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Otago Daily Times, Issue 19374, 9 January 1925, Page 4

A large and important part of the meeting of the Exhibition directors last night was taken up with meeting two representatives of the British Government—Captain Graham, an official of the Board of Trade Overseas branch, London,- and Mr N. Elmslio, the Britishl Board of Trade Commissioner for New Zealand. In introducing these gentlemen, the chairman' of directors, Mr J. (Sutherland Ross, said that Captain Graham had informed him that ho had come out with no preconceived ideas. He had a good many suggestions to put before the directors, and ho was anxious to get their views ag to the most desirable type t>f exhibit. He expected to bo here for a month, and had to be back in England about the end of March. They hoped to see him back again at the opening of the Exhibition to look after the interests of the British Government there. Ho also welcomed Mr Eimslie. Captain Graham addressed the directors, explaining in detail what had been done in the Government Pavilion at Wembley. Mr Elmslio said that bis leave Home would naturally hav© come next year, bat the Government had felt it necessary that ho should be hero during the period of Exhibition, and so ho would bo going Home on leave very shortly. He would bo getting in touch with many bodies and organisations in Great Britain, and ho was anxious to know it there were anything he could do to assist the Exhibition while ho was away. Captain Graham answered a. number of questions, and the directors generally expressed themselves as being very gratified at the keen and practical interest that the British Government is manifesting in thh Exhibition. Tho majority of the passengers for Otago and Southland by tho liner Corinthio, from England, reached Dunedin last evening by Iho first express from tho north. Advice received by Messrs Dalgety and Co. states that passengers’ baggage is coming forward by the Flora, which is duo at Dunedin tomorrow from Wellington, via Lyttelton. Registrations of motor vehicles are coming into tho Post Office slowly. Only small numbers have been dealt with since tho regulations came into force on January I, and as arrangements were made to put through 400 a day a rush oefore tho closing date, February 1, is inevitable. At the Balchitha Court on Tuesday afternoon, before Mr S. V. White, J.P., Robert M'Cutchcon (a young man employed at tho Balclutha Post Office) was charged that on or about December 4, at Balclutha. being a servant of tile New Zealand Government, he did steal one postal packet containing a gold wristlet watch case, valued at £l, the property of tho Post-master-General. Accused had been arrested that day by Detective Sneddon. On the application of the police accused was remanded to appear at Dunedin on January 14. Bail was allowed, accused in his own recognisance of £SO and two sureties of £SO each. Tho City Fire Brigade was summoned shortly after noon yesterday to 350 High street. A small fire in the roof of the dwelling was quickly suppressed without any damage being done. The cause of the outbreak is unknown, A further quota of 29 trainees from England for Flock House arrived yesterday all well and proceeded to their new home (reports our Palmerston North correspondent). Tho boys were under tho charge of Mr P. Tully, of the London Y.M.O.A. Questioned about tho industrial conditions in England, Mr Tully said that unemployment was rife, and there were thousands ready to emigrate to tho dominions. “It is very difficult at tho present time in England for a boy to secure a good job in the city,’’ he stated. In reply to a question whether New Zealand is at all prominent in. the eyes of the emigration officials at Homo Mr Tully said his experience was that of all the dominions New Zealand wag the most keenly sought by those seeking fields of fresh endeavour. “In England prospective immigrants think New Zealand the best country of all, being blessed with an ideal climate and great possibilities,” he stated. “It is a country which has been very much to tho fore of late by virtue of the tour of the All Blacks.” Touching upon Rugby in England, Mr Tully said that, of course, “Soccer” wag the national, code at Homo, but ho thought that Rugby was a little stronger now than before the war. One of tho leper patients at Quail Island has escaped and is still at large (reports a Christchurch Prcs 3 Association message). The patient is a European who had contracted the disease in a mild form. He had responded to the Chaulmoogra oil treatment and was well on tho way to bo cured. Ho had of late been very restless, and had threatened to run away from tho island. It is considered likely that he may make for the Peninsula, whore, at this time of the year, hundreds of grass seeders and other harvest workers are employed. An interesting discovery was made on Saturday last by Mr George Pro-van, of Xaseby, when on Mount Buster (reports our Naseby correspondent). This was the finding of a hedgehog rolled in a tussock of snow grass, and tho spot where the little animal was found is approximately 4090 feet above sea level. Miners working in tho vicinity state that they have never scon a hedgehog at such an altitude—in [act, that, none has been seen in this locality previously. They are curious to know when the animal arrived, as if it migrated from the lower regions on tho Kurow or Olornata- side it would of necessity have to cross a number of creeks. Shepherds who have recently l>een mustering have scoured the district, and they assert that they have seen no traces of others, and the animal appears to be an isolated specimen. In view of the frequent assertion that such animals cannot exist at, a high altitude, sonic curiosity has been aroused as to how it came to roach such a height, where the locality is free from snow for only about three months in the year.

