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Otago Daily Times, Issue 22057, 13 September 1933, Page 6

South Australian Oranges

The intercolonial steamer Wainui, which arrived at Dunedin yesterday morning from Melbourne, brought a consignment of South Australian oranges. The Dunedin portion comprised 1400 cases.

Lindts Mining Camp Mr T. E. Roche, whose help in the form of demonstrations of gold mining methods to unemployed men in Dunedin will be remembered, gave some interesting details of the Lindis mining camp, of which he is supervisor. The camp is about 47 miles from Cromwell, and between 50 and 60 men are working there under the subsidy scheme, four married women sharing the tent life with their husbands. The gold that is being won is not very considerable, in most cases being insufficient to warrant dispensing with the subsidy, but the men, comprising all types, are in good heart, at least 90 per cent, being genuine “triers." The Vincent mining executive does all in its power for the benefit of the men. During the six months since the establishmnt of the camp, declared Mr Roche, the services of a doctor or a policeman have never been required, while a man under the influence of liquor is a rarity. Return of the Godwils Godwits have started to return to New Zealand after their long annual migration to • Siberia, and already (says our special correspondent in Auckland) numbers have been seen in Manukau Harbour. They are apparently an advance guard for the larger flocks. It is customary for the godwits to appear in large numbers in October, the migration in normal years being completed by the end of November. In several weeks’ time it is probable that thousands of the birds will be gathered on the mudflats of West Coast harbours and other favoured spots. No Rum Ration Sailors, rum, and the sea are, in the minds of most people, an inseparable combination. As well have Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark ns a battleship without its rum ration, but this is the plight of the Royal Australian Navy. Officially there is no “ grog ” on board ship. There is no daily distribution of rum of the kind that has existed from time immemorial in the British Navy. The tradition is observed in the New Zealand Squadron, however, and in this respect, the ships’ companies of H.M.S. Diomede and H.M.S. Dunedin are generally envied by the crews of the visiting Australian cruisers. Asked why Australians should be denied the inalienable privilege of man-of-warsmen, an officer of H.M.A.S. Australia yesterday laid the responsibility for this form of prohibition at the door of a well-known rear-admiral of the fleet, who discouraged the rum ration, and justified himself by saying that Australians did not need rum; they were bad enough without it. Back to Sheep Again

A trend iu farming particularly noticeable since the recent rise in wool prices was x’emarked on by a Wanganui stock authority to a member of the staff of the Chronicle. He stated that the sheep farmers had gone in for milking for factory supply when the price of wool dropped from its former dizzy heights, and many of them had got together dairy herds of from 30 to as many as 100 head. With the price of butterfat at a record low level and with wool rising, these farmers had come to the conclusion that it would pay them to use their home paddocks, now. in demand for dairy purposes, as “ hospital paddock for the sheep, who would repay such attention and provide better returns. Throwing mofet of their milking cows and heifers on the market, these vendors had accentuated the move away from dairy stock, and prices had suffered accordingly. Civil Aviation Development

Striking statistics concerning the tremendous development which is taking place the world over within the sphere of civic aviation are contained in the pub lication for the current month of Airways and Airports, a British journal devoted to commercial aviation matters. It is stated that at the end of last year the total mileage flown on organised airways was 90,370,000 miles. In spite of a reduction in subsidy from £1,013,153 in 1031 to £992,647 in 1932, to two-thirds of the 1931 figures, the Empire’s air route mileage rose to 28,/82 miles. A fleet of 700 air liners was employed in regular air route operation by the main European companies at the end of last year, and the capital investment in them ran into eight figures sterling. The largest air transport company in the world is United Air Linos of America, and this organisation has recently purchased 00 of the now Boeing aircraft, which is a twin-engined monoplane, with accommodation for 10 passengers. The cruising speed of " type of plane is 170 miles per hour, and the maximum speed is 182 miles per hour. The recognised air routes of the United States of America total 47,423 miles, 27,301 miles being internal. Last year an average daily mileage of 129,479 miles was flown.

