Overseas Mails

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23114, 13 February 1937, Page 12

Overseas Mails

The Wanganellft left Sydney on Thursday last with 83 bags of mail and 21 parcel receptacles for Dunedin. The mail includes the air mail despatcned from London on January 27, which should reach the local office at 1.30 p.ra, on Monday next. The remainder of the mail should be to hand on Tuesday afternoon. The Rangitiki reached Auckland from London yesterday with 86 bags of English, mail and 23 parcel receptacles for Dunedin. The letter portion of the mail will be to hand on Monday morning Aid the balance on Tuesday evening. Chimney Fire The City Fire Brigade attended to a chimney fire in Harrow street at 12.40 yesterday afternoon. Brief Stoppage of Electric Supply There was a stoppage of the electric power supply to units connected with the city station for a few minutes after mid-day yesterday. The service from the Waitaki power station had become discontinued for a few minutes, with the result that the Dunedin station could not carry the increased load. Increased Population Wanted At a representative meeting at Napier a resolution was adopted that a branch of the New Zealand Five Million Club be formed to promote an increase in the Dominion’s population. The meeting was addressed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Mr W. E. Barnard). A committee was set up, with Mr L. C. Friend as chairman. Tramways Returns * >

The traffic returns for the city tramways for the period ended on February 1, as submitted by the tramways manager, show that for the period the revenue decreased by £251, as compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. For the period of 44 weeks, from April 1 to January 30, the revenue showed an increase of £3995, or 3 per cent., as compared with the corresponding period of last year. The revenue and expenditure statement for the 36 weeks ended on December 9 shows n net surplus of £2465.

Sufferings of Mankind Although the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals genera ally confines its activities and comments to the sufferings of animals, the annual report of the Feilding branch directs attention to the need on occasions for alleviation of the suffering of mankind. The report mentions two accidents, one at the Feilding sale yards and the other at the Feilding Show. In the first case a man slipped off the rails into the cattle pens and broke one of his legs. A doctor was called and improvised a splint from a fence. An onlooker offered his boots to the injured man for a pillow anc" the concrete yard provided a couch Nearly an hour elapsed before s stretcher was found. In the seconi? case a man was thrown from a horst and was placed in a motor car, whicl? had a very bumpy passage across thf show grounds to the discomfort of th« patieaft.

h. ' Municipal Organ Recital ■ The city organist (Dr V. E. Galway) will give an after-church recital in the Town Hall to-morrow evening at 8.15. The organist has arranged a programme which includes four items not previously performed at these recitals:—“Festal Prelude" (Thomas Dunhlll), “Canzona” (Wolstenholme), Concerto in G (Bach), Choral Preludes, “A Rose Breaks Into Bloom” and “Adorn Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness” .(Brahms). Other interesting pieces are Sonata No. 1 (Mendelssohn), Romanza (Beethoven), Berceuse (Jarnefelt), Coronation March (Meyerbeer). The assisting artists will be Miss Ruth Miller, who will sing "Gentle Shepherd” (Pergolesi) and “The Blacksmith” (Brahms), and Mr William Clarke, who will play “ Novelette in F” (Schumann). There will be no charge for admission. Municipal Milk Supply : The General Committee of the City Council nas, since June 24 of last year, given consideration to the question of the municipalisation of the city milk supply. A large amount of information has been gathered with regard to systems of control in operation in Auckland. Wellington, and Sydney, and the committee is now of the opinion that the matter should be further advanced by an investigation of the position with respect to sources of supply of milk for the city, and the approximate capital outlay that would be. involved in establishing municipal control of the city milk supply. If the council approves, the committee will proceed with these further investigations.

