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Otago Daily Times, Issue 21022, 10 May 1930, Page 12

On Wednesday of next week tliere is a likelihood of one of the largest land deals in Dunedin in recent years being 'brought to finality. The property concerned is a complete block in the centre of the city, and it has been under option for purchase for some months. The option will expire on Wednesday next, and rumour has it that it will be taken up. It is said that the price is in the vicinity of £45,000, and that the intention is to erect a seven-storey structure on the property. A start on the new building could hardly be possible, however, for two years at least, as tenants of the offices in the building have leases which will not expire xill that period has elapsed. Excellent entries, numbering 776 in'all, have been received by the secretary. (Mr W. D. Shelton) for this year’s festival of the Gore Competitions’ Society. The return shows an "increase on those for last year which totalled 757, and this may be accounted for by the fact that the various classes have undergone a reclassification, resulting in a more even distribution of entries. The comparison of entries with last year is as follows, the 1929 figures being shown in parentheses:—Vocal solos 144 (121), vocal duets and quartets 13 (2), piabo solos and duets 56 (58), violin solos and duets 9 (18), instrumental 8 (8), elocution 343 (371), literary sections 13 (18), dancing 190 (161). The City Fire Brigade was called out at 5.35 p.m. yesterday to deal with a chimney fire at Wain’s Hotel. The blaze "as extinguished without anv damage resulting. “ Compulsory Lome lessons have been abandoned for the past three years with the happiest results,” stated the report of a ■ Hew Plymouth school committee, which was presented at the annual meeting on Monday evening. “The school has in no way decreased in efficiency—it, has improved.” When the experiment began the children were told that the imposition of homo lessons depended entirely on themselves. If thev concentrated on their Work during school hours there would he no home lessons, but if they were inattentive they would again have home work to do. Their well-maintained progress showed their appreciation of the position. The staff, free from the monotonous work of correcting home lessons, was able to devote the. time : saved to the. thorough organisation of the following day’s woeb.

The usual even tenor of the proceedings at the City Police ‘Court was disturbed yesterday morning by an incident) which culminated in the arrest of John Frederick Hammerley for contempt oi court. Hammerley was standing between Inspector Cummings and a constable, who was in the witness bos when the inspector asked him either to sit down or take a seat at the rear of the court. Hammerley immediately took a seat behind the inspector and apparently began a , conversation with the person beside him. The court orderly called for silence, and he was supported by the magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.), who told him to inform Hammerley that if he did not keep silence he would have to leave the court. At some length Hammerley expressed his willingness to obey his Worship's instructions, and concluded by bidding the magistrate ‘- f Good morning," and stalking to the rear of the court. Mr Bundle immediately ordered his arrest, and Hammerley made for the door. He was taken in hand by three burly constables, whom he at first resisted, and was almost carried to the cells. Before the luncheon adjournment was taken Hammerley was charged with committing contempt of court, by interrupting the proceedings. After formal evidence had been taken, he made an unreserved apology, which the magistrate accepted, though he warned Hammerley that if. be offended again an apology would not be sufficient, - The special committee appointed by the Government to* make an investigation of the shops and offices legislation, with a view to clarifying and implifying it, will sit in Dunedin on Monday. ' The members of the committee are Mr A, J. Mur- ■ doch, M.P. (chief Government Whip, chairman), Mr C. H. Clinkard (United, Rotorua),, Mr H. Holland (Reform, Christchurch North), Mr B. J. Howard (Labour, Christchurch South), Mr A. W. Croskery (representing trades unions), Mr A.' S. Cookson (representing employers’ associations), Mr S. Eldridge (representing small shopkeepers), and Mr W. Newton (secretary of the Labour Department). The committee will sit in the board .room of the Public Trust building, and it will remain in Dimedin for three days. A total of £I4OO has been' bequeathed to various Wellington social and public organisations under the will of Martin James Kilgour, of Wellington, who died recently at the age of 79 (states a Press Association message). The deceased rer tired from the public service 15 years ago, and at the time of his death was president of the Thorndon Bowling Club. A Press Association message from Invercargill states that at Wyndham Harry ■ Anderson, charged with doing unnecessary work within the public view on Anzac Day (harrowing land in a field), was fined 20s and costs, A sight which is seldom seen was witnessed by a few