Untitled

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18754, 6 January 1923, Page 9

When Mr John Edmond, jun., returned to the office of the firm (John Edmond, Ltd.) about 8.15 on Thursday night he discovered someone had been making a collection of Valuables from the stock with a view to removing it surreptitiously. After being in the office for some three-quarters of an hour Mr Edmond had occasion to go out towards the stairs, when he saw two new suitcases standing in a spot handy to this exitj The oases were found to bo well and solidly packed with watches, razors, clocks, scissors, and other articles to an estimated value of £l5O. The care with which the suitcase had been packed indicated that the thief must have had some time at his disposal. He was apparently disturbed by Mr Edmond’s return, and made good his escape. The constable on the boat was apprised of the facts. Later detectives searched the building, but could find no other traces of the burglar. So far nothing is missing from the stock.

As a'result of strong representations made Cr C. H. Hayward has definitely decided to be a candidate for the city mayoralty in April next. A telegram has been received from tho French Consul at Auckland in response to tho one forwarded by the Mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas), asking if the French cruiser Jules Michelet, now in Australian waters, could visit. Dunedin during Carnival Week, which begins on February 3. The Consul has replied that he does not think it likely tho. cruiser will remain in Now Zealand after January 31, the date fixed for her denarture.

Discharging and loading of vessels at the wharf kept tho waterside workers busy yesterday; the vessels requiring service being the Whangape, Waipori, Waihorn, and Port Darwin. Labour was not available to work the Kaitangata, tho men engaged working coal the previous day having been put on to other vessels. Good progress wag. made unloading the Port Darwin. but full gangs wero not available. The Holmdale completed loading on Thursday night, Tho Waihora is expected to got away to-day for northern ports, including Auckland, whence she goes to Nauru Island to load phosphates for northern ports. “Politically, this country is in an awful mess,” a New York business firm writes to a Dunedin house, "and present indications surely point to an overthrow of the Republican Party at the next Presidential election in 1924 and the ousting of Mr Harding and his ‘normalcy.’ Congress has muddled things up for fair, what with tho Bonus Bill, the Ship Subsidy Bill, ond last, but by no means least, the Tariff Bill. The recent coal and railway strikes were also miserably handled by Mr Harding’s Cabinet officers. Tho high prices which prevailed during the war are still in effect, and notices have been broadcasted that there will be further advances in the prices of clothing, carpets, gloves, silks, linens, etc. Sugar and other household commodities have already been boosted.” A pedestrian, passing the Union Hat Factory, King street, last night, observed smoke issuing from the premises, and immediately communicated with the Central Fire Brigade. It was subsequently discovered that the cause for alarm lay in a boiler that had been banked up for tho night, and from which volumes of smoke were pouring. No damage was done.

A Wellington Press Association message says that a case of unusual interest came before tho Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when the Rev. Reuben Webb, of the .Spiritualist Church, appeared to answer four charges. It appears that meeting* wore held for which Is admission was charged. Those attending were asked to submit articles, such ns handkerchiefs, keys, and fountain pens, and certain pronouncements as to the health and character of the owner were made.' Several of these meetings were visited by constables, who stated that accused told them about future friends and relations. The meetings opened and dosed with the singing of hymns. Evidence showed that too money at tho # door was not taken by the accused. The case was adjourned until to-day. A Gisborne Press Association message says that another of the Maoris injured by a benzine explosion at Hereuharama (Jerusalem) Maori pa, hear Waipiro Bay, has succumbed at Topuia Hospital, the victim being Henare Paul Teowai, 14 years of age. The accident occurred at a Native gathering on New Year’s Eve. A verdict of accidental death was returned at the inquest.