Damage by Pukeko In view of the damage being caused by pukeko and the substantial increase in their numbers, the Wanganui Acclimatisation Society has requested the Government to allow a short open season of 1C days from May 1. Pukeko are very numerous in the Wanganui district; where they cause a good deal of damage to farm crops. The bird has been known to disturb the nests of duck, both wild and domestic. It is also under suspicion as a destroyer of pheasants’ eggs, but the Wanganui Society, has no direct evidence as to its depredations in this connection. It is believed, however,’ that a short open season, as suggested, would be the most effective way of keeping the birds in,check. Traffic Near Hospital At the fortnightly meeting 'of the City Council on Monday night the General .Committee will recommend that the necessary steps be taken to introduce a Bill in Parliament enabling the council to regulate control of or prohibit traffic in the streets surrounding the Public Hospital. It will be remembered that a similar Bill, which was introduced in the House in 1935, was. so amended as to preclude the possibility of the council putting any really effective measures into operation to eliminate or substantially reduce street noises in the vicinity of the Hospital.

Training Youth f Methods that were being adopted In ) various countries for the guidance and training of youth physically, mentally and morally were briefly discussed by Mr R. H. Swainton, late general secretary of the Sydney Y.M.C.A., before he left Auckland for a tour of the South Island, having concluded a twoday conference with the directors and staff of the Auckland Y.M.C.A. He pointed out how, in countries under dictators, youth was being patterned to a plan, and how in the democratic countries of Britain and America other methods, based on individual freedom, were being pursued. In British countries, he said, the YJVLC.A, organisation was being utilised tp good effect. As' the result of the conference in Auckland, plans would' be formulated at an early date by which the local association’s work would be extended, with improved methods, to give a greater coverage. The association was ready to co-operate with the Government in its plan to build, a first-class nation, and would put forward its ideas at the appropriate time. Magistrate and Motorist Comment was made by Mr W. R. M'Eean, ‘ S.M., in the Auckland Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in a case in which a motorist was charged with negligent driving. It was alleged that defendant had refused to allow another motorist to pass and that eventually, when the latter had attempted to pass, he had swung across the road and forced the other driver into a ditch. Defendant said he had not heard the other motorist sound his horn. “I shall accept your eveidence on that point,’’ said the magistrate. 51 If I did not; I should cancel your licence altogether, as I should consider you to be unfit to be in charge of any vehicle on the roadi If this was not a deliberate act, it was due to your absolute lack of attention to'road conditions.” t Government Departments Criticised Criticism of the delay and inconvemence to which, it was stated, passengers arriving from overseas were put in New Zealand was expressed in Christchurch by Mr A, E. Kincaid, when addressing the Canterbury Employers’ Association on his experiences on -a recent trip abroad. Mr Kincaid said that in London and New York the work of getting passengers through the Customs and immigration officials’ hands was done with a minimum of delay that contrasted strangely with the methods in New Zealand. When he arrived in London the 1100 people ,off the Ori6n were cleared from Tilbury Docks in a miraculously short time. Overseas, he added, the work was accomplished with such a minimum of fuss that the passenger scarcely realised that he had been passed/ by the Customs and immigration. It contrasted with what happened when he reached New Zealand. The three classes of passengers on the boat were herded into a small compartment and checked over by the immigration officer. His luggage went Into the Customs at 1.30 in the afternoon, and when he asked for it he was told , to come back at 4 p.m. Eventually he got it in time to reach a hotel for tea.

Churches and Camps More adequate provision for the spiritual welfare of men in public works camps, and particularly on the South Island Main Trunk railway, is thought desirable by the Christchurch Presbytery. Steps are to be taken to secure the services of a home missionary (states the Christchurch Star-Sun). Advice had previously been received from the Home Missions Committee that a man was not available, said speakers. On Wednesday the presbytery decided to approach the committee again, a member stating that it seemed as if the members of that committee were not aware of the large field offering. Mr A. J. M'Eldowney said- it seemed as if the church required to take a survey of all public works to see if some forward step could be taken in catering more adequately for the men and their families. Many of the camps were more or less permanent, and other churches had already taken the initiative. The position should be reviewed on a Dominion basis, added Mr M'Eldowney. The Rev. G. T. Hercus said that the Main Trunk area had been “a sort of no man’s land” as far as the church was concerned The ordinary population was not sufficient to warrant any special provision being made. But centres formerly with a population of only eight or ten had grown into towns of 200 or more. It appeared that the only way to meet the particular needs of the locality was to have a special man appointed.

