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Otago Daily Times, Issue 17871, 28 February 1920, Page 8

A total interrupation of communication on the lines of tho Pacific Cable Board occurred on Thursday evening shortly before midnight. According to an Auckland Press Association message the accident is located between Norfolk Island and Suva towards tho land end at Suva. Advices received from the board state that the cable may either be broken or else stripped for some distance, but it is not anticipated that tflo damage is of a serious nature. The cable steamer Iris is to sail for the scene of troublo somo time to-day, and it is thought that eommuication may be again resumed by Wednesday. It will take tho iris at least two days to arrive at the desired spot, but once there it will probably be only a matter of hours before the damage is repaired. In the meantime messages arc being sent by the Eastern Extension, iho superintendent of the .Eastern Extension Cable Company advised us from Wellington last night as follows: —"During the interruption of tho Pacific route to America and the United Kingdom, etc., cables 'via Eastern,' will be heavily taxed. To minimise the consequent delay the company cannot accept deferred-rate telegrams. Also, tho public is urged to reduce cabling as much as possible, confining its telegrams to matters of urgent nature only. These restrictions do not apply to intercolonial traffic, as our two cables to Sydney can easily carry the increased traffic without delay." Tho following dates have been fixed by the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr W. H. Megger) for the holding of sittings of the Conciliation Council in connection with trade disputes:—Dunedin paper mills, today, at 10 a.m.; metal workers, Monday, 10.30 a.m.; Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Monday, 2 p.m.; warehousemen, Tuesday, 10.30 a.m.; plumbers, Wednesday, 10.30 am.

Tho business sittings of tho conference of tho New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association were concluded yesterday. In the morning Dr A. W. Izard led a debate on the subject of "War Pensions,' after which the delegates adjourned to the Hospital for a clinical demonstration, chiefly dealing with war work, the most interesting features of which were demonstrations by Lieutenant-colonel Pickerill and Major White, and an exhibition of tho use of anassthetio appliances by Captain Marshall, the annual meeting was held in tho afternoon, as reported elsewhere, and then the rest of the day was devoted to social entertainment, the delegates being the guests of Mr and Mrs P. R. Sargood at their residence. At night the ladies were entertained by the Otago Women's Club, while the doctors attended tho annual dinner ct the Fernhill Club. Most of the delegates will return home by north and south trains this morning.

From to-night Diinedin will bo the homo for the next fow days of some 30 odd bands—tho pick of those in tho dominion. ->o fewer than 28 bands have entered for trio contest and close on a thousand bandsmen are quartered in, the city. Tho Band of the 10th Mounted Regiment (Blenheim) arrived in town on Wednesday night, mis band won the quickstep competition in 1912, and have pleasant momorics of their visit to Dunedin on that occasion. The following bands will arrive to-night:—Auckland City, Palmerston North, Wanganui Garrison, Queen Alexandra (Wanganui), 9th Hawke's Bay Regiment, Wellington Waterside Workers', Dannevirke, Woolston, Lyttclton Marino, Ist Canterbury Regiment, 2nd South Canterbury Regiment, Napier City, Christchurch Tramway Board, Invcrcargill Hibernian, Winton Municipal. On Monday tho C.E.M.S. Band (Christchurch), Dominion (Invercargill), and the Invercargill, Wyndham, and Balclutha Pipe Bands will arrive. Mr W. H. Hagger (Conciliation Commissioner) held a sitting of the council yesterday morning to consider the dispute between the employers and the Dunedin branch of tho Amalgamated Society of Engineers. Messrs James Black, T. M. Gillies, and Geo. Gray wore appointed assessors for tho employers and Messrs A. J. Rioa. C. M. Moss, and H. Walker assessors for the employees. Mr Rico reported that a conference held at Wellington had failed to arrive at a decision on any of tho demands. An offer was mode by tho employers in answer to tho workers' claim:—whioh dealt with wages, hours of work, and payment for overtimebut this had been turned down. Mr Gillies reported that the employers had had a conference among themselves after that with the employees hod failed, and the delegate who attended it had not yet arrived. He, therefore, asked for an adjournment to let tho employers consult with their delegate on his arrival from Wellington, and it was possible that a new offer that would be acceptable to the men might be made. 'The commissioner accordingly adjourned the council until 2 p.m. on Monday.

