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Otago Daily Times, Issue 20426, 5 June 1928, Page 8

The first meeting of the Commission of Inquiry into the incidence and treatment of tuberculosis in New Zealand was held in the office of the Department of Health yesterday afternoon. The committee consists of Dr F. W. B. Fitchett (professor of medicine, Otago University), who is the chairman, Dr D. Eardley Fenwick (Wellington), and Dr T. W. J. Johnson (Auckland). Dr T. H. A. Valintine (director-general of health) and Dr M. H. Watt (deputy director-general of health) are also in Dunedin for the purpose of supplying the commission with information, but are not attending its deliberations, and Mr J. W. Buchanan (secretary to Dr Valintine) is acting as secretary of the committee. It has been decided that the proceedings shall be of a strictly private nature. The members of the commission spent the morning at the Wakari Hospital investigating the conditions there, and in the afternoon they heard the evidence of Dr Lyth (medical director of tuberculosis institutions for the Otago hospital district) and Dr Thomson (medical superintendent of the Dunedin Hospital). They also made an inspection of the Hospital. The committee expects to leave to-morrow morning on a visit to Pleasant Valley (Palmerston) and the Waipiata Sanatorium.

The postal authorities advise that the Tahiti arrived at Wellington yesterday morning from San Francisco with European and American mails. The Dunedin portion is expected to come to hand this afternoon. The Aorangi, which arrived at Auckland yesterday morning from Sydney, brought a large oversea and Australian mail. The Dunedin portion should come to hand to-morrow evening. The steamer Karetu, which is duo at Bluff on Thursday from Sydney, is bringing an Australian mail.

Mr J. T. Paul, J.P., and Mr R. Ferguson, .T.P., presided over a brief sitting of the City Police Court yesterday, and convicted anil discharged a first offender who pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness. Minnie O’Connor, who also appeared, was charged with using obscene language in Hanover street, and was fined 40s, in deseven days’ imprisonment, ~

The Maori is a hard nut to crack (says the Marlborough Express). A Blenheim taxi driver was recently commissioned by three Natives to drive them home to the Wairau Pa, and on reaching the village he was directed to pull up outside a certain cottage. “ How much do we owe you?” inquired one of the Natives, and, on being informed, went on: “ Well, you wait here while I get the money from te wahine.” With that the speaker jumped from the car and vanished within the house. Minutes passed, and 'the second Native, remarking that his friend was gone a long time, left the car to investigate. He also vanished within the .house. Again there was a long wait, punctuated only by the snores of the third Maori, sleeping peacefully in the back of the car. Finally the patient taxi man decided to make inquiries for himself. He found the house was empty, and that the two Natives had simply gone in at the front door and out at the back, where they had vanished for parts unknown. The wrathful taxi man returned to the car determined to get satisfaction out of the sleeping Maori in one form or another, but the wily third party had taken advantage of his absence at the cottage to disappear.

Yesterday’s through express from Invercargill to Lyttelton was about 36 minutes late in reaching Dunedin. The delay was caused through a wheel box on the assisting engine becoming over-heated, and also to the heavy' holiday traffic. The express, which comprised about 18 carriages, was despatched from the Dunedin Station at 12.15 p.m.—4l minutes later than schedule. Some of the lost time would probably be made up on the run north. The express from Christchurch, which consisted of 10 carriages and two vans, arrived at Dunedin on schedule time yesterday afternoon.

