LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3098, 30 July 1913, Page 9

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Steps have been taken by the special committee of the Hospital Board with a view to acquiring an additional 32 acres immediately adjoining the Secondary Hospital site at Pine Hill. An offer has been made to the Roman Cathol.c authorities, the present owners of the property, but so far no reply lias been received.

In the course of a fascinating popular lecture on the marvels of the sun on July 22, the Rev. P. W. Fairclough said that the necessity tor securing records of tlie sun’s face at short intervals and taken at a good altitude, where the atmosphere in not too deep, had led to a movement for the girdling of the earth with solar observatories. That recently secured for New Zealand was the last link in the chain. Science in future would bo able to study the solar imago and all its changes by the century, and would be able to refer to pictures taken only a few minutes apart ail through the centuries. Thus a thorough' knowledge of the sun’s habits and peculiarities would be arrived at.

There were 5185 artisans and labourers employed by the Government on co-opera-tive works during May last. On railway works 2142 were engaged, on roads 2472, and on public buildings 340. Fifty men were employed on the Lawrence-Roxburgh railway, and 101 on the Catlins-Waimahaka line. There wore 134 men employed on roads in the Otago district, and 70 in the Southland district.

A rather gruesome visitor from the Islands wa.s found among gome fruit at Mrs Gillam’s shop, Great King street, on July 22. This was a centipede some 4-in. long, and when found it was alive and healthy in spite of its long journey from tho South Seas

Many letters from prospective immigrants are received by the Labour Department, but rarely one such as a communication which has just come to hand from a settler in British Columbia (says the Evening Post. “ Things are so disastrous here,” says tho writer, “ that it may be impossible for me tt) realise on my property for some tirno to come, so that the chances are great that wo will have little or no money on arriving. . . . We shall bo prepared

to take healthy honest work of any description which will ensure a modest living.” Appended to the letter is a neatly tabulated statement of the qualifications of the writer and Ins family. The applicant states himself to bo 16 years of age, healthy and of powerful build, first-class education, 25 years’ residence in France and Belgium, excellent busircss training (French and English), first-class commercial traveller, good typ : st and shorthand writer. In addition he knows how to handle heavy timber, clear land, build a house, has a good notion of agriculture (including French intensive culture), understands mechanics, has d <ne a groat deal of newspaper work, and can handle a pick and shovel. His wife speaks English, French, German, and Flemish fluently, and understands the practical household aits. There are two bovs of 15 and 16 years, tho latter of whom speaks two languages. Needless to say, tho Department has sent an encouraging reply to a man of such versatility and apparent willingness.

A correspondent asked the Wellington Post “exactly whore vaccine comes from, how it is obtained, and how it was discovered. Is the lymph or vaccine the ordinary lymph of the lymphatic glands of the body?” The vaccine used in Now Zealand is made at the Government Laboratory in Wellington (replied the Post) Only calves in the very best of health are used. They are treated in the way known to bacteriologists, inoculated on the surface of the body under the strictest conditions as to cleanliness and prevention of anything like contamination of any other matter, and the lymph is drawn fr<. m the places on the calves, then treated and sealed in glass nocdlo-liko tubes. T 1 is lymph is not sent out until after the cl If from which it has been taken has boon killed mid a most rigid post mortem cxamii at tpn of the carcase has been made at the Veterinary Laboratory at Wallaccville. G.S receipt of word

from there that the health of the calf was perfectly sound the lymph is Issued to vaccinators. If there is any doubt about the health of the animal the lymph is not issued hut is destroyed.

The Clutha Leader reports a find ot ambergris on the beach at Papatowai last week. Mr Clarence Cuff, of Balclutha, picked up several pieces of whitish substance on the beach, and took some away with him, thinking they might prove to bo ambergris, while ho secreted the larger pieces in the bush. On July 21 ho took some of the samples to Dunedin, and was assured that his find was the genuine article, and ho realised £lB 4s for the small pieces taken to town with him, being paid £2 5s an ounce. He has 131 b (at 12oz to the lb), and as a good sample is worth £6 to £9 an ounce, it is evident that ho has “struck oil.” Even if it is only worth the small rate paid for the poorer sample sold, £2 5s an ounce, it runs into £486, while at the higher figures (say £6) it would run into £1296.

