LOCAL, & GENERAL

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 9

LOCAL, & GENERAL

Sir Joseph Ward took his scat in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, sth inst. As ho entered the chamber and took his seat alongside Mr Myers on the front Opposition benches, he was greeted with a round of applause. The Hon. J. Allen, who was in the midst of a speech at the time, expressed pleasure at seeing the member for Awarua back in the House. Shortly afterwards Sir Joseph made a short speech on a question arising out of the Local Bodies Loans Bill, and before entering on h's speech he made a few appropriate remarks regarding the late Sir Arthur Guinness, and also offered his congratulations to Mr Lang on his election to his present office. A Press Association telegram from Invercargill states that some months ago Mr John Feld wick, who was for some 30 years part proprietor of tho Southland Daily News, and wluo died at Bournemouth (England) on July 28, forwarded a copy of his will to a friend in Invercargill. A perusal of this document, which was executed last December, shows that he bequeathed £20,000 to Invercargill. It is stipulated that tho money shall bo invested by way of mortgage on freehold security or Government or county council debentures, and the interest devoted to the development and maintenance of what is now known as Victoria Park. This endowment is some 200 acres in extent, and so far very little has been spent on improving the area. It is understood that bequests of £5,000 each are made to three nieces of the testator.

The largest of the 295 estates of deceased persons finally certified for stamp duty last month was that of tiie late Mr E. J. liiddiford, £584,622. Following are the particulars of the Otago estates dealt with : Margaret Kirkland, £32,413; James Orr Scoular, £8713: George Reid, £4477; Agnes M‘Hae, £3946; George Lindsay, £3906; Alfred Whiteley, £3602; John Simon, £3391; John Hall, £2760; Alexander Sutherland, £2123; Jane Kirk, £1863; George Charles Graham, £1741; William Reginald Cook, £1543; Robert Stewart, £1513; Thomas Gifford, £1264; Henry Frederick Win. Nces, £1221; Sarah Kli/.a Nicholson, £1188; Ann Rodgers, £1120; Harriot Rosema Oliver. £1061; Christina Gordon Barr, £882; William Clearwater, £748; Phiueas Davis, £700; Elspit Spiers, £650; James Cable, £601; Christopher Conn, £593: Joseph Bower, £564; William Watt, £558.

According to the police report sly grog-selling is a declining “industry” in the dominion. In 1912 there were only 113 prosecutions and 69 convictions as compared with 178 prosecutions and 123 convictions in 1911. The fines totalled £1440 10s, ns against £2670 in 1911. Auckland contributed most largely to the total, the figures for that city being £498 10s. Christchurch was next with £247 and Wellington was third with £lB2. Invercargill's share was £lO6, and Dunedin contributed £75. r lho cost to the dominion of these prosecutions was £385 12s Id, so that a “profit” of £1054 13s lid was made by the department in this direction.

So interested aro the Americans in the ability of New Zealand liens to lay largo numbers of eggs that the Governor of Missouri lias -written to Mr .1. 13. Mcrrott (says the Lyttelton Times), asking- that at least three pens of birds should bo sent, to the egg-laying test to bo held in Missouri next

year. The American Government has undertaken to pay freight charges from New Zealand to the competition grounds, and will forego the entry fee of £3. Mr Merrett made the request known, and has had pens offered him by Messrs A. G. Mumby (Wellington), A. R. Browne (Napier), H. Leger (Levin), R. O. Jarrctt (Mastcrton) and H. Masefield (Auckland). The birds will all be white Leghorns and will leave New Zealand, via San Francisco, in October. The prize money represents a substantial sum, and in addition a gold cup is offered. As proof of the great advancement the industry is making in Canterbury. Mr Merrett has just installed n new mammoth incubator at the poultry institute, St. Albans. The machine is of the latest design, and is framed with asbestos elate, so that it is fireproof. It hold 5000 eggs and is constructed in sections to hold 300 eggs, so that each day or so that number of eggs may be placed in the machine. It is heated with gas and is fitted with electric lights, by which the thermometer can bo read. The machine is of English make and is the first of its class in Australasia. Mr Merrett states that the growing demands of the day-old chick trade make the machine a necessity. By adding sections the heating apparatus is capable of hatching 10,000 eggs, and in a year or so he expects to increase it to that capacity. Tho Union Company’s training-ship Aparima is duo in New Zealand at the beginning of next month, and, as a number of cadets have reached their fourth year of service, they will proceed ashore to sit for second mates’ certificates (states the Post). Previously all cadets who sat. for bins examination have been successful and have been appointed as deck officers on various vessels. In consequence there will be several vacancies on the Aparima, and application should bo made- a s soon as possible. On completion of tho present, voyage her itinerary since January last has included Bluff, Newcastle, Geelong, Melbourne, Durban, Las Palmas, Barcelona, Naples, Cardiff, Colombo, and Calcutta, thus giving tho cadets an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the different ports of the world.

