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Otago Daily Times, Issue 18321, 11 August 1921, Page 4

To-day is the first day for the repayment of the war loan certificates issued in August, 1916, and there were many inquiries at the Poet Office yesterday as to what the position is. The certificates are payable at any post office or through a banking account, and the holder may have them dealt with in one of the” three following ways at his own option. They may bo lodged in a Post Office Savings Bank account, or renewed for the purchase of Post Office investment certificates having a currency of five years and bearing interest at the rate of 5J per cent. compounded annually, or. finally, they may be exchanged for 6 per cent, bearer bonds or inscribed stock having a currency of 10 years. Post Office certificates held in custody can be renewed in either of these three ways. Yesterday the Fire Brigade was called out shortly after 3 o’clock to extinguish a fire that had broken out in bush by Cemetery road. The outbreak was dealt with with little difficulty. A special -general meeting of the Otago Women’s Club was held on Monday afternoon last. The president (Mrs Lindo Ferguson) occupied the chair, and there was an excellent attendance of members. The principal business of the meeting was a proposal for the alteration of rule 17, which fixed the subscription at £1 Is per annum. The amending rule, which was put before (he meeting by the president, and seconded by Miss Williams, provided for an annual subscription of £1 11s 6d. Mrs Ferguson explained to members that the increased subscription would admit of additional accommodation being secured and of the comfort of members being better provided for. She also drew a comparison between the subscriptions of women’s clubs in different parts of the world, and said that nowhere could she find one with a subscription anything like so small as that of the Cltago Women’s dub. A ballot on the proposal resulted as follows: —For the increase in the subscription, 165 against, 5; informal, 21. A vote of thanks to the president was proposed by Mrs Hewitson, and carried unanimously. A Wellington Press Association telegram says that the case in which a Native named Matiu was sentenced to death for the murder of a. policeman at Niue Island has boon reviewed by the Executive Council. Subsequently Sir Francis 8011, Acting Prime Minister, announced that the death sentence had been commuted to imprisonment for life.

Surprise must have been experienced by the individual, who, having participated well, if not wisely, of the cup that cheers, entered a St. Clair-Normanby car in a somewhat dazed condition last evening. Civility was shown him by the motorman, who directed him to a sea* in the front of the car. On being asked for his fare, however, he responded in such an insulting manner that the motorman found it necessary to eject him in a forcible manner, with the result that the car moved off, leaving the would-be passenger lying on his back in a particularly muddy part of the street. -

A Press Association telegram from Christchurch says that at a meeting of the Canterbury Sheep-owners’ Union yesterday the chairman (Mr Rutherford) said the talk of trusts was ridiculous, and the Government should at once issue a license to the Armour Company. The speaker favoured the setting up of a Government Shipping Board, and was confident that, had not a mistake been made, they would have received ; £30,000,000 more for the four wool clips commandeered than they did. The sheep flocks of Canterbury were deteriorating, and it was extremely necessary for breeders to take strict care in the selection of rams. A resolution was passed that it be a recommendation to the delegates attending the next annual meeting of the Sbeepowners’ Federation Council to support the proposal to federate the existing farmers’ organisations.

Archdeacon Oakes, of Bathurst, recently spent a holiday at Charters Towers, and •afterwards gave his observations on the life there (says the Sydney Sun). “ Everything seems to indicate that everyone is out to spend money freely and to get what enjoyment he can,” he w-ote. Even the aborigines from the surroupding station)' are here in great numbers, all well-dresoed and the proud possessors of substantial cheques, which they delight in squandering in the national pastime of two-up, at which they appear' to. bo remarkably proficient. Their shrieks of merriment indicate that they are certainly enjoying themselves. Altogether, it is quite evident that the Australian love of sport and amusement is undiminished by the cares and anxieties of the world at large. How long this, state of affairs—this carp-free, happy-go-lucky kind of existence—will continue it is hard to say. If we believe that the law of alternation rules the affairs of life, 'and that the pendulum of time never ceases to swing from one extreme to the other, the present extravagance may meafi before long a period of enforced economy. The principle of present enjoyment, regardless of consequences, may prove to be more popular and pleasant than wise and sound.”

