength, they would bo learning to support themselves. Tho Formers' Union was anxious to know if the Patriotio Asociation would assist financially, and, if so, to what extent. He did not think that a capital cost of less tlian £30,000 would be sufficient to establish an institution of this kind. The question was referred to tho Finance and Committee for consideration. «, " Stuart Wilson serves Otago " with motor cycles. Write for particulars of the HarleyDavidson, the motor cycle magnificent, 290232 Princes street. —Advt. S Matthew's Church, Stafford street.— War intercession service, to-night, 7.45. All invited. —Advt. Mollisons invite tie ladies of Drtnedin to a special show of spring millinery; lovely and exclusive models aro on view.—Advt. A. B. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph. Office). Telephone 1859.— Advt. The inimitable flavour of Watson's No. 10 is due to its rare quality.—Advt. For Influenza take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. Never fails. Is 6d, 2s sd.— Advt. To Users of Electricity and Others.—Wc invito you to call and inspect the very complete range of heating and cooking apparatus, etc., displayed in our show rooms. —Turn bull and Jones (Limited), electrical engineers, Lower Stuart street, Dunedin.—Advt. Just landed, few bowls, vases, etc., in heavy solid brass; hand-worked; high-class gifts.—Peter Dick, jeweller and importer, Moray place, Dunedin. —Advt.