The Melbourne Ago last month published a remarkable story, in which it said that Mr John AA’ren has refused a legacy of £20,000, left him under the will of Mrs Eiiza Foster, who died recently at Clifton Hill, aged 75. Mrs Foster was the owner of considerable property in the suburbs, and achieved notoriety in her lifetime by her litigious propensities. She was married in early life, but her husband predeceased her by many years, leaving her with six children—three sons and three daughters. Some years ago she re-married, but the second marriage, it is understood, failed to realise all the happiness that had been expected of it. Mrs Fester was a rather difficult lady to get on with, and she had not lived on the happiest terms with the members of her family; but she had conceived a strong liking for Mr John Wren, with whom she, as a property owner, had business dealings for a number of years, and she often remarked that she would remember him in her will. Mr Wren, treating the promise as a joke, advised her on these occasions to buy a motor car and enjoy her wealth. But the will lias come to light, and sure enough Mi Wren has been remembered, the testator having left to him her entire estate, worth £20,000, and appointed him sole executor. He has already intimated that he will act as executor to the will, but that he intend.. to divide the estate between those whom he considers to bo its right owners—the sons and daughters of the deceased. Our AA'anganui correspondent states that the Presbyterian Churches along the West Coast are showing considerable activity in housing their ministers, etc., and within the past 12 months new manses, halls, and churches have been or are in course of erection, the expenditure running over £20,000. This amount includes building schemes at Shannon, Palmerston North, Terrace End, Marton, Wanganui, Waverley, Hawcra, and Stratford.

With a view to offering further opposition to the proposal of the Government to have one law for the Maori and the pakeha a deputation consisting of Messrs A. Nik;tini, A. Taumumu, Weroro Kingi, and H. N. Walker proceeded to Wellington on the 4th (says our Wanganui correspondent). The party represents the Maoris of the Wanganui River, Taumarunui Natives, and also those between Wanganui and Waitotara. It is claimed that if the proposal of the Native Minister is given effect to a gross violation of the Treaty of W aitangi will have been committed. The Lands Committee of the House of Representatives has three very interesting inquiries on hand at present (says our Wellington correspondent). All of them are interesting because party cap.tal lias been made of the allegations which die committee lias been asked to investigate The inquiries concern the New Lynn leases, the adegations of the Opposition press, and the departmental report thereon about laud aggiegation in certain districts; and the statements made in the House in regard to the disposal by sale of the freehold of a small piece of land in the Cheviot district. None of the inquiries is open to the press. It is explained by the Oantaru Mail that Lord Meath’s challenge cup, which, it was announced by cable a few days ago, has this year been won by Cyril King, of the Waitaki High School, was presented to the League of Empire (London) hy the Earl of Meath for a competitive essay open to all pupils of secondary schools in the British Empire whoso ago docs not exceed 20 years The school of the prize-winner holds the challenge cup for a year, and the successful

essayist receives a personal prize of five guineas, Cyril King, to whom this high honour has fallen this year, has had a distinguished career as an essayist. Ho was awarded a first prize by the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, and his essay was oji that occasion printed in the society’s official magazine as a model contribution. He has frequently gained very high awards in the Otago Navy League and the Waitaki High School essay competition, and two years ago ho was the only male competitor in the Empire to gain honourable mention in the Lord Meath Cup competition. This is the first time that New Zealand has won Lord Meath’s keenly coveted trophy.

