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Otago Daily Times, Issue 20800, 20 August 1929, Page 8

The postal authorities advise that the Steamer Taiaui, which arrived at Wellington yesterday morning . from London, brought nine bags Of English mail and 01 parcel, receptacles for Dunedin.' The mail is expected to come to hand this afternoon. A large English parcel mail, consisting of 170 receptacles, ex the steamer Rimutaka at Auckland, should reach Dunedin On Friday evening. . The first Lewisham Hospital in Wellington was opened on Sunday by the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson (says a Press Association telegram). The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), who was amongst those present, said the total cost was £50,000, of which : £20,000 was raised. Later on. the Mayor (Mr 6. A. Troup) explained that Mr J. M'Gratli. chairman of the committee, and Sir Joseph Ward had given the. guarantee necessary to enable the work to proceed. Over £IOOO was collected on the ground. The contractors (Messrs Ellis and Glue) have commenced the erection of the new hospital at Ranfurly, and the ceremony of turning the first sod will take place this afternoon.... " The annual conference of Chambers - of Commerce will: be held in Auckland on October 14 and 15. The Dunedin Chamber baa decided to forward for cousidera-r lion three remits—(l) Absentee votes at municipal and-local body elections; • (2) registered, telegraphic address for- all chambers, and (3) full-time secretary and adequate organisation for associated chambers at Wellington. The executive was authorised to draw up suitable remits. A statement that the programme of work of the Main Highways Board for the current year would absorb not only the whole of its revenue, but all of its accumulated . reserve funds, was (our special correspondent in Auckland reports) made by the Minister of Public Works (Mr B. A. Ransom) when replying to suggestions that the board should assist local bodies which had done road work prior to the establishment of the board. The Minister said that if the board accepted the responsibility "for what might be termed retrospective payments, it would have to stop its operations for at least two years. The matter was brought before Mr Ransom by three deputations representing the Otahuhu Borough Council, the Newmarket Borough Council, and the Suburban Local Bodies’ Association. A freak of nature in the shape of two apples in one was shown to an Otago Daily Times reporter yesterday. One of the apples is of normal size, but the other, which has grown beside the stalk of the larger one, is only about half an inch long, with a diameter in proportion. .. The smaller one is well formed, and is complete in development even down to the core and seeds in miniature. Not only hens are nervous of the thing that flies by day, but the animals of a larger growth also have this fear. Some years ago, .when the Wigram aerodrome was first started at Sockburn, it was arranged that the daily mail should be delivered in Ashburton by air, as an experiment in cost and reliability. The little town on tlie plain was thrilled to the marrow to be the centre of such worldshaking innovations. Offers of landing places flowed in fast. The one finally selected was on the rich pasture lands of a wealthy fanner, well known in the district for splendid Clydesdales and lightharness horses. There was a commotion in the family the first time the strange bird came from the vast and with an carsplitting roar circled round and 'settled on the ground. The horses in the nearby fields all had hysterics. It was only when the strange monster again arose that their fears abated. Next day the same awful experience befell them, and as a finelybred horse can sweat with fear, they began to look a trifle haggard. After a few days of this experience they began to forget to feed. An onlooker said that they spent half their time snatching a few mouthfuls of grass and then gazing into the blue distance where Christchurch was, 50 miles away. Gradually their condition began to fail. They were suffering from nerve shock, and their owner, who loved his live stock as his family, reluctantly warned the gigantic birds that in future they would have to find some other part of. the plain on which to efrop to rest. A little while after the attempt to establish an air mail between Christchurch, Ashburton, and Timaru was discontinued, and the horses, who probably had. been troubled by prophetic vision of a horseless world, once again became the-fat and jovial creatures that adorned every show ia the district*