Mr P. R. Climio, organiser for (ha Canterbury Progress League, who has just returned after spending 12 days on the West Coast, most of „the time being spent at Franz Josef Glacier, says the only river between Hokitika and the glacier remaining unbridgcd is 'the Waitangi River, nearest to the glacier (wires our Christchurch correspondent). A start has been made with the foundations of this bridge, the erection of which it is expected will bo completed within four months. When the bridge is opened for traffic the last barrier will bo removed that at present prevents motor travelling as far south ns Waihao Gorge, and the Waihao River itself. The Waitangi bridge 1- will open up for motor traffic the region extending many miles south of the river, in which the bush exceeds m beauty (if that be possible) the bush north of Waihao. The roads in South Westland, from a motorist’s point of view, are not by any means perfect, notably the section between Ross and itorgusons, this state of things being due to the heavy motor lorry traffic engaged in the transport of timber from the mills to the railhead at Ross road. This road is very rough, rutty, and bumpy. A Wellington Press Association message states that within a few days nominations will bo called for the positions of employers’ and workers’ assessors and deputy-assessors on the Arbitration Court. Among the names mentioned are the following for the workers’ representatives;—Messrs T. Bloodworth (Auckland), L. F. Evans (Dunedin), C. Renn (Christchurch), 11. Hunter (Christchurch), and M. J. Reardon (Wellington). Messrs E. Kennedy, F. Cornwall, and A. Parland (Wellington) are mentioned as the possible deputy-assessor nominees. It is said that Mr Reardon, if renominated, will be strongly opposed as a result of his not protesting against the recent wages reduction.

A reply to the telegram sent by the Mayor requesting that representations should bo made for a visit of tho French warships has been received from tho Consul for France, Auckland. In his reply the Consul states that bo is communicating with Admiral Gilby, but ho does not think it likely that the request will be acceded to, tho Jules Micholo being duo to sail from tho dominion on January 31. «

A rumour that 11.M.N.Z. Chatham is not again to visit Otago was overheard by a Times reporter and mentioned to the chairman of tho Otago Harbour Board (Mr H. C. Campbell) yesterday. Mr Campbell stated that the rumour was without foundation so tar as ho know. In a communication reciprocating seasonal greetings ieceived within the. last week Commander Hotliam rcmnrkow that r*ie ship’s itinerary had not been fixed as yet, but it was hoped to visit Dunedin before the crow for 1923 went Home. Tho grounds for the decision contained in the rumour were that the harbour must be looked on as unsafe m view of the grounding of tho Matoppo. The Magistrate’s Court returns show that during tho quarter ended December 31, 24 sittings of the civil court and 72 sittings of tho criminal court wore -hold. The number of plaints issued in tho civil court was 640, and the aggregate amount sued for was £9556 14 s 6d. Iho number of cases tried was 330, the amount claimed being £4722 18a lOd, and the amount recovered £4354 Is lid. During the quarter 65 distress warrants, 94 judgment summonses, and three warrants of committal were issued. The statistics for tho criminal side show that during tho three months 455 males and 24 females were dealt with. One hundred and 66 males and three females were arrested, while 289 males and 21 females were proceeded against on summons. Ineluded in the number dealt with were 22 juveniles, all of whom were males. Tho unusual sight of a rigged 14-foot yacht was to be seen in the Octagon yesterday, ibis being tho Heather, which twice represented Otago in the competition for the Sanders Cup, successfully so in 1921, and creditably last year. Tho object of tho exhibition, which was a centre of considerable interest throughout tho day, is to advertise tho appeal for funds to send the Winifred, which will represent Otago on the next occasion, to Auckland, there to attempt to wrest from the northerners the coveted trophy. The Heather will ho on view for some days, she having been placed in charge of a custodian.

