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Otago Daily Times, Issue 20338, 21 February 1928, Page 8

Seventeen bankruptcies were notified : n the latest issue of the New Zealand Gazette. Twelve of the number were in the North Island. One of Dunedin’s leading photographers, whoso nephews are attending Redcastie College, arranged with his brother, a wellknown Christchurch musician, and the father of the boys, to take some family groups in Oamaru. The parties agreed to meet at the Queen’s Hotel some time during the day, the Christchurch party to leave at 4 a.m. and the Dunedin party at 8 a.m. However, unknown to each other, the Christchurch party left at 2 a.ra, and the Dunedhi car at 9 a.m. The former broke the journey at Timaru, whilst the latter had delays owing to oil-escapes. Ihe Christchurch travellers did not know where the hotel in Oamaru was situated, but strangely enough arrived there exactly tile same time (12.35 p.m.) as the Dunedin contingent was disembarking. Between 9.20 p.m. on Sunday evening and 9 a.m. on Monday morning a motor car. the property of Mr S. Overend, of the firm of Messrs Hulston and Overend, was stolen from it? garage at 144 Chester street Christchurch (says our special correspondent). Mr Ovcrend had been spending the day at Stewart's Gully, and he had returned the car, a semi-saloon model, to its garage at about 9.30 p.m. When he went for it at 9 a.m. yesterday morning the garage was open and the car was gone. The garage has double doors at either end, and the back door ß were habitually loft on the latch. The thieves evidently knew the run of the place, and entering the back door they had, unlocked the front doors and driven away. Last week there appeared in the columns of the Daily Times a letter from a correspondent, charging the officials of the Otago Motor Club with inaction regarding the din caused by motor cyclists who made a habit of disturbing Dunedin residents on Sundays. When the matter "was referred to Mr A. E. Anscll, president of the club, ho drew attention to the official report of the half-yearly meeting of the South Island Motor Union, held in Christchurch cn March 25 of last year. An extract from this report is as follows: —“Prohibition of cut-outs of motor cycles—Mr A. E. Anseil said that numerous complaints were being received in regard to the noise made by motor cyclists using cut-outs and open exhausts. Attempts had been made to enfoce the law as a means of abating the nuisance, but with very little result, and ho thought that the only effective way of dealing with ' the nuisance was to prohibit the possession of a cut-out. He moved—- ’ That the Government be urged to make provision in the regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act for prohibition of the possession of a cut-out or open cxhau-l on motor vehicles.’ This was seconded by Mr J. Palliscr and carried, after discussion.” “ Bread cast upon the waters, returneth after many days,” but it is doubtful whether the too often indirect manner of its return is always recognised. Feminine visitors to Dunedin from the United States however, have been given ample cause to congratulate themselves upon the hospitality shown by Americans to one stranger within their g-ates—a Dunedin man. Having only recently returned front an extended tour of the States this traveller still has delightfully vivid recollections of American kindness. Ho has also a beautiful garden from which some of the choicest roses in Otago are clipped, and whenever the hotel guest-lists include the names of American women, the visitors are surprised and delighted to receive a bunch of perfect blooms from that garden. Total strangers are thus rewarded for the friendly hand outstretched months ago to a traveller far from homo. The mooting of the Tramway Appeal Board, in Wellington, which • was to have taken place at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, has been adjourned till 10 a.m. on March 5 (says our special corre spondent). The last tramway appeal heard was on January 26, 1923, so that it is just over five years since the previous sitting of the board. The only case sot down for hearing is that of Clifford Lorrie Hunter (tram conductor) who is appealing against his suspension on January 13 last for a period of three days, involving a loss Of wages for that length of time. It is interesting to note that at the monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce held last evening a letter was received from the Western Union Telegraphy Company, New York, to the effect that on the representatives of the Chamber of Commerce through the Bristol Piano Company, the union has issued instructions to discontinue the use of the words, Austra j«UA bh4 Australasian.

In view of the present agitation in regard to the irrigation affairs of Central Otago i considerable interest will • doubtless be taken in a public meeting which will be held in Alexandra on Friday evening. This is being convened by Mr J. R, Marks, ex-Public Works engineer in charge of the Otago district, who intends to discuss fully the policy that is at present being carried out, and the reforms that he considers should be made to bring the various undertakings to successful fruition. Mr Marks stated yesterday that his object in convening the meeting was to enable him to reply to the press and public criticism of Central Otago affairs which of late had been extensive, and which was doing a great deal of damage to the reputation and goodwill of the district. As no one else appeared to be taking up the cudgels on behalf of Central Otago, he had decided to corny forward and deal with the questions in public.

The next sitting of the Supremo Court in Dunedin will be hold on March 5.

The Southland Journalists’ dispute has been fixed for hearing before the Conciliation Council at Invercargill on March 14.

