NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21266, 21 February 1931, Page 24

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Keen satisfaction was expressed at the last meeting of the Marlborough Power Board in regard to the manner in which the board’s concrete poles had stood up to the recent succession of heavy gales (states the Express), The chairman (Mr H. J. Stace), after remarking that the gales were of unusual severity, stated that he had received information that a southern power board, using wooden poles, suffered £990 damage in one blow, while a few days later a further 40 poles went down. In Marlborough, though the gales were the heaviest for many years, not a single pole had suffered damage. Evidence is forthcoming that at least one person in Timaru who holds a mortgage over a residential property in the town does not intend acceding to the request of the Prime Minister, that the borrower should be treated leniently (states the Herald). In the case referred to the mortgage is now due, and the borrower has been advised that^ he can have it renewed at 8 per cent, interest, and on payment of the legal costs involved in the renewal, amounting to a sum in the vicinity of £2O.

Gray’s summer sale is now 15 full swing. All summer drapery has been heavily reduced in price. Milton buyers will take advantage of this money saving opportunity... _ . A Hastings citizen who conveyed a patient who was seriously ill from Royston Hospital to Havelock North, about two hours after the earthquake reports that when he got to the gates of lona College and informed the nurses there of the need that existed in Hastings they appeared in a remarkably short space of time dressed in their uniforms and carrying sheets, which they proceeded to tear up for bandages as the car returned at top speed (states the Tribune)-. Even at that the bandages were rolled and ready before Royston was reached. “ The amount of money lost through damage by fire in New Zealand during the last 10 years would'be sufficient to reinstate Napier and Hastings,” said Superintendent C. C. Warner, of the Christchurch ‘Central Fire Brigade Station. Losses by fire last year amounted to approximately £1,750,000, he stated, while in 1929 it was about £1,500,000. “When this large annual loss is taken into dccount it must be recognised that the onus is on the authorities to see that every precaution is taken to endeavour to reduce it. In over 75 per cent, of the cases outbreaks are due to carelessness.” v

We are selling Penfold’s port wine at 4s per bottle, house whisky 11s, pints 6s; cash with order. Prince of Wales Hotel. C. Hinchcliff, proprietor... An instance of the universal appeal of the great masters of English literature was given by Mr Clement May at a meeting of the Wellington ShakespeareDickens Society. In an Indian college, said Mr May, the students had been studying and producing the works of Shakespeare, and when a master wished to introduce to them 'the works of more modern authors they stated unanimously that they would much prefer to have only Dickens and Shakespeare. During last week freight hauled through the Otira tunnel totalled 9032 tons, compared with 13,165 tons for the corresponding week of last year, and 11,521 tons in 1929.

The importance of establishing a sanctuary where grey duck, Californian quail and English pheasants could be raised in captivity was stressed by Mr L. A. Shand at a meeting of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society the other even-, ing (states the Christchurch Times). Mr Shand said that wing shooters should be given more birds for their sporty It such a breeding ground were established, more attention could be given to rearing birds which would provide good sport in the future. It was decided that £2OO should be put aside for the purpose. Tabasco! This'is a liquid Red Pepper, a most piquant flavouring for food. A few drops in a glass of soda water make the perfect pick-me-up or dinner drink. A. Durie and Co., 32 Octagon... Unless you are specially asked to share a meal with friends, the newest earthquake etiquette decrees that you take your own food or a contribution (writes “Stella,” in the Hawke’s Bay Tribune). Those with orchards and vegetable gardens can add greatly to the comfort of their friends .by taking fruit or vegetables. “May I come to tea?" said a man whose family was away, and he arrived carrying a large basket of pears, many of which the hostess in turn passed on to other campers. Those with no fruit long for it, so windfalls are valuable to someone. Everyone who has more than they can use of any commodity should under the new conditions of life pass it ol Grandism (1260); If the word Aragon in on the bottle you get the real wine flavour in the glass— Aragon Wine is bottled sunshine... . Judging by their interest, cricket was a new game to the three American athletes—Harlow Rothert, Rufus Kiser, and George Simpson—who were training on Cook’s Gardens the other afternoon for the evening meeting there (states the Wanganui Chronicle). They inspected a ball with interest. Then Rothert, 6ft 2in and weighing list 101 b, took a bat in the practice nets. Holding it in baseball style across his right shoulder, he was puzzled by the low delivery of the bowler. Some one threw him up a full toss. The bat connected and the ball came, to earth against the banked cycling track at the other end of the ground.

