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Otago Daily Times, Issue 18757, 10 January 1923, Page 4

AN ALL-RED WIRELESS CHAIN. In emphasising the supreme necessity for the establishment of a chain of wireless stations to link up the Empire the deputation from the Empire Press Union to the Postmaster-general in the Home Government has performed a national service. The question is by no means new. Indeed, it must be confessed with a degree of chagrin that the British Empire lags behind other great nations in the use and development of this important means of communication. In every sense the deputation which placed its views before Mr Neville Chamberlain was representative, and the voice of the dominions was clearly expressed. There is no case against the immediate establishment of a wireless chain, but the policy of procrastination has been highly disappointing. In a largo measure the failure to develop a scheme lies at the door of the British Post Office. Unable or unwilling itself to undertake the has set its face against development by private enterprise. This opposition has been the more surprising in view of the success attending the efforts of other countries. “The Post Office has,” writes Mr Robert Donald in the Nineteenth Century, “disappointed the partisans of State ownership by its failure to seize its opportunities and by its lack of administrative capacity.” India expressed more than two years ago a desire for direct wireless communication with England, but was not prepared to make it a State enterprise. The South African Press is supporting an offer by the Marconi Company to complete wireless communication between South Africa and England within eighteen months, and an Indian company is distinctly favourable, to a similar enterprise which would link India with England. The Australian Government nas committed itself, to a co-operative venture with private enterprise, while Canada has adopted its own scheme of co-operation. By it's policy of delay the Post Office has prejudiced the consummation of an Imperial wireless chain and has retarded its development by private or co-operative effort. When the Imperial Conference in 1911 affirmed the need of wireless communication and the first contract was entered into with the Marconi Company the Post Office held the field. By the cancellation of that contract and the subsequent delays it has at least surrendered part of its claim, and it must now deal with the situation in the light of present developments. Mr Chamberlain, who admitted in effect that the Post Office was now considering the question in the light of the recent developments in the dominions, stressed the importance of the financial aspect. His reply to the deputation may be interpreted as not unsatisfactory for he offered the assurance that when the scheme was announced it would be found to be suitable and complementary to what had been done and proposed by the various dominions. If the Post Office cannot put Mr Chamberlain’s hopes into concrete fact it must step aside and allow private or co-operative enterprise to give to the Empire benefits similar to those enjoyed by other countries from such efforts.

The express from the north, which arrived at Dunedin at a quarter to 5 last night, was a very largo one, consisting of 13 carriages and five vans. The number of passengers on board when it reached Dunedin was in the vicinity of 400. Of these about 200 loft the train at Dunedin, while about another 100 boarded the train here for the south.

The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr J. S. Douglas) has received a telegram from the French Consul at Auckland stating that he has just received from the French admiral a cablegram as follows: —Please express to the Mayor of Dunedin sincere regrets at being unable to call at Dunedin. Express my thanks to him and to the citizens of Dunedin for their very kind invitation. The public will not, therefore, receive a visit from the French ships of war, now in Australian waters, and this will bo regretted. The accumulation of discharged cargo in the goods sheds at the Dunedin wharves consequent on the holidays, during which mercantile firms’ offices have been closed, and those handling goods have been enjoying some relaxation, is rapidly being reduced. Now that the sheds have been reopened the goods are going forward rapidly, to the satisfaction of those immediately concerned. On inquiries being made yesterday in regard to the city’s water supply, it was stated that the reservoirs are all practically full, with the exception of the Southern Reservoir, which is empty, ow : ni> to the excavation operations which are being carried -out with the object of enlarging ;t. There seems to be a prevailing idea that the pressure being apparently roouced in the suburbs the water supply is running short, but that is not tin. case. When the question was put as to why th-i pressure was low the answer was that the sub-mains were too small to carry a supply that woi-lfi permit of pressure. The Milton soldiers’ memorial, it is intended, will be really a district memorial, carrying the names of all the men from Bruce County who made the supreme sacrifice. The country districts are being canvassed energetically, and yesterday cadi member of the Bruce County Counc :l bv.k a subscription form away for , r,wa!:cn to the settlers in his riding.

A Press Association message from Waipawa states that Linda Maiha, the victim of the murderous assault at Waipawa Ea last Tuesday, is still lying in a semi-conscious state in the hospital, and the inquest cn Puhi Maiha has been further adjourned for a week.