Gradually the denuded hills about Wellington city are being reclothed with trees (observes our Wellington correspondent). Kipling, who was there many years ago, subsequently wrote of “broom behind the windy town,” and what was then broom and n-nrso are now forest plantations. On the Tinakori Hills above the Prime Min-, istcr’s residence and below' the wireless station there has already been a remarkable' change in this respect. Many trees have also been planted on other parts the town belt and the city reserves and also ip and about the suburbs. At. Khnndallah, one of the hill suburbs, there is a fine reserve. In Wellington last season 25.000 trees were nlantod. Across the harbour in the fine Day’s Bay reserve native trees and shrubs arc being planted. The good work will be continued next season. Captain A. E. W. Thomas, D. 5.0.. MU.. 8.A., LL.B., arrived at Auckland by the Niagara, ami is at present touring the dominion in the interests of the League of Nations’ Union. He has held some highly successful meetings in the chief towns of Australia. Interest is added to his visit by the fact that he was present at the ’third Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva in September last. He is duo *o arrive in Dunedin on January 27, and arrangements are being made to enable him to address meetings on that day and on the Sunday following. A Press Association message from Wellington says that the American athletes make their first appearance to-day. They have all been practising keenly, but Kirksy, the sprinter, bus unfortunately caught a cold, and may not bo able to appear in more than one event. Merchant’s hammer-throw-ing has been an eye-opener, but in other field events Mimro is expected to hold his own with him. Another item in which there will bo great interest is the meeting of Wilson and Krogness in the hurdlesA perusal of the passenger list of the R.M.S. Mauretania provides interesting reading' owing to the obvious nationality of a very largo proportion of the passengers. Hie Mauretania was bound from Southampton to New York in November of last year, and out of about 240 saloon pasengers she carried over 100, who were evidently of foreign birth or extraction. They wore mainly cf German nationality, if names are any indication, but included a few French, Russian, and Japanese travellers. In the second saloon the percentage of foreigners was even greater, and starring an average over the travellers it may he safely estimated that 65 per cent, had no diroot connection with the British Isles, or tho British Empire. An inquiry from one who knows something about world travel as to why British ships are so largely selected as a means of getting from one country to another elicited tho unhesitating reply that the British marine service was regarded as tho safest by which to travel, which is, of course, a very high compliment to ships, officers, and men connected with that service. Another reason advanced, for the preference shown for travelling in British built and British' manned ships is tho non-prohibition of liquid refreshment in the form of alcoholic liquor, which perhaps must not be taken too seriously, however much truth there may be in it. A complete list of the papers to be read at tho sixteenth annual conference cf the Australasian Association for tho Advancement of Science, which commences at Wellington on Thursday next, is now available, and indicates the wide scope of thg conference (Says a Wellington Press Association wire). Altogether 200 papers will be road, covering many important topics. Some of the papers necessarily have a purely technical interest, but the majority are undoubtedly both interesting and entertaining to the general public. The municipal milk supply scheme may now bo regarded as a success (wires our Wellington correspondent). Tho distribution is made by tho City Council in sealed bottles, coupons being left overnight in the receptacles so that tho roundsmen may know tho quantity to leave. The staff had an extraordinarily busy time during tho holidays coping with tho extra demand. During Christmas week the department put up and delivered close upon 15,000 tins of cream of varying content. The product was of 40 per cent, quality, and tho total amount supplied was 2029 gallons, ns against 1185 i gallons for tho corresponding week in 1921. an increase amounting to 71 per cent. Quite 20,800 gallons, or over 90 tons of milk, aro required to yield such a quantity of cream. The handling of this large volume has been rendered possible by tho installation of tho now Alpha cream plant at the Rahui factory. Tho cream is at present supplied bV tins which are u«cd only once ns a health precaution. The tins after being once used are sold. Later on the cream will be supplied in sealed bottles as is now the case with tho milk. Tho Magistrate’s Ccurt returns for tho quarter ended December 31 show that during the throe months 16 now claims for old age pensions and two for widows’ .pensions were granted. Two claims for old ago pensions and two for widows’ pensions wore refused, /and 18 claims for old ago pensions and three for widows' pensions were held over. One hundred and sixtyfive old age pensions and 42 widows’ pensions wero renewed, and three applications under each heading wero refused, while eight applications for renewals of old ago pensions and ' /o for widows’ pensions wore held over.

Considerable interest is being manifested in ihc first wool sale rf the New Year, which is to ho held at Wanganui on Monday, and it is confidently expected that llicre will bo a still further improvement in the value of crossbreds (wires our Waneai’ui correspondent). One of the nroblcms which woolbrokers are np against is the limitation of catalogues fixed by the Wool Committee. The local offering is being confined to 15.C00 hales, instead of ?S,CCO hales, ns originally intended; whilst at Napier 17,500 bales will be subsequently offered instead of 35.000. Buyers 'have arrived at Wanganui, and a full ben'di and keen competition is anticipated. The prospects for a very successful sale are v£ry bright, a yoocl deni, of cour«e, depending upon the attitude of America.

