English and Australian Mails

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21539, 11 January 1932, Page 6

English and Australian Mails

The steamer Maunganui, which is due at Wellington to-morrow from Sydney, is bringing 118 bags of English and Australian mails and 18 pafcel receptacles for Dunedin. The mail is expected to reach the local Post Office on Wednesday afternoon. The Tainui, which is due at Wellington to-morrow from London, has 29 bags of mail and 240 parcel receptacles for New Zealand. The Dunedin portion is due here on Wednesday afternoon. Malicious False Alarm A malicious false alarm was responsible for the City Fire Brigade being called to the corner of Park and Queen streets at 10.50 p.m. on Saturday. Municipal Organ Recital The organ recital which was given by the city organist (Dr V.E. Galway) in the Town Hall last evening attracted a very large audience, and Dr Galway maintained the high standard set by previou* recitals. The outstanding organ item on the programme was a brilliant performance of Beethoven’s overture to “ Egmont.” The appreciation of this item was considerably enhanced by a lucid explanation of the piece by the organist. Another item of outstanding beauty was Chopin’s “ Nocture in G Major,” and the audience was evidently captivated by the nocturne and wedding march from Mendelssohn’s incidental music to “The Midsummer Night's Dream.” Keen appreciation was also shown by a chorus from Handel’s “ Messiah,” Schumann’s “ Nachtstuck,” Baynon’s “Triumph Song,” and the old Scottish lament “The Flowers of the Forest.’ Dr Galway was fortunate in having the assistance of two very accomplished vocalists in Miss Bertha Rawlinson, who gave a beautiful performance of Gluck’s “Che Faro,” and Mies Dora Drake, who gave a sympathetic interpretation of Grieg’s “Solveig’s Song.”

Prisoner Recaptured A member of the detective staff and four constables recaptured an escaped prisoner, Thomas Joseph Hogg, at Johnsonville yesterday afternoon. Hogg (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington) is a Maori, who-, escaped from the Mount Crawford prison last Thursday. '

Otago Witness Illustrations A notable page in the illustrated section of the Otago Witness to be published to-morrow deals with last Wednesdays marriage of Miss June Batchelor and Mr H. H. Elworthy. The crowd outside the cathedral and the bridal party leaving the cathedral and gathered at “Wycnwood” after the ceremony ate shown, the whole giving a vivid impression of one of Dunedin’s most popular weddings. The Otago Senior and Junior Amateur Golf Championships on the St. Clair Golf Club’s Links, the Regatta at Broad Bay, where boat racing took place in a high wind, and the winners (in action) of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association s Annual Championships are three interesting local half-page subjects, other groups of photographs being in connection with the War in Manchuria, Catching Swordfish at Tahiti, the Wyndham and Southland Racing Club’s Meetings, the Otago v. Canterbury Cricket Match, the Christchurch Camp for .Chief Scouts, and ■the Christmas Bowling Tournament at Dunedin. There are also several onepicture subjects, including among the views of New Zealand’s a snapshot of Mount Tutoko, an ascent of which was reported last week, and portraits of Mr H. Turner, Miss Peggy Salaman, and Australia’s new Prime Minister, with his wife and family of ID children.

Dunedin to New York The Canadian Challenger, which left Dunedin early on Saturday morning, has the distinction of being the first cargo vessel to make the voyage direct to New York from this port for a .number of years. The Canadian Challenger came to New Zealand from Montreal and the Gulf of Mexico. She was an “extra” ship owing to the fact that she brought, in addition to Canadian merchandise, 4000 tons of sulphur for Auckland and New Plymouth. The sulphur was loaded at Galveston. While discharging at Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Timaru, and Dunedin, the Canadian Challenger loaded a fair quantity of pelts, wool, calf skins, grass seed, and general cargo. Her freight from Dunedin included 1000 bags of grass seed and 64 drums of aluminium cable. The latter is being returned to Canada by the Public Works Department, as it was found to be unsuitable for the purpose for which it was imported in connection with the Waitaki hydro-electric works. It has been customary for vessels of the Canadian National Steamships to work back up the. coast from Dunedin or Bluff, and sail finally from Auckland for New York, Boston, and Montreal or Halifax. Recently, however, the vessels, after visiting New Zealand, have proceeded to Australian ports for final loading for America and Canada.

Royal Naval Reservist* Carrying a draft of young men attached to the Otago Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, the naval ship Wakakura left Dunedin on Saturday afternoon for the north. The draft comprises 16 reservists under the charge of Sub-lieutenant J. H. Seelye, R.N.R. The Wakakura will make Timaru or Akaroa her base for about five days, while the reservists undergo training. The lads will receive instruction in four-inch and Lewis gun firing and general seamanship (boat pulling and boat sailing). The Wakakura will retux-n to Dunedin on Friday, and will leave again on Saturday for the same destination with a second draft of naval reservists, who will undergo a week’s training.

Increase in Native Birds Of interest to native bird lovers will be the report from the State Sanctuary at Gouland Downs (Nelson) declaring the present breeding season for native birds to be a long w r ay ahead of previous seasons for a number of years. As a result of daily observations the ranger of the sanctuary (Mr R. E. Clouston) has informed the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Adam Hamilton) that he had not for some time seen flitting about so many young birds of almost all species, including the weka, fern bird, and native pigeon. The stopping of indiscriminate burning on tussock and fern lands and the abundance of food everywhere in the sanctuary had greatly helped the increase and thriving of the birds. “The hills," the ranger says, “are one mass of rata blossom at present, and the kaka parrot* are having a splendid time with the nectar from these trees, which only occasionally bloom so much as at this time of the year. The blue mountain duck (whia) is, howeveri not nearly so plentiful since : the great earthquake, and I attribute this to the river beds being covered with some feet of gravel and shingle, spoiling the ducks’ feeding grounds. All the stx'eains around here are the same—all carrying terrific, loads of material to the sea.”