Following on the numerous accidents at level crossings recently (says a Christchurch •Press Association message) several of them proving fatal, the Automobile Association carried a motion protesting against the continued neglect of the Railway Department in failing to provide efficient warning signals at level railway crossings. One speaker said that a system of warning bells could be installed for £3 per crossing. Grave concern regarding the damage done to country roads by traction engine traffic was expressed by Cr J. dark at the meeting of the Bruce County Council yesterday. He declared that it wag impossible for the county to continue to maintain the roads under present conditions, as so much damage was done by engines, motor cars, and lorries. His motion that the Government be again asked, when money from the tyre tax would bo available to public bodies was seconded by Cr T. Scott and carried. - What is usually described as a “mild sensation” occurred in Princes street, near its junction with Manse street, on Monday, about 5 p.m. The cause was a particularly fine collie dog, suddenly seized with paralysis, which affected the body of the animal. The city engineer, being the proper authority, was rung up to see what could be done in the manor, the dog developing dangerous symptoms—at least, that was the impression of those present. A city inspector was despatched with a motor car, and the dog was taken to the lethal chamber and destroyed. In view of the favourable conditions under which the dairying industry is being carried on this season and the large increase in the output of butter, many people were probably surprised to learn that the retail price of that commodity had been increased by Id per lb on Monday, bringing it up to Is 9d per lb. Inquiries made locally show that thp increase was made in sympathy with a rise in the export price. Advices which have been received Trent London show that the price of butter in the Old Country has advanced more than 2d per lb in the last few week?. Owing to the moderate prices ruling in England of late the demand has been keen, and stocks have been reduced to a small compass, with the result that shipments arriving at Home rt present are disposed of on a good market. The Postmaster-general has furnished the •following particulars of post and telegraph business transacted at the 17 chief offices in the doAiinion on December 20, 21, 22, and 23, 1922 (says a Wellington Press Association message);—Stamp sales amounted to £30,753, an increase of 1.11 per cent, over the sales for the corresponding period cf the previous year. The number of bags and hampers of mail matter forwarded from the 17 offices was 46,761, an increase of 7.96 per cent. Of this number, 10,108 were forwarded from Auckland, 6543 from Christchurch, 4987 from Dunedin, and 8471 from Wellington. The telegrams forwarded numbered 98,920, on increase of 1.94 per cent. Of these 17,685 were forwarded from' Auckland, 12,227 from Christchurch, 8864 from Dunedin, and 22,525 from Wellington. The telegrams received numbered 130,169, an increase of 5.89 per cent. As these figures represent the business at the 17 principal offices, it is interesting to note that at the smaller or country offices the work forwarded to the cities lias shown a greater increase than that between the cities. The annual conference of the New Zealand Master Bakers’ Association will he held ai Wanganui on January 22. The Dunedin delegates will be Messrs EL H. S. White -(president of the local association), J. G. Laurenson, T. S. Searle, J. S. Wootton, and W. Hendry. For several months a drastic revision ot telephone charges has been under discussion in official circles, and a good deal of criticism has been heard and duly considered. The matter has now reached a more definite stage (says the Lyttelton Times). Cabinet having tentatively approved of proposals for a now scale, which it is understood will mean in the aggregate no increase in revenue, but may concern users of busy telephones, because the outstanding principle of the new scheme is a charge in, accordance with service. It may be possible as a result of the revisions to make some concessions tp private users, especially in backblocks.' The new scale is not to be arbitrarily imposed without notice, as it is the intention of the Postmaster-general to circularise Chambers of Commerce and other, organisations, fully explaining the proposals and requesting comment from telephone users.

An application by W. H. Matthews to challenge John Walker for a cycling race has been granted by the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union* ,The race, which will be held on Saturday, will be worn Dunedin to Wnihola and back. The union has decided to (jill the event the Otago 50niile championship road race. Some of the conditions of the race are: (1) No free wheel will be allowed the competitors unless agreed upon by all the competitors : (2) the winner of the event • will have to be propored to defend the title within a reasonable time, to be decided by the Otago Centre; (3) should the winner not be challenged within a specified time -the race will be re-run os an open event; (4) all ,championship road races must be scratch events. The race will start near His Majesty t Theatre in Crawford street at 1 p.m.

The Riverton and District Memorial Committee has accepted the tender of Messrs H. S. Bingham and Co (Ltd.), of Dunedin, for the erection of a fallen soldiers’ memorial at Riverton. The memorial (which will bo about 40ft high) is to be erected bn a knoll on the south side of the traffic bridge i t Riverton, and will qontajn the names of 82 men who gave their lives) The stone will be Castle Rock limestone, which has not hitherto been used, but the contractors intend to open up a quarry at Dipton especially for this work. The total cost ot the memorial will be approximately £100(3, and is to the design of Mr E. R. Wilson, of Invercargill. Fifty-eight members (men and women) of the local Tararua Tramping Club have returned from a visit to Mount Cook (states our Wellington correspondent). No serious climbing, from an Alpine point of view, was undertaken, but the party had a most enjoyable time. After accomplishing one of the minor ascents on the lower ridge of Mount Cook, three or four of a party, who had separated from the guides, rashly attempted to take a short cut across' the Hooker River to the Hermitage. Most of the experimenters were washed off their feet, but luckily they were able to scramble ashore.