Experts were recently appointed by the Otago University Council to examine various properties offered as suitable sites for the proposed Veterinary Collego to be established in connection with the Otago University. The site recommended is within the Borough of Mosgiel, near the railway station, and the council has now asked the Government to purchase the property. So far no reply has been received from the department.

x\ remarkable recovery of a man from a complicated smash is to bo credited to modern surgery (says a Timaru Press Association telegram). Mr J. Millar, an employee of- Messrs Scott Bros., electrical contractors, fell from the top of a lighting pole on February last, striking his head on the concrete kerb of the footpath and fracturing his skull. Besides this his pelvis was broken in throe places, five ribs were broken, one piercing a kidney, the breast bone was broken, the left arm was broken in three places, and lie received minor injuries and shock. lie lay in the Hospital for five days unconscious and the case was deemed hopeless, yet last week ho has resumed work and says that ho feels as well as ever he <1 i cl.

Mr J. R. Triggs, Conciliation Commissioner, sat at Lawrence on Julj T 23rd to hear the dispute between the Otago and Southland Gold Miners Industrial Union of Workers ami four sluicing companies carrying on operations in the Waitahuna district. There was no great disparity between the proposals of the men and the counter-pro-posals of the employers, with the result that after some little discussion an agreement was reached, the principal effect of which is to make the minimum wage for s’.uiccrs 9s per shift of eight hours. Ihe commissioner will sit in Dunedin this morning to hear the Geneial Labourers’ dispute.

“Our pests a.re still with us,’’ said Mr L. O. 11. Tripp, president of the Acclimatisation. Association', at the opening of the annual conference on July 23. ‘‘Under the depredations of hawks, stoats and weasels our game birds are diminishing, with the exception of ducks, which are holding their own. What lam wondering is what will be the result when the birds are gone. So far as the stoat is concerned, when the stoats have got rid of the birds and the rabbits are they going to tackle lambs? Sheep farmers have told me that they are quite satisfied that they have lost some of their lambs through the attacks of stoats. Lambs have been picked up dead with the typical punctures behind the neck, and shepherds have reported seeing stoats hanging on to lambs.”

There has boon shown to bo more hardwood timber in a eucalyptus globulus (blue yim) tree 24 years old than in an English oaa 200 years old. Also in California thousands of acres of wheat lands have been devoted to the growing of eucalyptus trees. These facts were mentioned at a meeting of the Royal Society in Sydney recently by Mr R. T. Baker, curator of the Technological Museum, in the course of some very interesting remarks on what the American is doing with the eucalyptus. The American has recognised the value of the tree, and has been quick to make use of it. The efficacy of the phcllanderene oils derived

from the narrow-leaved peppermint gum in mineral separation haa led to the production of medicinal oils being largely neglected in Australia, and already the American gum grower is becoming the rival of the Australian on the London market : n the supply ot therapeutical oils.

Mrs Jessie Watkins, of Perth, a widow, turned to Australia by the R.M.S. Orama recently wreathed in smiles. A few months ago (says the Sydney Sun) she was visited by a groat sorrow. Her son, Walter, 25 years of ago, who is affectionately referred to as the “ baby ” of the family, was suddenly stricken dumb. Owing to an accident ho broke a blood-vessel in his throat. He consulted many specialists in Perth, each of whom, after treating him, pursed his lips, shook his head, and said, “No hope.” Someone told Mrs Watkins that she should consult an eminent German specialist. She hastily conjured up the probable cost, mortgaged her house, and towards the end of March set out with her “baby” for Berlin. On arrival there they consulted the specialist, Professor Slight, and Walter was submitted to a thorough course of special treatment so successfully that by May 29 ho was able to speak once more. “He can speak os well as you or I,” explained Mm Watkins. “It has been a wonderful cure. I was on pins and needles all the time, but now, thank goodness, everything is over.” “Is the cure likely to bo permanent?” “ I am hoping so. At any rate, my son is not exercising his voice too much for the fear of straining it.”

