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Otago Daily Times, Issue 17326, 28 May 1918, Page 4

Tho midwinter vacation of all faculties of tho Otago University commenced on Saturday, and will extend over a period of threo weeks. Surveyors aro now engaged on tho Teviot estate, which was recently acquired by the Government for discharged soldiers. They aro now fixing tho roadlines. The Phantom block, which comprises about 7000 acres, or half tho estate, is tho better portion of the land. It has a good supply of water, possesses excellent soil, and is more suitablo for subdivision into medium-sized areas than tho western portion of tho block. Tho Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board has cabled to Melbourne an order for 130 milligrammes of radium, at a cost of £2047 10s. As with other things, radium has increased in price lately. It is now about 25s per milligramme abovo tho price quoted in 1917. A small valuation of wool was held in Dunedin yesterday, about 1000 bales coming under review. ■ Tho clip consisted principally of late shorn station stragglers and double-fleecers. A quantity of seedy and thistly wool was also included in the catalogue, and, as was to be expected, all lots showed a great deal moro condition than w-s the case with previous samples. Prices quite on a par with those ruling at previous appraisements. The alterations to tho building selected 'by the Red Cross Society as a Military Convalescent Home for sick and wounded soldiers are being pushed on energetically, and it is hoped that the institution will be opened in the last week of June. Surgeongeneral Henderson, who paid a visit of inspection on Saturday afternoon, was delighted with the comfortable house and it® beautiful grounds, and expressed the opinion that it should make an ideal homo for soldiers in need of medical attention amid surroundings designed to accelerate their complete recovery of health. The project is being taken up very enthusiastically by country branches, and many are organising concerts and other entertainments for its benefit. Several offers of help have already been received, and moro are sure to como when the country efforts are properly under way. It is intended soon to call tenders for a recreation room and functional hospital— two very important departments of any useful convalescent homej The express trains from the north and south last night were well filled; the major portion of the passengers were intending visitors to the Winter Show. Bookings at hotels are somewhat heavier than usual, and a large influx of visitors is expected. Work is progressing steadily on the new Anglican Cathedral in Stuart street, and the scaffolding is now being taken down. As the scaffolding is being removed the workmen are cleaning off the masonry and painting it, and putting on three ooats of a preservative which does not alter the colour of the stone, but forms a sort of chemical union that hardens the surface. Tho two high cranes are also lowered to the ground. The contractor is now proceeding to complete the vaulting of the nave. As soon as that is done, which will be in a couple of weeks, the men will start to finish the actual outside of the roof, which is to be covered with green slates. That will practically complete the outside of tho building. The reinforced concrete work for the front flight of steps is also in hand. These stops are to be covered with white marble. The next job will be the chancel at the back. It is hoped to _ make a commencement soon with the glazing of the windows—the higher windows, at all events —if enough glasscan be procured locally. The matter of establishing a fish market in Dunedin and otherwise bringing about improved conditions in the fish trade is still under consideration. The special subcommittee, consisting of the Hon. G. M. Thomson and Crs Douglas and Hayward, which was set up some time ago with tho approval of the City Council, entered upon its duties with the greatest energy, conducting investigations at both Port Chalmers and Dunedin, and collecting any information likely to prove of value. As a result of its deliberations the sub-committee has prepared an exhaustive report, in which it expresses the opinion that the fish trade can be administered more directly in the interests of the public than is the case at prpsent; and it accordingly makes a number of recommendations, which will receive full consideration from the special committee before the matter is placed before the council.