At the meeting of the Taieri County Council yesterday, when the sanitary inspector's report -was under discussion, the shortage of water in the Silvcrstream was mentioned, and it was pointed out that a slaughter-houso, a piggery, a milk condensing factory, the woollen mills, and other premises drained into the stream where it iortned the boundary between Mosgiel Borough and Tajcri County. When tiio stream contained a fair amount of water, the foreign matter drained in was quickly carried away, but at a time like the present, when there was practically no water there, the offal and drainage caused a menace to health. It was also mentioned that the action of the Dunedin City Council in pumping further up the stream was making itself felt by depriving farmers of tho water for stock. The Mosgiel Borough Council had got over tho difficulty of a shortage of supply by securing Leishman's Crook, which has now been turned into their present pipe lino. Although tho general opinion of councillors appeared: to be that some steps should be taken in tho matter, nothing was decided on, and the report was simply received. Although tho council did not movo in the matter (writes our correspondent), in the interests of an assured water supply for stook, and to scour out tho foreign matter drained into the bed of tfio stream, it is to bo hoped that whatever body is tho controlling authority, soino action will bo taken by it. At the meeting of the Harbour Board last night, tho chairman (Mr Tapley), in referring to the fact that tho board had had to replace a number of life buoys on the wharves on tho eastern channel, said that tho buoys previously placed there hod been stolen. ITo thought it was despicable tiling that those buoys—placed on the wharves in the interests of public ss.fcty— should have boon thus stolen. ll* hoped that such thefts would cease, and that tho residents on the Peninsula would use awry endeavour to see- that the now buoys west not removed.

As mentioned in these columns a few days ago, deputations from the Hydroelectric Comnutfce© of the Otago Expansion League are visiting local bodies in the province seeking their co-operation in obtaining signatures to the petition whioh is to bo circulated shortly praying for the creation of an Electric Power Board f~ Otago. Mr J. Rhodes waited on the WaiJfouaiti County Council yesterday, representatives of the Borough Council also being present. Ho was assured of the council'il support, which took practical form in the vote of £50 towards preliminary expenses, thus bringing tho council into line with tho other local bodies which have nearly all niado grants to assist in the work Tho Waikouani Borough Council agreed to give £25.

"It is on tho cards (says the Wairarap3 Age) that Mr C. J. Parr, M.l'., will be the new Minister of Education. Mr Parr ha« had somo experience on the Auckland Education Beard. He has not tho tivo capacity of the Hon. J. A. Hanan. The latter gentleman has brought the education system very nearly into line with modern requirements. He has declared himself independent, so far as tho politics of tho country are concerned. His educational proposals were approved by Parliament in the last session. And it seems to us that it would be a thousand pities if ho were not now afforded the opportunity of continuing the work ho has so wcil commenced."

The delegates to the Engineers' Conference, which was concluded on Thursday evening, were motored to the Waipori i'alls power station and dam yesterday. They were shown over the works by the engineer, Mr Edgar, and by Cr Shaddock, and subse* quently entertained at lunch. They returned to Dunedin at 6 p.m. greatly impressed by what they had seen. A considerable number of tho delegates will return north by the first express this morning, while others will remain in th© city to look into the important worka that the City Council has in hand

A lengthy report from the Committee ca State Medical Servioe was presented to the annual meeting 1 of the British Medical Association yesterday aiternoon, and the carefully considered suggestions, in it were very sympathetically and favourably received and eventually adopted. It was decided that the report should be in the first instance communicated direct to the Minister of .Public Health, who would use his own discretion as to making it public. The report deals chiefly with the supply of medical practitioners for the backblocks, the provision of medical relief to those unable to pay, and with tho control of hospital's. The idea of the report is to assist the Minister in Iks attempt to relieve tho existing needs, and tho association has reason to anticipate that this object will be attained. The proposals brought torward contain nothing of a drastic nature. Dr Giesen was re-elected president of the council, Dr H. E. Gibbs was re-elected secretary, and Dr J. S. Elliott was reelected editor of the New Zealand Medical Journal.

Tho Arbitration Court will open its next sittings here on Friday, March 5, under tho presidency of Mr Justice Stringer, with Messrs W. Scott and J. A. M'Oullough. Tho court will be asked to deal with fully 60 applications for amendments to awards, and to hear seven disputes and eight compensation oases. Most of the applications are for the Id per hour bonus recently granted by tho court, and are merely formal. It is likely that the sittings of the court will last fuj|y a week.