The schooner-rigged yacht Vision, which recently returned from a voyage_ lo the Islands, is lying moored alongside the wharf at "Stanley Bay, where-extra fittings and furnishings are being put in (states the Auckland Star). The Vision, which was built in Auckland by Mr Reid, is a sturdy craft. Her masts form an interesting contrast with the single “stick” of the Teddy, the Norwegian cutter-rigged yacht which recently lay at Queen’s W'harf after her long adventurous voyage round the wond. The Teddy’s mast was of Norway spruce, and its thickness was commented on by many visitors. Strength in the '* stick ’ was, of course, the desideratum- By comparison, the Vision’s masts are slender, but they are heart of kauri, and will stand almost any strain. The clean, hard gram of the timber is a delight to the eye. For, the full 30 feet, or more, the masts show not a flaw nor a knot. The Vision was “well and truly builded.” Barton’s, butchers, Manse street, Rattray street, and Octagon, for the finest-sugar-cured bams and bacon and smallgoods... _ , Having, received permission from the Department of Internal Affairs to import wekas from the Chatham Islands, the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society discussed the other evening the desirability of placing them in a sanctuary by themselves. It was suggested that they should be put on Quail Island, where they would not be in danger from stoats. Mr C. H. Lawrence said he understood that wekas were very destructive as far as eggs were concerned, and that they might- damage the eggs of birds in the open. Mr Studhoime said that it was hoped that next year more wekas would be imported. They would be liberated in the back country and well away irom any parts where there, were quail. . Ladies’ Intimate Lingerie, cheapest in the city: Rubber Knickers, net tops, 2s lid; trimmed silk lace, 4s lid; Southall s Towels, Is lid and 2s lid; Compressed ditto, 3s lid; Menex Soluble Towels, 2a 3d, 2s 9d; Elastic Sanitary Belts, 2s lid. Securely parcelled and posted to any address—T. Ross, 130 Princes street... After a long discussion in committee at the Anglican General Synod in Christchurch recently of a bill governing the nomination of clergy, a division was called for on the question whether the chairman of committees should leave the chair. When the motion was lost and members prepared themselves for an even longer deliberation, the chairman (Mr C. J. Tunks) announced that the_ president (Archbishop Averill) was willing that thev should smoke during the morning session. Members took out their pipes and cigarettes. “ You had better puc it to the meeting,” suggested the archbishop. When Mr Tunks did so, the volume of “Noes” was as great as that of “Ayes-” Tunks declared that the motion was carried; no division was called and members smoked on. Men’s working shirts, sizes 14J to 17, striped “Tiger Twist” or plain grey “ Oliver Twist,” 7s Hd. Khaki Veldt, Ss Gd. Posted anywhere for cash.— Kilroy and Sutherland, Ltd.. 132 Princes street, Dunedin... Good fortune and presence of mine, saved a 16-year-old boy from senous injury when he was thrown in the path of an oncoming tram shortly after 8 o’clock the other morning (states the Auckland Star). The boy was cycling to work down Wellesley street east, be tween tram tracks on the left side, of the road.' Near' the Technical College the machine skidded, and the boy was throw? on to the rails, right in front of a citybound tram. He succeeded in rolling over on to the other track, and the car just missed him. The boy then found himself in the path of a tram cominguphill, and so rolled further, till ae was on the right-hand side of the road. The second tram had, meanwhile, pulled up, and the St. John Ambulance was summoned to attend to the boy, who had received abrasions to the face, hands and " shoulder through his fall.' “ School Outfits ” Week at the Mosgiel Warehouse. See special window displays, all at sale prices. Free pencils or rulers with all school togs. Over 49 years’ service.