Mr F. Jones’s Seat on Local Bodies

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22755, 16 December 1935, Page 10

Mr F. Jones’s Seat on Local Bodies

The Postmaster-general (Mr F. Jones) stated on his return from Wellington on Saturday that he had not yet come to a decision concerning his position as a member of the City Council and the Otago Hospital Board. Mr Jones said that before he took any definite step with regard to his seat on either booy, he would consult the Otago Labour Representation Committee. Owing to the close approach of the Christmas holidays, he would not be able to meet the members of that body until after the holiday season. Mails Reach London The postal authorities advise that the mails which left Auckland on November 12 by the Aorangi, via Vancouver, arrived in London on Friday. Not a Receipt Stamp An erroneous impression exists in some quarters that the 2d “ health ” stamp can be used as a receipt stamp. Under the Finance Act, 1929, however, it is specifically stated that this stamp may only be used for payment of postage. For this purpose it is available for transmission of correspondence addressed to any part of the world. Architectural Competition Messrs Messenger, Taylor, and Wolfe, of New Plymouth, and Messrs Gummer and Ford and partners, of Auckland, share first and second prizes in plans for the new Wellington central labrary award, and have agreed to collaborate. This is certain to mean a re-drawing of the plans (says a Press Association telegram) incorporating the best features of both.

Tourist Traffic Affected There are evidenced, according to some of the tourist authorities, that the shipping strike in Australia is having an effect on the tourists who have planned to visit New Zealand, tn some cases itineraries have been curtailed, and the travellers have been made uneasy by the possibility of an upset in their schedules.

Warning to Motorists Motorists travelling through the Kawarau Gorge during the coming holidayseason are advised to drive carefully over this narrow section of the road to Queenstown. Throughout the holidays, commencing from to-day, graders will be employed on a double shift ou this road maintaining the surface to cope with the heavy traffic which will pass over it during the Christmas season. The graders will, therefore, be working on the road in the early morning as well as in the daytime, and a careful watch will be necessary at all corners.

Kingston-Queenstown Road It was mentioned by the Minister of Public Works (Mr R. Semple) on Saturday (says a Press Association telegram) that he had received advice from his departmental officers that the construction, work on the new road from Kingston to Queenstown would be sufficiently advanced early in the new year to enable general traffic to use the highway from February, The engineer in charge of the work reported that a certain amount of finishing would remain to be clone after the opening date, but this would not interfere with traffic. The Chateau Case It is expected that judgment in The Chateau case will be given on January 30, which is the date of the next sitting of the court at Taumanmui. • Japanese Shipping Services Commenting upon the announcement of a second direct line of Japanese steamers to trade to New Zealand, beginning next month, the president of the W&llington Chamber of Commerce (Mr M. G. G. M'Caul) said that the development had followed' upon the recommendations made by Mr Katsuji Debuchi, who had recently visited the Dominion. Both lines of steamers would be fitted with refrigerating machinery. “Whether there is sufficient trade for two lines remains to be seen,” continued Mr M‘Caul, “ but I think that it is now the duty of all those who have been agitating for an increase in our trade to the East to do all they can to support those two lines, by sending forward outward freight, for it must be borne in mind that shipping cannot trade to any country unless freight is provided for it. It is a matter for all those who are interested in our export trade, and I hope that they will make a special effort during the first 12 months of the operation ,of these steamers to find freights f°r them.”

Wellington Artist Honoured In the journal, the Year’s Photography for 1935-36, issued by the Royal Photographic Society of England, appears a full-page reproduction of one of Mr Spencer Digby’s characteristic portraits, which many connoisseurs consider the finest in the publication. The Wellington artist has simply named his portrait “Octogenarian.” It is the photograph of an old lady, who, though inevitably showing signs of advanced age, has clear, expressive, kindly eyes, a delightful smile, wonderful hair. Such is the play of light on the features that the photograph is splendidly alive. The book note says: “ Spencer Digby presents ‘ Octogenarian.’ Here we congratulate the worker in securing this well-modelled head, and also the sitter, who does not by'any means TSok her years.” Unsporting Tactics

An accusation that Australia was adopting unsporting tactics in the sale of her meat at Home was made by Mr Robert S. Forsyth, when he addressed farmers at Smithfield on Friday. He said that m branding her ■ chilled • beef the Commonwealth always stamped “Australia” on her meat, as she knew it was good, but on her mutton and lamb, which was inferior to New Zealand, was branded “Empire.” “That is not sporting, and I have had to tell people not to buy Empire meat, but to buy meat branded ‘New Zealand,’ I which is the best in the Empire and in the world,” said Mr Forsyth. A Rebuff