The settlers in the Clarksville district petitioned the Prime Minister and the lion. Jiis. Allen (Minister of Finance) during their recent tour in the Bruoo electorate, requesting that facilities be provided for loading stock at Clarksville, and pointing out the inconvenience caused by having to drive animals to Milton for trucking. A reply has been received from the Minister of Railways declining the application, and stating that there is not sufficient room on the railway land to provide the facilities asked for ( and. the cost of providing sidings and purchase of necessary land would bo considerable. There wore more urgent works in hand, or awaiting funds. Mr Laureneon has given notice that he intends to ask the Minister of Justice whether ho is aware that workers and others summoned as jurors to the Supremo Court sittings arc paid only 4s per day unless they are drawn to sit on the juries; and whether, in view of the serious loss which this means to a man earning his living, ho will see the wisdom of having the above-jiarned sum increased to a more reasonable amount.

A Press Association telegram states that (he Napier branch of the Education Institute has resolved : “ That this branch learns with extreme dissatisfaction that the Minister of Education lias declared his intention of not introducing legislation this session for increasing teachers' salaries and improving their conditions, in view of the everincreasing demands made upon the teachers’ efficiency. Wo are of opinion that the just demands of the teachers have been ignored owhig to the moderate manner in which they have been urged.” Mr Brown (Napier) desires that there bo laid before the House of Representatives a return showing all complaints dealt with by the Labour Department in reference to breaches of awards or Acts from April 1, 1911, to March 31, 1913, setting forth—(l) The district; (2) the name of the magistrate or judge who hoard the case; (3) the name of the prosecuting inspector; (4) the number of cases in which the inspector discovered the breach upon his own inquiries; (5) the number of cases in which other persons made the complaint; (6) the number of cases in which complaint was made by trade unions; (7) the number of letters of warning sent; (8) the number of convictions; (9) the number of cases withdrawn; (10) the number of cases in which the inspector was nonsuited; (11) the nui»s* of cases dismissed; and (12) the total noiSiber of cases.

An excellent illustration of the cunning of the average Chinese came to light at Masterton a few days ago, when Mr W. V. Hobbs, auctioneer, received a consignment of bankrupt stock. Among the spectators watching the removal of the goods from tho lorry to

the auction room there was an elderly Chinese. When the last case had been trucked inside the Mongolian hastily followed the auctioneer, and, pointing to a small-sized case, he said, “How muchee?’’ “ I sell him to-morrow,” replied the auctioneer. “No time to-moller,” answered the Chinaman. “Mo buy now,” and he eventually secured the case for £l6. Half an hour had elapsed when he made a reappearance, and so great was his emotional vocabulary that an interpreter was summoned. The outcome was ludicrous It appears that the case bore an inscription written in Chinese characters stating that the case contained a false bottom concealing £IOO worth of opium, but on being opened up another label at the bottom of the case read, “Better luck next time.” Mr T. K. Sidcy, M.P., intends to ask the Government: (1) Whether it is aware that, notwithstanding the provisions of section 16 of “ The Public Service Classification Act, 1907,” and the corresponding section of the consolidating Act of 1908, which provide that persons temporarily appointed to the Public Service after November 25, 1907, and who are ineligible for permanent appointment, shall not bo continuously employed for more than six months at any one time, there are a number of i>ersons who are appointed after that date, and though ineligible for permanent appointment, who have been since continuously employed, and have now completed over five years’ continuous service, and have received annual increments of salary end been in every i respect, other than as regards superannuation, treated as permanent officers, and that it is now proposed to dispense with their services because of the statutory provisions before referred to? (2) In view of the hardship to these officers, who are married men and whoso long continuous service is itself testimony to the satisfactory manner in which they have discharged their duties, and is such that they might well be pardoned if it led them to expect permanent appointment, and in view also of the reassuring telegram recently sent by the Prime Minister to the Minister of Marino in relation to the officers of the Public Service, will the Government legislate, at as early i a date as possible this session, to permit of I those whose position and service is as above indicated being placed on the permanent list?

