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Otago Daily Times, Issue 20310, 19 January 1928, Page 8

The postal authorities advise that the steamer Waikouaiti, which is due at Bluff to-morrow night from Sydney, is bringing six bags and one hamper containing Australian mail matter for Dunedin. The mail is expected to come to hand on Saturday.

The teachers’ Summer School is progressing most satisfactorily {says a Press Association telegram from Nelson). In addition to valuable addresses by experts in the respective subjects the teachers are enjoying a round of sporting and sightseeing activities under ideal weather conditions. All express themselves as impressed with the value of the instruction afforded by the school, and are delighted with the excellent local organisation for their general welfare.

Messrs Mlntosh, Simpson and Wright, all of Wellington, who were tramping trom Mount Hector to Mount Holdsworth, have returned safely after seven days’ absence (says a. Press Association telegram trom Wellington). They had expected to be out only four days.

Sheep "and pigs were easier at Burnside yesterday, and cattle and fat lambs showed very little change, values for the most part being firm at late rates. The fat cattle yarding numbered 280 head of medium quality bullocks, cows and heifers, including one or two extra prime consignments from the south. Prices for most classes of stock remained steady. Good prime bullocks made up to £l7 iOs, prime from £l4 to £ls 10s. Best cows were worth £9 15s, and good heifers sold easily at £9 ss. Extra prime ox beef made from 37s 6d to 40s per ICOlb, prime medium weight 355, prime heifers 35s and cows and light heifers 22s 6d to 27s 6d. About 270 head of mixed quality store cattle met with a keen sale One or two special lots of four-year old and three-yearold station bullocks from the Lake County sold exceptionally well. There was also a good sprinkling of good quality cows. Ordinary stuff was easier. Nearly 2000 fat sheep were penned, the quality being considerably better than that of last week. The supply was in excess of the demand, and as a result heavy classes in particular, receded by from 2s 6d to 3s per head. Competition among freezing buyers kept ewe values up to late rates, and all light stuff sold well. Extra prime wether mutton made 5,d per lb, prime ewes 4£d, aged ewes 4d. The lamb entry was small, but the demand was brisk. Exporters were buying freely, and kept the price up to about 9id. The pig entry numbered 300, of which 220 were fats and 800 stores. Prices showed a general decline of about 5s per head.

The country is very dry at present, as the result of the drought (reports our special correspondent in Wanganui), and for two days an extensive patch of lupines was ablaze in the vicinity of the Belmoiit golf links. The fire started on Monday, but on Tuesday the flames were tanned by a strong breeze, and quickly spread, a large volume of smoke being visible from the city and district. The City Fire Brigade was called out, but was handicapped by a low pressure of water. A number of willing workers set to and beat down the fire, their efforts Lasting well into the night. A trench was dug to prevent the firo from spreading.

Addressing the teachers’ Summer School Dr R. J. Tillyard, chief biologist at the Cawthron Institute, said that the prickly pear in Australia was in process of destruction (states a Press Association telefrom Nelson). He was confident that within 20 years the prickly pear would be a curiosity. Similar success, he hoped, would be met with in the fight against New Zealand’s noxious weeds, especially the blackberry. “ I can see my way through, and, barring accidents, I believe that within 20 years’ time wo shall be in control of the blackberry.” At the monthly meeting of the local centre of the Royal Life-Saving Society last night, advice was received from the secretary of the Wellington centre, that his centre proposed submitting the following remit at the Dominion life-saving conference, to be held at Dunedin next week.— “That in view of the large numbers of drowning accidents during the past season, and particularly those where lives were lost through the would-be rescuer having no practical knowledge of the methods of saving life, swimming and life-saving be made an optional subject for the school teachers’ certificate, and that the Dominion Council bring the matter before the Minister of Education.” Up to December 31, the total number of registered motor vehicles in New Zealand was 171,255. The particulars (reports our special correspondence in Wellington) are as follow:—North Island—cars, 69,310, commercial vehicles 17,262, cycles 19,778; total, 106,350. South Island—cars 42,531, commercial vehicles 7789, cycles 14,815; total, 64,935. Since January 1 there has been probably another 1000 added to the list. Thirty years ago numerous large mobs of wild horses used to roam the Murimotu plain, on the east side of the Tonganro National Park, and the great Kaiangaroa plain, between Taupo and Galatea, was the home of thousands of them. Great sport and a good deal of profit used to be made by bold hunters, who gathered together for an organised drive on horseback, and the best of the catch found ready buyers in the more settled districts, and also in Canterbury. A late visitor to the plains states that as far as he could see the wild horse is a thing of the past on the Munmoto Plain, there being about a dozen in sight at the back of Mount Tauhora. The State Forest Department, which has great plantations in the Rotorua and Taupo districts, waged ceaseless war on these wild animals, as the horses had a great liking for feeding on young trees.

