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Otago Daily Times, Issue 19134, 31 March 1924, Page 4

With each additional day of dry weather the shortage of water is becoming more acute, and business men and others are strongly urged to exorcise the strictest economy in the use of electric power. Mr M. C. Henderson (chief electrical engineer) slates that various city establishments, especially business premises in George street, continue to be brightly illuminated at night, a state of affairs which, ho asserts, must not be allowed to go on. Mr Henderson paid a visit, to Waipori yesterday, and in's observations convinced him that the position is rapidly becoming more serious. Fourteen bankruptcies were notified in the latest issue of the New Zealand GazetteAll of them, with one exception, were in the North Island.

The City Fire Brigade received a call at 12.45 p.m. on Saturday to a bush fire at Opoho. The blaze had a good hold when the brigade arrived, but there were no houses in the vicinity, and the efforts of the firemen wore directed towards keeping the fire from spreading. The brigade received a call at S.B p.m. yesterday to 1 Brandon street, South Dunedin, where some hay stored in a shed had caught fire. Practically no damage was done. The annual show of the Dunedin Specialists’ Young Bird Club was concluded on Saturday, when there was a largo number of interested visitors all day long. The winner of most points in utility poultry was Miss M’Crostie, who had a number of very fine birds caged. The first page of illustrations in the Otago Witness to be published to-morrow is devoted to typical and striking rural scenes. “Harvesting the Golden Grain In Southland.” Included in the other illus-

trated pages are “Scenes in Sunny Samoa,” “Overland from Lake Manapouri to Doubtful Sound,” “The Empire Squadron at Melbourne,” “Strenuous Polo at Christchurch,” and a full presentation of topical events. Original articles are devoted to “Reminiscences of Old Cardrona” (by Geo. M. Hassing), the second instalment of “The Southern Cross Settlers” (by Carlson E. Holmes). “The Legion of the Missing” (by Vincent Wray); short stories by W. E. Leicester (“The Case of Henry Simpkins”). Fred M. White (“Early Closing Day”), and an engaging children’s story by Eileen Service (“The Wonderful Adventure of Pattywee”). The summary of the world’s news of the week and the well-established features are included.

The Norwegian Consul (Mr W. F. Edmond) has received a wireless message from the Captain of the Sir James Clark Ross, which is the parent ship of the vessels which have been engaged in whaling in southern waters for several months past, that she is duo at Port Chalmers during the next few days. Mr Edmond will act as agent for the Sir James Clark Ross and for the five vessels known as whaler catchers, which are, according to the message, to be laid up at Stewart Island. The Sir James Clark Ross will call at Port Chalmers in order to refit. According to radio advice received from Captain Hooper, the Government representative on board the Sir James Clark Ross, the whaling party has decided to put its catch ashore at Stewart Island. Some amusement was caused at the builders’ picnic on Saturday when an official was beating up entrants for the ladies’ chain-stepping competition. One lady on being requested to take part said that she had a long skirt on, and therefore ' could not do justice to herself. She was under the impression that the prize would go to the lady who cbuld cover 22 yards in the fastest steps. After all such a competition would have its attractions.

The sum of £866 9s lOd has been apportioned to the Otago Acclimatisation Society as its share of the fines and half the net revenue derived from fees and royalty with respect to. the taking of opossums. The Southland Acclimatisation Society' receives £B2 Is 3d.

His Honor Mr Justice Sim has granted probate in the estates of the following deceased persons :—David Laurie Hutton, Charles Fraser, John Buchanan M’Kinlay (Stirling), Elsie Sommerville Haworth, and Hugh Agnew (Green Island). Letters of administration were granted in the estate of Griffith Jones (Cambrian)-

The secretary of the South Dunedin branch of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union has received word that the South Dunedin branch has won the banner presented by the Dominion Union for the largest number of members enrolled during the past, year, and also the banner presented for the largest percentage of increase. These banners were presented io the South. Dunedin delegate at the close of ihe Dominion Convention recently held at New Plymouth. '

Mangapeehi has just had a three days’ visit from Te Rata, the Maori “king,” supported by a retinue of 20 (says the Te Kuiti correspondent of the New Zealand Herald). The large blue silk royal flog, with the rainbow, floated from the flagstaff in the centre of the marae of the pa, which is on an eminence about a quarter of a mile from the pakeha settlement. Wehi Ringitanga and other leading Mangas pcehi chiefs made speeches of welcome, which were replied to by Te Rata. At the entrance to the pa laws and regulations governing the meeting wore posted up. They were rigidly enforced, and the owner of a straying dog was fined a- shilling. The menu of an elaborate feast contained roast pork, beef, tuna, shellfish, plum pudding, fruit salad, and many other European delicacies. Matters affecting the Native race were discussed.

