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Otago Daily Times, Issue 19046, 17 December 1923, Page 6

The pre-wax train service, which has come to be one of the privileges of high occasions such as holiday seasons, was resumed on Saturday for another term. As yet the holiday traffic has not set in, so the results of Saturday’s reihtroduotion must be judged, more or less, in the light of normal circumstances. Nevertheless, all trains appeared to be carrying almost as big loads as usual; indeed, the through express from the north consisted of 18 vehicles, which is an exceptional size. Excursion tickets were issued from Friday. In the absence of Mr Anderson, Mr Campbell presided at the usual monthly meeting of the St. Clair School Committee, when the question of the arrangements for the break-up on Thursday the 20th inst. were fully considered. The headmaster reported a very satisfactory attendance for the month, which ensured the school going up to a higher grade in the new year. Miss Hopcraft was granted leave from tba 12th inst. to permit of her visiting Australia. The usual correspondence and general matters were dealt with. Mr Halliday gave a medal which he wished to be presented to the best athlete in the school. A very generous gift to the Dunedin Free Kindergarten Association was made known at the ceremony of the closing of the school at Caversham, where the activities of the association have so far been carried on in temporary premises. Mrs Hutchison, who presided, stated that Mr Richard Hudson had not only provided the funds for the purchase of a section of land on which the association might erect its own school, but had also munificently offered to defray the cost af the erection of the school. The Otago Hospital Committee, in its report, has recommended that the nursing irtaff at the Dunedin Hospital be increased by 25, and also that a night home sister be appointed to take charge of the Nurses’ Home from 10 p.m. until 7 o’clock a.m. The Fire Brigade received two calls yesterday—one at 2.35 a.m. to the rubbish tip at Cosy Dell, and the other at 1.37 p.m. fr> some lupins at Douglas and Bridgman streets, St. Kilcla, No damage was done in either case. Mr John Ogg. who is 77 years of age and resides at 57 Glasgow street, was admitted to the Dunedin Hospital on Saturday evening suffering from a fractured leg received through slipping on the footpath in King Edward street. South Dunedin. The fact that a case could not be proceeded with at the Auckland Supreme Court on Saturday because one of the counsel was not ready drew a word of reproof from Mr Justice Reed (wires our Auckland correspondent). “You people are getting slack here,’’ remarked his Honor. “We were always said to be slack at the Bar, but you are getting slacker. In case after case there is an adjournment. I am prepared to do work, but the work is not here. It vanishes when I come into court. It is no use the Auckland Bar complaining that they cannot get their matters attended to, because at least half of my time has been wasted since I have been here through matters not being ready.” The Otago Motor Club communicated widi Saturday’s meeting of the Waihemo County Council desiring that the council should co-operate with the Maniototo County Council in bridging the Shag River. The clerk (Mr W. M‘Gregor) said that he had communicated with the writers on the subject, pointing out that the council was waiting until the district engineer had selected a site before committing itself in connection with the Pigroot bridge. He understood that the Maniototo Council had already called tenders for the erection of a bridge on the Shag River. The letter was formally “received,” and the clerk’s action approved. A circular from the Public Works Department read at Saturday’s meeting of Hie Waihemo County Council requested that attention be directed to the absolute necessity of ensuring that all bark removed from hardwood timber and showing signs of having been affected by pests is burned as soon as possible thereafter. It was pointed out that, further specimens of insect larvae found in hardwood timber delivered in the dominion have been found to belong to the family xyloryctidae. These larvae live in the trunks and branches of trees and bushes and do a great deal of harm, quite a number causing damage to hardwood, while several species have l?e----come serious orchard pests in parts of Australia.

The Maori Hill electric tram service "was disorganised for about an hour and a-half at noon on Saturday, when a car became derailed at Sim street. Iso damage was done. Our Wanganui correspondent wires that Mr R. L. Begg, of Maxwelltown, has returned from Gisborne, where ho purchased 20.000 sheep for his station roar Wanganui. Included in the big lino from the East Coast are two-tooth ewes and hoggets. The majority of these are required for the now owner's holding. The rest Mr Begg intends to dispose of to West Coast flockmastcrs, who are understocked. It is going to be a big task getting the sheep across from the one coast to the other. The flock will go overland from Gisborne to Hastings, and bo trucked from that town to nnganui. Drovers have been chosen for their care of sheep, and it is understood a number of shepherds will be engaged in seeing to the safe transportation from East to West. The butter market is still active and bright, and inquiries along the coast indicate that prospects are very bright (wires our Wanganui correspondent). The drought in Australia is affecting the market, and ir, is considered by the authorities that if the pastures are not benefited shortly by rain Australia will not only have to cease exportation, but will have to purchase,,from the dominion. It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good, and while suppliers are sympathetic towards the farmers of the commonwealth, they are pleased at the prospect of getting bigger prices for butler-fat than those prevailing last season. Cheese is not so .pressing, and factories are again swinging over to butter and concentrating on the manufacture of that product. Our Feilding correspondent wires that the primary producers aro coming into their own at last. Wool has advanced rapidly in price, and now comes advice that fat lambs have jumped in price from 9d to 9JM, which is equivalent to an extra 9d per head. From inquiries made, some excellent linos of lambs are reaching the various freezing works, and