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Otago Daily Times, Issue 19311, 24 October 1924, Page 6

There will be no publication, of the Otago Daily Times on Monday next (Labour Day). A streak of philosophy ia to bo found in most people and it only requires a little encouragement to bring it out. A witness in* the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, under cross-examination by Mr Sinclair, said tbat he lost £12,000 “in one pop” wtien some manure works were burnt out. Mr Sinclair: “But for that you would be a wealthy man?” “I might not bo. I might still have finished up in the Benevolent.” Mr Sinclair : “Oh, surely not!” Witness; “You never can te!L The wealthy man to-day may be the poor man to-morrow.”

The annual box-opening of the St. Clair School branch of the Young .Helpers’ League was held at the school yesterday. The Rev. J. Miller presided over a gathering of approximately XSO junior members. On behalf of the league, Mrs Coutts presented silver badges to Rema Aitken, Irene BramweU, Selby Dal glekh," Percy Duthie, Esther Jones, David Mason, Jean Shepherd, Margery Sutton, and Oscar Bain. 'Raymond Pryde was presented with a book for having the best-filled box. The adult members then entertained the juniors at afternoon teat The total amount in the boxes was £34 19s Several junior members—Bn a and Nellie Sturgeon, Dora Campbell, Norma Jones, and Betty M‘Arthur, Irene Bramwell and Beryl Smith held small bazaars during the year. With their help the St. Clair oot is assured for another year. At a meeting of the committee of the Otago A. and P. Society yesterday afternoon, the president (Mr G. Black) brought up the question of the Railway Department’s proposal to start running the two expresses north and* south. Mr Black pointed out that during the month of November there would be 15 agricultural shows held in the South Island, in addition to the usual number of race and trotting events which would naturally considerably increase passenger traffic, and, in his opinion, the committee was justified in asking the department to start running the additional expresses from November 1. Several members supported the views held by the president, and it was decided to write to the General Manager of Railways asking him favourably to consider the suggestion to inaugurate the additional express train service as from November 1.

The Secretary of the Otago Education Board has written to the members of a deputation which waited upon the board in reference to a school at Opoho that : “The board has appointed a sub-committee to go into the matter of school accommodation for the Opoho district” It is 13 years since application was last made for a school by the Opoho residents and it was even then acknowledged, that there was need for one, both by the board and the Education Department at Wellington, so the residents naturally expect that in view of the already increased population and the increased attractiveness of the district owing to the tramway extension that the necessity of a school being supplied will now be recognised by the authorities as imperative. Work is proceeding steadily on the new Union street bridge, and already the concrete surface on one side has been completed. A good deal of work still remains to bo done, but with a large squad of men at work the operations should soon be completed.

The new journal, “The Young New Zealander and School Garotte” was commended to the Minister of Education recently by Mr T. W. Rhodes (Thames) at in every way suitable for reading lessons in the State schools. The Minister of Education (the Hon. C. J. Parr) stated in the House of Representatves that it would not be advisable for the department to place the magazine on the list of books authorised to be used for reading lessons in the public schools. Though the matter contained in the first issue of the magazine appeared to be very interesting, instructive, and suitable for the reading of children, the department had no control over the publication, and could scarcely be expected to undertake responsibility regarding a matter that might appear in future numbers It had to be noted, also, that the magazine was an advertising medium, and considerable difficulties wore likely to arise if schools were used as a medium for advertising. Hitherto the department had found it necessary to refuse approval for the circulation of advertisements in schools. The matter would be duly considered by the department, which had before it an application from the publisher of the magazine, and a definite reply would be forwarded as soon as possible. When speaking on road maintenance at the annual meeting of the Otago Motor Club last evening the president (Mr W. Wright) said that it would be a great advantage for all concerned if the LeithWaitati road and. in fact, all the main thoroughfares leading to the city, -were put in thorough order before the New Zealand and' South Seas Exhibition opened. It was hoped that during the coming year the Main North road and the Leith-Waitati road l would bo put in good order. In referring to the affairs of the club Mr Wright said that several members of the executive had been outstanding in their work on behalf of the olub during tho year. He referred in particular to Mr A. C. M’George, who had given much time to erecting danger signs and in carrying out other work on behalf of the club.

In advocating compulsory wrapping of bread in paper or some such suitable material a writer in the New Zealand Bakers and Qrocers’ Review says: “Quito recently, while on his way to business!, the writer saw the driver of a bread cart stop, take a stone out of his horse’s hoof, and the next moment lift an armful of bread from his cart into a shop! .Frequently in delivering bread a pyramid of loaves is carried in the driver’s arms, resting- against hia coat and steadied by his chin. Sleeves and hands are made to take the place of handkerchiefs at times (such a thing was witnessed by the writer a day ago), and a busy delivery man has neither the time nor place to wash his hands m the course of a day’s work. In many shops, stores and markets the bread is exposed on open counters for hours to dust, flies, and random handling, or to having foreign objects placed upon it. Whether in large cities or in small towns, this question of why bread should l be wrapped touches every home and the health of everyone who uses bread. If customers refuse to buy unwrapped bread, they will get it cleanly wrapped. Wrapped bread spells improved health.”