The famous Crow’s Nest geyser at Taupo is a natural phenomenon affected by the continual dry weather (says an exchange). When the neighbouring river—it is one of Nature’s wonders that this huge pool of boiling water lies within syds of tho cold waters of the great Waikato River — is well up, the huge geyser plays often every hour, but gihee the level of the river has fallen through the drought once every live or six hours is the most it will do even by coaxing by soaping.

Under tho will of the late Eliza Reid, of Hunedin, which appoints the Public Trustee executor, a legacy of £2OO is mven to the Churches of Christ Bible College, Dunedin, for the establishment of a scholarship for students of the college (to be known as the “ James Reid Scholarship,”) The Chamber of. Commerce at its monthly meeting last night had a lengthy discussion on the matter of giving more publicity to the tourist resorts of the South Island. The question has been before the chamber from time to time, but it is felt that a forward step should now be taken. With this in view, the chamber intends seeking the co operation of other chambers of commerce and progressive leagues in the South Island. It is felt that the claims of the South Island are subordinated to those of the northj and numerous cases have come under the notice of members where tourists have confined their visits to the Ncrth Island and consider they have

“ dona ” New Zealand. It is admitted that the scenery in the South Island cannot be surpassed in the world, but that the tourist traffic suffers for lack of publicity. The meeting of the committee of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, held yesterday, was presided over by Lady Sim, others present being the Mayor (Mr W. B. Taverner), Dr Seideberg, Mesdames Clark and Foster, Mieg Runciman, the Rev. G. E. Moreton, Mr J. M. Callaway, and the secretary. The business consisted of the secretary’s report, which slated that 60 oases had been dealt with during the month. On Saturday evening a young Dunedin police constable was given a practical demonstration of the fact that ,a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. The time was a few minutes after 6 o’clock, and two men Who had obviously imbibed deeply were causing a disturbance in the Octagon. The constable approached, and after deciding that the case merited a dual arrest, ho tackled the unruly pair. But two struggling people are extremely difficult for even a constable to manage, and in a few moments one man gained his freedom and made off, leaving his companion >n the toils. Unwisely the constable released his captive and gave chase, spurred by the delighted encouragements of onlookers, but his quarry was fleet of foot and escaped. Back the constable hurried to find that the inevitable had happened. The erstwhile captive had seized the golden opportunity, and was nowhere to be seen.

At a special meeting of the council of the Royal Geographical Society in Brisbane lately, the following motion was carried: —“That it is eminently desirable that the Government should take immediate steps to secure control of the Antarctic quadrant, south of Australia, which is now being exploited by foi-eign nations for whale and seal fishing, and thus secure for Australia the wealth of this region to which naturally it has the best right.’’ Dr J Thomson, secretary of the society, said that at present Scandinavians were doing a splendid business in whaling and fishing, and the Germans were casting envious eyes on the territory. He said that the Scandinavians were making Hobart the base of their operations, and fitting out their boats specially to treat the whales °n board, instead of on shore. The society desires that the Commonwealth Government should assqmo control over the quadrant, and regulate fisheries, as was done in Norway. The Norwegians were filling their ships in the Antarctic to the hatches with whale blubber ’ and seals. Seals alone were worth £lO each. Dr Thomson said that the New Zealand Government had control of the Antarctic quadrant south of New Zealand, and when the Scandinavians found they had to pay a royalty to New Zealand they shifted their headquarters from New Zealand to Hobart and confined their activities to the quadrant south of Australia. Not only were Scandinavians exploiting the valuable whale and seal industry, but they were also slaughtering whales with specially constructed instruments that give the whale* no chance whatever to escape. They used fast motor boats, and as soon as a whale was sighted from the mast head they fired on it with an explosive harpoon. Dr Thomson said if Australia did not control the Antarctic quadrant we would have the chagrin of seeing foreign nations controlling it, and it would disappear so far as Australia was concerned. It was resolved to send a copy of the resolution to the Prime Blinister.

Quite an erroneous impression is frequently created by the use of the name “ Riverton Beach ” in describing the 18mile stretch of wide and practically unbroken sandy beach extending from the mouth of the Oreti River below Invercargill to within a few miles of Riverton. In the past this was loosely termed “ the Riverton Beach,” with the result that, in the minds of strangers, it has been invariably associated with the town of Riverton; whereas its finest stretches are in close proximity to Invercargill, and it is a well-known popular resort for Invercargill people. To combat this misleading publicity, Invercargill public bodies have made a special point of naming it the ” Oreti Beach ” —a mucti more suitable title. It was stated yesterday in the columns of the Otago Dai'y Times that the Southland Beach races which are to be hold on March 3 would take place at Riverton. These are to take place on the Oreti Beach. Those responsible for the advertising of the event have unwisely complicated matters by describing the beach by the Maori name of Mate-Awai-Awai, and circulars bearing that name have been distributed in Dunedin.