During tho war men of the Mercantile Marine rendered magnificent service, and this work has been recognised by the issue of special - Mercantile Marine medals (says a Wellington Press Association message). For some time now the authorities have been issuing ribbons. As yet no medals have come to hand, but as they are now being distributed in Australia, it is probable that they will arrive in New Zealand shortly. The Mercantile Marine medal is bronze, with the King’s head on one side and on the other a .steamer going full steam ahead. Beneath ..the vessel are the words: “ For War Service, Mercantile Marine, 1914-1918,” the riband in red, white, and green colours, being arranged vertically like the navigation lights di a merehtnt vessel under way. This is the first decoration specially awarded to the Mercantile Marine. The transport medal feiven for service in the South African and China wars, 1900-1902, was awarded only to officers serving under special engagements on troopships. Some little time ago a member of tie Rev. W. Gray Dixon’s congregation on making his will made provision for the payment of £SO to the esteemed minister of Boslyn Presbyterian Church. When it was known that Mr Dixon was relinquishing the pastorate the member referred to decided to pay the amount over during his lifetime, and at Mr Dixon’s valedictory service on Tuesday night he quietly handed Mr Dixon a cheque for £SO. A meeting of tho Taieri branch of the Otago Expansion League was held at Mosgiel on Monday evening. Mr A. Hannah presided over a good attendance. This was the first meeting of the new branch, and a’.large number of important questions of interest to/the people of the Taieri were discussed. The question of water troughs within the borough was considered, and a sub-dommittee was set up to approach the fecal authorities in this matter. Representatives were appointed to attend the annual meeting in Dunedin. It was decided to arrange for a public meeting at an early date. Reference ■ was also made to the good work done by the Volunteer Fire Brigade in suppressing what might have teen serious fires recently. We often bear it said that the Government management of its various enterprises is not an advertisement for an extension of the State’s activities into the realm of production and industry, as so-called Socialists and Labour agitators would suggest (writes our Queenstown correspondent). Quite so, and Railway Department methods come well to the top of the category, tempting the question at times: For whose convenience are they run? Thke the latest example—the running of excursions from Wakatipu in connection with the test football match at Dunedin next Saturday, which is a most unsatisfactory arrangement. Being perfectly cognisant of tho fact that there is a direct service from Wakatipu to Dunedin on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays only, at this time of the year, the department announces that excursion tickets to Dunedin for the test match will be issued on Friday. This means that to avail themselves of the excursion residents of this part of the world must take their tickets via Invercargill, stay the night there, and leave for Dunedin by the first express next morning. Such tickets will cost 58s 3d first class, and 59s 8d second class. To this, incidentally, has to be added the cost of their enforced etay at Invercargill over night. Compared with this, the ordinary fare to and from Dunedin direct is only a matter of 5e 5d more first class, and 2s lid second class, and the journey can be undertaken on any Dunedin day in comfort without restriction regarding the date of return. This shows the absurdity of the arrangement But still more absurd is the fact that instead of the tickets being issued from, say, Wednciday, and made available till Monday, on both of which journeys excursionists could travel direct and for the sum of 46s 9d and 32» 2d respectively, tho tickets which, as previously stated, are only issuable on Friday, are made available till the Wednesday following the test match. - Surely this bit of ' organisation ” would take some beating. Little wonder if the so-called cheap excursion Is a flat failure as far as passengers from this part of the world is,, concerned. It cannot poes’bly he claimed that the convenience of this country district has been studied.

A general meeting of the members of the Lake County Jockey Club was held in Queenstown on Tuesday for the purpose of considering the Racing Commission’s report in relation to its recommendation to reject the club’s totalisator permits. The members entered into a general discussion, and the outcome was a resolution protesting against that portion of the report recommending the withdrawal of the club’s permit. The members expressed their indignation that the commission should seek to take away the concession from one of the oldest dubs in Otago. There was a strong feeling amongst members that the club should exchange its present privilege for a trotting permit, and it was decided to refer the matter to the me mi cr for the district.

It is expected that the Auckland Hospital Board will be able, in three or four week’s time, to give effect to its decision to allow nurses at the general hospital one tire day each week (states the Auckland Herald). This could not be done until there was ' accommodation available for the extra 20 nurses necessary as an' increase to the nursing staff to permit of the new regulation being brought into effect. Alterations and enlargements to the nurses’ cottage have been in progress for some, mouths past. An extra storey has been added, and K> nurses are already installed there. When completed there will be accommodation for about 2A more nurses, who will be engaged as probationers. Applications for appointment have increased since the board decided to grant the free day each week, and for some time past there has been a fairly long waiting list

Yesterday’s auction at Burnside was what ■■lay bo termed a slack sale. About 200 head of fat cattle were yarded, the major portion of which were good quality. When tho sale opened there was fairly keen competition, and the yarding was disposed of at prices on a par with those ruling last week. Prime ox beef was worth on an average 44s per 1001 b, and medium quality from 35s to 38s per 1001 b. The fat sheep penned totalled 3200, a number much in excess of requirements. Heavy sheep were sold at prices from la to Is 6d below those ruling last week, and lighter sheep showed a decline of from 2s to 2s 6d a head. Prime wether mutton was worth slightly better than 3|d per lb, and owe mutton approximately sid. Hoggets were in small supply, but, notwithstanding this, prices showed a decline of from Is to Is 6d. There was a small yarding of store cattle, the quality of which was indifferent. The bidding was poor, and prices only fair. Dairy cows were keenly sought after, but good young milkers were not in evidence. Pigs were scarce, and prices were on a par with those ruling last week.

The August meeting of tho Dunedin Photographic Society, held on Monday night in the club room, was well attended. Mr S. H. Rawaon ably demonstrated hypo alum toning—an interesting and inexpensive process—giving a fine' sepia result. Mr Rawson also exhibited some of his beautiful album collections, containing prints which dispelled any remaining doubts as to the effectiveness of the toning process. Many of these prints were of fine pictorial quality, and it is to be hoped that Mr Rawson will show some of his work at tho society’s annual exhibition. There, was also on view at this meeting a number of prints collected by Mr G. O. Jackson while on active service.

