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Otago Daily Times, Issue 20355, 12 March 1928, Page 8

Dr Janies E. Russell, dean emeritus of the Teachers’ College of Columbia University, New York, who is visiting the Dominion under commission-by the- Carnegie Foundation in order to inquire into the education system of New Zealand arrived in Dunedin on Saturday afternoon, and was mot at the station by Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P. (Chancellor of Otago University) and several members of the University Council and Professorial Board, in the evening Dr Russell met a large gathering, representative of the University, at the home of Mr T. K. Sidey, where he delivered a short address outlinin'? the objects of his visit. Dr Russell will spend some days in Dunedin, and during that time he will be engaged meeting the representatives of educational interests in this city. The postal authorities advise that the steamer Maratno, which is due at Wellington to-morrow from Sydney, is bringing 114 bags of mail (including 88 bags from boyond Australia) and 94 hampers containing second class matter for Dunedin. The mail is expected to come to hand on Wednesday afternoon. English, Continental, Canadian and American mails, ex the Makura at Wellington, should reach Dunedin to-morrow afternoon. It was originally intended to have the professors of economics at each of the four university colleges as delegates to the national industrial conference, but Professor B. E. Murphy (professor of economics at Victoria College) hos that owing to pressure of work ho will be unable to sit at the conference (reports our special correspondent in Wellington). No successor has yet been appointed. About 50 territorials from Dunedin and about 20 from Invercargill went north by the second express on Saturday with the object of taking part in the annual army rifle meeting at Trentham. 'ihe party was in charge of Staff-sergeant MTvenzic. The fair in aid of the Home Science Building Fund,' held in Mamma Hall of the University buildings on Saturday afternoon and evening, was an unqualified success from all points of view. It attracted a very large number of those interested in home science and the ample supply of goods on the stalls, such as fruit, lollies, fancy articles, etc., met with a ready sale. Professor Strong, dean of the Home Science Faculty, opened the fair very briefly, after which business was started and soon became brisk. In the evening a very entertaining programme of musical and elocutionary items was presented, amongst the performers being Mr Ruther. ford, Miss Dean, Miss M'Peak, and Miss Aslin. At (he conclusion of the entertainment a short dance was held. The attendance at this was largo, and a very pleasant couple of hours was spent. There was a short sitting of the City Police Court on Saturday morning, two oases only coming before the presiding magistrate (Mr J. H. Bartholomew). Robert Gardner, who was charged with unlawfully converting two motor cars to his own use, was on the application of Mr C. J. L. White, who appeared for him, remanded until this morning, James M’Kinney, who had previously been charged with the theft of a mam’s coat from the Municipal Baths, and hod been remanded pending « report from the probation officer, was admitted to probation for two years. There are some interesting photographs in the illustrated section of the Otago Witness to bo published to-morrow. One page shows a large consignment of lambs from Miller’s Fiat, Central Otngo, and another the annual regatta at Ravonsbourne, Dunedin, plus two new pictures of Ena Stockley and Kathleen Millet, the New Zealand girls who swam so well in Australia. “Civic Progress in Dunedin,” depicts the laying of the foundation stone of the new Town Hail, and a page of military activity is divided between snapshots at the National Rifle Championship at Wellington, arid the First Battalion Otago Regiment returning from camp at Matarae. Motor racing at Oreti Beach, Southland, provides some views. Among the other subjects, mention may be made of the launching of the Albatross, Australia’s first seaplane carrier; bowling champion of champions games at Onmaru; reenacting naval history for the films, with Earl Jellicoe in the chief role; an Empire enterprise in naval defence; a recently developed “artificial man;” and the portraits of people who are engaging public attention in the world to-day.