A committee of the Dunedin Manufacturers' Association yesterday afternoon met Miss Girdler, who, along with Miss Watkin, was sent out by the Imperial Government to tho dominion to inquire into prospects for young women in England desirous of entering tho different industries in this country. Mr A. E. Usherwood formally introduced Miss Girdler to tffose present. She explained that the young women whom the Imperial Government desired to assist were those who volunteered for service in connection with tho army, and who had had five years' special training for their work. Many of these, having heard of the excellent opportunities for women in NewZealand, and whose ambition it was to enter the different trades where women were employed here wanted to come out, but the object of her mission was to see whether these women could be advantageously absorbed. One thing she mado perfectly clear was that none of these would bo sent out unless they were assured of being able to learn a living wage immediately upon their arrival. The point raised was that after these women had had six months' experience they would become selfsupporting, and the problem was to get them properly cared for pending the expiration of that period. Miss Girdler also mentioned the matter of establishing hostels in tho different centres, to which these women could go when they landed, and thus have a home. She desired it to bo understood that these hostels should in no wise to bo regarded as philanthropic institutions, but should bo places in which these women could live at about £1 per week. Tho Manufacturers' Association is to take this matter up, as tho question of labour in local industries at present is a serious matter.

To-morrow is the day appointed this year as the universal day of prayer for students. The call to prayer issued by the leaders of the World's Student Christian I'ederation asks for the prayers of tho Church everywhere on behalf of jjxo men and women who in the universities and colleges of tho world are trying to understand, and ar 0 preparing to serve, the needs of their generation. Such, understanding is greatly needed, and. it can only be based on real end thorough study of facts and on sympathy and open-inindedness. Tho leaders point out that pre-eminently this is work for the student class. Friction and misunderstanding between men of goodwill has been tho saddest feature of the last year. Tho world is in desperate need of a common mind bent on a common gootl, and it is to help in creating this common mind that the federation really exists, 'in© federation is bringing together Btudents of every country, and is thus helping them to understand the point of view, tho peculiar tendencies and aspirations of nations other than their own. Next July a special effort will bo made to draw tho students of different countries nearer U>nethcr, since the General Committee of tho Federation will meet for the first time since tho war in Sweden, where the federation was founded 25 yean ago. Among the grounds for thanksgiving enumerated in the federation's call t»; prayer are student leaders who fell in tho great war, the fact that the federation has remained unbroken notwithstanding the tremendous strain put upon it by the wiir, and the survival of tho federation's work in fields where there wero but small beginnings before tho war. Special intercession is asked for the next meeting of the General Committee ; n Sweden, for all efforts towards healing tho breaches between the nations, for student leaders, and for professors and students. In recognition of this day of prayer tho Otago Provincial Council of the Student Movement has arranged for a special short service in First Church Hall after church on Sunday evening. The Rev. G. 11. Balfour will preside, and Professor R, G. Maointyro, of Sydney University, will givo a brief address.

At the City Police Court yesterday, Mr i!" Adams mentioned tho maintenance case against James Gvinn Leckie, which was before the court some days ago, but adjourned. Hfi said that the sub-inspector's record showed that the arrears claimed had been made up to September 30, 1912, and the court records showed that payments had been made up to March 31, 1914. Actually the department had drawn from tlie defendant's military pay up to March 31 last, so that roally instead of olaiming from him they ought really to bo refunding money to him. Sub-inspector Mathicson said that certainly seemed to be tho position. Mr Adams also pointed out that two orders had been made aga.in6t his client on one day. The child was 14 years of ago in 1911, and the second order was made 10 years toq. late. The Magistrate adjourned tho matter in order that this position might be looked into.

During the acrobatic turn by Mr Arthur falls and Miss Gertie Falls at tho Prinross Theatre last night tho molo member of tho combination fell somewhat heavily on his head, and the performance had to be abandoned for tito evening. The injury, fortunl ately, is not, of a serious nature, and Mr Vails should bo able to appear before

