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Otago Daily Times, Issue 19800, 27 May 1926, Page 8

New Zealand mails which were despatched from Wellington by the Tahiti on April 27 for the United Kingdom, vis San Francisco, arrived in London on May 25.

The weather has been very fine lately (reports our Middletnarch correspondent), and practically no frosts have been experienced. Farmers are busy ploughing, and are keeping other work well advanced, and chaffcntting is proceeding steadily. Stock continues to do well as there is still a little growth. Yesterday’s sale at Burnside was one of the dearest for many months. The yardings were small in view of the fact that it was a double market. The previous week’s offering was much larger. About 3200 fat sheep were penned. The general quality was good, useful weights, and a number of big show sheep and well-clad Central Otago fine-wools keeping the average well up. A good opening demand improved as the sale progressed, ewes only showing an easement towards the close. The rise in values was from 2s to 3s per head on wethers and ewes respectively. Show wethers made 50s to 645, prime butchers 39s 9d to 42s 9d, medium 55s to 3Ss, light 27s Bd to 325. }<xtra prime heavy ewes made 32s 3d te 34s od, medium 25e to 28s 9d, light, I2s 9d to 16s 9d. Prime wether mutton was worth 6£d per lb, extra 6d, prime ewes Sid, light ewes 4jd to sd. Among the 700 lambs penned were some medium quality animals and a good few poorer, unfinished sorts. The demand was encouragingly keen, show lambs making 38s to 40s; prime butchers' sorts 34s to 35s 6d; prime 27s to 28s, unfinished 20s to 235. The price per lb was Bid to lOd per lb. The fat cattle yarding of 288 head was a good selection, and contained some fair heavy sorts, a bunch of medium steers, with prime cows and poorer sorts. Prices all round showed an advance of a good 20s. Extra heavy bullocks made from £l6 to £l9; lighter, £l2 10s to £ls 2s 6d; extra prime heifers, £lO 10s to £l2 5s ; medium heifers, £7 15s to £3 ss; heaw cows, £lO 10s to £l2 10s; lighter cows. £7 10s to £9 Ss. Beef was selling at 45s per 1001 b for extra prime ox, 47s 6d for light, 41s for prime heavy, and 30s to 35s for cows and light heifers. A lees interesting offer of store cattle were in fair demand. The pens contained a good few cows and heifers with some fair young steers. There was an improvement in the demand for cows. One and a-half year steora made up to £5; two and a-half, to £7; three year olds, to £3 17s 6d. There were 145 fat pies and 55 slips, and prices were not dissimilar to those of a week ago. In some places an advance was noticed, but in others values fell

Dissatisfaction was expressed by members of the Waikouaiti County Council yesterday at the present system of distributing the heavy traffic license fees. The general opinion .was that these fees could only be equally and properly distributed when they were collected and allocated by the Main Highways Board. “At the present time,” said one councillor, “the cities are getting £9 for every £1 the counties are getting.”

The crash of breaking' glass at the racecourse on Saturday (says the Wanganui Chroncle) alarmed the crowd gathered on the concrete steps beneath the main stand, and there was a scatter as splintered fragments began to drop from above. The trouble originated when a man standing beside the glassed-in end.of the upper tier poked his elbow through a pane. Small pieces of glass fell first and then there was a general warning, "Look out!” when another slice slid down. Most of the crowd were now out of range, but s lady was hit on the back by the falling glass. No one was hurt, but the authorities would be wise to guard against future contingencies by nailing wire netting across the lower panes of the big glass frames in the top stand.

Ponsonby road presented a weird appearance on Saturday- (says the New Zealand Herald), when every conceivable form of receptacle was placed on the edge of the footpaths to catch the rainwater as it fell from verandahs. Water had become valuable overnight (owing to the interruption of the water supply), and bath tubs, “billies,’’ buckets, and wash-baeins skirted the road. Householders kept a strict watch on their . receptacles, which were emptied as soon as they contained enough water for use. One motorist who drew up alongside a plentiful supply in a large tub made a request that he should be allowed to use it to fill his radiator, but met with a coo! reception. He was curtly informed that such luxuries as motor cars were not to be considered in the light of the household emergencies which had so unexpectedly developed.