At 11.46 on Friday night the City Fir* Brigade answered a malicious false alarm to the corner of Queen street and Regent road. Our special correspondent in Christchurch states that Robert Gudseil, aged 64, who was reported on Friday to be missing from his home at the corner of Madras street and Edgeware road, has been found. Ho went to visit friends at Sumner. A case at Ohakune the other day faatF a humorous setting. The Health Inspector had brought along a well-known Chinese fruiterer, Ah Duck, on a charge under the Health Act. It was disclosed in evidence that the inspector and Ah Duck had had a bit of a rough and tumble in the shop over the possession of a quantity of fruit, and Ah Duck brought along a piece cf the shop tagged “exhibit” to show the magistrate that he had suffered damage to his premises. Ah Duck made out a good case on his own behalf and informed Mr R. M. Watson, S.M., that the inspector did not know the difference between a Japanese plum and a tomato. Ah Duck, however, was fined £5, with costs (£4 16s). Until a motorist appears before the court and defends a charge of exceeding the speed limit, no definite decision will be available whether speed limits set bylocal by-laws hold good in the face of those prescribed by the recently gazetted regulations (says the Dominion). Apparently it was the intention of the regulations to cause all existing local speed limits to be reconsidered by the local authorities, and fresh by-laws passed in conformity with the law and the regulations whenever it was desired to retain any local limits. As no advice is offered by the Public Works Department on the subject, it seems that the interpretation is to be left to the magistrates. Proceedings in Banco at the Supreme Court are seldom cf public interest, for most of the cases revolve round points of law, and legal arguments rather than questions of fact hold swav. Occosionally, however, an interesting poini arises (says the Auckland Star). There was such an instance when a will case was being heard. A clause in tho document made provision for the children (if any should be born), of one of the legatees, and it was necessary that the rights of these potential children should be safeguarded. One of the leading barristers in the city appeared on their behalf—not for the legatee, but for the possible heirs. The curious point about it was that the legatee is not married or even engaged. At present it is necessary for those justices of the peace who wish to sit on the Dench to go to the clerk of the court and hand in their names. An objection to this practice was raised by Mr M. Marks at a meeting of the Justices’ Association in Wellington last week (says the Evening Post). Ht held that it was the duty of the association to draw up a rota of those justices who were prepared to sit on the Bench. He for one would not like to ask the clerk to give him a turn on the Bench. Other members endorsed Mr Marks’s opinion, and the chairman of the association (Mr F. G. Cray) also agreed, giving an assurance that the executive would go into the matter of drawing np a rota. The city was visited by a thunderstorm of exceptional severity shortly after 4 p.m. on Saturday. Early in the afternoon the weather had been pleasantly mild—typical, indeed, of many autumn days in Dunedin—but soon after 3 o'clock the marshalling of heavy clouds in the southern sky indicated that a change was imminent. In less than an hour the storm broke, and £o r 20 minutes or so the rain descended with a tropical copiousness seldom equalled in this part of the world. A curious feature of thp downpour consisted in the fact that the full force of its severity was experienced in the southern or coastal portions of the city, while the northern end of the town appears to have escaped with only a light sprinkling. Some heavy showers Fell in the evening, but the skj cleared during the night and yesterday thl, weather was again fine and mild. Criticisms of the Marine Department's policy in connection with the letting of licenses for netting quinnat salmon in the Woimskariri River were inquired into by a Wellington representative of the Lyttelton Times, ivho ascertained the reasons for confining this year’s allocation to only three licenses. It was found that thi department is extremely anxious not to allow this introduced fish to bo “ cleaned out ” by undue fishing, as it would probably be impossible to again induce the Government to go to the expense of establishing them in Now Zealand waters. Tho runs have varied, and the data have been uncertain. Two expert American, fishers who visited New Zealand on a holiday expressed to definite opinion that tho time had net arrived when any licenses to fish should be issued. Reliable information regarding the run cf these fish must be obtained before wider opportunities can be provided for anglers. Therefore tho Marine Deportment decided that during the current season only four netting licences should be issued, one to bo reserved for its own operations. This left three to bo made available to applicants, and in making the allocation, preference was given to bona fide regular fishermen, who would be likely to secure sound and reliable information regarding the run of these fish. Operating in the same area are tho Marine Department's fishermen, whose reports are compared with those of tho three licensees, and it is thus hoped to get accurate information, which will enable a sound policy to be followed. Tho position at Waimakariri has been investigated on the spot recently by the chief fisheries officer, Mr Hefford. The misconception prevalent in New Zealand that art was a luxury, remarked Mr W. Moore, the Sydney art critic, in the course of a recent address in Christchurch, arose from tho fact that most of