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Otago Daily Times, Issue 20005, 24 January 1927, Page 6

The Consular Corps, which was formed in Dunedin -last, year, forwarded congratulations to the King and Queen of the Belgians on the occasion of the marriage of the Crown Prince Leopold, of Belgium, to Princess Astrid, of Sweden. Through the Consul-general for Belgium in Sweden, an acknowledgment of these congratulations has been received from M. Vandervelde, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, who writes: —“I have not failed to bring under (he notice of the King and Queen the telegram which on the occasion of the marriage of his Royal Highness Prince Leopold, you addressed on behalf of Mr Denniston. Consul for Belgium in Dunedin and doyen of the Consular Corps of that city. Their Majesties, who were greatly touched by this tribute, have directed me to he good enough to express their keen gratitude to Mr Denniston.” Twenty-one bankruptcies were notified in last week’s issue of the Now Zealand Gazette, 17 of them being in the North Island.

j We understand that a somewhat peculiar 1 state of matters exists in connection wita 1 the affairs of a company which was proi moled some two years ago in Gore for the I establishment of a woollen mill in that ! town. It seems that the amount nominally subscribed fell considerably short of the j minimum deemed requisite by the pro- | motors before starting operations, and as a, result matters have been hung up in the interval to allow of a further canvass for a larger share subscription. This endeavour havimr been only partially successfid. some of the directors, influenced also by the general trend of trade matters in the two years’ interval, have decided that the only prudent course is for the concern to go forthwith into voluntary liquidation as securing for the shareholders the greatest available immunity from actual loss. The directors, however, who have come to this conclusion are in a numerical' minority on the board: .'ind the oresent condition is that this section of the directorate appears to have derived from certain happenings the opinion that local interests! rather than commercial conditions, are prevailing in the direction of maintaining the existence of what they have come to regard as a distinctly dubious concern. Whether this is really so or not will be for the shareholders to determine at the approaching annual meeting; but in the meantime the serious conflict of opinions prevailing on the board of directors can hardly be regarded with indifference bv those concerned. It is even said that one of the “liquidation 1 directors holds such pronounced convictions that he has offered his whole block of shares to bis “continuance” colleagues at, a most substantial discount—with, so far, indefinite results. The only case brought before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., at the City Police Court on Saturday morning was one in which a man was charged with drunkenness. He had received some slight injury, apd was sent to the Hospital, the magistrate remarking that the charge might be withdrawn. If the police wished to bring the man up again they could do so The 14th Battery returned from camp at Matarae on Saturday evening. The 12th Field Battery, under the command of Major •T. G. Jeffery, left for camp at Matarae by special irain early in the afternoon. Burglars are still active in the suburbs of Christchurch, a resident of Richmond reporting (says our special correspondent) the latest theft, amounting to a sura of £5 in money which had been kept in a number of small tins. The necessity for obtaining a license to erect a wireless set was emphasised in the Children’s Court in Auckland on Saturday (reports our special correspondent), when a boy, aged 15, was charged with erecting a set at his home without a license. The offence was admitted. It was stated that the boy had made a set for himself at a cost of 7s fd, and, in view of his limited knowledge, the wireless plant was very crude. In order to “earth” the set he had carried a large tin of earth to an upstairs room of his home and placed the wire in it. In view of the fact that the boy is shortly leaving Auckland to go to a boarding school the magistrate dismissed the case on payment of costs. The pictorial front page in the illus trated section of the Otago Witness, to be published to-merrow, contains two pleasing views—“A Picture in Bonnie Southland' On the Arawia River” and “In the Botanic Gardens: The Japanese Cherry Walk.” Another page of striking interest is entitled Tn Picturesque Surroundings: Y.M.C.A. Camp at Whare Flat, Dunedin.” Three photographs of Skippers Road, the gold escort in the early days of Otago, Waikouaiti Show, and the numerous topical and miscellaneous subjects illustrated constitute a most entertaining collection. After observing the methods V>f oil storage in America, Mr F. E. Jones, managing director of W 7. H. Simms and Co. (Ltd.), who has Just returned to Christchurch after a trip to the United States, considers the obections to oil storage tanks in Christchurch are absurd (states the Lyttelton Times). “In America I have seen clusters of them, often numbering up to 50,” lib toKI a reporter, “and one sees them wherever there is a town. All the tanks are above ground on stands, not underground, a- it is considered that the fire risk is slight when the tanks are so placed. The tanks have a fire-fighting plant at hand, which pumps foamite into the burning oil. This foamite is an acid, and an alkali mixture, which, when united, effervesces and foams. While I was over in the States I saw an oil-tanker afire in San Pedro Harbour, and the flames were extinguished in half an hour