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Otago Daily Times, Issue 21254, 7 February 1931, Page 10

A municipal concert and organ recital will be given in the Town Hall to-morrow night at 8.15 p.m. by Dr V. E. Galway, city organist, assisted by Misses Freda Elmes and Beatrice Sprostou and Messrs E. Drake and G. W. Johnstone. A collection will bo taken up, which will be devoted to the Earthquake Sufferers’ Relief Fund. The Mayor (Mr R. S. Black) appeals to citizens to make every effort to attend this recital and give liberally. The D.1.C., Ltd., has decided to make a grant of £250 for the relief of the earthquake sufferers, and this will bo sent to the central fund in Wellington. The staffs of the George street and South Dunedin branches of the D.S.A., Ltd., have agreed to forego their annual picnic, and to hand the money which is usually supplied by the firm for the purpose of providing this outing to the Otago Daily Times Fund. This amounts to £39, and in addition a collection taken up among the ■members of the staff realised £3l, making a total of £7O. The staff of Brown, Ewing and Co., Ltd., has forwarded us £52 15s, the proceeds of a collection.

After a lapse of about eight years the assembly meetings of the Congregational Union of New Zealand will be held again in Dunedin, extending over a week, early in March. The Rev. D. Gardner Miller, of Trinity Congregational Church, Christchurch, will be the incoming chairman, and a large gathering of clergymen and lay delegates from all parts of the Dominion is expected. The estate of the late Mrs Margaret Baxter, of Baxtcrholme. Caversham, has been sworn for probate purposes at ■ a value of £50,000. To find a Roman copper coin near a New Zealand beach must be a unique experience. A New Zealand Herald subscriber brought into the office of that paper the other day an irregularly-shaped coin, a little smaller than a penny, which ho had unearthed while digging not far from the beach at Awhitu, on the south shore of the Manukau Harbour. He stated that he had submitted it to Mr J. C. Entrican, the leading Auckland authority on numismatics, who had identified it as a sestertius of the Emperor Antoninus Pius, A.D. 130-IGI. The coin bore the head of a bearded man, surrounded by an inscription too indistinct to be read by a layman. On the reverse was a female figure holding a wreath.

The special illustrated earthquake supplement, which will be published with the Otago Witness on Tuesday morning, will contain photographs of outstanding interest. Some 20 pictures of the devastated areas in Napier and Hastings are included in the issue, and the contrasts of the towns before and after the visitation are most impressive. They form a unique collection, and will doubtless be widely welcomed as a record of the disaster. The summary of news which accompanies the illustrations will constitute a record of the havoc caused by the earthquake and the fires which followed in its wake.

We have found it necessary this morninf, in order to provide space for pictures taken in the earthquake area, to hold over Marine Nature Notes.

Mr R. A. Steele, who is a well-known authority on Maori lore and reports that on Sunday last he received a great surprise when he saw a boy with a .22 rifle firing at a blue heron in Wycliffe Bay. This bird is the only survivor of four herons which formerly frequented the bay. As the bird, in Mr Steele’s words, is " almost as. rare as the moa ” it has been carefully safeguarded by residents of the district for many years.

A claim against the New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd., for £2OOO for alleged libel was brought in the Supreme Court in Wellington yesterday (says a Press Association telegram) by Dr Richard Walter Richards, of Wellington. The case was heard before the Chief Justice and a jury, which brought in a verdict for defendant. The claim was based on substantially the same facts as that brought by Dr Richards against the Sun Newspapers, Ltd., heard on Thursday, when the jury awarded £25 damages. The claim then was for the same amount as in that against the New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd., namely £2OOO. The Mayor (Mr R. S. Black) and the city councillors will be present at the memorial service to be held at First Church to-morrow evening.

The naval minesweeper Wakakura returned to Dunedin yesterday after an absence of six days. The vessel had on board the third draft of the Otago Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reservists. Exercises were carried out on board the ship off Akaroa. Sixteen sailors and one officer will leave by the Wakakura this afternoon for Akaroa to undergo a period of training. The draft that returned yesterday will be paid off this morning.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the annual conference of the 8.M.A., which it had been arranged to hold at Gisborne, has been abandoned.

Mr Justice Ostler has granted probate in the undermentioned cases: —Richard Hugh Romeo Ross, of Dunedin, storeman (Mr S. C. Hercua); Walter John Pettitt, of Roslyn, monumental mason (Mr F. B. Adams); William Heffernan, of Moonlight, farmer (Mr J. R. M. Lemon); Eliza White, of Mosgiel (Mr W. Allan); Hugh Alexander M’Kenzie, of Pukeuri, farmer (Mr A. Hamilton); and Margaret Baxter, of Dunedin, widow. , Letters of administration were granted in the estate of John Henry Kewish, of Mornington, engineer (Mr F. G. Duncan). Reference was made recently by Mr W. Wallace, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, to the case of a recent arrival from Queensland who had £1 4s6d in his pocket and had asked for assistance to return ii Queensland. The applicant had stated that between 40 and GO Australians all looking for work, had come over in the same ship. At the opening of the Auckland City Mission shelter, the Hon. J. B. Donald said the question of men coming from Australia to look for work was receiving the earnest consideration of the Government. At present, however, he did not wish to say anything further about it. A prominent Labour Union secretary, who discussed matter with an Auckland Star reporter, said some of the men coming to New Zealand were probably returning New Zealanders. “During the last two years,” he said, '• j have issued over 150 clearances from my union to men who wished to go to Australia in search of employment.”