'A nwumtio sea-faring career was Dipped in tho bad on Thursday afternoon, when u boy, eight years of age, was brought before tho Juvenile Court on a charge of not being under proper oontroL Tho lad, it was stated by tho police, had come to JLHtnedin from Gore, and had been discovered aboard a vessel which was about to sail for foreign porta. Ho was put aahore by the captain, and in futuro will have to content himself with droamvoyages a* the Weraroa Training Farm. A large whalo was stranded on tho beach at KaJca Point on Thursday morning, and waa secured by Mr John Rakiraki, who is taking tho necessary stepa to try out tho carcase. Naturally the whole population of the popular seaside village visited the aoene> during Thursday, as also did a number from surrounding districts. A conference regarding wages was held at Blenheim yesterday between tailors and their nrnlo employees (saya an Association telegram). Application was made by the workers for a 25 per cent, increase owing to the advanced cost of living. Tho masters recognised the demand as justifiable and granted it, suggesting at the same time that the continual process of putting up manufacturing and retail prices is not the true solution of the problem. Tho solution waa not in the direction of shorter hours and increased payment but rather of a re turn on tho part of the consuming public to more simple tastes and less expensive habits, as well as increased production on the part of workers generally. A 25 per cent, increase in th© prices of ladies' costumes was considered by the masters, and several suggested tho possibility of having to discontinue taking orders for ladies' costumes. A Press Association telegram from Timaro states that at a meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board yesterday, tenders were received for the erection of cool stores and the installation of machinery. Tho completed building was estimated to cost £16,600, which price was considered too high, and no tender was accepted. The chairman (Mr F. J. Rolleston) quoted figures to show that the stores would result in a loss to the board of £2000 a year, and contended that it was the business of the interested dairy companies to erect the stores. Mrs Sarah Fea, a resident of Highgnto, had a narrow escape from a fatal accident last night. She had alighted from a tramcar opposite Duke's butcher's shop in George street, and passed between it and another car just in front, not noticing a car coming from the opposite direction. This was upon her before the driver could see her, and she was knocked over. Tho driver applied the magnetio brake, and tho car was pulled up almost instantaneously. Mrs Fea was picked up, and it was at first feared that she had been seriously hurt, but on being taken to tho Hospital, it was found that her injuries, which were mainly to the head, although severe, were not serious. She was, however, suffering from shock, and was admitted for treatment The Hon. H. F. Wigram has addressed to us a long letter, which has already been published in the Lyttelton Times, urging that the time has come when aviation must be taken seriously as a means of attaok and defence. "Authorities tell us," he writes, "that the proper defence against aerial attack is a stronger defending aerial fleet, and as the power of the aeroplane increases this theory is likely to be more BtroDgly held. New Zealand, as wo have seen, can only be attacked from the air by aeroplanes carried by ships, and these aeroplanes would have to return to their parent ships to obtain fresh supplies, after each flight. It ought to be within the resources of this country to maintain an aerial fleet equal to dealing with such a raid. The relative cost of ships and aeroplanes has often been commented upon. A modern Dreadnought oosts at least three million, a sum which would purchase 300 of tho great Handley-Page machines. Incidentally, it might be pointed out to those who are opposed to aggression, that in New Zealand aviation could only be used for national defence; the distance argument outs both ways, and there is no country in the world within range of our attack by air." Mr W. D. Lysnar, M.P., has sent us a copy of a letter written by him to the Minister in charge of the Department of Imperial Government Supplies, in which, ps a woolgrower who is deliberately withholding his wool, he takes strong exception to a statement made by the Minister in a circular letter that wool that is held back will not be free from the Government requisition after June 30, that such wool cannot be exported, and that the sale of :t otherwise than to the Government will be on offence. Mr Lysnar states that, so far as his legal advisers and he himself read the law, ho is committing no offence, and he challenges the Government to issue a warrant to seize his wool. He is taking this course advisedly and deliberately as a mark of protest in consequence of the war now being over and of the Government and the Imperial authorities allowing the original contract to bo broken, the law as it stands to be disregarded, and the patriotism of tho New Zealand producer used to enable inanufacfcrAers to make unreasonable profits. Mr M. Stevenson, in appearing before the Taieri County Council yesterday, drew attention to the need of uniformity in the matter of holidays among all those connected with oarting and contracting. 'He mentioned the case of a recent holiday where the carters were privileged to observe the day, but the surfacemen were not. Accordingly his men were obliged to work to koep the county surfacemen going, and therefore received additional pay for working on a holiday. Mr Stevenson said ho thought the time was ripe when the employers of this class of labour should meet together and discuss the matter of holidays. There should be one set number of holidays for everybody. The extra wage paid to the carters on these days was on© of the factors which had compelled him to ask the council for an increase in the amount paid for teams. At a sitting of the Warden's Court yesterday, before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, Warden, an application by Mr Harman Reeves for a gold dealer's license was received. The Warden said he would recommend to the Minister that tho application be granted. For the four past weeks the quantity of Tevdot fruit railed from Beaumont amounted to no lees than 915 tons. There was a decided falling off in this traffio during the past week, the first crops of peaches and apricots being now over. Each season eeems to see improved methods of handling an ever-increasing output. Tho Western Taieri Drainage Board, :n response to a request from Mr F. W. Furkert (chairman of the River Commission), has arranged for the commission to sit fit Mosgiel on Friday next at the court-house. The board decided to meet that morning and, if necessary, members would bo prepared to give evidence before the commission. A largo amount of the time of the Taieri County Council was occupied yesterday n listening to a deputation concerning tho Otokia Cemetery, and discussing tho matters raised. Mr M. Stevenson outlined tho steps ho had taken to have an improvement brought about. The land—some two acres—was overgrown with gorse, and bctt-er supervision was necessary than that which existed at present. Messrs Adams and Matheson reported that as tho outcome of a meeting of residents at Otokia Schoolhouse, tho names of five gentlemen had been forwarded for the Minister's approval rs trustees, and the resignation of tho present trustees had been tendered. Close on £50 had been collected in tho district to help to clear the gorso and effect repairs to lences. Some additional help was sought from tho council. It was resolved to discuss tho matter further when the names of tho new trustees had been gazetted. Tho clerk asked that a copy of the last aututed balance sheet bo supplied, if any grant waa being mad© by the council. A Christehurch Press Association message states that the Christchureh Gas Company's stock of coal is becoming very low, and steps are being takon to supplement :t in the hope that serious consequences will not result to consumers of.gas. o Wo have to aoknowledgo receipt from the Waikato Winter Show Association of its Dairy Division Schedulo for 1920. The show will be held tin's yoar at Hamilton from Juno 1 to 5. Some idea of its extent may bo gathered from tho fact that the entries last year totalled well over 10,000. Tho United Starr-Bowkett Building Society notifies £192,694 advanced to date, and invites membora foe new group.