I Prominent among the advocates of better conditions for the backblocks at the Farmers’ Union Conference have (says the Post) been the Auckland delegates, Major D. H. Lusk, of To Kuiti, and Mr A. A. Ross, of Wairangi. On Thursday night they drew attention to the neglect of the backblocks schools i by the Government and Education Boards, who wore inclined to pay more attention to the larger town schools. Mr G. Anderson thought there should be a system of miuij mum salaries for aided teachers, at present paid on capitation. A minimum wage of at least £1 a week should be set. Mr T. Mi*s said that in somo of the small echooln the i men to whom they were entrusting their I children were little better than labourers. They ought to ask the Government tor an j increase of the salaries of teachers so as to j make tho profession attractive to qualified j young men. At present teachers were leaving tho profession on the first opportunity. Tho remit to call the attention of tho Government and Education Boards to the state of affairs was adopted. Mr J. R. Triggs (Conciliation Commissioner) presided over tho sitting of the Conciliation Council on July 24, when the dispute between tho general labourers and tho local bodies was heard. After argument, which lasted for tho greater part oi the day, it was seen that there was no possibility of an agreement being reached, and tho dispute will therefore bo referred to tho Arbitration Court.

It is not generally known (says the London ; Daily Mail) that the original inventor of the : torpedo is still in London, in the person of ; Mr George A. Henty, the veteran war corre- ; Bpondent of the Standard and poxmlar writer ! of boys’ stories. Mr Henty went through I the Crimean war in the Purveyor’s Deprrt • merit, and while serving on board of ‘ the |:"itAh warships before Sebastopol no j invented and constructed a veritable torpedo ‘ with which to blow up one of tha Russian vessels which lay between the Allies and the line of the enemy’* forts. Mr Hcnty’s in-

vent ion was not a perfect or an altogether effective one, but his idea was seized upon and pirated In- an American, who introduced it in the American Civil War and reaped all the credit.

A Wellington Press Association telegram states that during the April-Juno quarter the postal receipts amounted to £162,934-, compared with £154-,766 for the correspond* ing period last year. The telegraph revenue amounted to £130,603, against £163,724 in the corresponding, quarter of 1912.

In May Mr Malcolm,' M.P., wrote the Prime Minister strongly urging that Crown forest lands should not be thrown open for selection till provision had been made for reading. In reply, he lias been informed that a report has been received from the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Dunedin with reference to the question of road access in the Gatlins district, and that steps are being taken to havo provision made on the Public Works Estimates for a sum to provide the necessary road access.

A Wellington Press Association telegram states that Miss Mary Proctor has just received a letter from Lady R. S'. Ball, doted Juno 12, Cambridge Observatory, in which sho states that Sir Robert Ball is unable to attend to any business concerning the Cawthron solar observatory, as he is quite helpless and paralysed us a result of diobetes, and has been a suffered: for the last four months. All correspondence concerning the observatory, she says, has been handed over to Professor Nowall, who will give the desired information without delay. Professor Newali is assistant) director of Cambridge Observatory, and has made solar physios his special study. Lady Bali and Sir Robert extend to Miss Proctor their congratulations regarding the success of her mission, and to Mr Thomas Cawthron their appreciation of his generous gift.

On August 13 there will bo offered for selection, under renewable lease tenure 753 acres in the Clareview Settlement and 660 acres in the To Puke Settlement. The former comprises six sections, ranging from 116 acres to 205 acres. The land consists of fine undulating country, nearly all of which is ploughable. The Te Puk® land has been cut into four sections, which vary from 129 acres to 180, and are about 18 miles from Oamaru. About 85 per cent, of the land in each section is ploughable, & considerable portion having boon previously cultivated. All the sections have a frontage to a first-class metal road. Applicants for this land can be examined at Oarnaru on August 15 and at Dunedin, at the Bands Office, on August 14.

