Overseas Mails

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23320, 12 October 1937, Page 8

Overseas Mails

The Awatea left Sydney on Friday with 62 bags of Australian mail and the London air mails of September 22 and 25. The air mails will be to hand at 1.30 p.m. to-day and the balance of the mails this evening. The Wanganella also left Sydney on the following day with eight bags of mail, which will be to hand on Friday evening. Public Health Return*

One new case of infantile paralysis was admitted to the Dunedin Hospital during the past week and 13 patients suffering from that disease remain in the institution. In addition, there are two remaining cases of ophthalmia neonatorum. One case of scarlet fever was admitted and later transferred to the Logan Park Hospital, where five patients are receiving treatment. Children’s Warship Party

“We regard the mantle of H.M.S. Dunedin as having fallen on us,’ said an officer of H.M.S. Leander yesterday, “ and we propose to give a party for school children on the same lines as those which our predecessor used to hold whenever she visited this port. If the party on Thursday is the success that we hope, it is possible that we may decided to continue the practice whenever we come to Dunedin.” The party, it was stated, would be given fqr approximately 700 children, who would be admittted by invitation. It had been decided to set an age limit, and only children between six and 10 years would be asked.

City Police Court In the City Police Court yesterday, before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., a first offender for drunkenness, who was stated to be suffering from a fracture of the spine, was convicted and discharged on the payment of medical expenses of 10s 6d. He consented to take out a prohibition order.

Fire Brigade Call A grass fire on the railway embankment near Caversham was extinguished by the South Dunedin Fire Brigade at 1.37 p.m. yesterday.

Legal Offices’ Hours Although from the beginning of November legal offices in at least two centres will observe a five-day week, the executive of the Otago Law Society has decided that local legal firms will observe the usual hours, which include Saturday mornings. In Auckland legal offices will close on Saturdays from the first Saturday in November, and those in Wellington are already v/orking to a five-day week. National Superannuation An assurance that there would be ample opportunity for every organisation and person concerned to make representations regarding the health insurance and national superannuation either to the Government or through Parliament, has been given to the Associated Chambers of Commerce by the Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash). The Minister, in giving the assurance, advised that the Government’s plans for these schemes had not been completed. No Discussion

The formal mayoral query, “Any discussion?” received no response at the City Council meeting last evening when Cr M. Silverstone moved and Cr W. A. Scott seconded a motion that permission be granted five city and suburban picture theatres to hold screenings on Christmas Day. The matter arose out of an application from the local manager of Messrs John Fuller and Sons, Ltd., with respect to the St. James, Empire, Strand, Mayfair and His Majesty's Theatres. The motion was carried. Another Breeze Another claim for compensation before the Arbitration Court in Auckland resulted in another passage at words, in which the employers' representative (Mr W. Cecil Prime) was again one of the actors. On the other side this time was Mr J. J. Sullivan, appearing for the plaintiff. After Mr Sullivan had finished with the plaintiff, Mr Prime took him in hand, and elicited the surprising statement that he thought he was fit for work. Alongside a claim for compensation based on incapacity, it seemed inconsistent, but witness explained that he was acting on medical opinion. Mr Sullivan pointed out that he had said at the beginning that he would call witness just as to the facts, which were not in dispute, and after that it would be a matter of medical evidence. Mr Prime replied that he had put the questions because the situation had been “left in the air.” Then Mr V. N. Hubble, for the Crown, interjected. And then Mr Sullivan got annoyed. “ I can’t reply to more than one person at a time.” he said, and added. “And I don’t wish to be stultified by any remarks from the Bench." The last remark, of course, was not directed against Mr Justice O’Regan.

I Subsidised Relief The City Council’s policy of subsidising the wages of men employed by it under the No. 5 relief scheme is still costing a considerable amount each week. For the fortnight ended last night 294 men were employed at a cost to the council of approximately £9O.

Drainage Board Meeting Only formal business was done at the monthly meeting of the Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage Board last night.

Intoxication Increase

“Under the heading ‘miscellaneous offences,’ it is to be observed that the number of offences for drunkenness, and drunkenness in charge of a motor vehicle, has shown a fairly marked increase, which, unhappily, tends to retard the downward trend in the prison population,” states the Minister of Justice (Mr H. G. R. Mason) in the Prisons Report for 1936-37. “It would be preferable in cases of persistent drunkenness for commitments to be made to the inebriates’ institutions under the Reformatory Institutions Act rather than to prison,” the report adds.