When two opossums climbed up one of the Southland Electric Power Board's poles at Pukerau, between 11.30 p.m. and midnight on Sunday, they probably did not anticipate what was in store for them (remarks the Southland Times). After climbing the poles they apparently set out to satisfy they acrobatic propensities by climbing along the wires. The results were astonishing. As the opossums came into contact with each other a circuit was formed, and they were given their first and also their last practical demonstration of the powers of electricity. As they received the shock the opossums gave a wild squeal which roused some of the residents. On looking out these were surprised to see showers of sparks coming from the wire* and were at a loss to understand what wsa happening. As a result of the opossums’ excursion a fuse at the sub-station at Gore was blown out and the epower between Gore and Pukerau had to be cut off while repairs were effected.

Just over 100,326 cases of apples were exported from Hawke's Bay during the season just closed, and this represents an increase of 500 per cent, on last year’s export figures (says the Tribune). With so much extra labour involved in the preparation of fruit for export and a particularly heavy yield, fruit companies and growers have had an exceedingly busy time. Half the quantity of fruit for export has been packed by the individual orchardists in the orchard packing sheds. This has been a new experience for many, and without the instruction and unsparing effort on the part of the orchard instructor (Mr Adamson) the work would not have been possible. The departmental officers have had an active and an anxious time for the past four months, but Mr Adamson at least doea not intend to take a holiday now the season is over, for he is reported as saying, “We are going to start now preparing for next season. There are plenty of neglected orchards I wish to see cleaned up before the spring, so that our efforts in controlling disease and growing clean fruit for export next season may be more effective.”

The question of naming the bells of the Grand Carillon is raised in the following letter to the Wellington War Memorial Carillon Society by ex-Sergeant W. G. Wakelin, of the N.Z.E.F. (Wellington):— “I write as a member of a family of five Wellington boys, whose aggregate oversea* active service exceeds 20 years, the eldest being one of those to whom it is desired to erect a fitting monument. We as returned soldiers want you. to know that your object appeals most strongly to us, and that we appreciate your effort*. May I be permitted to offer a hint for the naming of one of the bells; my deceased brother’s Christian name suggests it. We often affectionately refer to him • as ‘Old Bill.’ Almost everyone who went to the war became an Old Bill, even though they did not realise it. ‘Big Ben’ has become quite an institution. Why not an ‘Old Bill' subscribed for by surviving ‘Old Bills.’ ‘Old Bill’ won the war. It » possible that some such definite idea mild gain the sympathy and support of a large number of old Diggers disfranchised a* regards the form cf memorial by a resolution of members of an association, whose expression of opinion has been arbitrarily and erroneously accepted as representing some 20.000 soldier l who went from the Wellington district.”

At Monday night’s meeting of the Christchurch City Council, Cr W. J. Sim asked the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) if he thought it was proper that he should pro side at a public indignation meeting which was being held in connection with the motor omnibus regulations, seeing that the City Council was now the licensing authority for the district (reports the Lyttelton Times). The Mayor replied that in his official capacicty as Mayor of the city he was invited to attend all kinds of functions, in many of which he had no personal interest at all. He had never refused an invitation of that kind, and ho did not feel justified in refusing the invitation in the present case. He had pointed out to those calling the meeting that he would not take part in it in the way of expressing any opinions, but would simply act in the capacity of chairman.

A valuable addition has been made to the New Zealand collection at Canterbury Museum. Through the efforts of Mr D. Reese, Christchurch, the Dominion Saw millers’ Association has presented the whole cf the exhibit of specimens of New Zealand milling timbers at the New' Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition With specimens already in the museum, the display of New Zealand timbers there ■will be one of the most complete in the world. All the important milling timbers of the North Island and the South Island are in the new collection, including a magnificent slab of kauri three inches thick, six feet broad, and 12 feet long. The timbers must be seasoned before they are placed in the museum, and they will not be exhibited there at present.

Tile growing popularity of W aitomo Cavos as a tourist attraction is shown by the fact that the surplus revenue over expenditure lias riser from £229 in 1910 to £34OC in 1925 (states the New Zealand Herald). The number of visitors was 8163. One very decided drawback as far is tourists are concerned is the paucity of hostel accommodation, which results in the majority having to curtail their stay to an extent which frequently causes much disappointment inasmuch as it is only at slack times, which are now very rare, that accommodation can be booked for more than a single day. Last year a site for a new hostel was prepared, and it is stated that Cabinet has sanctioned the erection of new buildings, but so far there is no sign of when the work will be proceeded with. Present facilities are so hopelessly inadequate that there is danger of many people cutting out altogether their projected visits to the caves on account of the Inconvenience which present conditions entail.