Fewer Pheasants for Liberation This year’s pheasants are not as good as those at this time last season, said the chief ranger (Mr J. Dobson) at a meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, when it was announced that the number of birds the society had hoped to release in February was short by 600. Many of the smaller breeders had had bad luck with their birds, said Mr Dobson, and many eggs had proved infertile. One breeder who had hoped to have 140 birds for release had not one bird left. The birds generally were backward, and there were many that he would not care to liberate. The society nevertheless had 1022 birds ready for liberation. Novel Transport

Two returned soldiers from the Evelyn Firth Home, Parnell, eager to be present at a wedding at St. Aidan’s Church, Remuera (says the Auckland Star), propelled themselves in wheel chairs • over the long, distance that separates the two points. The wedding was the marriage of a niece of one of the soldiers, and as the bride walked out of the church she spent a few minutes chatting with the returned men. In many years of experience with wheel chairs, these returned men have become remarkably adept at handling them, and they can cover long distances with comparative ease and without becoming exhausted. School Patrols

A suggestion was made by the committee of the Nelson Automobile Association that school patrols should be organised to shepherd school children across the roads outside schools. The committee pointed out that it was a constant source of worry to parents with small children attending school, and the system of school patrols could easily be worked by the school authorities, with senior pupils guiding the younger ones across the road. The committee intended co-operating with the Education Board and the Council of Governors of the colleges in order to bring this system into operation.

Depredations of Eels Reports supplied to the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, said Mr A. J. Seed (chairman o£ the Fish Committee), at the meeting of the council of the society on Tuesday night, indicated. that the depredations of eels upon fish life were widespread this season and were particularly noticeable in the Wainui-o-mata. Reports were constantly being received of the actual observation of eels attacking trout of fairly large size. Mr Seed suggested and it was decided that the society should purchase six eel traps and lend them to responsible members who would give information of the number of eels caught in them. It would not be possible, said Mr Seed, to give even the slightest remuneration for the destruction of eels because the position was so indefinite that there was no knowing what the giving of a reward might mean to the society.

Ingenious Safety Device Mr A. W. Anderson, a resident of Milford, has patented an ingenious safety device to safeguard motorists hi passing over railway crossings, a model of which was recently shown to the Minister of Public Works and engineers of his department. Briefly put, the device (says our Temuka correspondent) is an automatic gate for stopping all traffic before a train approaches any crossing. Interviewed on the matter, Mr Anderson explained that the gates are controlled by electricity and swing at right angles outward and inward as occasion requires on the approach and departure of any train. For example, an express train travelling at 45 miles an hour, when it passed a certain point, although a considerable , distance off, would cause the V-shaped gates to be closed automatically, thus preventing a motorist from proceeding until the train had passed. Mir Semple requested Mr Anderson to forward a detailed report for consideration by the Railways Department.

The Railways Department advertises in this issue particulars of a special cheap day excursion Dunedin to Invercargill on Sunday, February 21. Two fast trains will run to Invercargill, returning the same day. The Railways Department advertises in this issue train arrangements in connection with the Dunedin races at Wihgatui to-dav. The United Starr-Bowkett Building Society, during February and March, will dispose of £3BOO by sale and ballot.

The Otago Croquet Championship Tournament will oe commenced at Logan Park on Thursday at 9,30 a.m. C, W. Sundstrum, Dentist, Dunedin, will visit Omakau, Oturehua, Naseby, and Ranfurly on Tuesday, February 16; Waipiata, Dunback, Palmerston, Waikouaiti, Wednesday, February 17. Advt. The skilled hand is the secret of the popularity of Williamsons’ Diamond Rings. Fine gems carefully set give you lifelong satisfaction. The prices are low, too. Opposite The Savoy.— Advt.

A. Frank Anderson will visit Waipiata and Patearoa, Thursday, February 18: Ranfurly, Friday, 19th; Omakau and Oturehua, Monday, 22nd—Advt.

For the latest electrical supplies of every description, fishing tackle, and Rogers wireless sets visit Barth Electric, Ltd.. 36 George street. Dunedin.— 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. Bagley, dentists, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 12-359. Advt.