Thieving on something approaching a. wholesale scale is reported to have taken place during tho past week or two amongst the pleasure craft around the harbour front. According to the information supplied to us over a dozen boating "cribs ” have been broken into and the contents stolen. The missing goods include oilskins, tools of various kinds, brass fittings, copper wire, and other articles, including a sporting rifle. Tlmso have all been looted from various places in which yachtsmen and motor boat owners usually store their spare gear. The thieves have not confined their attention wholly to Dunedin, as they are reported to have Cleaned out about half a dozen boats ot Ravensbourne, practically everything of & portable nature having been taken away. Some time ago the engine was removed from a launch near Sawyers’ Bay, but this was found some distance away, the thieves having been disturbed whilst attempting to remove their booty; and a few weeks ago another engine was carried off from a launch on the reclaimed land near the overbridge. From these facts, it is concluded that tho plundering referred to is carried out in a systematic manner by some person or persons who find ways and means to dispose of the stolen goods in some convenient and remunerative quarter.

The occupants of art outward-bound Onohunga tramoar viewed with astonishment the antics of a young man who entered tho oar at the Symonds street section on Sunday afternoon (says tho Now Zealand Herald). As ho reached his seat he waa goon t-o jump wildly into tho air with ono leg and 0110 arm extended, while hie lan-

guage was more forcible than pohte. Tho reason for his strange behaviour was erplained when ho told the other passenger*

that ho had received a severe electric shock through touching a bolt on the floor with Ida foot. Shortly after the conductor came along and told the young man that there was a leakage of electricity, which the passenger gravely returned thanks, and said that he had found it. Our Alexandra correspondent informs us that at a meeting of the local Borough Council on Wednesday night it was resolved, subject to the consent of the ratepayers and to the present users of the. rights being safeguarded, to put the Chatto Creek race under offer to the Government. A price was fixed, and the whole matter will be submitted to a vote of the ratepayers on August 6. Massaging the heart is « risk}' expedient, but it saved a man’s life hist week (says a message in the Sydney Sun). An appendicitis patient was being operated on in the Melbourne Hospital, and while under the anaesthetic he collapsed. The doctors resorted to the--usual methods for the restoration of animation, but they were unsuccessful, and (t seemed as if nothing could he done. One surgeon, more daring than hi.s colleagues, decided upon a bold course. He opened the man’s chest, and, inserting ids finger, gently massaged the heart until -is pulse became stronger. The wound was stitched, and except for the effects of shock the patient is doing well. The confession made by Mrs Edith Rigby, the well-known suffragette, who surrendered herself to the police, and was brought before the court in Liverpool last week was ot a highly dramatic character. As already

cabled, Mrs R’.gby, who ie the wife of a Preston physician, admitted that it was she who burnt -down Sir William Lever’s country residence, and who, a few days previously, had exploded a bomb nt the Liverpool Cotton Exchange. When presented at the court Mrs Rigby gloried in what she had done. After freely confessing that she had been the author of both outrages, the accused wont on to say: “ I chose the Exchange because the cotton industry has been built up chiefly on women’s labour. The merchants arc willing to get power and wealth from the labour of women, while women were denied the vote and citizenship. This is the first knock at the door under the Cat and Mouse Act. One of the greatest women is going to be done to death, and if the Government is going to kill that woman this is a warning of what will happen.” Mrs Rigby has already been imprisoned five times in connection withe, suffragette outrages, and lias as often been released owing to the breakdown of her health. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that during June 2964- persons arrived in Xew Zealand, and 2775 departed, compared with 2717 and 2953 respectively in June. 1912. The petroleum works at Xew Plymouth are responsible for the order of 30,000 oases, which arc being manufactured at Messrs Ellis and Burnand’s factory at Manunui (gays our Wanganui correspondent). Boxmaking plants have hitherto depended on the dairying industry for supplying a de-

maud, but (Ins new industry lias opened up another market.