A local merchant received a remittance the other day from a country storekeeper, who, instead of sending a cheque, forwarded old postal notes, and deducted the sixpence exchange which would have been payable on the cheque. This elicted th« following acknowledgement:—"We notice that you sent us second-hand postal notes, and, besides the usual discount, deducted 6d for exchange. This strikes us as the most exalted example of petty meanness (to uso no harsher term) which has come under our notice in a business experience of years. You have our permission to exhibit this letter in your shop window." The members of the Clutha River Board made congratulatory reference to the Hon. D. T. Fleming's appointment to the Legislative Council at its meeting on Friday. The chairman (Mr M'lnerney) said there were few men who knew the requirements of the country better, and ever since he had known Mr Fleming he had been the friend of the country settler. Mr J. C. Anderson said he would make a good farmers' representative. He was a farmer born and bred, and knew something from practical experience of the struggles of the back-blocks' settler, while at the present time he was a partner with his brother in a farm in Southland. Messrs Overton and Begg spoke in similar strain, someone remarking that Mr Fleming was "up to the neck " in farming.

Considerable interest is being taken in the forthcoming election of directors of the South Island Dairy Association. For the Western district Mr J, &. Grieve, a prominent dairyman and chairman of directors of the Waianiwa Dairy Factory, has been nominated for the vacancy caused by tho retirement of Mr T. Buckingham. Mr H. Wards, of Mataura Island, has also been nominated.

A Press Association telegram from Pahiatua states:—"A startling mishap occurred to tile express from Wellington on Saturday. The accident happened about a mile from Mangatainoka. The driving rod of the engine broke, and fell between the rails. It cut about 50 sleepers like a Knife, and also spread the rails. The car just behind the engine was derailed, and the engine was almost off the line. Tho express was travelling fast at a zig-zag point in the line not far from a culvert, ■but it was brought to a standstill promptly. The passengers included many The occupants of the derailed car were considerably shaken by the jolt. Tho service was disorganised, and tho north and south trains were very late." Our Wellington correspondent informs us that tho Imperial authorities have approved of a change in the uniform of officers in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The badges of rank are to be taken off the arm and put on the shoulder straps, where they are now worn by men on tho staff. An order will shortly be issued on the subject, but tho order will apply only to new uniforms. It was reported that another change would be the ordering of a tunic close buttoned at the neck for officers, but .there is no such intention. Already it is optional for officers at the front to wear uniforms of this pattern, and it is reported that many of them are wearing them, making them appear like men of the ranks. This uniform is said to be more healthy. _A violent nor'-wester raged all Saturday night at Middlemarch. On Sunday morning tho direction changed to tho south, rain coming as a consequence. Sixteen points of rain fell on the fiat, while the mountains are now snowclad for two-thirds of their height. Yesterday (our correspondent reports) tho weather was fne, with every prospect of continuing so. I

A novel sight in the form of a beautifullycoloured rainbow waa witnessed at Kaitangata on Saturday night. The weather was clear, but intensely oold.

Stuart Wilson for motor cycles.—Advt. Quite recontly tho Salvation Army mado an appeal for an accordeon for tho soldiers oil Quarantine Island. This was quickly answered by the gift of a (ino instrument, which \vas thankfully received. The Bristol Piano Co. has now offered to repair any old accordeons freo of charge should they bo donated to tho men. Anyone having one they aro willing to give for tho abovo purpose kindly communicate with Adjutant Bear, 37 Dowling street ('phono 3207). — Advt. Men's Ceylon shirts, 10s 6d quality for 5s lid (si7.rs 16£ only), oh sale to-day at Mollisons May Bargain Fair.—Advt. Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, hut i 3 worth tho monev Advt. Ladies, lighten tho labour in your homes by using a Electric Radiant Grill for all l;g!. cooking. Users state. "As indispensable as an electric iron, and so inexpensive." Call and inspect. Turnbull and Jones (Ltd.), electrical engineers.— Advt. For children's hacking cough at nicrht Wood's Great Peppermint Cure. if 6d 2s 6d.—Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, debtiet, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859 — Advt. For progressive people!—"No Rubbing" Laundry Help, " Golaen Rule" Soap Ideal .goods for every home.—Hunter and lithendge (Ltd.).—Advt. Eyestrain!—Consult Mr Peter G Dick D.8.0.A.. F. 1.0. (London), consulting £, d oculists optician.-Peter D.ck. jeweller, etc . 490 Moray place, Dunedm — Advt.