An application for authority to take specimens of the gull Larus bulleri for the purpose of investigating reports as to their being responsible for the destruction of a considerable number of trout fry was made by the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, but has been refused by the Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs on several grounds, which were enumerated in a letter received by the council of the society at its last meeting. The letter stated that when a specimen of the bird was previously submitted for examination, it was found that the stomach was empty, but that the small fish which had been disgorged by the bird were young trout. It was not considered that anyone would argue that the birds would not feed on trout if they could obtain them, but there were various questions which presented themselves for consideration. It was understood that the birds could obtain nsh only in shallow water, and it would be seen that the worst period as regards trout destruction would be when the rivers were low, when other birds could also get the fish. There was also the very important question as to the benefits of the Larus bulleri from an agricultural point of view. Taking all circumstances into consideration, it seemed as though there were many features which had to be considered, and even assuming the bird accounted for a number of trout, there was abundant evidence of benefits conferred by the eating of grubs. About 27 years ago a brother, Reuben, of Mr William Butler, of Muswellbrook, New South Wales, was reported to have died at sea between Adelaide and Melbourne. The report was said to have been confirmed by the captain of the ship on which the brother was supposed lo have died. The other day the wireless stations broadcasted that Mr Reuben Butler had returned, and would be glad to hear from any of his relatives, and though messages were heard by several Muswellbrodk residents none realised their significance. Subsequently Mr William Butler received a message from the police that his brother, who was in Sydney, wished to speak to him over the telephone next night. At first Mr Butler was amazed, then suspicious that someone might be attempting to impersonate the brother who had been mourned as dead for 27 years. Any doubts were dispelled by the conversation over the telephone. The “dead’' brother was very much alive, and later Mr William Butler left for Sydney to meet him. Mr Reuben Butler is second chef on the steamer Sonoma, and had not written to any of his relatives in Australia during his long absence in America. The identity of the person who was buried at sea will now become a matter for investigation by the authorities. Mr Reuben Butler said he had no idea' that ho was supposed to be dead.

“My father borrowed my lamp without my knowledge/' said a 16-year-old boy, who was charged in the Children’s Court at Christchurch with cycling at night without a light. “Well perhaps you may convince your father that he should pay your fine,” said Mr H. A. Young, the magistrate. “You are fined one shilling.”

As legislation may be introduced to make the insurance of motor cars against third-party claims compulsory in Victoria, attention has been directed to the New Zealand Act. The view of the Chamber of Automotive Industries is that compulsory insurance has. failed, except in New Zealand, to give the cover to the injured persons which legislators expected. The secretary of the chamber, Mr H. W. Harrison, said the New Zealand Act was remarkable for two things—its simplicity and low cost. Mr Harrison said that the private car owner in New Zealand paid an annual premium of £l. When the vehicle was used for trade or business the annual premium was £1 10s. If such low ates were adopted in Victoria any objection to compulsory insurance would be removed.

Some changes are being made in tbs ‘ location of the camps occupied by the men engaged on the Hawea road relief works. The whole of the camp that was the more distant from the works ha# been moved to Boundary Creek, and it is hoped that in the near .future it will be possible to shift the Camp Creek camp to a spot about half a mile or three-quarters of a mile from the Makarora wharf, and the occupants of this camp will commence working from the Makarora end of the road that is under construction.

There was a strange chance meeting at the Sydney railway station, when the Federal Prime Minister, Mr J. Scullin, was departing unostentatiously for _ Melbourne, after paying his first visit to Sydney after returning from the Imperial Conference. Few of his fellow-passengers on the Melbourne express realised that the slight figure pacing the platform alone was the Prime Minister, and certainly few of the many people who were on the, platform were aware of the fact. It was a remarkable contrast with the tumultuous reception given Mr Scullin elsewhere in Sydney, but, of course, it had no political significance. It was the Prime Minister’s own desire to leave quietly. All the official farewells had already been given. Outside a sleeping car a tall man, deep in conversation with a friend, turned suddenly as Mr Scullin approached. The Prime Minister, absorbed in his own thoughts, continued his slow pacing. There was nearly a collision, and then, all at once, Mr Scullin’s face lit up with recognition. “ Hullo,” he addressed the tall traveller; "why, it’s yourself.” The tall man beamed down upon him. He was Mr S’. M. Bruce. Political differences forgotten, Prime Minister and ex-Prime Minister exchanged warm greetings. Soon they were pacing along together, deep in a subject which seemed to amuse them.