I " One of the difficulties of the Presbyterian system is that congregations are ministered to by one man, year in and year out," said the Rev. Hector Maclean, when speaking at the valedictory social tendered in his honour last evening by the members 1 of St. Andrew's Church. He added that in. his opinion one man, however clever ho oe, could not possibly satisfy everyone. It was not right that he should minister to the same people indefinitely. There should be more frequent opportunities for | them to hear others, and thus every need would be filled.

Bush fires are getting dangerous near Ractihi owing to the heavy winds (says a 1 Press Association telegram). Around Ohakune there are several fires, but they are driving past the town. Raetihi will be in considerable danger if the wind continues.

Described as being well known in Auckland business circles (says our special correpondent) a young married man, whose name was suppressed, appeared in the police court yesterday charged with stealing, £53. In asking for a remand till to-morrow Chief Detective Hammond said there were other charges pending. The police would allege that the accused, who was in business m uie city, had robbed his partner, and the defalcations totalled about £3150. The accused, who had lived in Auckland all his life was a married man, and had his wife and home there, added the chief detective. He was a half shareholder in a company with another man. The accused was remanded on bail to appear to-day. In the meantime tho magistrate agreed to suppress his name. The peril of unprotected railway crossings was discussed by members of the council of the Auckland Automobile Association last night (reports our special correspondent in Auckland) when support for the request for a test of the new signalling device was sought by the Wanganui Association. It was stated that a Wanganui resident had invented a signal operating on the windmill principle, and it was to bo installed on three level crossings. Tho signal consisted of crossed arms with red lights at each extremity. Revolving arms are inended to give an effect similar to that produced by a red lamp. They swing in a circle and at the same time grro audible warning from a bell operated by a knocker at each revolution. It was stated that the signal had been described by rail" way officials as “ wonderful, * remarkable,,” “startling” and “splendid.” The council decided to ask the Railways Board to consider suggestions from the Automobile Association before erecting warning devices or selecting crossings for improvements.

The forty-seventh annual show of the Waihemo A. and P. Society wih be heß at Palmerston to-morrow. Good entries have been received. Attention is diwa to special prizes just offered for pony mares or geldings, and also for pony trots. Next month a start will be made with the erection of Wellington’s handsome new show and exhibition building, and it is expected to be ready to house there the 1923 Winter Show. A small portion of the 8 per cent, debenture issue is still available to the public, and those who wish to benefit by thia investment should apply Pr< Best' J Electrical Service in town—Barth Electrical Supplies Co., Ltd., 90 Princes street for all kinds electric supplies and fittings, also proprietors Wilkies Fishing Tackle. —Advt. -Are you ruptured? Does your truss fit accurately and comfortably, as it should. If not, consult us. We are the lead.ng truss experts of the town. Trusses_ of every description stocked and fitted. M. L. Sprosen, Ltd., chemists, George street, Dunedin. —Advt. . For anything -electrical consult the Stewart Electrical C0.,'171 Rattray street. Installations at kwest prices. Large assortment of up-to-date fixtures. Cut crystal chandeliers a specialty. —Advt. Arthur Malcolm, Rheumatic Expert* is retiring shortly. Read new advertisement on another page of this issue. Advt. Many years' experience, plus the most up-to-date equipment optometry ca suggest, entitles W. V. Sturmer. G.A.0.C., D. 5.0.1., Octagon, Dunedin, to guarantee complete satisfaction in all eye troubles. Advt.

E J. Blakeley and W. E. Bagley. dentists, 8.. k of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Letearaph Office) Telephone 12-359.—Advt. - For Diamond Engagement Rings, Reliable Watches, and Optical Service, Peter Dick, the most reliable Watchmakers, Jewellers, and Opticians, 490 Moray place (opposite City Hotel). Advt.