Local Government Commission The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr J. A. Young) said last night (reports a Press Association telegram from Christchurch) that as soon as the Prime Minister (Mr 6. W. Forbes) returns the personnel of the Local Government Commission, promised by Mr Forbes in February, 1931, will be announced. No official information regarding the commission is available, but it is learned authoritatively that the chairman will be a magistrate, with not more than four other members. The commission will investigate the financial administration only of counties and rural districts within the county areas, and will not touch municipalities or boroughs. The Lure of the Dance That there is a general desire on the part of the members of the City Council to attend the Coster Ball, which is one of the Civic Queen Committee’s chief attractions during this, the final, week of the Queen Carnival competition, is manifested by the announcement that the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) has consented to call the council together for its fortnightly meeting to-night at 7 o’clock, instead of at the usual time of 7.30. Probate Granted Mr Justice Kennedy has granted probate in the following estates: —Christiana Strafford, of Dunedin; Alena Wright, of Dunedin; Alexander Clark Saunders, of Owaka, farmer; William MacGregor, of Forest Hill, farmer; Margaret Fraser, of Invercargill; Murdoch Mac Kay, of Waikaia, farmer; Margaret Gell, of Awarua Plains; George Gerken, of Knapdale, farmer; Dorenzo James Halpin, of Invercargill, driver; John Robb, of Pukorau, engineer. Letters of administration have been granted in the estates of Alfred Croft, of Chaslands, farmer, and Alexander Small, of Lumsden, farmer. Trap Shooting Record Probably a record for Canterbury this season was put up by A. A. M'Leod at the Methven Gun Club’s shoot. Jn four matches (says a Press Association telegram) he broke 58 birds off the first barrel before missing. Wild Duck Scarce

The increasing scarcity of wild duck in the Auckland district, particularly in the Lower Waikato, which authorities consider is due to the draining of swamps, closer settlement, and poaching, is engaging the attention of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, and will be discussed at the next meeting. A proposal that the society should import English wild duck has given rise to fears that such action might result in a hybrid being developed in time. It also has been suggested that next season should be closed, to check the decrease in the number of duck.

Boys and Farm Work An increasing number of boys going to farm jobs is reported by the Vocational Guidance Association’s officer (Mr T. Conly). Conditions for boys on farms are now vastly improved from what many experienced years ago. The best homes in Otago are now open to the right type of boy, and the present trend is encouraging confirmation of this. Farmers gladly employ these well-educated and acceptable lads, who will in due time themselves make the best of farmers and station managers. Parents and othe»» interested in this avenue of employment are advised to communicate with Mr Conly, Y.M.C.A. buildings.

Nationality of Women An announcement that he had a Bill prepared for presentation to Parliament to give New Zealand women who were British subjects the right to retain their nationality on marrying an alien, was made by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr J- A. Young) when speaking at Opawa on Monday evening. The Minister said the question had been raised during the Lyttelton by-election campaign. The position at present was that women marrying foreigners lost their nationality. The Government felt that was not right nor fair to the women. He added that he was glad to note that the League of Nations was taking up the same attitude.

Business Recovery “ There is no doubt whatever that there is an optimistic tone about business in the Old Country," said Mr A. E. Armstrong, managing director of Armstrongs, Ltd., of Christchurch, who arrived in Wellington on Saturday after a business trip round the world. “ This I was able to gather not only as an observer in the ordinary way, but from those with whom I had business dealings. Business was certainly better with most of the manufacturers concerned in drapery lines, and they looked forward to returns for this year being considerably ahead of those for the past two years. It has been a very hot summer in England, and this gave quite a fillip to the lighter class of summer wear, the designs of which were really most attractive. In America on my way home I found things pretty bad. But even there I detected a spirit of better times coming. As you know, Mr Roosevelt had launched his national recovery scheme, the result of which will not be known until it has had a fair trial. At least the President is making a bold experiment in interfering with business to such an extent.”

City Police Court There were no cases set down for hearing at the City Police Court yesterday morning.

The Dunedin City Council and Drainage Board will meet at 7 o’clock this evening instead of at 7.30.

A. E. J. 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. Stunner, 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.