Some time ago the Public Service Commissioners intimated that certain changes would take place in the conditions governing the junior civil service examination. A circular has, however, now been issued to educational institutions pointing out that in order to avoid any possibility of confusion the regulations at present in force will cover the public entrance examination to be held in November, 1913, but that entrants will not bo required to pay a fee.

At the invitation of the Hector of tha Waitaki Boys’ High School (Mr F. Milner, M.A.) the secretary of the Navy Leagua (Otago branch) gave an address to the boys of the school on Imperial dangers and unity regarded, mainly, from the standpoints of personal service and moral responsibility, 'iho general effect of the address, which lasted within a few minutes of the hour, is expressed in the following letter from the secretary of the school branch of the league (Mr J. H. Parr):—“At the first meeting of the School Nary League Committee, held subsequent to your address, it was decided to thank you for the trouble you took in delivering to the school a speech so brimful of interest. I can assure you that you havo made a lasting impression on the school essay-writing and debating. It may interest you to know that your address formed the subject of an essay written by the whole school, while your sentiments on Imperial affairs have been echoed in many of tna debates. I am sure that, wo can do nothing better to forward the league's interests in the school than !o obtain similar addresses from time to time. We hope that you will eee your way to favour us on another occasion.’’

“ Oh, yes. I got £450 as compensation, remarked a judgment debtor at the Auckland Mag is I rate’s Court last week, in answerto a cross-examining lawyer, “ but I had to pay £275 expenses out of that.” 11 What a that?” interjected Mr C. CV Kettle, S.M.

“ Who got that amount? ’ The debtor explained that he had proceeded against tho Mount Eden Borough Conned for compensation in respect of certain injuries received. “The case was settled.’ he said. “Mv solicitors advised me to take £450 in settlement, and pay all my own expenses, and like a fool I did it.” Two payment* had been made direct, to him, he added, while the balance of £275 had been handed over to his solicitor to meet expenses The magistrate expressed a determination to find out exactly what the expenses were, and therefore adjourned the case in order that the debtor might produce a statement to show where the money paid over for expenses had gone to.

O.'io of the strongest grievances that women teachers have in Australia is the fact that there arc no women inspectors. Even 11 such subjects as kindergarten work and sewing, men -who cannot be exports in these mutters —inspect the work. There arc now 48 women inspectors under the Board of Education in England. Two years ago there were 24, but so well have women proved themselves in this capacity that the number has been doubled. Most of the appointments have a pension attached to them, and salary generally begins at £4OO a year, rising to £SOO.

The prices asked by Crown tenants for the goodwill of lands proposed to bo transferred was a subject which engaged the attention of the Auckland Land Board ul its last meeting. In one or two instances the board considered that unreasonable sums had been asked. A transfer was declined in the case of a tenant at Cambridge. The proposal was to charge the transferee-

(tJrre.j brothers) £',086 for the goodwill on half an aiiotment of 1539 acres, in addition to £7OO for improvements. The ranger reported that the land was not suitable for dairying, for which it W'as proposed to uso it. In the case of a New Lynn tenant who sought to transfer a lidding of four acres, taken up' only a few months ago, at a profit of £IOO, decision was deferred. The board characterised as a case of trafficking one in which a transferee, •who had recently made £SOO on an area of land (his excuse for giving up which wan that ho wished to live in town), applied for a section, the improvements on which ho was prepared to pay £l6O for. The ranger assessed the value of the improvements at £6O. Under the circumstances the board declined to look upon the applicant ns a bona-fide settler. In replying to a question in die House on the 6th (says our Wellington correspondent) the Hon. Jas. Allen exposed a common fallacy that a teacher’s salary was dependent immediately upon average attendance. The questioner was ilr Wilford,

and the reply was: “I presume the hon. member means to imply that the teacher’s salary is directly dependent upon variations in the average attendance. This is a common fallacy but it is altogether incorrect; in fact, it has not been tho case for several years. A fall in the average attendance as a general rule does not, under the regulations, affect tho grade of a school for two or three years, and tho teacher’s salary by the Act is maintained at the same rate for two years after the year in which the school falls in grade, so that four or five years must intervene in general before a | fall in the average attendance can affect a I teacher. Special provisions respecting the j effect of epidemics on the average attend- ■ unco were made by Order-in-Counci! of | I’.-bruary 15, 1911 —over two years ago. ■ Quarters in which epidemics occur are not j reckoned at all in computing the average, j I have not hoard of any substitute for the ; average attendance as defined by the re- [ gillations that is comparable with it in j steadiness and fairness.” * A Press Association telegram states that