The following are the returns of infectious diseases at the Dunedin and Fever Hospitals for the week ended-at noon yesterday:—Scarlet fever—admitted 9, discharged 7, remaining 35; erysipelas—remaining 4; ophthalmia neonatorimn—remaining 11 Totals: Admitted 9, discharged 7, remaining 40. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the president of the Association of Federated Superauuated Public Servants of New Zealand'has received notice from the secretary of the Public Service Superannuation Board that the Government has decided to continue the cost of living bonus to those superannuitants whose allowances are less than £IOO a year for a further term of six months from September 30 nest. A Press Association telegram from Grey mouth says that William Wallworth, manager of the Cooperative Jubilee Mine at Rapahoe, Was fined £1 on each of two charges of failing by notice to specify the manner in-which timber supports was set. and of failing to take samples of the dust mixture. The inspector, Mr Strongman.' said the offence had been continuous for nine months. -Most of the small mines were avoiding taking dust samples, • Members of the wholesale motor and cycle trade organisation in Wellington recently met to consider various points in regard to the parking of cars in the city (says the Post). Mr H. L. Rogers said he thought that the advantages of a card on the steering column or some accessible place, as suggested by the City Council, would.be found to outweigh any disadvantages. Under the old system, it was difficult for a traffic inspector to ascertain the name and address of the vehicle owner. As a rule, said Mr Rogers, Uar owners did not go out of their way to assist the authorities, and the proposal might militate against the thieving of cars. Mr H. Moss said that if the proposal were made. general throughout the Dominion and not a local one, it .would only be a matter of.time when the name and address of the owner would have to go on the number plate. If it was a local scheme only, outside cars would make it impossible to work it. Mr Rogers remarked that the authorities had managed to overcome the difficulty in some measure, but were rightly preparing. for the future. In a couple' of years the position, if not remedied, would be chaotic. Traffic inspectors naturally hesitated to shift a car, but would not be so likely to hesitate . with knowledge of the owner’s name. The new president (Mr D. F, Bauchop) is to take up the question with the Traffic Department and the chairman of the Bylaws Committee (Cf M. F. Lnckie), and is to an executive meeting. As the result of his having opened a private school at Te Aroha recently, the Minister of Education (Mr H: Atmore) has become involved in. a controversy with the Protestant Political Association. Sir I. Bridges, provincial president of the P.PA. in Taranaki, has written to the Minister protesting against bis action in opening a private school and. thereby countenancing and encouraging the growth of schools in opposition to the national system. The Minister must'surely see, said Mr Bridges, that the more private or sectarian schools there were in the country the more would be the growth of sectian and religious bitterness, which, the Minister would admit, was not a desirable state. The protest was made with no other motive than the safeguarding of the'prized national system of education. The Minister replied: “Your protest is no doubt well meant, however misguided you may be in the methods adopted to ensure the ‘ safeguarding of our prized national system of education,* but in my opinion you have an entirely wrong conception of the scope, aim,' aiid objective'of the duties appertaining to that most important portfolio of Education. 'You are evidently taking the narrow sectarian view, whilst I am endeavouring oh all occasions to take the national view, and although my first duty must ever be to safeguard the interests of the boys and girls in the State schools, and advance them along the best physical, mental, and moral lines of development, T have the further duty to see as far, as possible that every New' Zealand child, irrespective of class, colour, or creed, shall have the best education obtainable; T look upon education is a great national co-operative movement, and I have refused, and shall consistently refuse, to take part in any sectarian squabbles.” An interesting point was raised in the Supreme Court at Wanganui on Saturday in an appeal against the decision of the magistrate (Mr J. H. Salmon) in a claim for damages arising out of an accident at Springvale, where Elizabeth Cooper and her husband, who were walking on the metal portion of the left'side, or near the centre of the road, were 'knocked down and seriously injured by a motorist coming from behind. Mr W. J, Treadwell quoted the rule of the road referred to in “ Sevan on Negligence,” where vehicles should keep to the left, and when pedestrians use that part of the road set apart for traffic they should keep to the right. The • Chief Justice: Is that a rule of the road that is supposed to operate in New Zealand? Mr Brodie: Not many know of it. Mr Justice Myers: I must,express ignorance of the application of this rule. -Mr Treadwell said that being long associated with local bodies he- : knew of the rule. Mr Justice Myers: Has there been any case in New Zealand bearing on it? Connsel said that they were not aware of such a case. Mr Justice’Myers intimated that the case was one of considerable importance as there were important principles involved.

A gift of a special moving picture film, depicting completely the activities of the Auckland Aero Club, is to be made by Mr Henry Hayward, president of the New Zealand Picture Supplies and FullerHayward Pictures, to the Auckland Aero Club. - - ' Attention is drawn to the Railways Department’s advertisement in this issue regarding the night express train from Invercargill to Christchurch stopping at Mosgiel. The Railways Department's decision to grant a general issue of holiday excursion fares to coincide with the school vacations lias proved a popular innovation. Although instituted primarily for the benefit of scholars and parents, the reduced rates are available for everyone from and to all stations. The dates of issue are from August 22 to August 31, and the return journey may be made at any time up to Saturday. September 28. Tickets may be purchased and seats reserved at any railway booking office within 14 days prior to the commencement of the journey. Particulars are advertised of the Caversham School Queen Carnival, which will be opened to-morrow evening.* The Marconi Three Radio Set and How to Build it. Send 3d postage for your copy.—Barth Electrical Supples, 90 Princes street, Dunedin.—Advt. We have just landed a line of English incubator thermometers. Price, 2s 3d. Very reliable. All poultry, dog, and cattle medicines kept in stock.—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 2b Bd n week.—Advt W. V. Sturmer, G.A.0.C.. D. 5.0.1., optician. Consulting ropm, 2 Octagon, Dunedin. Most modern scientific equipment for sight testing.—Advt, . A. E. J. Blakeley and* W. E. Bagley, dentists,, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 12-359.—Advt. ■Diamond Engagement Rings.—Before purchasing compare, our values; large selection; superior quality.—Peter Dick, the most reliable jewellers, watchmakers, and opticians, 490 Moray place, Dunedii> Advt. ’ .