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Otago Daily Times, Issue 17504, 21 December 1918, Page 6

According to a Press Association telegram from Wellington, the Hon. A.' M. Myers states that the £10,000,000 loan will probably bo floated in March or Aprfl at 4£ per cent, free of income tax.

Owing to.the alteration in the troopship's arrival the hotel bars will be closed to-day from 9 a.m. till noon, instead of from 1 p.m. onwards.

Ilis Honor Mr Justice Sim has granted probate in tho estates of James Stewart and Samuel Torrcns Lett.

A Press Association cable messago from Melbourne states that the French Mission will sail for New Zealand to-day. Last week it was stated that General Pan and his colleagues would bo unaiblo to visit tho dominion owing to lack of shippintr facilities.

The Government Statistician reports, according to a Press Association messago from Wellington, that a census taken on November 30 showed that tho following stocks of flour, wheat, and oats were held by millers, merchants, and farmers throughout ISiew Zealand:—Flour, 10,697 tons, compared with 7627 tons a year ago; milling wheat, 1,267,677 bushels, against 428,638; wheat other than milling, 165,890 bushels' against 38,609; oats in grain, 617,832 bushels, against 1,163,454. There are also estimated to be 15,462 tons oats in stack for chaffing, compared with 14,173 tons a year ago.

Inward and outward railway traffic yesterday was fairly heavy. The expresses from tho north and south wero well filled, and arrived up to timo. Many of the pooplo who left town journey to seaside reaorta

A Press Association message from Wellington states that Mr Justice Stringer has Kiven a decision of importance under the W orders Compensation Act as to what is a miner's average weekly earnings. Plaintiff s average weekly earnings were admitted to be £4 4s 4d, on which basis compensation had been paid for accidental injuries, llamtifi now contended that as the minois did not usually work full time, and as ho earned £4 4s 4d in four days of the week, his average earnings were £5 10s. The defence contended that sub-section 2 of tho Act directly aimed at meeting tho #infairness of forcing an employer to pay compensation at tho maximum rate whero workers deliberately abstained from work, because by special exertion thoy were able to earn a substantial ]w.y on less than tho full number of days. The Arbitration Court agreed with the defence and gavo judgment against tho plaintiff.

At a meeting- of tho Taieri County Council yesterday a complaint was lodged by Brighton residents concerning holidaymakers throwing stones into the Brighton stream off tho bridge. It was also pointed out that many people had a habit of loitering about the bridge, to tho danger of traffic. Iho council decided to take steps to prohibit the practice complained of, and erect sign boards giving a warning. Similar wero made concerning bridges in the vicinity of Mosgiel.

Alfred Louis Marshall Smith, who created somewhat of a sensation at the Punga Croquet Club's pavilion, Roslyn, on the 13th inst., and was remanded for a week, will como before the City Police Court this morning to answer a charge of stealing several articles from, and doing damage to, tho pavilion.

William Hoy, late of Duntroon, who was arrested at Pialmerston North on a charge of failing to appear before tho Medical Board, will come before the next courtmartial at Dunedin.

Messrs' Fletcher Bros, havo secured tho contract for the erection of dressing rooms, shelter sheds, and armory at the Boys' High School, their price being £2280. Mr A. Kerry was the successful tenderer for tho erection of lavatories, etc., tho oontract prico being £820.

A deputation of master butchers, consisting of Messrs T. Smith, T. Elliott, and W. Duke, waited on the Deputy Mayor (Mr J. B. Shaddock) at the Town Hall yesterday to urge tho retention of the services of Mr W. D. Snowball, who recently resigned his position as manager of tho City Abattoirs to take up a Government position, rhe members of tho deputation urged that it would be a capital misfortune to the city to lose Mr Snowball's services. Mr Smith recounted his many activities in tho council s interest, quite outside his management of the abattoirs—activities for which ho believed no compensation had been given; and he urged that the council should approach the Government with a request that it should waive any claim it might have secured upon Mr Snowball's future. Mr Smith added that, while he did not wish to accuse the council of a cheese-paring policy, he did not think they were all aware that the corporation paid only part of Mr Snowball's salary, the Government being partly responsible; so that the city had had very cheaply tho services of a man "whose tact, ability, and scrupulous fairness were so marked that it would be most difficult to replace him. The Deputy Mayor assured the petitioners that tho council had fully appreciated the service rendered by Mr Snowball, and had accepted his resignation with regret. The fullest consideration would bo given the request; but from late conversations he had had with Mr Snowball, ho was led to believe that it was too late. He would, however, go into the matter with tho chairman of the General Committee (Cr Douglas) and see if anything could be done. Cr Douglas added that it might bo possible to get Mr Snowball back later.