A Christchurch Press Association message states that a slight earthquake shock was felt 10 minutes before midnight. Tho shock awakened residents at Waikari, but was not alarming, and did no damage. Tho residents c( Cheviot were awakened by two distinct shocks just before midnight. The third shako occurred at 2 a.m., but was very slight. “In Labour circles generally,’’ says tho Wellington Post, “there is a disposition to discount tho good to bo obtained from what the alliance proposes, Ono section of the railwayman belongs to the alliance, but another, and the most important section —that of tho engine drivers and firemen, the men who actually run tho trains—does not recognise tho Alliance of Labour or believe iu its methods. It is practically certain, then, that anything the alliance may do in 1923, or at any other lime, will not entail a holdup on the railways. -The sea transport services are being carried on satisfactorily, despite an attempt at dislocation, and there is enough coal in tho country to nullify anything tho miners might do. These facts arc admitted, even in alliance circles, where there is also a willingness to grant that plenty of free labour would bo forthcoming to carry on tho industries of the country in the event of an attempt at a stoppage. For these reasons, then, tho coming ballot of ilio Alliance of Labour is not altogether regarded seriously.” A sharp cry raised by a number of men and women gathered about the totalisator at tho Ashburton trots caused others in tho background to have visions of pickpockets (relates the Guardian). The machine had just closed on the first race, and the crowd, immediately tho cry wont up, craned their nocks and formed a cordon round an imaginary being. One or twT women, gathering their skirts tightly about them, sprang out in the open.' “Tliero he goes.” and “Catch him” were among tho instructions of the excited ones. Ducking hero and there men lean and lanky, women tall and stout, caused much dust and thinned the crowd. Then came the laugh. An innocent bunny dodging smartly between high-heeled shoes and ponderous “nines” eventually emerged’ into “op(j n country.” Some shouted, “Let it go!” Others continued the chase. Bunny found temporary safety beneath the totalisator.

“A Now Year Message” will he the subject of the Pov. Clarence E« ton’s address at. the Methodist Central Mission to-morrow evoninp. . Mr Lind will crive on address in the Queen’s Theatre to-morrow evening. “The Tyranny of the Theses” will bo the theme of (he Pov. M. A. Rugby Pratt s discourse at. Trinity Methodist Church tomorrow evening.

The Otatro Women’s Club will entertain Mr and Mrs Allan, Wilkie. Miss Dorrington.' and other members of the company at an At Homo, on Monday afternoon. Tho Otaoo Labour Representation Committee invites remits on tho constitution and platform of tho Now Zer.la.nd Labour Party from members of j affiliated unions and members of the Labour nnrtv branches. Notices of tho following Sunday services will be found in our advertising columns: — Anglican: St. Paul’s, St, Matthew’s, All Saints. Presbyterian; First, Knox, St. Andrew’s. Roslyn, Chalmers, North-East Valley. Cavdrsham. Methodist: Central Mission, Trinity, St, Ki'cla, Dnndas Street. Baptist: Hanover Street, Mpmington. Congregational : Moray Piece. • Weslev: t,argil! Road. Salvation Army. Dowling ’Street. Church of Christ: Tabernacle. TiieosophistS: Oddfellows’ Hall. - £SO Reduction: 1923 model Harlev-David-son motor cycles, fitted with carriers, lamps, pump, tools, Goodyear tyres; best value offering. Remember, £SO per machine reduction. 102! models now on view.—W A. Justice and Co., Imperial Garage, Princes str'"'t. Dunedin.—Advt. All alive O! “No-Rubbing” Laundrv jtielp O! T/ightens labour, gladdens wives, and saves clothes, 1 says Santa. Claus. Price Is, at, all stores. —Advt, Tho always-busy tailor, the tailor that, has set Dunedin buzzing—G. S. Roberts, Stock Exchange Buildings. It’s tho material in the garment that gives the wear. See that it is good.—Advt. Port Chalmers.—Clearing sale for ten days. All showroom goods and boots and shoos. —J. Watson (Ltd.), George street, Port Chalmers.—Advt.

Buy your Christmas_ gifts now while we have the large selections.—Mollisons Ltd., corner George and .Frederick streets, Dunedin.—Advt. The nip for nippy winter weather, Watson’s No. 10. Fine old Scotch whisky.— Advt. A. B. J. Blakeley, dentist. Bank cf Australasia, corner of Bond ana Kattrr.y streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 3859. Advt.

Xmas Jewellery.—Just landed, large selection diamond rings, watches, brooches, pendants, and silver ware. Compare values.—■ Peter Dick, Jewellers, 490 Moray place.— Advt.