Asked by a representative of the Daily Times yesterday whether he had any comment to make in regard to the application .t fiecting the Glendhu pastoral rim, which has been the subject of a good deal of controversy recently, Mr A. D. M'Leod (Minister of Lands) said that he preferred not to express any opinion on a matter that at the moment was sub judice. In accordance with the provisions of the Act fee matter required to be dealt with in the first place by the Land Board, which was fully seized of the Government’s policy to take advantage of every opportunity for increased settlement consistent with the maintenance of or increase in production, and as fafr as possible the avoidance of direct financial loss to the State. He had no personal knowledge as to the cutting up possibilities of Glendhu, but he had investigated several runs in other parts of the South Island which had been subdivided under boom conditions, and which had proved disastrous to both the Crown and the settlers. He was also well aware of the fact that increased settlement on a number of runs had proved highly satisfactory. For the convenience and comfort of visitors and sightseers, the Otago sion League erected before the - war several seats on the Flagstaff, Whare Flat road. These have proved a boon to the people for whom they were originally intended. A number of persons filled with that spirit of destruction which some natures evidently cultivate, shot and hacked the original seats, or at least the woodwork of them, to pieces. The Expansion League had them repaired and reerected just before Christmas, and in that short space of time they have again been wrecked. There is little encouragement for societies or individuals to assist in improving the amenities of the city and surrounding districts, when hooligans with pea rifle and tomahawk conduct a campaign of destruction. A five-seater sedan car, which was stolen on Wednesday evening from Fisherton, was found burned and reduced to scrap iron over a cliff at Mount Pleasant, near Sumner (reports our special correspondent in Christchurch). Mr A. S. Wakelin, the owner of the car, left it in Eastern terrace, Fisherton, and missed it about 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday. The car was valued at £330.

Egsto Brunie, aged 60 years, who residers at 1 Austin place, off Manchester street north, was attacked by two men on Friday evening as he was in the act of unlocking the doorway of his cottage, and robbed of a sum of £l9 10s. One of his assailants, who were apparently awaiting their opportunity (says our special correspondent in Christchurch), grabbed Brume by the throat, butted him with his knee, and threw him to the ground. Brunie tried to call out, but he was pinioned to the ground, and a hand held over his mouth. His pockets were searched, and the money taken from them, whereupon the two men then bolted. The scene of the robbery is a blind right-of-way. A storekeeper in the vicinity noticed the two men loitering round his shop earlier in the evening. With the largest and best-equipped party he has ever organised Mr Zane Grey, the American author and fisherman, is spending the season at Papeete prior to coming to New Zealand. The Union Company’s steamer Waiotapu, which arrived ■ at Auckland yesterday morning (says our special correspondent), took from Los Angeles a considerable part of his equipment, and landed it at Papeete en route to New Zealand. Five fast motor launches were included, and also a number of wooden houses in sections, which could be easily assembled for use. Two motion picture cameramen, engaged by Mr Grey, also travelled by the vessel from Papeete. The party is to come to New Zealand for the big game fishing season here. It is stated that Mr Grey intends to make Tauranga his headquarters, instead of Bussell, as formerly.

With the near approach of the session of Parliament, interest is being revived in the debatable question of “ summer time ” (says the Church Gazette, Auckland). So far as evensong on Sundays last summer was concerned, the putting forward of the clock did not seem to make any difference generally in the attendance of worshippers. One advantage noted was the saving in the charge for lighting owing to the evening service being held in the sunshine. It is not likely that there will be any opposition to another trial of the reform next summer so far as the churches are concerned.

The Board of Governors of Wellington College recently wrote to the' Education Department asking if a sum should be played on the Estimates during the current year for the erection of a part at least of the new college building (says the Evening Post). A letter from the Director of Education (Mr T. B. Strong) was received at the last meeting 01 the board, stating that it was not necessary to place a separate item on the Es i nates for this work, as the department hoped to be in a position to provide the necessary funds this financial year for the erection of part of the new building. The model Maori hill fort which it is proposed to build on Mount Eden, Auckland, will cost over £3OOO to construct, according to plans and estimates placed before the Mount Eden Borough Council at its last meeting (states the New Zealand Herald). It will take 10 months to complete, and will represent the most ambitious attempt ever made to reproduce in replica the fortifications erected and manned by the Maoris in pre-pakeha days. The plans, which were submitted on behalf of the Akarana Maori Association, provide for the construction of an irre-gular-shaped stockade. Oft to 10ft in height, an elevated fighting platform, 16ft to 18ft in height, guarding the main entrance to the fortifications, and inside the circle of palisades a whare runanga, or large carved meeting house, facing the rising sun, a whare puni, or sleeping house, a carved pataka, or raised food store, and a wahi tapu, or sacred cenotaph, from which the tohungas conducted their ceremonials. There is the usual enclosure for the residence of the chief and another for the tohunga, the enclosed residential area for the padwellers, and rude pit dwellings for the slaves. Consideration of plans was deferred until they can be perused by Sir Apirana Ngata. who is interested in the project. The Borough Council hopes to obtain contributions from several sources toward the cost.