The December valuation of the Otago wools commandeered on behalf of the Imperial Government has just been completed. About 3500 bales were offered, —some 2000 bales fewer than were, appraised by the Government valuers in December of last year. Consequent on the severe winter, tho condition of tho present offerings was not as good as the clip of December, 1917, when, however, the season was particularly favourable. Hogget wool was more or lesjv tender, ewe and. wether wool was shorter in staple than usual, and the general appearance was not as attractive. Prices suffered as a result, compared with the past three or four years. Most of the large station wools were not forward for appraisement this week, shearing generally being late, owing to a scarcity of shearers and also the influenza epidemic, which was much more severe in the country than was generally supposed. Some of tho large stations which usually have from 10 to 12 shearers can obtain only two or three, and those who have full boards are considered very lucky. At tho ourrent appraisement 22d per lb was tho price realised, this being paid for a splendid line of comc-back wool. Good average Romney wool brought from 15Jd to 16id, and hogget from 16d to 16Jd, and exceptionally good lines more in proportion. Inferior ranged from 14d to 15d per lb. Tho growers, however, axe getting from the Government their full 55 per cent, advance above the average values of 1914.

Yesterday morning a sale of soldiers' work, prepared by the convalescent men in the Montecillo Military Hospital, was held at the old Post Office. The goods comprised leather-work, poker-work, wool mats, raffia baskets, toy baskets, waste-paper baskets, and wooden trays, all the articles combining strength with artistic design and neatness of work. The ladies conducting tho sale were Mrs Stuart Ramsay, Mrs Norman, Miss Macassey, and Miss Barron, and they were assisted by Sergeant Watson and Private Lees. Tho takings, amounting to about £20, will be handed over to the makers of tho articles.

No Territorial camps will be held during the coming year owing to the expected congestion caused by the demobilisation of tho members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force It is understood (says the Christchurch Press) that tho training lost at the camps will be made up in other ways, extra days at tho rifle range in the musketry course especially being arranged. The Citizens' Defence Corps, Christchurch, has received numerous inquiries regarding lately-embarked reinforcements for the front. Tie following information (says tho Press) has been received from Base Re-cords:—-"All reinforcements which have embarked for the front have arrived at their destination. Those who proceeded in later reinforcements will not be permitted to return for some considerable time, men being demobilised in the samo order as they embarked for tlie front."

Curious anomalies in the Companies Act were mentioned by Mr A. Leigh Hunt sit the Central Chamber of Commerce at Wellington. lij the case of registered companies, he said, the registrar would refuse to register a nam© similar to one already on his books, but there was nothing to prevent an unregistered company trading under any .name it might desire. For instance, the To Aro Boot Company, a registered company, might operate on one side of a street, and there was nothing to prevent another concern (unregistered) trading on the other side under the stylo of the To Aro Boot Company. Again, there was nothing to prevent an unregistered company attaching the word limited to its titlo when, as a matter of fact, it was not limited. These and other matters connected with tho Companies Act were referred to the Legislation Committee, which will be asked to confer with tho registrar of companies before making its report. A man najned Percy Albert Groves, described as an actor, was charged at tho Magistrate's Court at Gisborne last .veek with intention to defraud by a false wctenco that he was collecting lemons for use at the hospital during the epidemic. It appears from the evidence that Groves visited several settlers in the district and, telling them he required lemons for use at the hospital, offered to buy a quantity. Generosity, however, was evidently a characteristic of tho Gisborno farmer, and in almost every case Groves received tho lemons gratis. Tho patients at tho hospital, however, did not see (or taste) the lemons, and inquiries made by tho police authoriteis revealed the fact that Groves had been selling the fruit privately. Ho also disposed of a number to his friends. Tho Magistrate (Mr J. S. Barton) said that accused bad been guilty of a moan offence. It appeared to him that aeciteed used the opidemic as a lever to secure the lemons for nothiDg. Aoouscd was fined £7, with costs $4>

"It has never been worso than at present," was the disconcerting remark niado by one of the heads of a large wholesale coal firm to a representative of tho Christchurch Press on Thursday, with reference to the coal situation. Stocks wore, ho said, depleted, and there was no prospect of any largo shipments till at least the end of January. It was exceedingly fortunate that tile demand for coal for domestic purposes was small at this time, and that the thrashing season had boon postponed. Had the thrashing season boon with us now the position would havo been disastrous. As was hoped that it would bo possible to keep essential industries supplied, but domestic users would havo to livo "from hand to mouth" for some time ahead. There was a fair prospect of being able to get coal for thrashing by tho timo tho season started