the Waimana, -which arrived at Wellington on the sth inst. from London, was not allowed to berth till the following afternoon, owing to scarlatina aboard. There are five cases, mostly young people, but there are 20 contacts. All the 25 were isolated, and were taken to the So meg Island Quarantine Hospital. Under the Queensland Liquor Act, 1912, it is provided that any licensed victualler or wine seller who supplies or permits to be supplied any liqour to any female in any bar or in any room adjacent thereto which is specially set opart for drinking purposes, shall, for the first offence, be liable to a penalty not exceeding £2O, and for the second and every subsequent offence, whether of the same kind or not, to a penalty not exceeding £SO nor less than £lO. Any person, other than the licenced victualler or wine-seller, who in any licensed promises supplies, gives, or treats liquor to any female, shall bo liable to a penalty not exceeding £lO, irrespective of any liability that may attach to

the licensee in respect of the game offence. The law in this respect is considered to be too drastic, and the State Premier has been asked to modify this clause, so as to enable women to be served with liquor.

The number and tonnage of vessels docked at Port- Chalmers during last month exceeded all previous records. The largo dock accommodated six vessels, the Rakaia, Maori, Maitai, Warrimoo, Wahino, and Indrabarah, their aggregate tonnage amounting to 27,821 tons, hive vessels —the Monowai, Plucky, Kaitangata, Kurow, and dredge 222 —were docked in the small dock, their combined tonnage being 8983 tons, making a total of 11 vessels, with an aggregate of 36,804 tons for the month. The result lias boon the employment of a very largo number of workmen at high pressure in order to expedite the work of overhauling and repairing the' vessels with as little delay as possible, and the uniformly high standard of workmanship demanded and the promptitude with which it was executed has placed Otago Harbour in the front rank of New Zealand ship repairing depots.

In the House of Representatives on the 6th (says our Wellington correspondent) Mr Sidey gave notice to ask the Minister of Education whether he could explain, and if not, would ho endeavour to ascertain why so large a number, 29 at the least, of the public school teachers in the Otago Education District were at present incapacitated through illness.

A pathetic cnee of sickness affording a striking illustration of the heavy disabilities that oppress and crush the women of the backblocks, is recorded by a Waverlcy correspondent of the Auckland Star. It appears that a. settler’s wife was taken seriously ill. Despite all that the best of care and attention could do she grew worse. Ultimately it was deemed necessary to remove her to Waverley for medical treatment. Arrangements were accordingly made and an ambulance loft Wavcrley. The sick woman was placed on a stretcher, neighbouring settlers lent willing assistance, and 12 men took “shifts” in carrying the stretcher over a rough track. Ere the ambulance was met, "they had proceeded in this fashion for over 12 Placed in the conveyance, the patient was driven a distance of 26 miles into Wavcrley, and was later taken to the Patca, Hospital. The first 12 miles is described as a fearful route to be traversed.

Archibald Everett, who is picturesquely described as ‘‘King of the Savage Island of Arorae,” has made up his mind to renounce his throne and return to New York. Arorae Is'and is one of the Hilbert Group in the South Seas. Everett" is well known in New York, where, until 1909, he was engaged as a kerb broker. He explains that it is the insistence of 30 wives for expensive English gowns and the of civilisation, combined with the loneliness of his life, that have primarily influenced him in hie determination to “ abdicate.” the costly dressce for which all his consorts have suddenly developed such a passion, ho says that these were recently introduced into the island through the accidental visit of an English trader. ' All his wives were charmed with the gorgeous frocks that they immediately discarded their beads and their nudity, and arc now demanding the latest fashions. Mr Everett was formerly a familiar figure on Broadway (says a message in the Sydney Sun). He was reported to be wealthy, but went broke in Wall street, and suddenly disappeared. He was next heard of as having gone to one of the South Sea Islands, whore ho won a kingship by means of nothing less than a gramophone. The reigning monarch, it seems, was so awed upon hearing his own voice issuing from the horn of the machine that he adopted Everett. When the King died Everett reigned in his stead, taking over the whole of the Royal establishment, oven to the 30 wives, this being the custom of the island. f l he principal product of Arorae is copra, with which Everett hopes to recoup his fortune.