A centenary of more than usual interest, which is to be observed this year in Durban, Union of South Africa, is the arrival of European settlers in Natal (says the Christian Science Monitor). It was in 1824, that is, that about 40 men sailed from Capetown in two vessels, the eulia and Ann, under the leadership of Mr H. F. Flynn and Lieutenant F. G. Farewell, 11. N., respectively, with the object of settling this region. They were joined (he next year by a number of others, most of whom, however, returned; by 1828 only seven were left. Incidentally, it may be news to some that Durban, which was laid out in 1835, is named in honour of Sir Benjamin d’Urban, who was at that time Governor of the Cape. “Auckland people show less energy in pushing their barrow than is shown by people in any other part of New Zealand,” declared the Minister of Education (the Hon. C. J. Parr) to a Christchurch deputation last week. “We are the most neglected part in the dominion,” ho said in reply to Mr G. Witty, M.P. “I haven’t given Auckland an inch of hostel space,” Mr G. Witty, M.P.: “No, but what about other things?” The Minister: “I have figures here that might startle Christchurch.” Later, the Minister showed a statement to the reporters, disclosing the fact that from 1919 to the end of 1923, practically during his term of office for four years, the total expenditure spent or being spent on educational buildings in Christchurch and suburbs was £220,996. Caustic comment on the manner in which the Government treats education was made the other evening by Mr R. H. Potter, chairman of the Mount Eden School Committee. speaking before the Civic League (remarks the Auckland Stax). He held that it wae the duty of the Government to build the school and raise the funds out. of the Consolidated Fund. The equipment of a school should be of the finest, both inside and out, for the children. A child’s .school life was so short, comparatively speaking, that if the school was only partly equipped inside and out at the start, those children wore defrauded of their rights as future citizens. The speaker went on to say that the Education Board buys the worst piece of ground, as witness the Kowhai High School, and it takes years to make good. In no cases is sufficient land acquired. In the country where they have little need they buy up to four acres, and in the towns perhaps two, and put put up buildings which cover the most of it. The whole educational system is controlled by regulation and gets worse and worse every day. Unless the people watch keenly, and wake up on thq subject of education one of these days they will find the privileges taken away. The child is the greatest asset of the community. People do not realise that a child’s life is very short, and that children who go to these illequipped schools lose the best of their early years.

Mr Massey, in (he course of his tour in Franklin electorate last week, again made reference to the unfortunate effect the British elections had had upon the work of the Imperial Conference. At Puke Puke, a settlement near Waiuku, he dealt with the Imperial Conference, and said that although the outlook at present in regard to what had been approved and recommended was not particularly bright, he was in hopes of getting at least something out of the Conference. “We tried to advance the very important principle of Empire preference, and I am sorry to say,” continued the Prime Minister, “wo did not get very far, because that confounded election came along in England, contrary to my wishes. I may say that if it had depended on me there would have been no election in England. They could have gone on very well without it, and we would have got our recommendations through.''

The harmony that had characterised thi Auckland Waterside Workers’ Band up tilt recently reached an end when the whole of the members of the band resigned as a body and decided to form a new band, to be known as the Port of Auckland Band (states the Star). Some five years ago the Waterside Workers’ Union took steps to organise a brass band, and something like £I4OO was collected. This money was expended in the purchase of instruments, uniforms, and music, the membership of the band being then about _2O. Its strength increased until it reached 35, and it was recognised as one of the leading bands of the dominion. Recently the Waterside Workers’ Union called in the instruments and uniforms, giving as the reason that tile band was to bo reorganised and chiefly composed of members of tile Waterside vv'orkers’ Union. Previously the majority of the band members were non-members of the union. Owing to the action taken in culling in the uniforms and instruments it left the existing band without any incentive to carry on.

There is a further development of the mysterious sickness which occurred recently at the Port Chevalier Primary School in Auckland, when a score oi the pupils were affected with sickness and fainting (states the Star). The Health Department, acting in conjunction with the Education Board, deemed it advisable to close the school for a week, during which time suspected causes of the trouble were investigated. It was thought that the water in a swimming pool, which had not been emptied for a fortnight, had been contaminated. but a bacteriological analysis of the drinking water has raised suspicion as to its purity. The pupils have been dismissed, and a quantity of water is being sterilised before the school reopens again. The water supply in this and other districts is being thoroughly , investigated by the Health Department

Salvage operations in connection with the steamer Port Elliott, which was wrecked near the East Cape on January 12, have been concluded. Practically all the cargo has been recovered, only a little general cargo in No. 3 hold being loft behind. In addition, the greater part of the bunker coal and a considerable quantity of the ship’s fittings have been secured. After the bulk of the cargo was shifted a commencement was made with the removal of the actual fittings, and the vessel has now been stripped bare of all the valuable gear. From the engine-room a quantity of copper piping was secured and the saloon fittings were also removed. The two propellers have been brought away, and nothing that was worth salving has been overlooked.

Many thrilling adventures with water spouts have been recorded by sailors, but it is seldom that one hears of a vessel actually wrecked as a result of an encounter with one. New* has just reached Auckland (writes a correspondent) of the rescue of the crew of a vessel which was overwhelmed by a waterspout that occurred about 90 miles south of the island of Anaa, which is some 200 miles east of Tahiti. The vessel capsized a* a result of the burst, but the crew managed to take to the ship's boat, and, afix-r a voyage of four days, they reached the island of Mehetia which is about 70 miles east of Tahiti. At Mehetia they were picked up by a passing vessel and taken to Papeete. Oddly enough the vicinity of the island of Anaa has been a particularly unlucky one for the Monique, which is the name of the lost vessel, as it was there she was wrecked in December, 1921. At that time she was sailing under the house flag of S. R. Maxwell and Co., island traders. She was abandoned to the underwriters, and sold. Her new owner spent a considerable sum of money in reconditioning her, ■ and she was again employed in the inter-island trade. The vessel was American-built, and was originally called the America.

An organ recital will be given (his evening by Mr Robert K. Macfie in the NorthEast Valley Presbyterian Church. The programme includes a variety of pieces, all chosen with a desire to give pleasure to the audience. Miss Bayley (violinist) and Mr Palmer (’cellist) wi*s take part in two trios by Reissiger and Dvorak, and Miss Alice Wilkinson, as vocalist, will add to the pleasure of the evening. Buy the ring at Williamsons, jewellers (nepet the Bristol). They are actual makers and offer the finest value.—Advt. The Pacific Starr-Bowkett Building Society invites applications for shares in the latest group (No. 5). Office, 86 King Edward street. —Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1839. Advt. Choice Jewellery; compare our values;; large selection diamond rings, watches, bracelets, silverware, etc. —Peter Dick, jewellers. 490 Moray place.—Advt.