.Eleven bands have entered for the band contest at Thames in October. Bands from as far afield as New Plymouth, Dannevirke, and Whakatano have entered. Tho entries for the solo classes exceed 200. The marching test will be held at the racecourse. Lieutenant Herd, Wellington, will judge.

The New Zealand postage on poet-cards, circular’s, unsealed letters, and certain other articles is lid. People who poet such things find themselves unable to buy lid stamps (says an exchange), and when large numbers are dealt with the attachment of two or three stamps to each becomes laborious, especially as the “ Victory ” issue is remarkable for its size. Three halfpenny “ Victory ” stamps make a strip 4iin long by an inch wide. It is explained officially that owing to the last change made in the postage rates there is a large stock of penny and halfpenny “ Victory ” stamps, for which the ordinary demand is greatly reduced. In order that these shall not be wasted, ■ postal offioero have been instructed to sell two halfpenny stamps when a penny one is asked for, and either a penny and a halfpenny or three halfpenny stamps for a penny halfpenny. The labour of attaching stamps is, of course, easily reduced by using some kind of “ mechanical licker,” oven if it is only a wet rag. If postal matter is despatched in large quantities, of 240 or over, a permit oon be obtained under which postage can be paid in a lump sum without the use of adhesive stamps.

The effects of even a little propaganda may be far spread. Recently Mr J. E. Winsloe, secretary of the Southland League, received a letter from a ploughman living in Hawick (Scotland). The writer, it appears, had read a letter to the North British Agriculturist from Mr James Lilioo, of Invercargill (says the Southland Times). Mr Lilico, in referring to this province, had stated that fuller particulars could bo obtained from the league secretary. Hence the inquiry from the Hawick ploughman who expresses a desire, despite the possession of a wife and five children of ages ranging from five to fourteen years, to make a start in a new country. Mr Winsloe sent him a thoughtful reply, giving an outline of living conditions in New Zealand and asking particulars regarding the man’s abilities and the state of his finances. He was urged to weigh the facts and not to make a move without further reference to the league, which was willing to place the services of the Immigration Committee at the disposal of this and similar cases. In the meantime a Southland farmer has undertaken to employ the man if he should come out here. Up to the time that news was made public that Matthews had been arrested, the offices of the police force and detective office were continually receiving telephone from people who alleged that they had seen Matthews in Christchurch (says the Lyttelton Times). The possibility of these statements being Guo was greatly doubted by the police and detective officers, but in all oases inquiries had to bo made. One case on Sunday was rather humorous. A man rang up the detective office and excitedly informed the officials that he had ‘‘seen” Matthews lurking about the Port Hills in the vicinity of Woolston, apparently making towards the Bridle Track to Lyttelton. A party of detectives and police was immediately sent out, and after much difficulty they located their man, who happened to be none other than a respectable resident of the district, who was a friend of one of the detectives. The only point of resemblance was that he had a beard about two inches long. The party returned to headquarters after a wearying afternoon’s search with feelings far from friendly towards their enthusiastic informant,

Messrs Mills, Dick, and Company have forwarded two sample souvenir badges in connection with the South Atricans’ visit. Miss faafcslord, a certitied teacher trom London, is teaching up-to-date ballroom dancing in the Choral Hall, Moray place. She has wide experience and extensive knowledge of teacning children’s classes, both here and in England. A special class has been arranged for next Monday, when country visitors will have an opportunity of gaining first hand knowledge ot the latest modern dances. The United Starr-Bowkett Building Society advertises £3OOO for disposal, and invites members for the new No. 6 group, which will commence in September. The annual meeting of the Otago Expan-' sion League will be held at the 'down Hall this evening. The executive of the league is anxious that all subscribers and sympathisers with the work so assiduously carried on by this organisation should attend on this occasion.

A grand concert will bo held this evening in the St. Paul’s Schoolroom, when an excellent programme will be presented. The Eroceeds will be devoted chiefly to the and funds of the Moray Place School, in order to obtain a suitable instructor to improve the band’s efficiency. The Mayor will preside. . Sprung in the right places, built to resist road shocks for 10 rider, yet makes the machine durable —Harley-Davidson motor cycles.—W. A. Justice and Co., Otago Agents, 292 Princes street. Dunedin.—Advt “No-rubbing” doesn’t work miracles, but certainly effects a transformation washing days, and Is does (seven! —Advt. Here’s a Plum.—2o only -jute sofa squares, 7ft x 4ft, good colourings; usually 655--to bo clo-wcd at 39s 6d each. —Mollisons (Ltd.), Advt. ....

“Cheerio.” Conviviality and friendship suggest the best —Watson's No. 10 whisky. —Advt.

A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859. Advt. For Influenza take Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. —Advt. Save Your Eyes.—Consult Peter G. Dick, D.8.0.A., F. 1.0., London, consulting and oculists’ optician. —“Peter Dick,’’ jewellers and opticians, Moray place, Dunedin.—Advt