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Otago Daily Times, Issue 18999, 23 October 1923, Page 8

Seventeen bankruptcies were notified in last week’s issue of the New Zealand Gazette. Fourteen of these were in the North Island, this number including eight in the Auckland provincial district.. Referring to the subject of the new automatic telephone exchange in Dunedin Mr E. A. Shrimpton, chief telegraph engineer, in conversation with a Daily Times reporter on Saturday, said that the department had determined to make every effort to have the new exchange in working order by the time the Now Zealand and South Seas Exhibition was opened. Mr T. Buxton (dominion lecturer and organiser for the New Zealand Farmers’ Union) addressed representatives of the Central Otago fruitgrowers on the organisation of all producing interests. As a result the southern fruitgrowers sent along a proposal to be submitted to the Farmers' Union executive seeking federation with that body and assuring Mr Buxton of support in securing the fruitgrowers in Central Otago as members of the Farmers’ Union. “Stop at Howe street, will you,” was the request of a cheery looking dame, who boarded a north-bound car oft Saturday evening. The conductor did not forget, and when Howe street was reached the car was brought to a halt. Then, with a leisurely air the lady arose. She wandered in aimless fashion towards the door,, her face alight with an expansive smile, and it was quite plain that she did not regard the fleeting moments as precious to the motorman, and incidentally to the City Corporation. Her attitude of languor, however, semod to have an irritant effect on the conductor, who gave the bell cord two very decided jerks. In response to this the oar started and the genial one awoke to the fact that she would "possibly bo late for tea. The smile vanished as though it had been suddenly rubbed out, and a look ot alarm appeared in its stead. “ ’Arf a mo, Colin!” she called out, and “Colin” (presumably the motorman) obligingly applied the brakes, only too glad to got rid of this very embarassing person. This time there was no doubt as to her intentions, and ”-o made hasty strides homewards. Amid the laughter of the passengers, some person ot a frivolous bent was seen to raise his hat in an exaggerated flourish, remarking, “Hail, the duchess!”

The members of the Arbitration Court— Mr Justice Frazer, and Messrs W. Scott (employers’ representative), H. Hunter (workers’ representative), and J. A. Gilmour (registrar), arrived in Dunedin from Christchurch on Saturday. A sitting of the court will be commenced this afternoon.

The Otago and Southland passengers by the Dorset, which arrived at Auckland on Saturday, left Auckland by last night’s train. They will leave Wellington to-night and are due in Dunedin tomorrow night.

Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., presided over a sitting of the Police Court yesterday morning. A statutory first obender, who did not appear, was fined 20s with the alternative of 48 hours’ imprisonment for drunkenness, and another first offender was remanded for seven days for medical treatment. Four girls were charged with absconding from flte Caversham Industrial School, and one of them had in addition two charges of theft preferred against her. They were all remanded till to-morrow. A man named Frederick Broughton pleaded "guilty” to a charge of being a stowaway on the Waikouaiti from Sydney. He stated that he was a shearer’s cook and explained that he had intended to come to New Zealand on another boat Under the influence of liquor he got on board the wrong boat and woke up only when the vessel was three hours out. The case was remanded until Saturday next to enable inquiries to be made.

Another change in business proprietorship has been announced. The well-known chemist business so long conducted by the firm of B. Bagley and Sons, in George street, has been acquired by Marshall's Pharmacy, and it is understood that extensive alterations to the premises are contemplated.

The steamer Dorset, which arrived in Wellington from Southampton on Saturday (says a Press Association message), brought 357 third class passengers, of whom 254 are assisted immigrants who came out under the nominated system. A short stay was made at Pitcairn Island where all the inhabitants were in good health.