In a recent letter from Mr F. A. Hornibrook to a friend' in Christchurch (says our Christchurch correspondent) mention is made of a serious accident which Mrs Hornibrook (nee Miss Ettie Rout, author of the censored book “Safe Marriage”) suffered at Cologne in November last, Mrs Hornibrook fell through a trapdoor in the hall of the hotel where she was staying into the cellar below. The distance was some 30ft, and she would probably have been killed but for the fact that she fell on the proprietor of the hotel, who incidentally had some ribs broken and received severe bruises. Mrs Hornibrook suffered from concussion of the brain, and was paralysed in both arms, but under skilled medical attention she made a good recovery. Recently a man wandered into a certain place where pies are retailed (says the Hawke’s Bay Herald). Some guttural sounds attracted the attention of the proprietor, who turned around to find in the man’s face a ghastly hue that left no doubt as to the existence of some culinary mishap. For a long time the unfortunate, one did nothing but splutter and splurb, and, in the picturesque language of the proprietor, go “butchers hooks.” Finally, however, came enlightenment'. “A man don’t mind what yer put in yer pies,” fumed the unfortunate one, “but dopin’ >be sorse with kerosene is over the —— odds!” \There were hasty explanations from the proprietor, who freely perspired at the brow as he recalled the number of customers who loft the place With glum faces, which he had in blissful ignorance attributed to a bad day at trots. “What do you think?” he cried in exasperation. “The kids were helping me to-day, and they’ve gone and tainted a gallon of good sauce with kerosene!” So everybody went without sauce fpr the night after (hat, and ’t is not known which the hero of the ' evening is about to swear off—pies or sauce.

In the City Police Court yesterday, before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., Anthony Foulkes was charged with having on May 3, 1922, at Melbourne, committed larceny as a bailee of the sum of £250, the property of one Basil Kilvington. This oase has been before the courts for about a month. Foulkes, win was employed as a, ■ journalist in Invercargill, noticed in an Australian newspaper an articlS stating that a warrant had been issued for hjs arrest in Victoria, and the same day he cabled to the Victorian police asking if 'such a warrant had been issued and giving his address in Invercargill. On December 10 word was received that a warrant had been issued, and he gave himself up to the authorities. When the case was called on yesterday Detective Lionel Vivian Bunker, of Melbourne, produced the original warrant fer the arrest of the accused, whom he identified as the person named in the charge. On his application a warrant was issued for the extradition of the accused to Melbourne. A very unfortunate accident befel Mr J. E. O’Connell, “Anranmore,” Frankton, on Friday last (writes our Queenstown correspondent). Mr O’Connell was effecting some repairs to the pumping machinery in a well between 170 ft and 180 ft deep, when a pair of pipe longs weighing about 101 b fell down the well, breaking his right arm in three places between the elbow an<l shoulder and fracturing his ribs. Some of the farm hands who were working at the top lowered themselves into the well by the rope and with some difficulty managed to get him. hauled to the surface. Medical aid was summoned, and the sufferer’s injuries were attended to. , The pessimistic views held by some people regarding the likelihood of Lake Coleridge proving inadequate to supply the water necessary to generate 12,C00 k.w. —the full capacity of the power station as originally planned—are, it apiiears. not to be realised. The concrete portion of the dam at the outfall has been finished, and it is estimated that in two weeks the remainder of the work wiii be completed. The effect of this work,- when finished, will be to permit the lake level to be raised to 1670 feet. Regarding the completion of the installation of the sixth (and final) generating unit of 3000 k.w., some essential equipment has not yet come to hand from America, but this will not interfere with the testing of the generator. All the connections have not yet been made, but it is anticipated that everything will be ready for the test in a few' days. The fourth pipe line (which is to serve the sixth generator) has been emptied, after a preliminary test, and is being refilled in readiness for the final test. Tlie steel towers to carry the transmission line across the Rangitata River from Lake Coleridge to Timaru have eom6_ to hand, and work has commenced on the pile foundations for the towers. The progress of this work will depend largely bn the state of the river, chiefly its freedom from floods. The site for the sub-station at Timaru has been pegged out and levelled, and the work of construction by the contractors - will he put in hand this week. 46r the equipment of the Timaru sub-station, have been called for. We have to acknowledge receipt of a diary and calendar for 3.923 from Messrs Stone, Son, and Co. .. _ , • ~ £SO Reduction; 1823 model Harley-David-son motor cvcles, fitted with carriers, lamps, pump, tools', Goodyear tyres; best value offering. Remember, £SO per machine reduction. 192 S models now on A. Justice and Co., Imperial Garage. Pxmces street. Dunedin. —Advt.. Women are New Zealand’s greatest asset. Next in order of merit comes (‘No-Rubbing’ - Laundry Help, the famous abolisher of washboard slavery. Is packet does seven washings perfectly. —Milne, Bremner (Ltd.;, wholesale distributors. —Advt. The always-busy tailor, the tailor {hat has set Dunedin bussing—G. S. Roberts, Stock Exchange Buildings. It’s the material in the gartnant that gives the wear. See that it is good.—Advt Buy vour Christmas gifts now while wq 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. E. J. Blakeley, dentist Bank cf Australasia, corner of Bond ana Rattray streets (next Telegraph Oißcej. Telephone 1859.-' Advt. Xmis Jewellery.—Just landed, large selection diamond rings, watches, brooches, pendants, and silver ware. Compare values.— Peter Dick, Jewellers, 490 Moray 1 place.— Advt. .