The King of Sum), Chow fa Maha Vaj.ravudh, has entered the ranks of the dramatists. Despite the fact that ho is saddled with 600 of his father’s widows, his Majesty is a persistent monogamist. He takes a profound interest in the drama, and has endowed and opened a national theatre in Bangkok. The King’s first effort as a playwright was an adaptation of Moliere s “ Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme,” and he is now rehearsing an adaptation of one ol Bernard Shaw s plays. The Hon. Mr Fisher l (Minister in Charge of the Pensions Department) stated on the 7th that he did not propose to introduce Ibis session any legislation to provide for (he payment of pensions to invalids and persons otherwise incapacitated for work. Mention has been made of a Bill to this effect as part of the Government programme. The discoverers of the Maori relics at iJie Waverlcy beach, mention of which was made a short time ago, spent the whole of 0110 day last week in making further investigations into the quality and quantity of their find. It is quite evident (says cur Wanganui correspondent) that they have struck a good thing. Digging operations were carried on without much difficulty. The first “curio” proved to bo a large greenstone adze of a length of about cignt inches and a blade width of about five inches, ft was thick and of superior quality. Following this upwards of a dozen stone axes and adzes were secured, and a beautifully carved paddle and a large carved dipper next gladdened the eyes of the searchers. The paddle is slightly damaged, but the dipper scoop is in an excellent state of preservation. Several pieces of greenstone, ornaments of bone inlaid with pawa shell and other articles of great historic interest were also added to the collection. "We have only gone a little way into the face ”

sa;-d one of the gentlemen when interviewed, “ and I think we can with advantage go much further. You will at anyratp hoar more about it.”

Ihore was nearly a riot at the Hurunui Orangi pa, Gladstone, on the 6th (says a i'ress Association telegram from Carterton), when the Natives objected to a post mortem examination on Peta Nawana, ■who died suddenly .on Tuesday night. There were two factions, one willing to allow the examination and the other against. The latter wanted to remove the body to To Ore Ore pa, Masterton, but the other parly refused point blank. For a time it looked as though a serious outbreak would occur. E inally, the counsels of Parakau, Maika, and Ngatucro prevailed. After a meeting, which lasted three hours, it was decided to allow the post mortem examination to I© hold, and to leave the body at Hurunui Orangi pa for the examination.

Our Wellington correspondent informs us that the application by Mr Charles Steans and two others that there should be paid to them a refund of the duty paid on tobacco, etc., damaged by the flood in the Mataura River in March was returned from the M to Z Committee yesterday with the recommendation that it should bo referred to the Government for consideration. Mr Anderson said he regretted that the committee had not reported more favourably. He admitted that the petitioners had a very difficult task to prove that they lost all the tobacco in the way concerned. The position was, however, that the flood waters invaded the shops and damaged tobacco and cigarettes, which had to be thrown out. These were Struggling business men —none of them in a large way—and the loss of their money was a very serious thing to them-' Ho hoped the Government would carefully consider the application, and see what could bo done.

With an overdraft of over £BOO and rates not due for several montlis to come, the Portobello Road Board decided on the 7th to curtail expenditure in the interim, and dispensed with the services of the surfacemen for a month at least in order to avoid any increase in the overdraft.

During July (says a Wellington Press Association telegram) 2681 persons arrived in the dominion from overseas, and 1847 took their departure, as compared with 2483 arrivals and 2643 departures in July of 1912. The estimated population (exclusive of Maoris) at the end of June was 1,065,718, and the estimated total population was 1,128,160. The net increase for the June quarter was 3970. The excess of births over deaths was 4367, and the excess of departures over arrivals was 397

It was decided at a meeting on Wednesday night (says our Alexandra correspondent) to recommend the council to take a vote of the ratepayers regarding the price to be asked of the Government for the Chatto Creek water race.