persona from the Marine parade at Napier the other afternoon in the form of a mirage. It was witnessed from the stretch of concrete road which runs toward Awatoto and took Torn out at sea. A motorist was proceeding along the concrete when he was astounded, upon looking out to sea, to' notice. a’ line of what appeared to be large rocks stretching across Hawke's Bay from Cape Kidnappers to the Mahia Pfeninsula. They appeared to be very real and the motorist stopped to have a better , look at them. Within a moment or two, however, the mirqge had dissipated and the usual vista unbroken sea had resumed its former position. Mirages are occasionally seen .on the ocean, but are more common in deserts and plains. The effect of a mirage sometimes is apparently to bring into view places and things that are often out of sight. On occasions these visions appear upside down. In commenting on the fire which destroyed the Royal Hotel at Greymouth recently the Grey Star says; “ The outbreak again calls attention to the need for adequate measures to facilitate the escape of inmates from, burning buildings at Greymouth. A sheet dangling from one of the upper windows of the Royal Hotel this morning was mute. evidence of the lack of proper appliances in’ case of fire. The opinion is generally expressed that the time is long overdue when the' regulations should be enforced at Greymouth, and, in lieu of more modern methods, a rope should at least be placed in every bedroom to enable the inmates to reach the ground in case of emergency. Had the boarders been a little more unlucky early this morning, when the flames were raging through the hotel, there might have been _ several deaths, instead of merely injuries. It is considered that there are many death-traps in Greymouth and that, when the buildings are inspected by the police, the latter should be accompanied by the borough inspector and the health inspector, with a view’ to the enforcement.” It is now quite definite that the United States will be. sending an expedition to Niuafou to observe the total eclipse of the sun next October, so that the New Zealand expedition will not have the field to itself. The American expedition, according to information received by Dr C. E. Adams, Government Astronomer, is being organised by the United StatesNaval Observatory, Washington. The party will consist of about 20 men, eight being scientists vtnd the remainder naval assistants. The leader ■of the scientific party will probably b’e Professor S. A. Mitchell, director of the Leander McCormick Observatory at the University of Virginia. The expedition’s headquarters will be at Pago Pago, in American Samoa, and a naval tug or mine-sweeper will be utilised tp convey the members of the party and their instruments thence to Niuafou. The American programme of observations is a very comprehensive one. It includes the testing of the Einstein theory, spectrographieal observation, and observation of the flash spectrum. The largest piece of apparatus transported to the island will be a C3-foot coronograph for photographing the sun’s corona. It is also hoped to carry out some photometric work. _ Tjhe New Zealand astronomical expedition will be leaving the Dominion towards the end of September,, reaching Suva on the Niagara. HALS. Laburnum will then r land the party and instruments on Niuafou Island, but .thenavy will not be able to assist in the return journey. In the meantime the instruments, which have been borrowed ’ from England" for use at the- time of the eclipse, are being thoroughly tested, so • that the observers may become fully acquainted with their intricacies. Eagerness to secure an extra duck for his already well filled bag led to an Auckland sportsman losing a valuable shotgun, a pair of rubber knee-boots, a waterproof overcoat, and a cartridge waistcoat containing about 40 rounds, early on the morning of May 1 (says the New Zealand Herald). In company with others of a party encamped near the Waikato Heads, Mr H. L. Carter, of Mount Eden, set out for a morning’s shooting near the mouth of the Waikato at about 3.30 a.m. The others mkde their way to their individual positions in light boats, but Mr Carter chose a canvas canoe. He shot and collected nine birds, and was paddling toward a tenth when he saw another bird fly low directly overhead. Without thinking of the consequences, he dropped the paddle and fired, with the result that the canoe capsized, throwing Mr Carter, who was wear, ing knee-boots, overcoat, and cartridge Waistcoat, in addition to his ordinary ‘ clothes, into about 25 feet of water. Not wishing to lose his gun, Mr Carter retained his hold of it, and struggled to kick off his heavy boots. After an effort he freed himself of one, but in trying to take off the other he dropped the gun. He finally took off the second boot, his overcoat and waistcoat, and swam to the island, which was barely discernible in the half light. He succeeded in climbing ashore through thick reeds, and the* settled down to wait for the other mem* bers of the party, who noticed his long absence, and found him on the island, over three hours later.. The canoe was discovered floating bottom up. two miles downstream.