the demand is even a little keener than the supply. With wool likely to reach a still higher price, and lambs going up, too, the lot of sheepfarmers has been cast in pleasant places. The proposal made by Sir James Allen that New Zealand should find the necessary money to enable Spahlinger to carry on his researches in the direction of perfecting bis method of fighting tuberculosis was on Saturday referred to the Mayor, the suggestion having been made that, in addition to a contribution by the Government, funds should be started in various centres (wires our Auckland correspondent). Mr Ounson said he had already received two cablegrams from London in relation to the Epahlinger process, and had intimated in reply that so far as Auckland was concerned nothing would bo done until after the return of the Prime Minister, and then any action taken would depend on Mr Massey’s advice and the attitude of the Cabinet. The fundamental requirement was obviously the presentation of authoritative data to remove all reasonable doubt as to the efficacy of the process. “If the process is all that is claimed for it, this is an opportunitj- which undoubtedly New Zealand should not miss,” said Mr Gunson, “but that has to be adequately established by records and tests which medical men alone can furnish. I have no doubt that '■ Massey on his return will be in possession of the latest information following on a visit which we have been advised Sir James Allen has made to the Continent, and will be able to fully explain the position. The traditional “hardening” process adopted by some schools in connection with the clothing of boys receives no support from Mr S. Clifton Smith, headmaster of King’s School (wires our Auckland correspondent'. “I am quite out of sympathy with local custom in respect of the personal appearance of school boys in this community,” he said at Friday’s breaking-up ceremony, “and my first impressions of tho Auckland schoolboy were far from complimentary. We escaped influenza until the very last momen of last winter’s epidemic, and it was remarked that we were very lucky, but I urge a confident claim that it was not so much lack as the result of daily vigilance in respect to the clothing and comfort of the boys. That in midst of a severe winter with pneumonic ‘flu’ in our neighbourhood, small boys should take risks which their fathers dare not face seemed to me to be courting disaster. That I should insist upon boys wearing warmer clothing, buttoning their shirt fronts and sleeves, seemed an interference with tradition, but I frankly have little sympathy with the theory of hardening by exposure.” A recent visitor to the Catlins district informs us that one evening about 10 days ago Owaka was visited by what might be termed a plague of moths. In lighted rooms where windows or doors were opened thousands of the insects assembled in a few minutes, much to the annoyance of the occupants. People who have lived in the district for 50 or 40 years state that they never had such an experience before. Whether the invasion was just a passing incident or not it is difficult to say, hut if moths are in any way prolific there should bo an enormous number in existence in a brief period. In Wellington the “Keep to the left” rule for pedestrians was being observed on Saturday for the first time (says a Press Association message). Overnight portions of the footpaths in the main streets were chalk marked, at the start of each line being a prominent notice to keep to the left. Generally people seemed to adapt themselves to the new order, and there was little or no confusion. In a few instances stupid people got on the wrong side and persisted in staying there, but considering the crowds in the streets, especially at rush hours, the now departure may be voted a success. Visiting choristers from Taranaki, comprising 55 from New Plymouth, 23 from Stratford, and 41 from Hawera (two societies), are taking part in a joint presentation of “The Messiah” (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington). The Royal Wellington Choral Union welcomed them on Saturday, and representatives of the musical societies later tendered them a civic reception. The performances at the Town Hall were a great success. The street collection taken up by tho Patients’ and Prisoners’ Aid Society has on the whole been satisfactory. The sum aimed at was £SOO, and the amount collected from all sources is about £154, with some still to come in, which -will bring the amount up to at least, £l7O. This will leave a balance of £l3O of the amount aimed at, but Mr Gumming is confident that the full amount will be realised before the Christmas vacation. He desires to express his sincere thanks to those ladies and gentlemen who so kindly assisted him in his effort. ilo states that Mrs Jackson deserves special mention for the magnificent day's work which she put in. Indeed, the whole of the staff, which was very small, worked magnificently. Mr Gumming expresses his gratefulness not only to them but also to the people for their handsome gifts sent in response to his appeal. There was a short sitting of the Juvenile Court on Saturday morning, when a boy aged 13 years was charged with the theft of a quantity of lead, the property of V. liam Clark, Detective Beer said that the complainant had left some tubs with lead piping attached in a shed, and tho piping had subsequently been cut away from tho tubs and removed. Later the boy offered the lead for sale and admitted stealing it. Mr J. Lock (juvenile probation officer) said that the boy came of quite a respectable family, but was very backward at school. The case was adjourned for six months, the boy in the meantime to be under the supervision of Mr Lock. The executive of tho Dunedin Bowling Centre has decided that tho matches set down to bo played on Saturday, December 22. bo postponed until the end of tho reason. This step has been taken owing to some clubs finding it difficult to raise teams for next Saturday on account of the holidays. You will find a big choice of gift goods at Williamsons, the jewellers, 31 Princes street. They offer the best value.—Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Aus tralaeia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859. Advt Christmas Jewellery.—Special Christmas discount given; lame selection diamond rings, watches, bracelets, silverware, etc.— Peter Dick, jewellers, 490 Moray place,—Advt,