A protest was recently made by the Manawatu Philosophical Society against the further planting’ of heather in the Tongariro Nations! Park and also in connection with the proposed importation of grouse for liberation in this reserve. In a letter to the New* Zealand Institute on the subject, Mr C. T. Seli*t>n, bon. secretary of the society, stated that they strongly protested against the planting of heather in the reserve,, and offered any possible assistance to prevent a continuance of the practice. The society felt that the Park should be of a purely New Zealand character, and that no exotics should be introduced into it. They further resented the importation of grouse for liberation in the reserve, or any attempt to make the beauty spot a game preserve for individuals. A reply has now been received from the New Zealand Institute stating that it is in full accord with the views of the society, and that it will continue to make every effort to prevent exotics of any description being introduced’ into the National Park. Further, it had been decided by the National Park Board, the controlling body, that no furtlier heather seeds or grouse bo imported. Discussing 'she matter with a Standard reporter, Mr Salmon said that the question of the introduction of exotics had been settled, but there were other matters affecting the reserve, which must fa© closely watched. At the annual meeting of the Otago Motor Club last night Mr W. Wright (president), in referring to street congestion and blockage by traffic, said that they had to thank the police on point duty for their assistance in directing traffic at ait times. He also referred to the ever-in-creasing number of cyclists to b© seen nd;ng at night without a light. It was to be hoped, he said, that more ' drastic action would be taken against cyclists observed riding at night-time without lights. A cycle lamp oast only a few shillings, and something would have to be done to com' pel cyclists to secure suitable lights, otherwise it was bound to end seriously for some person who might be abroad at too time.

Mayfield, Canterbury, in common, no doubt, with other parts of New Zealand, is able to report a somewhat baffling phenomenon (writes a correspondent). For the past three years spruce trees have been falling into decay. The process has been gradual, and last season, with life apparently extinct, they presented a uniformly drab and withered appearance, the trunk and branches, thickly covered with scale or fungus, not showing a vestige of green. Scientists did not hesitate to say that the New Zealand spruce was doomed and no amount of investigation was able to identify the cause. The disease has, however, vanished as if by magic, and - the spruce trees are again clothed in richest verdure. Locally they present a beautiful and thriving appearance; the foliage is of the most exquisite green. The is, in fact, as complete as it is mysterious. In every case of property in Christchurch changing hands recently it has been found that the value has appreciated considerably (says the Lyttelton Times). In some instances the advance has amounted to nearly 200 per cent, within three or four years. This has been particularly noticeable in regard to properties in Colombo street,, between Hereford and Lichfield streets. Several of these properties, which were sold three or four years ago at prices ranging from £l5O to £3OO a foot, have been resold at from two to three times those figures, and the persons paying the higher prices say they are quite satisfied that values will rise still higher in the near future. In his address to members of the Otago Motor dub at the annual' meeting hold last evening, Mr W. Wright (president) said that the club had had a very successful year. It had increased its membership by about 200, and had put up on excellent performance this year as regards new members. Members would bo pleased to know that the membership was now 1050. The club was in a very healthy position, as it had a substantial credit balance in the bank. The chief expense during the year had been in connection with, the maintenance of roads and thoroughfares. The club had spent £3O on tarring, had given £4O to the Bruce County Council for road, maintenance, had collected £lls towards the cost of bridging streams, and given £2O towards other works.

“There is no doubt that more active moans must be adopted by the centre to see that New Zealand is represented by a proper and adequate team at the next Olympic meeting,” states the annual report of the Wellington Centre of the New Ze - land Amateur Atliletio Association. “We fool sure that any and every New Zealander will be only too pleased to do his bit to see his country represented as it should be, and we also feel that our athletes, if given the opportunity, will be able to hold their own with any country in the world. This has bean proved by A. E. Porritt, and also by our footballers.” “I regard this offence of stealing from an employer as more serious than shoplifting,” said the magistrate (Mr Widdowson) at Christchurch yesterday (says a Press Association message), in sentencing Charles Ernest Stoans, salesman, to a month’s imprisonment for stealing 10s, the property of Hannah and Co. The accused had boon caught by means of marked coins. There was a clean sheet at the City Police Court yesterday.

The Her. Joseph W. Kemp will speak this afternoon in the Hanover Street Baptist Church on “ Tho Tyranny of Democracy,” and in the evening ho will oqntmuo his study of the “ Voices from Calvary.” A K J. Blakeley, dentist, Bonk of Australasia. comer of Bond and Rattray streets (next telegraph Office). Telephone 186 a Aciivt'e Save your eyes.—Consult Peter G. Dick, D B 0.A., E. 1.0., London, consulting and oculists’ optician.—“ Peter Dick,” jeweller* and opticians, Moray place, Dunedin.— Aclvt. <