A School Riot An occurrence that may sound impossible in these days of tolerance was recalled by & speaker at the Rakaia School jubilee celebrations last week. This was C riot that arose about 1880 between some ©ne hundred children at the school over religious differences. The upshot of the disagreement was that the factions set to and attacked one another lustily with bluegum sticks and other weapons, while the battlecries of the two sides sounded above the din of combat.''' The girl scholars became alarmed and sought the aid of the local constable. He was not at home, but his wife, a hefty specimen of womanhood, filled the breach and stopped the riot in a manner that would have done credit to any man. Reduced Motor Imports

Motor vehicles imported into New Zealand during the 11 months ended November 30 last totalled 3693, as' compared with 16,272 in the corresponding period of 1930. This decline of nearly 77 per cent, indicates that motor dealers are keeping stocks as a minimum, and the great decrease will be reflected in a substantial reduction in the receipts from duties for the Consolidated Fund. Pious Butter Boxes

As the result of a recent test in Adelaide, the council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Australia believes that one of its investigations is on the eve of success, and that, as a direct result, about £250,000 which is now sent out of the country for the purchase of butterbox timber will be ■ retained, with corresponding benefit to the Australian producers of pinus radiata. In Adelaide tests were carried out in co-operation with he South Australian Farmers’ Union and the South Australian Forests Department. They consisted of the cold storage of 50 boxes of choice butter for a period ot three months, the boxes being made ot pinus radiata. This timber was selected because it is an Australian-grown softwood, eminently suited for butter boxes except for the fact that it invariably causes taint when used in its natural state, gome of the boxes were treated by the spray method; others were untreated, but had extra paper wrappings; still others were untreated and had the usual wrapping. These boxes were recently opened and examined by Commonwealth and State butter graders, in the presence of officials cf the South Australian Agricultural Department, Forests Department, the council, and the South Australian Farmers Union. The results were excellent, and all those present at the expressed great satisfaction at the condition of the butter. As a result of the test the South Australian Farmers’ Union has decided to send 100 treated boxes to London, These boxes will be prepared by the council’s division of forest products, which •will undertake the whole supervision of this shipment.

Easy for the Unscrupulous According to an Aucklander who has returned after an absence of two years in Australia, the Commonwealth is an easy place in which to obtain sustenance just now. “Apparently,” he said, “there is no urgent necessity to work, for rations can be obtained by the mere filling-in of a form. The lot of the landlord is hard, for the courts are very reljictant to grant ejectment orders, and often enough, when notice to quit is given, the term varies between three and 12 months. With rent free, food free, and the law on their side, Australia is a comfortable home for those who are unscrupulous.” The returned New Zealander added that unemployment was still rife in the cities, but, on the whole, there was a brighter outlook in industry than was the case a year ago. « The spirit of optimism is prevalent,” he said, “and I think it may be described as more prevalent than is the case in this country at the present time.”

Mount Anglem Climbed Mount Anglem/ (Hananui) is the highest peak in Stewart Island and from its position at the northern end_ of the island' overlooking Foveaux Strait commands a wonderful view of the mainland and Stewart Island. During the last 20 years it has not been climbed by tourists owing to its inaccessibility. Two years ago a track was cut to the summit 3200 ft above eea level, but a party of 23, organised by Mr A. W. Jones, of Invercargill, which left Halfmoon Bay on December 81, was the first party of tourists to make a successful ascent.

Activity in Assaying The present depression has had the effect of greatly increasing the number of prospectors, who, with or without previous experience, have set out in the hope of finding gold. The consequence is that the Mines Department is being kept very busy making assays of samples sent by prospectors, about 80 being made every fortnight. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has lent the Mines Department the services of two geologists to help in this work. The former department is also carrying on important investigations with regard to the gold content of various black sands, and this work is likely to prove of great assistance in solving the problems connected with gold extraction from black Bands.

Height of Mount Tutoko “ The official height of Mount Tutoko given by Government surveyors is 9042 ft (■writes Mr H. F. Wright to the New Zealand Herald). Their triaugulatiou in all cases has been carried out faithfully and accurately. This is evidenced by the closeness of the results of the tri-: angulations taken from the east and the west coast sides. That anything in the region of 9600 ft can be found on the Tutoko Range is pure romance. It is an established fact that the triangulation of all the tops has been proved correct. The only thing that remains for climbers and explorers is the filling in between the high peaks. The Survey Department has a trig on the Humboldt Range directly across the Hollyford from Tutoko. From this trig the correct height of Tutoko is easily determinable. New Zealand has had a wonderful staff of pioneer surveyors and the accuracy and thoroughness of their labours are beyond praise or question.’’

Attention is drawn to Parker's motorbody ’ building advertisement on Motor Notes page. These firms know where to go for quality. Bodies of all descriptions, caravans, trailers, cars converted to sleepers, repairs, painting and trimming.—Advl All over the world Austin Cars have demonstrated under the most trying conditions, so that the words “As dependable as an Austin ” are charged with meaning. Austin Motors (Otago) Ltd., 284-286 Princes street, Dunedin. Phone 13-215. — Advt. Save your eyes. Be wise, and consult W V. Stumer (optician, 2 Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old age.— Advt.

A. B. J. Blakeley and W. E, Bagley. dentists, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next (Telegraph Office) Telephone 12-359. Advt

When you buy a watch, buy a Watch. Purchase from Peter Dick, jewellers, watchmakers, and opticians, 490 Moray jilace, Dunedin. —Advt.