by foamite.” In connection with the supply of fat lambs in South Otago this season it is noticeable that lambs in the Owaka district have “ripened" by at least two-or three weeks ahead of similar stock from other ' parts of the district. In fact, the bulk of the lambs for the freezing works at Finegand so far this season have been from the bush district, and the killing returns have been excellent, and should pay the producer even at the reduced, rate of per ih. One line from a well-known Owaka sheep farmer averaged 421 b, a nice freezing weight. South Otago freezing works commenced killing operations on Thursday with a small board of eight butchers’. There was a fairly plentiful supply of stock, and it is confidently expected that the works will have a good season. , There was an unusually lengthy sitting of the Port Chalmers Court on Friday, but it would have been much longer had 1 the magistrate not ruled that when several persons were charged with a similar offence arising out of one set of circumstances, the charges must be taken together. That avoided wearisome repetition of evidence The principal case was in connection with “first footing” at an hotel, and the licensee was fined a total of £lO 4s. Fat lambs at Balclutha sale on Friday realised up to 22s 6d, but none of the pens was really prime, and most would have been better for a finishing course on rape. The sale on the whole was somewhat dull. Store sheep and cattle, however, were in better demand, showing that there is plenty of u feed in the district. Indeed, in some parts, owing to the excessive rainfall, the grass is more luxuriant than has been the case for years. The only “fly in the ointment” is that it is’ somewhat rank, and therefore not nourishing. Two young ladies, one of whom was a visitor from Christchurch, had an unpleasant experience at Little River last week (reports the Lyttelton Times). They were walking over a paddock when a Jersey bull caught sight of them, and immediately gave chase. They sprinted to a tree and climbed it, the bull, which was hard behind them, pawing up the earth in its rage at being baffled. After a while the animal, evidently growing tired of waiting, disappeared, and the ladies descended from their uncomfortable perch. The bull was not yet done with, however, and suddenly reappeared again, and chased them. Fortunately the paddock was situated on a slope, and when the infuriated animal charged them they were able to dodge him successful - several times. In that manner they eventually got out of the danger zone without a scratch. It is understood that the bull was subsequently killed. Judging by the number of remits received, motor legislation will prove a live topic of discussion at the approaching conference of the Municipal Association of Mew Zealand at Palmerston North (states the Dominion). The Nelson and Hawera Councils complain of the long delay in issuing the motor regulations, and urge that the Government be requested to issue them to the local authorities forthwith. Concerning motor buses outside scheduled districts, the Invercargill Council suggests that the buses be required to comply with the provisions of the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act, 1926, in regard to the inspection of vehicles, insurance, and notification of accidents. In the opinion of the Palmerston North Council, local bodies should be empowered to frame a by-law prescribing a special license fee in respect of motor vehicles domiciled outside the borough, and which ply for hire within the borough on special occasions only, such as race lays. etc. During a greater portion of the year, it is pointed out, the Palmerston North taxi drivers find business exceedingly bad, and when the opportunity arises enabling them to recoup themselves for bad times, outsiders obtain a license, and compete against them, the result considerably affecting the local proprietors’ means of livelihood.

Fifty-two years ago Mr T. W. MTLenzie, one of Wellington's old identities, brought cut the first issue of the New Zealand Times, in which were merged the Wellington Independent, of which Mr M’Kenzie was proprietor. The literary staff (reports our special correspondent) made a presentation to Mr (J- A- Marris, editor for the post two years, and previously associate editor of the Christchurch Sun, paying a tribute to his journalistic ability and making reference to the personal friendship which they felt for him. Mr Marris has taken a keen interest in the staff and his enthusiasm inspired the staff to renewed efforts after he took charge. The paper, which has had a chequered career, had been run for tears with few men, and regret was expressed that the advent of a man of such considerable ability came too late to stave off the inevitable end. So far as can be ascertained there is no system of banking in the public schools of Christchurch such as is in force in Auckland and Dunedin (remarks the Christchurch Press). The Auckland Savings Bank has in operation a system with 332 accounts in 50 schools, representing deposits of ££66o up to November 30. Christchurch does not possess such a savings bank for school children. It was ascertained the other day that years ago there was a banking system in the Canterbury schools. The system was controlled by, the head masters and the money was placed in a bank. The practice has ceased in later years. The Education Board really has no powers in the matter, which rests entirely with head masters and school committees. It is recognised that any child, can secure a home savings bank from the'pest office. It is understood that the question will be brought before the Finance Committee of the Education Board, when it will be fully