On Friday last the Relief Committee of the Auckland Hospital Board sat for five hours to continue the work of the previous day (reports the Star). Never in the history of the committee has there been such a rush of work. The Chairman said that if it continued the staff in the office and the inspectors would have to he nearly doubled. The members of the committee never left their seats till they were finished, a cup of tea being provided by the office girls at 10 o’clock. The committee dealt with some extreme cases of hardship, and the lady visitor was sent out early in the day to investigate some of the worst cases. Homes of one room were visited, and in one case a family of five were living in a room 10ft by 17ft, and the only method of cooking was in a little 'grate in the fireplace. The beds took up most of the space, and the table, of necessity, was of the smallest dimensions. The rent, for .the one room was over £1 per week, but already there were arrears to be made up. Before nightfall, with the aid of other social workers, the committee had been able to say that the family would be moved to more suitable quarters at about the same rent that very night. The committee gave to those who had little children to feed liberal supplies of milk, which, in the aggregate, must have run into many gallons. For very delicate children sugar of milk, lemon water, and glaxo were supplied, and coal was given to those in extreme need. While a great many deserving cases were helped, many applications for relief were declined, and not a few deferred for further investigation. Many single men were again given two meals a day and a bed, the cost of this being 15s per week, but it kept body and soul together.

“Two informations have been laid against theatre proprietors in the city for continuing to sell early door tickets after 7.30 p.m., and the cases will come on in due course,” said Cr C. P. Agar, chairman of the By-laws Committee, at Monday night's meeting cf the Christchurch City Council (says the Lyttelton Times) At a recent meeting ol the council the question was raised whether theatre proprietors were justified in continuing to sell early door tickets after 7.30 p.m. At the meeting the By-laws Committee, to whom the question was referred, reported that section 605 of Christchurch By-law No. 1 provided that; “It shall be the duty of such lessee to ensure that the building shall throughout be opened to and accessible to the public on payment of ordinary minimum advertised prices for a period of at half an hour immediately preceding every public entertainment.” The chief city inspector had reported to the committee that the doors for the seats at. the minimum charge were always open half pn hour before the commencement of the performance, but he stated that particular care would be given to this matter in the future. Cr Avar said he thought the renort of the chief inspector was hardly correct. He had had an experience with a theatre the other Saturday night. 'I wo informations had been laid, and the cases would come on in due course. Cr C. L. Carr said that one night three weeks ago patrons were refused late door tickets at the Theatre Royal at 7.50 p.m. The doors might be open as stated by the chief inspector. but that did not mean that the seats were available at the late door rates. The formal ceremony of switching on the electric light at Lovell’s Flat took place on Friday night. The current had been used in the dwellings for a week, but no street lights are so far intended. The Power Board had had the Coronation Hall beautifully decorated and arranged with coloured lights. A switch had been placed on ihe stage, and when Mrs Clark (wife of Mr Jasper Clark, the former chairman of the board) pressed the button the change from dull kerosene (amps to the glowing electric bulbs was most striking. Mr John Miller represented the board at the function, which was a highly successful gathering.

Members of the City Corporation traffic department staff have, during the last few days, been endeavouring to straighten out traffic lines in Customhouse quay, Wellington, where conditions have become thoroughly bad chiefly because drivers pay very little attention to the centre line and the rule of the road (reports the Evening Post). For a full morning two of the inspectors stood at the corner of Johnston street and the quay, and pulled up offsiders, but there were still plenty more of the same class of drivers when they “called it a morning,” and went away to other duties. Traffic along the quay is complicated by the heavy volume of slowmoving horse-drawn traffic, and though a by-law recently adopted by the council requires such traffic to keep to the wings of the road, allowing faster traffic a clear run, the commonsense rule is strictly not observed. Similarly, the slow-traffic-to-the-wings rule is treated with contempt in Adelaide road, and round past the Basin Reserve to the city. Given stout hearts, hus-e appetites for work, and the sensible co-operation of motorists, and also some assistance from adequate street marking, the inspectors may in due time bring order into the present disorderly traffic conditions. and of these the sensible co-opera-tion of driver* is the most important.