the good pictures were confined to public galleries. But art should be recognised as a part of the community and should permeate everywhere. As an instance of a work of art in Christchurch, the lecturer mentioned the Bridge of Remembrance, Thera were other examples to be found in the beautiful little tea houses on the Cashmere Hills. “But art is not confined ta painting and sculpture,” he said. “ Th« woman who arranges and decorates her homo and the man who lays out his garden arc artists, while posters and newspaper advertisements also give a chance for something artistic to be accomplished. But art is not confined to people whoso interests are non-commerced. Art has owed, and owes, much to die help of business men.” Mr Moore instanced tho Felton bequest in Australia, worth now about £27,000 a year. Art should play a greater part in the life of the community than at present. The constitution cf the New Zealand Labour Party lays down strict rules as to tho eligibility of candidates seeking parliamentary honours, including “ That all candidates must have been financial members of the party for at least two years prior to nomination.” The Napier branch considers this too drastic, and at the annual conference next month an endeavour will be made to - amend it to one year. Another provision is a declaration : “ That 1 am not ft member of any political party other than the New Zealand Labour Party.” The Auckland Representation Committoo will seek to amend this to “ That I am not a member of any political party other than one having a similar objective to the New Zealand Labour Party.” A remit from Wellington North relating to the land policy, states that tho most effective way of bringing to tt successful issue the objective of the land policy of - the party is by imposing a steeply graded tax on unimproved value of land, and by proportionate relief m Customs duties on the necessaries of life. The Dunedin women’s branch wants all unions to establish a youths’ section, selfgoverning. to deal with their own problems, end appoint a special officer to look after youth education, including all manner of sports. ' Palmerston North and Auckland are both moving in the direction of having the conference only in general election years, Auckland providing a furthed proviso “ That not less than throe years shall have elapsed.” At present there is a conference every year. A Timani remit is: “ That a committee be appointed to submit proposals to conference defining the party’s attitude to pies tective tariffs.”- .

There was a sensational interruption of proceedings in the Magistrate’s Court in Hamilton last Thursday afternoon during the hearing of a grave charge of assault on a girl 14 years- of age, preferred against James Corrin, aged 52 (says the Auckland Star). While the girl was giving evidence the girl’s step-mother suddenly rushed for ward in'a frenzy, and attacked the prisoner, scratching his face and at the same time screaming maledictions, and threatening to murder him. The shock of attack carried Oorrin off his feet, and he fell to the ground, while the woman made wild attempts to again vent her vengeance on him. He managed temporarily to roll out of her reach behind the magisterial chair. The woman, who was by this time quite beyond control, again seized upon Corrin, whom she proceeded to hammer with her fists, the prisoner in vain trying to ward of! her' blows. The magistrate, who was by this time in the storm centre, was forced to beat a retreat, and it was not until the aid of two sturdy constables had been invoked and the woman dragged fnorn the loom that a more peaceful atmosphere was restored. It finally took the combined efforts of three sturdy constables to get the woman, who was of verv powerful build, under control. During the scramble the clerk of the court, who was taking the depositions, was knocked off his scat, while the prisoner escaped, but was eventually located down a passage. A high-powered limousine sped citywards from Muriwai, relates the Auckland Star. On the back of the car was lashed a sack containing the fruits of hours of digging in the sand—a fine haul of toheroas destined to provide soup for thice households. Whether one wily toheroa bit Ids way through the bag is not known, but he certainly found a way of egress, and was followed by a procession of his fellows, till a trail of the shellfish stretched for some miles along the road. Following cars endeavoured to overtake the limousine, but the driver was a speed merchant as well as a connoisseur of soups, and they gave up the chase. The disappointment of the toheroa gatherers may well be imagined when they alighted to share the spoils, but it was counterbalanced by the joy of two pedestrians, father and son, who followed the shellfish trail for some distance, selecting only the best of the specimens. The opening service in connection with the Presbyterian Missionary Womens Training Institute will be held this evening in Stuart Hall. The institute trains women for service at home and abroad. Miss M. Salmond, formerly of India, is this year joining the staff as a resident teacher, and will give the principal address. The indications are that the present tourist season is being well maintained, and ? remises to constitute a record. The Grand lotel reports that it has 50 overseas visitors booked for the coming week, and lo for next week. Beauty, plus quality, makes Williameons engagement rings a great joy to the recipient (next tiie Cristol xio.no Co.)» Advt, Many years' experience, plus the most up-to-date equipment scientific optometry ca- suggest, entitles W. \. Stunner. 0.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 ot Bond and Rattray streets <nest Telegraph 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.