discussed. Auckland water is apparently not in very high favour in Newmarket at present (reports the Star). The report of the borough turncock, presented to the Newmarket Borough Council last week, showed that there was a decrease of 1.394,000 gallons in the water consumption of the borough in December, 1926, as compared with the same month of the previous year. “What is the reason for the decrease?” asked a member. “Nobody drinks the water,” was the promptresponse. ‘People don’t drink it nowadays. They use it for top-dressing.” Yet another slight was cast upon the water supply by the turncock’s report, which stated that, owing to the amount of deposit caused by silt in dead-ends and low circuits, it had been found necessary to flush out the mains in the various streets and this matter would probably require a good deal of attention, as discolouration end silt had bean found in some of the newlylaid mains. On Sunday evening of last week, between 7 and 8 o’clock, great rays resembling the boreal flights were seen at sunset from Sumner, Christchurch, and New Brighton (reports the Lyttelton Times). The following explanation of the phenomenon has been given by the Rev. B. Dudley, F. of Lyttelton:—l have been asked to explain the phenomenon seen from Christchurch last Sunday evening. From the description given of what I did not myself see, I conclude that what was then witnessed was an unusually fine example of what are called “crepuscular rays.” The words means resembling of pertaining to, twilight, a faint glimmering, and refers to something that is but imperfectly clear. Astronomically taken, the term is defined as the rays of sunlight which find their way through gaps in the clouds. and project temselves in bright Streams, forming an arc or curve across the heavens. They are sometimes seen when the sun is nearing the western horizon and detached clouds are gathered around the solar disc. Very rarely, they are also seen in the early morning before sunrise.” When Royalty motors along the shorts of Taupo Moana next month, it, or they, will have plenty of opportunity to study the exceeding fondness of the dear old English broom and blackberry for our pumice lands (says the Auckland Star). Taupo township to-day is more of a ragged weedy wilderness than it was a century ago. The old hands say that the original vegetation of the Taupo plains was chiefly the native “wi” grass, and that it was possibit to ride anywhere over the countrj between Rotorua and Taupo. But aftei the Government troops chased Te Kooti around those parts and established mili tary posts, the plains became overgrowi with all sorts of scrub, gradually fonnini almost impenetrable thickets over great areas' of pumice land. Taupo’s broom patch variegated with blackberry, and backed by the tali manuka, threatens to overrun the township. The marvel is that some careless cigarette smoker in the scores of motor cars that pass through the place daily doesn't start a fire that will wipe the pakeha settlement off the map. A« for lazy, swampy old Tokaanu. it specialises in blackberry, with gorse as a sideline. There are the makings of a wonderfu spa, or whatever you call those hot shops of sizzle and steam, at Takaanu, but at present it looks as if the gorse and blackberry forests are going to choke the ,“puias” out of existence. Add to all these exotio vegetables an edging of selvedge of chuckedout benzine tins thousands of them, and you’ll know what Royalty is going to see most of at Taupo and Tokaanu next month. An interesting case involving the question of a husband’s liability for his wife’* debts was heard in the Invercargill Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (states the Southland Times), when Matheson’s. Ltd., (Mr G. Broughton) proceeded against Norman Wesley Varcoe (Mr B. W. Hewat. for £lO 8s 7d. Evidence was given to the effect that owing to a disagreement between the defendant and his wife the former went away, leaving Mrs Varcoe in possession of the house. Both parties had been seeing each other frequently while arranging for a separation. Mr Broughton maintained .that the defendant was liable for the -debt as no notice had been given that he was separated from his wife, The Magistrate (Mr G. Cruickshank) said tha: in his opinion the plaintiff company must fail, as the case went against it in all de tails. Matheson’s (Ltd.) knew nothin! about the woman, and took the risk of supplying her with goods. It might have turned out all right for them, and bn the other hand it might not. Th« case was not a normal one, however, and Matheson’s did not know that the wife was separated from the husband. Judgment was given for the defendant, who also agreed to waive his claim for costs against the plaintiff.

Gift buying becomes a pleasure when selecting from such a fine stock as Williamsons, the jewellers, show you.—Advt. Port Chalmers. —J. Watson’s clearing sale, General Frapery. Clothing, Furnishings, Boots and Shoes, now proceeding.— Advt. Eczema, varicose ulcers, and all ekin irritation sucessfully treated by Hoffman’s special remedy. Full particulars from Hoffman’s Pharmacy, 17 Princes street (next Begg’s).—Advt. A. E. J Blakeley and W. E. Bagley, dentists, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office) Telephone 1859. Advt Eyes are precious. At first sign of weakness gc to the qualified and experienced (20 years ) optometrist, W. V Sturmer, D. 5.0.1., G.A.0.C., Octagon, Dunedin. Most up-to-date equipment, including test electrically-lit testing charts installed. —Advt. * Make no mistake. For honest value in jewellery, watches, and optical goods, “Peter Dick,” the most reliable watchmakers, jewellers, and optometrists, 490 Moray place (opp. City Hotel). —Advt.