"New Zealand is a wonderful country, and nil that is said about it is true,” declared Sir Francis Colchester Wemyss, cap tain of the English croquet team now touring the Dominion, at Christchurch on Thursday (states (he Lyttelton Times). Tho present visit is not tho first made by Sir Francis, as he toured New Zealand about two years ago. " For a country with such a small population. New Zealand is remarkable,” said Sir Francis, “ The roads and railways are excellent, and everything about tho country reflects credit on it* inhabitants. The people, and the country itself, are prosperous. Perhaps the most striking feature of all is the wonderfully healthy appearance of the children. One never sees a weedy looking child, and all New Zealand children possess splendid physique.” Asked to comment on the tourist arrangements t Sir Francis said that as far as his experience went they were comprehensive and complete. The Customs and other arrangements were excellent. For its size, the development of the country was amazing. Sir Francis said that whac impressed him very much was the fact that New Zealand farmers fcould send butter and other dairy produce nil the way to England and compete with other countries. In addition to the cost of transport, tho New Zealand farmer had to pay considerably more for his land, and the cost of his labour was twice that of English agricultural kboiyr.

The complaints made recently with regard to the regulations about the admission of tourists’ cars to the Dominion were mentioned at the last meeting of the executive of the North Island Motor Union (says the Evening Post). It was pointed out that Sir Benjamin Fullers complaint about the deposit which he had to pay before being allowed to land his car was duo to Sir Benjamin’s own country (Australia) declining to enter into a reciprocal arrangement with the North and South Island Motor Unions in regard to both countries exchanging bonds covering the duty and deposit required by the Customs of each country. For gome years an endeavour had been made to co-eperato anti effect an arrangement, and the hope was expressed that finality might soon be reached.

Const emotion at the mysterious disappearance of various articles was caused at a farm in the Waihou district a few days ago. A ccat containing a valuably document disappeared, followed later by other valuables. The police could throw no light on the mystery. ' On the morning concerned a small boy of the house found some papers out of a pocket of the coat. After a diligent search the coat was found buried in some rushes. Other missing articles were unearthed in similar hiding places, and suspicions centred upon a young spaniel. It had dragged the coat for more than eight chains from the place where it was loft, and made off with the other articles in like manner.

There was a good deal of discussion several months ago over a persistent report that the Government was being advised by the Minister of Education to make drastic changes in the system of administering primary education, and that tho education boards as now constituted would bo abolished, and more extensive local powers given to school committees. Tho most that could bo gleaned from Mr R. A. Wright (Minister of Education) was that the Government had not originated the report. It was simply a report- from the department to the Minister, neither more nor less, and the contents eventually became public property. However, the Minister showed that he had been seriously considering some plan involving changes,, as he expressed concern over expenditure by tho boards, and indicated that he intended to have an investigation made into their status and functions, with a view to preventing overlapping. He thought this might be secured by enlarging the [unctions of school committees and imposing more work on them by a process of decentralisation. The Minister’s statement was made five months ago, and there has been no move in the direction of the suggested investigation of the general working of tho education board system. Inquiries indicate that the whole, idea has been dropped at any rate for the present year (says tho Nelson Mail). The Government, viewing its plans as a whole, sees that one of the biggest investigations of recent years* Covering the economic position of the farmer, will have to be vigorously pursued in time to formulate legislation for next session, and this is a big enough task for the Recess. Education, too, will receive an overhaul in one respect, as the committee which has been inquiring into the primary school syllabus is expected to meet in Wellington on February 21 to complete its report.

The Southern Starr-Bowkett Society will dispose of £ICOO by sale on March 5. The National Building Society advertise* the disposal of £2400 by ballot and sale in the Otago Motor Club’s rooms, Moray place, at 8 o’clock to-night. Attention is directed to a railway advertisement regarding the workers’ tram from Burnside to Dunedin commencing to-day. Best Electrical Service in town—Barttt Electrical Supplies Co., Ltd., 90 Princes street, for all kinds electric supplies and fittings, also proprietors Wilkie s. Fishing Tackle.—Advt. , Ladies will be pleased to learn that we have just landed new stocks of the favourite Ilka Face Cream.. A wonderful skin food and beaptifier. 2s 6d pot, post free* —H. L. Sprosen, Ltd., chemists. Octagon, Dunedin.—Advt. • . Those desirous of having electricity installed in their houses should consult the Stewart Electrical Company, 171 Rattray street. Time payments arranged, from *a 6d a week. —Advt. Many years' experience, plus the most up-to-date equipment scientific, optometry ca. suggest, entitles W. V. Stunner, G.A.0.C., D. 5.0.1., Octagon, Dunedin, to guarantee complete satisfaction in all eye troubles. Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley and W. E. Bagley, dentists, B- k of-Australasia, corner of Bond and .Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office) Telephone 12-3!>9.—Advt. For Diamond Engagement Rings, Reliable Watches, and Optical Service, Peter Dick, the most reliable Watchmakers, Jewellers, end Opticians, 490 Moray place (opposite City Hotel).— Advt.