Though the starling builds an untidy nest, he takes trouble to secure material to his liking. Not only is he attracted to sheep by the parasites they add to his menu, but he finds that their wool makes a warm lining for his home. Accustomed to fleecing sheep with impunity, a star-i ling at the Southland racecourse the other morning was seen to transfer his attentions to a rabbit, deeming its fur to be superior to wool. Hopping up to the rabbit, engrossed in feeding, the bird pecked out a piece of fur. The rabbit sat up in astonishment; then, as it saw the starling coming for a second helping, it lashed out with its feet. It was the starling’s turn to be surprised. It waddled away, a sadder if a wiser bird. Cars on Shopping Nights

A proposal was made by Cr T. Brindle at a meeting of the Wellington City Council last week that motor cars should be prohibited from running through the busiest shopping streets on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and possibly on Friday nights. There was no need for cars to enter very busy streets, Cr Brindle said, and for many people who had to wjilk on the roadway the passing of cars, many of which simply ran through the city on show, was nerve-racking and actually dangerous. The Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) said that already the rule had been applied on Christmas Eve, though not so far on New Year’s Eve. The chief traffic officer was at present considering whether cars should not also be prohibited from the shopping streets on Friday nights. “Good,” said Cr Brindle, “we will wait for that.”

Shakespeare in Court A most apt Shakespearean quotation served to brighten the hearing of a claim for damages in the Auckland Supreme Court on Wednesday. The claim was based on the fact that mining operations had caused marked subsidence in the surface of farm property, and, it was stated, had imperilled buildings. Mr Gould, who was appearing for one of the two defendant companies, said he would quote from what, although not a recognised legal authority, was yet a sound, practical statement of the position. “ You take my house when you do take the prop that doth sustain my house.” “ I seem to have beard that before,” Mr Justice Callan said. “I can understand that. I only wish that Shakespeare had written some of the authorities that have been quoted.” Assistance for Ministers Speaking to a Daily Times reporter last night, the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) said that Mr W. J. Jordan had offered to act with him in the discharge of his duties as Minister in charge of this portfolio. Mr Jones said that Mr Jordan had special qualifications for such a position and would make an excellent associate. The Minister added that so far the question of grouping the members of the party had not been completed, and the matter would not be decided till after the holidays. It is reported by northern newspapers that members with agricultural interests will work with the Minister of Agriculture (Mr W. Lee Martin), while several city members have already been requested to associate themselves with the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry) in connection with municipal government, an important phase of this department’s work. Mr T. H. M'Combs, the member for Lyttelton, whose training fits him for dealing with scientific and industrial research, has been invited by the Minister of Scientific and Industrial Research (Mr D. G. Sullivan; to represent him on the Council of Scion tific and Industrial Research, and he wil : attend this week’s meeting of that body in Wellington,

Milk Scheme Difficulties Reporting to the Auckland Education, Board last week upon the conference held recently to discuss the handling oj; milk after delivery at schools, Mr C. R. Munro said it was apparent that the scheme was not meeting with the full approval of all schoolmasters. Since the introduction of free milk to the schools, said Mr Munro, gastric troubles among the children had been reported. It was found that while most children, looked forward With a good deal of keenness to the milk when the scheme was first launched, many had now stopped taking it. “A number of head masters informed me that they had never known so many flies about the schools since the introduction of the free milk,’’ said Mr Munro. “ For the scheme to be a success every convenience should be given for the washing of the drinking utensils and .the genera] distribution of the milk among the children. It would be better if the milk could be delivered in bottles. There are many difficulties to be overcome.” Mr T. U, Wells said the scheme, was yet in its early stages, and he thought the difficulties could be overcome.

