Overseas Mails

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23057, 7 December 1936, Page 8

Overseas Mails

The Singapore-London air mail despatched from Dunedin on November 15 reached London on Thursday last. The Awatea, which left Sydney on Friday, has 104 bags of English and Australian mail and 24 parcel receptacles; also the English air mail despatched from London on November 18. The air mail should be to hand this afternoon, and the balance of the mails to-morrow afternoon.

Excursion to Invercargil! Owing no doubt to the more favourable weather of the early morning, a large number of Dunedin residents availed themselves of the Railway Department's excursion to Invercargill yesterday. The two trains which were run carried a total of 450 passengers, most of whom made the journey right through, but a number took advantage of the opportunity to visit friends along the line.

Fire in City Road The City Fire Brigade received a call shortly before 11 o'clock on Saturday night to City road, Roslyn, to deal with a rubbish fire. No damage was done.

Growth of Air Traffic An indication of the growth of air traffic in New Zealand is given by the fact that Cook Strait Airways has planned for the carriage of 150 passengers on the Nelson-Blenheim-Welling-ton services on the day preceding Christmas Day, and already 102 seats have been booked.

Submarine Volcano Smoke from a submarine volcano at Honga Honga, about 20 miles away, was seen from the decks of the motor ship Matua while she was at Nukualofa'during her recent island voyage. The ship arrived at Auckland last week. The volcano was last known to be active about 1911.

Detection of Motoring Offences A suggestion that some more satisfactory method might be adopted by the city traffic department in the detection of speeding motorists was made on Saturday morning by Mr H. W Bundle, S.M., after dismissing an Information against a motorist who had been charged with exceeding the regulation speed limit within the city area. The offence of speeding, his Worship said, was now a very serious one. The court had to administer the Act, but it must be satisfied that an offence had been committed, and he thought that it was a matter for the corporation to overhaul the present system of detecting traffic offences, and, possibly, to consider some course of intensive training for traffic inspectors. Commenting on the fact that in the present case the inspector's evidence had been uncorroborated and was, in some respects, unsatisfactory, Mr Bundle said that the case exemplified that where a motorist was being observed with a view to prosecution, there should be two inspectors in the traffic department's car.

What's in a Name? " How do you distinguish the offence of driving without due care and attention from that of negligent driving? " asked Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M.. in the Magistrate's Court in Wellington. " Driving without due care and attention is the new offence under the Act recently passed." replied Sub-inspector C. E. Rcmch. " Negligent driving is an old offence. Actually they are the same thing."

Health Department Reconstruction Recommendations for the replacement of the existing Health Department and Mental Hospitals Department by a national health department have been made by the National Physical and Mental Welfare Advisory Board, a group of social workers throughout the Dominion. The recommendations have been made in answer to a questionnaire issued by the National Health Insurance Committee. The board suggests that the new health department be administered by a governing board, representative of the various sciences concerned in the maintenance of national health, as well as the prevention of physical and mental disability. As a link between the administration of local . national health insurance committees and the central governing board, the board proposes the appointment in each centre of a man or woman who would report to the central board.

Doll's Leg Swallowed As a result of swallowing the leg of a china doll, the six-months-old son of Mr and Mrs W. G. Saunders, of Waiotapu, was admitted to the Rotorua Public Hospital (states a Rotorua correspondent). An X-ray examination was made, and it was indicated by the hospital authorities that it was hoped that the obstacle might be removed without the necessity for an operation. The child was apparently playing with the doll at its home when it swallowed the leg. Mrs Saunders immediately communicated with Mr Hewitt, licensee of the Waiotapu Hotel, and his daughter and Mrs Hewitt, together with the infant's mother, hurriedly brought the child to Rotorua by car for medical attention. After an examination, a doctor ordered the baby into the public hospital for the X-ray examination.

The Indian Shviock The Indian Shylock who calls on his debtor for his nound of flesh very often fails to get it, according to the Rev. W. M. Ryburn, who addressed the Christchurcli Rotary Club recently. Mr Ryburn told the story of a moneylender who had lent an Indian farmer 20 rupees, with interest at six rupees a month. The farmer paid 240 rupees in interest, and the moneylender, who had decided to leave the district, called at his debtor's home to collect the original 20 rupees. The farmer was not at home, and the moneylender beat the wife and daughter whom he found there. When the farmer came home he immediately went to the house of the moneylender, bound him, and set the place on fire. The villagers, instead of coming to the moneylender's help, stood and watched the proceedings with interest. Cow With Quadruplets

Quadruplets were born at Hursthouse road, Inglewood, at' the weekend. They were the calves of a grade cow on Mr Carey's farm (says a Press Association telegram from New Plymouth). Three were born on Saturday and the fourth yesterday morning, 22 hours later. Two have died, but the other two and the mother appear healthy. The cow apparently cannot claim a record, however, since a cow in the United States some time ago gave birth to five calves.

The Otago intermediate and junior swimming championships will be held at the Municipal Baths on Wednesday night. Four diving events will be decided during the evening, and a special attraction will be the 220 Yards Handicap, in which the province's best swimmers will be seen in action. Particulars are advertised. The Railways Department advertises in this issue particulars of train arrangements for Owaka A. and P. Show on December 10.

Shop early this Xmas. and shop ar. Williamsons, the jewellers The fine selection makes choosing easy, and prices will suit your Durse Ouposite the Savov.—Advt

Eye Strain.—For eye comfort or Better vision consult Sturmer and Watson, Ltd., opticians.'2 Octagon Dunedin.— Advt. -•

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

Those who are requiring an Engagement Ring will do .'well'to inspect our stock Peter Dick, jewellers and opticians. 488 Moray place, Dunedin.— Advt. I.;--*