Snow at the Hermitage

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22025, 7 August 1933, Page 6

Snow at the Hermitage

The Hermitage, Mount Cook, advises that six inches of snow fell there on Friday, and a much larger fall at the Tasman Chalet.

Distribution of Apples During the past week the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association has distributed three tons four hundredweight of apples to unemployed returned soldiers. The apples were given to the association by Messrs A. Leslie and C. Stronach, of Ettrick.

Tug Theresa Ward The Otago Harbour Board has been advised that the tug Theresa Ward, which has been purchased by an Australian firm from the Bluff Harbour Board, will arrive at Port Chalmers this morning for docking. It is expected that the Theresa Ward wil] sail this week for Australia.

The Bulletin in New Dress

When an old-established paper like the Bulletin adopts new type it is regarded as an important event in the newspaper world. This new type, which is the same as that used in the London Times, is a tremendous improvement on the old type and makes the Bulletin much easier reading. Added to this, the Bulletin has been permanently enlarged.

City Fire Calls A chimney fire in Magdala street was attended by the South Dunedin Brigade about 9 a.m. on Saturday. No damage was done. At 4.34 p.m. a chimney fire in a Cumberland street dwelling claimed the attention of a crew from the Central Station. A grass fire in Jubilee Park caused the City Fire Brigade to turn out at 5.30 p.m. yesterday. The blaze was extinguished before it had time to spread and become dangerous.

Wills Proved

His Honor Mr Justice Kennedy has granted probate in the following estates: —John Thomas Calder, of Dunedin, baker; Christina Mollison, of Oamaru; Janet Gibson, of Waianakarua; Emily Williams, of Macandrew Bay; Duncan Wall, of Balclutha, accountant; William Mulrine, of Balclutha, retired farmer. Letters of administration have been granted in the estate of William John Murdoch, of Puerua, farmer.

Napier-Gisborne Railway At a conference between Mr K. S. Williams, M.P. for the Bay of Plenty, and members of the Railway Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, the terms Cabinet has stipulated for the lease of the Napier-Gisborne railway were discussed, but have not been made public. The meeting decided (says a Press Association telegram from Gisborne) to get in touch with the interested parties at Wairoa and Napier with a view to holding a conference.

“ Free and Easy " Night ' The “ free and easy ” night held by the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association on Saturday attracted a very large attendance of ex-servicemen. The principal item of the evening was a talk by Mr H. Ninnis, station director of 4YA, who spoke in a very entertaining manner of his own experiences with the Shackleton expedition to the South Pole. The remainder of the evening was occupied with cards and community singing.

Transport Economics Summed Up “If a ton of butter or cheese gains nothing in value by being transported in a motor truck instead, of on a railway which does not pay operating expenses and capital charges, surely it is economic folly to transport it by the motor truck,” wrote the commissioner of transport (Mr J. S. Hunter), in a paper read before the Commerce Section, Victoria College, in Wellington last week. “ Such a state of affairs exists because the individual interest is, rightly or wrongly, put before the national interest.”

Work that Brought Death A four months’ search for employment in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland ended tragically recently, when an 18-year-old youth was killed on the day he obtained work. He- secured employment at Bexley Station, near Longreaeh, Queensland, and that afternoon was sent to get sheep. He did not return, and a search was instituted, the body of the youth being found early next morning about a mile from the homestead. The horse he had been riding apparently bolted and dashed the rider against a tree, smashing his skull and a shoulder.

Rats Bore Zinc Pipes Considerable damage was done at the Auckland Hospital Board’s dental clinic last week (says the Star) through leaky zinc pipes, which were thought to be secure. When the matter was traced to its source by the plumber, it was found that rats had gnawed the heavy pipe of 61b-to-the-foot gauge, so that there were quite big holes in it. A plumber said that such occurrences were not rare, and it was thought that the rats found zinc a suitable substance on which to sharpen their teeth. They were not after water, as in most cases water could be easily got. The front of . the dental rooms was completely flooded.

A Plea for the Trees An inscription on a monument at Burke’s Pass, Mackenzie Country, is quoted by the Native Bird Protection Society in its August bulletin. The inscription makes a plea on behalf of the trees of the forest. It reads:—“To put on record that Michael John Burke, a graduate of Dublin University and the first occupier of Rainclifi Station, entered that pass —known to the Maoris as Te Kopi Opihi—in IBSS. Oh ye who enter the portals of the Mackenzie to found homes, take the word of a child of the misty gorges and plant forest trees for your lives. So shall your mountain facing and river flats be preserved to your children’s children and you evermore.”

The Rarest British Stamp The rarest British stamp realised £825 at an auction in London late in June. It is the 10s denomination of the Edwardian series, with the words “ I.R. Official ” overprinted on the face, appropriating it to departmental use, and its rarity is accounted for by the fact that stringent regulations precluded such varieties from getting into the hands of collectors. As soon as a leakage was discovered they were withdrawn from circulation and the remaining copies officially destroyed. Only about half a dozen specimens are believed to exist in unused condition, of which this is one. A £1 stamp of the Victorian era similarly overprinted for official purposes went for the comparatively modest sum of £SO, but another rare “ Official ” with the head of King Edward VII overprinted for use by the Board of Education and taken from the corner of a sheet (with the certificate of the Royal Philatelic Society, London, attached) fetched £176.