“Now that the evenings are drawing in I hjve been noticing the numbers on motor vehicles, particularly in view the many accidents lately (writes “Nava! Officer” to the Wellington Post). “The tail lamp is supposed to illuminate the rear number-plate, but in the majority of cases it is difficult tr> spot the number at eight or 10 yards, even in the main streets •with bright street and other lights to help. “When an accident happens and the driver takes a chance, and goes on, the police rely on someone who may have seen the accident being able ro take the number of the car, but the onlooker has a mighty poor chance of petting it. I even see some cars with the number fastened on with two leather straps and about three inches of loose strap hanging over two of the five figures. The Automobile Society' might look into this matter, and the police should, in their own interests, insist on all cars, etc., having numbers reasonably distinct.”

It is reported (says our London correspondent, writing on April 16) that the genuine MS. of Oscar Wilde’s Salome has at last come to light in the library of the late French writer, Pierre Louys. It is written in two copybooks, i:i a neat, clear hand, with a number of small corrections. Some of these are merely orthographic and grammatical, and are obviously not in Wilde’s handwriting. They may be ascribed to one or more of the French literary friends who revised his text before it was printed. There are many variants with the editions, the proof sheets have been altered in several places while the book was passing through the press. The manuscript will be sold in the middle of May, with other autographs from the Pierre Louys library. “I hope the public does not expect too much from the Junior High Schools,” remarked Mr J. Stewart, principal of the Marlborough College, at a meeting of the College Board of Governors last week (reports the Express). “I don’t say that the claims that have been 'made for it are extravagant, but I do say th I think the department has held out hopes that to a certain extent will not be realised. The system will not solve all our education difficulties, because it is not the last thing in education, and e\en the main planks are not so sound as they se n.” The great feature of the system, he said, was that the school was supposed to be a tryingout school, the teachers noting the tastes, inclinations, and abilities cf the pupils, after which they recommended the walk in life in which thev would prove most suitable. However, they could not always do that. “When Napoleon was going through tchool.” he said, “his teachers reported that he would no doubt make an e.xcellent naval officer. It was a military school, and the report was no doubt a condemnation of Napoleon as a soldier. This shows that teachers are not always right.”

The word “no” was omitted from the report of remarks by Mr Whitelaw at the annual meeting of the Acclimatisation Society. The purport of his statement was that there will be no more fishing allowed in dams in the vicinity of the city. The first meeting for the current year of the Modern Association will be field in the Lower Oliver classroom of the University at 8 o'clock this evening, when the sub joct to be taken is “The Novels and Plays of Sir J. M. Barrie." Mrs Ramsay and Miss M‘Leod will introduce the subject, and there will be readings by Miss Campbell. Mi ss Duff, Miss Smith and Mr Dreaver. The syllabus for 1926 is an interesting ohe. and includes the works of John Masefield and studies of recent translations of the Bible. New arrivals, we welcome von to God’s Own Country, the home of “ No-Rubbing Laundry Help.’’ Is packet does 7 washings perfectly —Advt. Electric Radiators; Winter is here. An electric radiator means comfort. Best assortment in town at Barth Electric Supplies _ (Ltd.). 61 Princes street. Specialists in wireless accessories. Advt. Chilblains.—Men-tol gives instant relief from the irritation of chilblains. Only Is per. box; by post. Is Id. It cures! Sold only by H. L. Sprosen (Ltd.), chemist. Octagon, Dunedin.—Advt. Make a practice of singing “Home. Sweet. Home” while “No-Rubbing Laundry Help” is doing the weekly washing.—Advt.

Eyes are precious At first sign of weakness go to the qualified and experienced (20 rears) optometrist, W V’ Stunner, D. 5.0.1., G A.0.C., Octagon. Dunedin. Most up-to-date equipment, including t°st electrically-lit testing charts installed. — Advt. A. E J Blakeley and W E Bagley, dentists. Rank of Australasia, corner of Rond and Rattray streets (nest Telegraph Officel Telephone ISOO —Advt.

Make no mistake. For honest value in jewellery, watches, and optical goods. ‘‘Pete. Dick.” the most reliable watchmakers, jewellers, and optometrists. 490 Moray place (non. Citv Hotel).—Advt.