Foundation of Canterbury Quiet celebrations were held in Christchurch during the week-end to mark the .eighty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Canterbury settlement. Eightyfive years ago to-day the,Charlotte Jane, the first of the historic First Four Ships, dropped anchor in the Lyttelton Harbour and put ashore the first of the 717 Canterbury pilgrims, who,'as “a slice of English society cut ■from top to bottom,” had come to Hew Zealand under the supervision of the Canterbury Association to found Edward Gibbon Wakefield’s ideal colony. Now, only eight of these pilgrims remain, but mainly through the efforts cff the Canterbury Pilgrims’ and Early Settlers’ Association, their contributions, and those of the 709 other pilgrims to the foundation of the. province, are still recognised and remembered. The Press states that Anniversary Day in Canterbury many years ago used to be one of the most important and popular holidays of the year, but owing largely co the proximity, of the date to Christmas, it has been abandoned as a public holiday, and will be recognised this year only by the City Council, the banks, the Government departments, and very few other institutions. Use of Art Union Funds The practice of the Government in the. past of allocating part of the proceeds from art unions for the upkeep of racecourses, lawn tennis clubs, and other sporting organisations was criticised at the meeting of the Auckland Metropolitan Unemployment Relief Committee on Wednesday last; This question was referred to by Monsignor Holbrook, who expressed, the opinion that the whole of thfc proceeds of these art unions should be devoted to the relief of distress only. This view was shared by members of the committee, and it was decided to request the Government to see that in future any money available from this source should be used to help the work of relief committees.

Mickey the Mou*e New Zealand’s Maoris, volcanoes, and thermal wonders, and her deep-sea fishing grounds may be used' as “locations” for the adventurous antics of Mickey the Mouse. Walt. Disney, “ father ” of the famous cartoon, star, announced this in an interview upon arrival in Honolulu recently. “ I’m visiting Hawaii for the sole purpose o? finding pastures new for Mickey and his gang,” said Mr Disney. “Polynesians cruised the wide Pacific, so why cannot Mickey? Every Pacific centre has its distinct attractions and customs, and I plan to use them as novel backgrounds. For example, being chased by a swordfish, and then catching it, and cooking it in White, Island’s crater, would be an unusual adventure for him. There are. lots of; New Zealand features we c.ould use. Of course, we shall first have to make Mickey a good swimmer and voyaged. This could be done easily by working out a travel idea in his series.” Rush to Ship Cars Holiday-makers wishing to ship their . motor cars to 1 the North Island by the inter-island steamer . during Christmas week may be left lamenting. Never before (the Christchurch Star-Sun says) has the Union Steam Ship Company, experienced such a rush to ship cars, and, with the exception of two daylight trips, space is almost completely booked out between . December 19 and Decetnber 25. The Wahine can accommodate 10 cars and r the Eangatira 35, this difference being due to the special construction of the more modern vessel, and bookings for the week prior to Christmas are as follows: — December 19 (Eangatira) , 25 cars; December 20 (Wahine), 10; December 21 (Eangatira), 35; December 23 (Wahine), 10; December, 24, daylight trip, 10; December 25 (Eangatira), 18. Many motorists who anticipated such a rush booked . their space as early as October last. Such a rush is without precedent, but Union Company officials give several reasons for it. More people now own cars; money is more readily available than for some years past, and, probably most important of all, this is the first Christmas when the company’s concession of a reduction to half-charge on returning cars has been in operation.

Streect Disturbance A disturbance in Maclaggan street about midnight on Friday resulted in the appearance in the Police Court on Saturday morning of Robert Robertson, a fireman, agfed 30, of the steamer Canadian Scottish, who was charged with assault- ' ing Thomas Alexander Tobin, and Thomas M'Tavish, a labourer. MTavish was charged with disorderly behaviour. It was alleged by the complainant that he was walking along Maclaggan street, when he was approached by two men whom ho bad never met before. One of them spoke to him, and then they threw off their coats and attacked him. The complainant ran towards the city, and informed a constable of the assault, and the two accused were arrested. In the presence of two constables it was alleged that Robertson struck Tobin in the stomach. The magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle) said the evidence for the prosecution was not as satisfactory as it might have been, and dismissed both chavg.es. He warned Robertson not to get into trouble again, and ordered him to pay the cost of the taxi hire (2s Gd).

The Pacific Starr-Bowkett Building Soeietv to-morrow night will dispose of £IOOO by sale in groups 6 and S and £IOOO by ballot in group 7. The Railways Department advertises particulars of augmented mail and express services and also particulars of alterations to the road motor service on the Tapanui branch during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Patrons of the turf will be pleased to know that connections at Waipahi will enable racegoers to i eturn home from the Gore and WyndLam meetings on the day of the races. Williamsons, the jewellers, are ready for your Xmas shopping visit with a wonderful stock of new gift goods. The prices won’t tax your pocket.—3l Princes street. —Advt.

To see or not to see —The question it who to see? See Sturmer and Watson Opticians, 2 Octagon, Dunedin.—Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley and W. E. Bagley. dentists. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (nest Telegraph Office 1 Telephone J2-350.—Advt Our motto; Quality and value. Purchase your Christmas gifts from Peter Dick, jewellers and opticians, 488 Moray place, Dunedin.—Advt.