Drought in South Africa According to a letter which has been received by an Australian sheep breeder from South Africa, farmers-and grazier* there are in a desperate position as tha result of a drought. "There have been huge losses of sheep," the letter states, "The loss of all kinds of sheep, by the end of winter, will be nearer 12,000,000, of which about 7,000,000 will be merinos. Men who were wealthy a few years ago are ruined to-day. Farms are being sold for as hnv as Is a morgen (two acres and one eighth). Dairy cattle are unsaleable, as there are no pastures, and feed is unprocurable. Even after stopping the export of mealies, there will not be sufficient to go round, and the Government is in a dilemma.”

Foreign Legion—Fact and Fiction Among the 80 ex-servicemen of all the fighting services who assembled at the Putaruru R.S.A. reunion recently (says the Auckland Star) was an ex-member of the French Foreign Legion (Mr J. Holmbey). In the course of a few remarks, he refuted a popular belief that the legion consisted largely of criminals. There were men of over 50 different nationalities in his regiment during the war, and 13 different ones in his section. Some 96.000 men had enrolled in the legion during the war, but only 1400 had paraded at its close. Many people might have read more about the legion than he had, and might know more about it than he did, but he could assure them that criminals were not wanted in the legion.

Cities and Towns There are 27 urban areas in New Zealand with populations in excess of 4000. The Census and Statistics Office has compiled population figures showing the totals as estimated on April 1 last. The Auckland urban area is the largest with a population of 219,800. Wellington’s total is 145,900, Christchurch 130,100, and Dunedin 87,900. Apart from the four principal cities, the population totals in excess of 4000 are as follows:—Wanganui 27,650, Invercargill 24,500, Palmerston North 23,500, Napier 19,450, New Plymouth 18,750, Timaru 18,750, Hamilton 18,300, Hastings 17,000, Gisborne 16,500, Nelson 12,850, Masterton 8750, Whangarei 7750, Oamaru 7650, Greymouth 6310, Ashburton 5500, Blenheim 5350, Rotorua 5220, Hawera 4740, Thames 4700, Dannevirke 4570, Feilding 4480, Gore 4300, Westport 4040.

Land Travel Preferred In his paper on the subjects of transport and transport regulation, read last week at Victoria College, Wellington, the commissioner of transport (Mr J. S. Hunter) remarked (says the Post) that passenger traffic between the North and South Islands had steadily increased, but the number of passengers carried along the coast of both the North and South Islands had decreased rapidly and was now practically non-existent. It was a striking fact that passenger traffic inevitably drifted over to land services by either road, motor, or rail as soon as alternative services became available. Striking instances in this connection were the shipping services between New Plymouth and Auckland, Gisborne to Auckland, Bay of Plenty to Auckland, and Gisborne to Wellington, which once carried considerable numbers of passengers, but which now carried an occasional passenger only. Land travel was, of course, much quicker than sea travel, but even where the land trip covered a much greater distance than the sea and the actual travelling times were approximately equal, the preference for travel by land was paramount.

Guano from Walpole Island Strong north-easterly and southwesterly gales were experienced by the Union Company’s steamer Kanna on the voyage from Walpole Island and Noumea to Dunedin. The vessel, which reached port early on Saturday morning, left Walpole Island on July 26, the voyage thus occupying 11 days, including a brief stay at Noumea. The Kanna reached the island on July 17 from Auckland and Noumea, and loaded 2226 tons of guano in eight days. The loading was carried out by Javanese, Japanese, and coolie labour. When the Kanna was ready for sea 64 of these labourers were embarked and landed at Noumea on July 26. The total population of Walpole Island Kanna was at her moorings was 74, and was reduced to 10 with the departure of the 64 labourers. These 10 will work on the guano deposits until the next vessel arrives at the island. Walpole Island is a French possession, and the guano trade is now confined to Union Company ships, which call there at intervale. Noumea is situated 144 miles from Walpole Island, and the distance between the island and Otago Harbour is 1690 miles. City Police Court There were no cases set down for hearing at the City Police Court on Saturday morning. In connection with the Southland v. Otago football match at Dunedin on Saturday next, the Railways Department advertises m this issue particulars of special train arrangements and cheap. fares. “ Classical Learning in Mediaaval Scotland ” is the title of a lecture to be given before the Classical Association this evening in the Museum lecture room by the Rev. Dr Dickie. The public are invited. You buy a Car, but you invest in an Austin. Running costs are lowest and repairs negligible. Austin Motors (Otago). Ltd., 284/8 Princes street. Phone 13-215.—Advt.

A. E. Blakeley and W. E. Bagley, dentists, Bank .of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 12-359.—Advt. Save your eyes. Be wise, and consult W. V. Sturmer, optician (2 Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old age.— Advt.

Those who are requiring an engagement ring will do well to inspect our rings.— Peter Dick ring specialist, 490 Moray place, Dunedin.—Advt.