Car sales in the New Plymouth postal district, which extends from Hawera to Awakino, fell by 355 in 1930 compared with the returns for the previous year. The total for 1929 was 1157, and for 1930 802, an average of 96 a month as against 67. ’ In 1929, in five separate months, the figures were over 100, and in four over 90, the lowest being 66. In 1930, however, the 100 mark was just reached on one occasion, and the 90 mark on one other. In November only 26 cars were sold in the whole of Taranaki,

Three residents of Petone had the unenviable experience of having to spend the night in a small cave on Reaper Island last week. At 7.30 pan. they left Petone in a flat-bottomed boat with the intention of fishing off the island, which is on the northern side of Somes Island, but owing to the rough sea were unable to return. On the following morning they crossed over to Somes Island to ask the caretaker to summon assistance. A heavy sea was running, and the Harbour Board was notified. A launch left the wharves at 5.45 p.m., and, after a rough crossing, picked up the three men.

At a meeting of creditors, held in Auck-. land, the debtor mentioned that since the filing of his petition he had collected an' account that was owing to him. The Official Assignee,-Mr A. W. Watters, pointed out that he had acted wrongly in so doing. “When your petition in bankruptcy was filed,” he said, your assets, even money due to you, became uo longer your own. Your assets were automatically taken over for the benefit of your creditors.” Mr Watters added that the bankrupt had evidently acted quite honestlv and straightforwardly. He had used the money he had collected in order to provide food for himself and his family, and there had been no attempt to appropriate anything for his own benefit, but, nevertheless, he had acted wrongly, indeed illegally. “It is just as well that this point of the law of bankruptcy should be emphasised occasionally,' said the assignee.

Members of -the Choral _ Society _ are notified by advertisement in this issue that practices will be resumed on iuesday. Applications are also invited tor the position of - conductor. ‘ The Railways Department _ announces particulars of fares and train arrangements in connection with the Dunedin autumn races on Thursday and Saturday next. , The Railways Department advertises in this issue particulars of a special cheap day excursion from Dunedin to tne Waitaki Hydro Works to-morrow. the intention is to make the excursion as attractive as possible by putting on fast special trains and charging exceptionally ° h The Dunedin Fire Brigade .will hold a carnival at the Central Fire Station from March 14 to March 21. # * The Dominion Building Society advertises that the fifth annual meeting and twenty-second ballot meeting will be neld on Friday, February 27. The United Starr-Bowkett Building Society will dispose of £IBOO by ballot and sale on February 26, and of a similar amount on March 26. . The Rev. W. Lamb, a Baptist minister of Sydney, a well-known lecturer on tne Lord’s Coming and prophetic subjects, and editor of the religious paper known as the Advent Herald, is expected to arrive in Dunedin in time to commence a week of lectures which are to begin on March 8. He will give Sunday afternoon and after-church addresses, five studies on the Book of Revelation m the week-day afternoons, and illustrated lantern, lectures on “ The Great Things of Divine Prophecy” during the week evenings. Particulars of his meetings and subjects and time and place of. meeting will later appear in our advertising colums. The crew of three and their luggage totalled fortv stone. They found that this load could be packed away nicely on the Austin Seven, while the adjustable driving seat gave the driver . a lanky man —a very comfortable driving position. See the Austin Cars at the showrooms of Austin Motors (Otago), Ltd-. 284 Princes street. Phonen T 1 ’ W. V. Stunner, G.A.0.C., D. 5.0.1., optician. Consulting room, 2 Octagon, Dunedin. Most modern scientific equipment for sight testing. Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley and W. E. Bagley, dentists, Bank of Australasia, corner ot Bond and Rattray streets (next Teleuraph Office). Telephone 12-359.—Advt. S. E. Ferguson, G.P.0.C., consulting optician, watchmaker, and jeweller. Consult us about your eyes; our advice ana long experience are at your disposal. Optical repairs a speciality; done, at shortest notice;—4s George street.—Advt. Port Chalmers—J. Watsons clearing summer sale. General drapery, clothing, furnishings, boots and shoes, now proceed'niJust arrived: Winner cold water stockin" dye, to dye vour faded stockings to fashionable shades—gunmetal, suntan mule, new brown, beige, bulrush, smoke "rev, dago, rose glow, copper beech. Horenee mills, cocoa; 6d tube, post 7d, from 11. L, Sprosen Ltd., chemists. Octagon.— Advt. , . , . Pat Hanna’s popular record on cricket now available on Vocation, 2s 6d each. Lists post free.—Barth Electrical [supplies, Ltd., 56 Princes street, Dunedin.— Advt. , . A Frank Anderson, dental surgeon, 0 Princes street, Dunedin, visits Waipiata, Thursday February 19; Ranfurly and Patearoa, Friday. February 20.—Advt. Who is Peter Dick? The most reliable Jewellers, Watchmakers, and Opticians, 190 Moray place. Dunedin. —Advt.