—A. F Cheyne and C 0... Most people will remember illustrations of their schooldays supplied to give some conception of the vast distances different stars are from the earth. Sir James Jeans, the eminent astronomer, by means of a recent broadcast talk, dealt with the same subject in a-popular way, giving figures that are beyond the conception of most human minds. The largest telescope yet built, he said, revealed 1,500,000,000 stars, but the larger one under construction would bring into man’s vision many more. Even then it would be only a fraction of the 100,000,000,000 or more that are estimated to exist. Eighty-six globular clusters of stars were known, and the nearest was so remote that its light, travelling at a rate of 18G.000 miles per second, took about 22.000 years to reach the earth. While the light of the farthest took about 220.000 years on its journey. For choice jewellery, wedding and birthday presents, latest in rings, watches, necklets, and silverware. If you wish tp get your watches thoroughly repaired, and desire everything of the best, send to Peter Dick, jewellers, watchmakers, and opticians, 490 Moray place, Dunedin... “As one of many who are sheltering friends from Hawke’s Bay, may I call attention to the miserable state of those who cannot speak for themselves —the large number of domestic pets, who, through accident or neglect, have been left behind in the earthquake area (writes “ One Who Remembers ” in the Evening Post). “At Home, where the S.P.C.A. is well supported financially, it would have been possible to send a number of its officials to search the district to collect and destroy all starving and homeless animals; in fact, this has been done in other countries for health reasons, let alone for those' of humanity. I am aware that the local inspector is already there, but, no doubt, his time will be more than occupied with the _ larger animals, stock, etc. Surely at this stage something can be done t - s end the sunerings of these poor dumb things, too often, i alas, overlooked.” Because their performance and reliability ate taking motorists in all parts of the country by storm, do not neglect ■vour opportunity to investigate the claims of India Super Tyres. Look for tne Red Ring. Agents: The Otago Farmers.'.. “ Unfortunately it has been the duty of coroners throughout New Zealand in ■recent years to hold inquests on people killed as a result of motor accidents, said the coroner (Mr E. D. Mosley), before giving his verdict at an inquest field at Kaiapoi recently (states the Christchurch Times). The proportion of motor accidents in New Zealand, he added, was was fairly heavy, though not as high as in some other countries. _ But our object should be to see that in New Zealand the proportion isconsiderablyiess said Mr Mosley. “ There is not the slightest reason why some 200 lives * year should be sacrificed in this country under the ‘juggernaut vdieels of motor cars. We should aim to lessen that number, and we can do that only by the exercise of the greatest possible care on the part of drivers. They should not do anything that would__ tend to lessen then power of control over the machines they ar | er of sports coats, usually sold* s at 35s 6d. reduced to 22s 6d; flannel trousers now 15s 6d; white fenms trousers, 12s 6d. Post anywhere. Money refunded if not suitable—The Ascot, corner Princes and Rattray streets... The total population of Japan proper is expected to be about 64,370,000, an increase of 8,407,000 over the 1920 figure, or 840.000 annually, when complete returns for the national census taken on September 30 are compiled and tabulated. The announcement of the preliminary figures comes from the Bureau of Statu,- v tics. The population of the entire Japanese Empire is tentatively placed at between 89,000,000 and 90,000 000. . The population- of the extreme northern island of Saghalien, the southern half of which is Japanese, is || 3 294 ’ 9 ft e a^ t nnis of Formosa as 4,603,233. , .. from Korea are not yet complete, and the rough estimate of 20,000.000 is given. AU eC kSo r |S ture leads all other prefectures with 5 370,000 residents, Osaka ranking ne. with 3 536,910. Aichi Prefecture, in which the industrial city of located, has o population of 2,558,000^ Prefecture, with Kobe as its cniei eitv has 2,639,000. > The lovely bacon cured by Hitchon f Is a treat to have in every kitchen. Twice a day—or once at least, It is a veritable feast...