At the meeting of tho Canterbury Collego Board of Governors on Wednesday an interesting communication was read from Mr L. A. Bauer, director of tho department of research in terrestrial magnetism at tho Carnegie Institute of Washington, U.S.A. Tho communication was addressed to Dr C. Ooleridge Farr, professor of physics, Canterbury College, and was an invitation to him to accept an important temporary appointment at a magnetic observatory, which is being erected in Western Australia, at *\\ athcroo, about 120 inilcs from Perth. Mr Bauer stated that Mr W. E. Wall is, one of tho department's most experienced observers, who had also been tained as an architect, was in charge of tho crection of tho observatory buildings, which would be completed in time to install tho magnetic instruments early in 1919. At the close of Mr Wallis's work he would return. Mr Bauer went on to say: "It has occurred to me that your valued and experienced services may be available for tho installation of the observatory instruments and inauguration of tho work in terrestrial magnetism, atmospheric electricity, and earth currents. As it is probable that tho work would tako about a year to complete, could you induce your collego authorities to grant you a year's furlough, provided all expenses are borne by the department of terrestrial magnetism?" In an accompanying letter to the College Board of Governors, Dr Farr stated that considerations of a private charactor compelled him reluctantly to decline the invitation. Mr 11. D. Acland, chairman of tho board, remarked that the invitation was an indication that the members of the college stafß were hot unknown outside the dominion. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr O. H. Opie, to congratulate Dr Earr on receiving the invitation.

At tlio annual meeting of tlio Wellington Journalists' Institute, Mr F. J. K.-n-]n p rc . siding, the following resolution was passed: - (1) That the institute places on record its opinion that when delegations representative of tho journalistic profession are selected the working members should be consulted with the object of securing more direct representation of the profession of journalism than has hitherto been the case; (2) that representations Ibe made to the Imperial authorities through tho British Institute of Journalists, to tho New Zealand authorities, and, in view of the forthcoming World's Press Conference in Sydney, to the Australian authorities, with a view to having principle put into effect; and (3) that copies of this resolution bo forwarded to the Journalists' Unions in New Zealand, with a request for their endorsement."

The Anglican Memorial Home for Boys is asking for gifts for Christmas cheer for children, to bo left at the Central Bureau, or with Mrs Lawlor, Anderson's Bay.

Mr Lind will conduct services to-morrow in the Oddfellows' Hall, Roslyn. There will be a Christmas service of song in the Roslyn Presbyterian Church tomorrow evening. On Sunday the annual carol service will bo held in Trinity Church at 7.45 p.m.. Special attention has been paid to the selection of soloists, and previous efforts are likely to bo eclipsed.The annual carol service by the Methodist Central Mission choir and friends will be given in the Octagon Hall at 8 p.m. tomorrow. Tho United Starr-Bowkett Society announces that a No. 5 group is being formed, and £1500 for sale. The secretary of tho Dnnedin and Suburban Mutual Money Club reports that applications for loans to the amount of £600 were received by the trustees this week. "We have to acknowledge receipt of a calendar for 1919 from Mr John P. Walls, commercial printer, Mosgiel. We have received Christmas greetings, which wo heartily reciprocato, from the stpff of tho Pufalio Trust Office, Dunedin. Notices for the following Sunday services will be found in our advertising columns: — Anglican—St. Matthew's, St. Paul's. All Saints. Presbyterian—First, Russell Street, Knox, Stuart Hall, St. Andrew's, Chalmers, Bible School Hall, Kensing- \ ton, Roslyn, North-East Valley, Opoho, Caversham, Green Islandl MethodistTrinity, Central Mission, Dundas Street, Ravensbourne, Cargill Road, Woodhaugh, Glenaven. Congregational—Moray Place. Baptist—Hanover Street. Church of Christ— Tabernacle. Spiritualists—Smith's Hall. Salvation Army. Theosophical Hall, Dowlirig Street. Oddfellows' Hall, Roslyn. Good News.—The road hogs of Europe are disarmed and the "Trusty" Triumph is again coming to New Zealand.—Particulars from Wilson and Co., Dunedin.—Advt. Jap washing crepes, in white and leading colours, 30in wide; price Is lid yard • samples posted free.—Mollisons, Ltd.—Advt! And no matter how dirty the clothes are " No_ Rubbing" works like magic "in clearing out the dirt and germs; Is packet, sufficient for seven weekly family washings. Hunter and Etheridge (Ltd.).—Advt. Get away for awhile from 'the germ-laden dust of the city. Akaroa is just the place to go. Cars from Broadways, Chrktohnrch daily.—Advt. ' Electric Incandescent Lamps, Drawn Wire Metallic Filament, Philips Manufacture 16* 25, 32, and, 50 candle-power. Price' 3s each. Special terms for quantity orders — Turnbull and Jones (Ltd.), Electrio Engineers.—Advt.'

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). Telephone 1859.— Advt.

Christmas Presents: Just landed, highclass English Crescent Ware. Exclusive latest decorations.—Peter Dick, Moray place direct importer of jewellery, etc.—Advt '