Huge Butter Churn What is possibly the largest churn in the world and undoubtedly the largest in New Zealand has been constructed for the New Zealand Cooperative Dairy Company by a Christchurch firm of engineers. Built on the “ internal working ” style, the churn is one of a type which was originally used in Denmark and Germany, and has been greatly developed in the last 10 years. Except for a few of the larger gears, the whole of the churn has been built in Christchurch. The wooden part is all of kauri. In one churning it will turn out 100 boxes of butter, or about two tons and a-half. This is almost twice the amount it was possible to turn out in any churn used previously.

Feeder Air Service

In a report to the Hawera Aero Club executive on Thursday night, the secretary (Mr W. J. Heslop) said that representatives of the Union Airways had given him definite assurance that Wanganui and Hawera were being kept in the foreground as stopping places in the North Island service, or, at any rate, as calls in a feeder service to link them with Palmerston North or New Plymouth. Such a service was definitely being formulated at the present time, but a factor to be considered was the supply of the necessary machines from England. The company had to co-operate with the Government in this connection and could give no reliable indication as to when the service might be inaugurated. He had gathered, however, that it would not be long before some arrangement would be possible, concluded Mr Heslop. The Wanganui Aero Club has made representations to have Wanganui included in a feeder service, but has received no information as to Union Airways’ plans in this connection. Captain Cook’* Signature

The home of the late Mr Horace Fildes, Kelburn, Wellington, was the repository' of many works and documents of historical value. Among the very interesting documents which hung in the hall is a copy of a discharge of a sailor from H.M.S. Pembroke. In keeping with tradition, the sailor’s name is John Ellison Yeo, of the Sheets, evidently one of the stout hearts of Devon of whom Charles Kingsley wrote in “ Westward Ho! ” This particular member of the Yeo family signed on H.M.S. Pembroke on July 29, 1757, and was discharged on January 16, 1759. There, in thin, inconspicuous writing, is the signature, “J. Cook, Master.” This document is in an excellent state of preservation.

An Industrial Opportunity v “ There is an industry in New Zealand w.orth £6,000,000 annually simply going to waste,” said Dr G. B. Chapman, in the course of a lecture in Auckland recently. “ The trade in seaweed in the United States of America amounts to some £30,000,000,” he went on. “It has been stated by a competent authority that mariculture, or aquiculture, which are the terms used to describe the cultivation of edible seaweeds, will one day be as important and valuable an undertaking as agriculture.” The minerals in seaweed were perfectly balanced for human consumption, and seaweed was therefore a valuable food. It was greatly used by the old-time Maori and by many, people in other parts of the world, he said.

Warning to Motorist* The secretary of the Automobile Association (Otago),Mr W. F. Sutton, advises that on the main highway midway between Balclutha and Clinton a deviation has been constructed to enable the main roadway to be widened. The deviation is very narrow, and motor-r ists are warned to exercise care while traversing this section of the road. The work will be completed in about a week’s time.

Coronation Address

A reply to the Coronation address which was sent to their Majesties King George and Queen Elizabeth by the Girl Guides of New Zealand has been received by the Chief Commissioner for New Zealand (Miss R. Herrick). The reply is as follows:—“The King and Queen have received with much pleasure the address which the Girl Guides of New Zealand have sent to their Majesties on the occasion of their Coronation. Their Majesties greatly admired the decoration of this interesting address and sincerely thank all the Guides for their loyal message and good wishes, which they much appreciate. I am also to request you to convey to those Guides who carried the address round the Dominion their Majesties’ hearty congratulations on the manner in which they performed their task and on their success in overcoming the difficulties attending it.— (Signed), A. H. L. Hardinge.”

The fishing season has opened with excellent prospects. Rivers are all in good order, and trout plentiful. Anglers must have proper tackle. Barth Electric, Ltd., have large, up-to-date stocks well displayed. Inspection invited Prices almost unchanged. Catalogues still available.—Advt...

Eye Strain.—For eye comfort or better vision consult Sturmer and Watson Ltd., opticians. 2 Octagon. Dunedin.—

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.