A report was received from Monowai late last night (says a Press Amciatiwi telegram from Invercargill) stating that a young man named Dysasky, who has been working as a trapper on a block near Monowai, has been missing since 4.30 pm. on Sunday. Search parties from nearby stations have been out all day, but up till 8 o’clock last night had met •with no success. Dysasky was out shooting on Sunday with three companions, from whom he became separated. They later heard several shots fired in succession, but could not trace the missing man. The country where he is lost is a maze of valleys extending from Lake Monowai to Lillbum Yalley.

During the eclipse of the moon on Sunday night three powerful telescopes were brought into use at the Dominion Observatory, Kelburn, and ‘ li -• Government astronomer (Dr Ada: reports that satisfactory results weiv obtained. In spite of the clouds which partly spoilt the observations some very interesting investigations were made into the emulations of certain distant stars. New Zealand was one of the new countries selected by the Greenwich Observatory to make these special observations with its aid, and it is hoped to re-check the position of the moon with yet greater accuracy. Although slightly disappointed with the results owing to the clouds. Dr Adams has yet to receive reports from other New Zealand observers situated at Hawera, Dunedin, New Plymouth, and Nelson. The fact that the amount of research work carried out at the Auckland University College is not widely known was mentioned by Professor E. Worley at the last meeting of the Auckland Institute. He said that the results received publicity only in the scientific journals overseas. The university had to regard research, strictly from the scientific viewpoint, and, while they were not indifferent to commercial possibilities, it was difficult to deal with industrial problems with a limited staff. The endeavour of the university was to produce trained men, who would deal with commercial problems, and the university had supplied a number of manufacturing firms in the Dominion ■with officers to do industrial research work.

A farewell social will be tendered to Brigadier and Mrs Burton at the Salvation Army Fortress this evening, when children from the various Sunday schools will give items and the corps band will play. Winter is the time for Electric Radiators. Large assortment, all sizes and designs. Visit Barth Electrical Supplies, Ltd., 90 Princes street, Dunedin, for Demonstration, —Advt. Trusses for rupture sufferers. Trusses should fit exactly and firmly, but yet comfortably. Let H. L. Sprosen, Ltd, chemists. Octagon and George street, fit you with your next truss. All sizes and styles. Advice free. —Advt. Those desirous of having electricity installed in their houses should consult the Stewart Electrical Company, 171 Rattray street. Time payments arranged, from 2a 6d a week. —Advt. Arthur Malcolm, rheumatic expert of 38J years' practical experience, now offers those afflicted a remedy chosen from numerous old family formulas, proved by previous generations beneficial for rheumatics, neuritis, bad back, stiff and swollen joints, knees, feet, ankles, or hands, also cramp. This has also been used with success during my many years' practice. A trial solicited, which you will not regret. Obtainable at Marshall’s Pharmacy, Princes street, Dunedin. Price 4s, posted 4s 6d. . If your case is chronic communicate with me.—Arthur Malcolm, rheumatic expert, C.P.O. Box 397. Dunedin.—Advt. , „ If feeling out of sorts, Pearson s Medicines will do you good. We prescribe for vour ailments. Pearson's Pharmacy, George street (next C. and W. Haywards) . —Advt. . , . Many years' experience, plus the most up-to-date equipment scientific optometry ca. suggest, entitles W. V. Stunner, G.A.O.C, D. 5.0.1, Octagon, Dunedin, to guarantee complete satisfaction in all eye troubles. Advt. A E. J. Blakeley and W. E. Bagiey, dentists, B- k of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray street* (next 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.