Probate baa been granted by Mr Justice Kennedy in the estates of Delia Shephard/ Mornington (Mr C. J. Payne); Jessie M'Gregor, Dunedin (Mr E. E. Collier); William Wilkinson, Roslyn (Mr J. M. Paterson); and George William Hayden, Opoho (Mr John Wilkinson), At the annual conference of delegates of the New Zealand Societies of Musicians held > recently, the effects of mechanical music were discussed. It was suggested with a view to awakening the public mind to the necessity of supporting and encouraging the production of legitimate music by orchestras, choral societies, bands, choirs, etc,, a "Music Week" should be held throughout the Dominion. It is understood that arrangements to that end are now being made in all the and the Dunedin Society of Musicians is strongly convinced, that Dunedin with its fine reputation as an educational centre, interested in all movements of enlightenment, should take its full share in fostering the scheme. It has been suggested that a suitable date would be the week commencing July 27 next. The . special sub-conamitte appointed for the purpose has already drafted an outline of a suitable local Music Week" programme. The annua] meeting of the Children’s Best Home (incorporated) will be held in the council-chambers of the Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon. This society provides a temporary home for children of sick mothers in poor circumstances, and is undenominational. 1 A statement will be made of the position of the proposed new home to be built on the late Mr and Mrs Hill Jack’s property, "Romanoff,” Highgate, Roslyn. The plans.of the new home will be on view. The United Starr-Bowketfc 'Buiding Society will dispose of a further £SBOO during this month. Particulars are advertised of the commencement of the second term classes of Mr J, V. Hanna’s school of physical culture, which will be held in Burns Hall. Mr Heywood has arranged a popular programme for his monthly organ recital to he given in St. Paul’s Cathedral on Sunday afternoon. The assisting vocalists on this occasion will be Mr Arthur Lungley and Master Leslie Coombes. The Dunedin Starr-Bowkett Building Society will dispose of £2OOO by ballots and sale in the Nos. 4,6, and ,0 groups in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Stuart street, bn Wednesday; May 21. Sixteen acres exceptionally rich land, Mosgiel, with splendid brick house, 5 toqms, etc., estate late George Ruthven, being offered by. auction on 14th inst., by Messrs Tamblyn and Rhodes. See auction advt.—Advt, Shop at the practical jewellers, and know, satisfaction and promptness.—Williamsons, ring makers (next The Bristol Piano Co.). —Advt. W. V. Sturmer. G.A.0.C., D. 5.0.1 optician. Consulting room, 2 Octagon Dunedin, Most modern scientific equipment for eight testing.—Advt A. E. J Blakeley and W E. Bagley dentists. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond end • Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office) Telephone 12-359 —Advt S. E, Ferguson, qualified optician and refractionist. G.P 0.C., 45 George street Twenty years’ experience in sight-testing and spectacle fitting. If! your eyes trouble you consult us. Doctors’ prescriptions carefully attended to.—Advt. Winter time is radiator time. Get yours to-day from Barth Electrical Supplies, Ltd., 90 Princes street. Dunedin.— Advt, We make a special feature of high-class brush ware; Tooth ' Brushes, Shaving Brushes, and Hair Brushes. If you want something, really good go to Sprosen’s, .Ltd., leading chemists, corner Octagon and George Street.—Advt. Choice Jewellery.r-Compare our values Just landed large selection Diamond Rings, Reliable Watches. Jewellery and Silverware.-Peter Dick; the most reliable jewellers, watchmakers, snd opticians, 490 Moray place,- Dunedin.— Advt.