The shipping hold-up in Sydney has seriously affected quite a number of Wellington residents who have been holiday-making in Australia (says the Wellington Post), and who were to have returned home by the Ulimaroa this week. Some of these are already due back at their work, and even now, if the steamer leaves Sydney within the next few days, they will not bo able to resume before next week. Others are at the end of their immediate financial resources, and have been forced to cable homo for money to tide them over the emergency. One of those pleasing personal touches which characterised the stay of the late Governor and his wife in the dominion was witnessed again at Auckland, when their Excellencies Sir Charles and Lady Fergusson arrived at Ellerslie (states the Star). Soon after her arrival Lady Alice sent for Mr Selby, the clerk of the course, and resumed an acquaintance made so many years ago. She presented Mr Selby to his Excellency, and the trio spent some minutes in recollections of her Excellency’s previous visit. In her youthful days she evinced a strong interest in horses, and this led to her first meeting with Mr Selby. It will be recollected that her Execllency met with an accident while exploiting a whim for a dash round the Metropolitan, ground, now the site of the university. Mr L. J. Wrigley, senior inspector of secondary schools, Victoria, during his recent trip to England, visited a large number of schools of various types. With very rare exceptions he found (states the Melbourne Age) that each English school possessed a large assembly hall, a commodious library, and a well-fitted gymnasium. On the other hand, many wellknown schools in London had very little playground accommodation around the buildings, and the journey to the playing fields frequently occupied from an hour and a-half each way. The equipment of books and apparatus was usually on a much more generous scale than in Victoria. In class teaching the Victorian teacher compared very favourably with his Eiglish colleague, and in most subjects the work done in a good Victorian school was of as high a standard as that achieved in England. Proximity to the Continent gave the English teacher a great advantage in regard to spoken foreign languages, and it was much easier to secure an adequate historical background in the old world. The most striking advances made of recent years in English secondary education, was the great improvement in the quantity, quality, and variety of the art work, and the greater attention paid to training in the appreciation and understanding of music. Victoria, however, in its approval system, probably led the British Empire in the freedom given to individual schools, and in the greater trust reposed in head masters and staffs. It is now considered that the condition of the wrecked steamer Rama at Okawa Bay, Chatham Islands, is hopeless, according to tlie marine surveyors, Messrs A. Walker, D. K. Blair, and Le Cren, who examined the vessel on behalf of the owners, the Chatham Islands Fishing Company, and the underwriters, and who returned to Lyttelton on Saturday last by the Tbss. Judging by the volume of water that was rushing through the fore and after holds, and the bunker hatches, they stated, it seemed clear that the bottom of the Roma had been very seriously damaged. The decks Of the vessel were just submerged at full tide, and there was a rise and fall of 4ft in the times. The people ashore reported that there had not been any bed weather since the ship was beached on November 19. If southerly weather comes up, the wreck is certain to suffer worse damage. Messrs Blair and Walker have now returned to Wellington, and are to submit their report to the owners of the Rama. Barth Electrical Supplies Ltd., 61 Princes street, Dunedin, the handiest shop in town for everything electrical. Repairs a specialty; jobbing and contracting promptly executed.—Advt. Mail that gift order to Williamsons, The Jewellers, Princes street. You get prompt attention and better value.—Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Australasia,- corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859. Advt Christmas Jewellery. Compare our values. Choice selection diamond rings, watches, brooches, bracelets, pendants, and silverware.—Peter Dick, Jewellers, etc., 490 Moray place.—Advt.