Mr Hugh Mitchell, secretary for the Dunedin and Suburban Mutual Money Club, reports that applications for loans to the amount of £1395 and for 52 shares were received by tho trustees at tliia week's ingEntries for tho Duncdin Hortioulfcuml Show, in tho Art Gallery on Wednesday, close on Monday. Notices for tho following Sunday services will bo found in our advertising columns:— Anglican—St. Matthew's, St. Paul's, All Saints. Presbyterian—First, Knox. Stuart Hall, St. Andrew's, Kensington, Chalmers, Rwlyn. No.'lh-East Valley, Onoho, Oaversham, Green Island, Maori JTill. Methodist —Trinity, Central Mission, Dundas Street, Ravcnsbourne. CargiU Road, Woodhaugh, Benevolent, Glenavori. Cavershnm, St. Kilda, Rroad Bay. Congregationnl—Moray Place, King Street. Raptist—Hanover Street. Church of Christ—Tabornaclo. Spiritualists —Smith's Hall. Salvation Army. Theosopineal Hall, Dowlinn; street. City Road Hall, Roslyn—Mr Lind's lectures. At homo or abroad, tho Harley-Davidaon motor cyclo is always placed in tho race.— W. A. Justice and Co., Otaco agents, 290 Princes street., Dunedin.—Advt. See our window. Solid oak suite, highlypolished 'brown oak. It's an eyo opener. Deal with manufacturers: get best price.— F. and F. Martin.— Advt. Stationers and storekeepers, kindly call .it your earliest to see our new stock of "Thinker" and " Keop Smiling" Writing Tablets, "Thinker" Pictorial Exercise Books and Noto Books, also "Golden Rule" School Rollers with metal edge; best for every home.—J. Rattray and Sons (Limited). Advt Sond for _ a pair of lady's black ribbed cashmere-finish hose, eeamlecs, all sizes, r.oat free, 2s.—At Mollisons sale.—Advt. "Watson's No. 10 is a little doaror than most whiskies, but is worth tho money.— Advt. Pigs I Pigs! Pigsl We are cash buyers of porkers and bacon pigs. Highest pri3es given.—Barton and Trengrove, leading cash butchers, Dunedin.—Advt, Electric incandescent lamps, drawn wire, Philips, 16, 25, 32. and 50 c.p.. reduced to 2s 6d each at 230 volts; 2s low voltage, spMiil terms for quantity orders.—Turnbull and Jones (Ltd.), electrical engineers.— Advt. A. B. J. Blakelev, dentist, B.mk of Australasia, conK'! il Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegrapu Offioe). Telephone 1&3.— Mvt Choice Jewellery.—Large selection diamond rings, watches, brooches, pendants, and silverware. Compare our values. —Potor Dick, jewellers, etc, 490 Moray plane.—Advt.