The services of the South Dunedin and City Fire Brigade were required at 9 o’clock on Saturday morning at 86 Melbourne street. South Dunedin, where a house owned and occupied fay Mrs A. Webster was badly damaged. The outbreak was caused through some rubbish, which was being burned under the copper, setting fire to the woodwork. On the arrival of the fire engines the flames had a strong hold on the rear portion of the house, but the firemen wye successful in preventing the flames spreading to the front rooms. Hie kitchen was partly gutted, and the scullery and wash-house also suffered severe damage. The house is insured for £355 in the Victoria Insurance Company, and the contents for £IOO in the Guardian Assurance Company (Ltd.). The City Brigade also answered an automatic false alarm to the premises of H. E. Shaoklook (Ltd.), Princes street, at noon the same day. When Joseph Thomas Christie appeared before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., at the City Police Court on Friday morning charged with breaking and entering the premises of the Otago Farmers’ Cooperative Association and stealing therefrom the sum of £lO2 Os 4d, the police sought to prove that accused had arrived as a stowaway without clothes or means. On Friday evening the evidence of Eric Gordon Sherson, purser on the Moeraki, was taken before Mr Bundle. Witness stated that the Moeraki left- Melbourne on September 19 and arrived at Dunedin on September 26. In. the course of his duties he compiled a customs passenger list. It was essential in the compiling of that list that every passenger should be accounted for. There was no passenger named Christie on that list. The prospects of a good season in New Mouth Wales are considered bright (reports our Sydney correspondent). The rain in August was below the average, but the heavy falls during the preceding two months had removed any anxiety. Reports by wheat-growers ‘ throughout the State show that during the current season the total area sown was 3,877,040 acres, or a decrease of rather less than one per cent, on the area sown hi 1922. The area, however, to be reserved for grain is 555,500 acres more than w r as harvested in the preceding year, and is the largest area for grajn since 191712, when 3,329,970 acres were harvested. In 1922, wheat was grown on 18,007 holdings, and in the current season 17,793 growers have furnished returns.

At one stage of a meeting of strawberry growers and fruit auctioneers held on Fri* day (telegraphs our Auckland correspondent) it looked as if the serene atmosphere would be disturbed by a fistic discussion between a burly Maori and an equally burly pakeha grower. The Maori did not ]:ke the way in which his white, brother '•■as interjecting, and he put ■ tip with a g- aet deal of wordy interference. The interjector was cautioned more than once by the ■hairman, but he would not desist. The Maori, speaking on the question of dishonest packers, in order to illustrate his statement that he always honestly packed his berries, said, “I will give 50 ‘quid’ to anyone in this room if poor fruit is found sacked in tny '■hips'. Tbs other man then said something about “too much Waipiro.” This was too much for the dusky grower and forthwith he preceded to take off his coat. Then the other man spoke in Maori. “Look hero,” replied the Maori, “I am now, talking in English, but if I speak in Maori you will need an interpreter.” He became very annoyed at the white man’s broad grin, and assuming & fighting attitude, said: “Como on out here. I’ll shout for the crowd if I don’t knock you out.” “Yes you will—l don’t think. Come outside, and I will knock you out,” said the white grower. Things began to look serious, so somebody separated the pair and the meeting was resumed. Not five minutes afterwards both the Maori and the pakeha were sitting together discussing the question of whether the little red berries should be loosely packed or not. There was a “clean sheet” at the City Police Court on Saturday. Racegoers, at their wits’ ends sometimes to find a winner, fall back upon all sorts of strange omens (says our Sydney correspondent). And sometimes again they fail to see a straight tip when it is staring them in the face. When the trainer of Ballymena, the winner of the A.J.C. Derby arrived from New Zealand ho took up his residence already arranged by a friend, at a house at Randwick, near the racecourse, which, strangely enough, bore the name Ballymena. On the trams going to the racecourse on Derby Day a vast multitude of people passed the house, the name of which stood out conspicuously. Some, but only a few saw in this good omen and they backed Ballymena for the Derby. But as the betting showed, the great bulk of the people on the'trams either did not see thq name, or if they did, they disregarded it. But it is safe to say that 99 per cent, of them, had the name caught their eyes, and had they known that the trainer of Ballymena lived in the very house, would have backed the Derby winner. Thus one sees the fortunes and the misfortunes 'of the turf.

Mrs T. B. Mason, the wife of an obscure public school teacher in a little remote country town in New South Wales has (says our Sydney correspondent) just given birth to her twenty-third child. With more women of Mrs Mason’s type there would certainly be less talk of migration. Mrs Mason has not allowed her children to monopolise her life, much as the little army of them suggests the idea, for she is one of the keenest lawn tennis players in the district in which she lives, and one of the brightest and happiest women there also.

The monthly at home” of the membets o' the Overseas Gub will be, held in the clubroom, Stuart street, on Thursday even mg at 8, Mrs M. Primmer, who nas rccenly returned from a trip to the East will give an interesting address on ’‘Chinese Pastimes.” The United Starr-Bowkett Building Society will hold its annual meeting tonight, and announces £6OOO for disposal. Buy watches at Williamson’s. They sell the kind that never worry you, and are always guaranteed (next tie Bristol). —Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Auatralas;a, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1559. Advt. Diamond Engagement Rings.—Before purchasing compare our values; large selection, superior q aality.—Refer Dick, direct importers jewellery, watches, etc., 490 Morav place. Dune-din.—Advt