LOCAL & GENERAL

Otago Witness, Issue 3111, 29 October 1913, Page 9

LOCAL & GENERAL

The usual display of flags was made in the city on the 21st in commemoration of the famous victory won by Lord Nelson against the combined fleets of France and Spain at Trafalgar, just 108 years ago. Nelson’s historic signal was hoisted on the flagstaff in Victoria Gardens. Beyond this there was little in the way of demonstration during the day, but in the evening a large and enthusiastic crowd assembled in the Garrison Hall to celebrate the day. Addresses of the usual lofty and patriotic character were delivered by the Rev. W. Slade and Major J. E. Watson, of Invercargill. The Mayor of the city (Mr W. Downie Stewart) presided, and also spoke briefly. A small consignment of choice hothouse tomatoes arrived on the local market on the 21st inst. and realised the high price of 3s lOd per pottle, which is equal to 4s 6d per lb.

Some four months ago the Minister of Marine (the Hon. F. M. B Fisher) communicated with the Japanese Imperial Fisheries Bureau, at Tokio, in reference to the purchase of a consignment of goldfish and other ornamental fish in Japan, in order that it might be placed on view at the Auckland Exhibition. In a letter which the Minister has just received from the director of the bureau (says our Wellington correspondent) it is stated that when the letter was received the matter was placed in the hands of Mr Kichigoro Ahiyuma, a gold fish Guitarist, in Tokio. As a result a shipment of 600 gold fish and over 500 other fish was collected and despatched by the steamer Tango Maru, which left Yokohama for Sydney on October 11. Arrangements for the transhipping of the fish at Sydney to Auckland will bo made by the department. The ultimate disposal of the fish after the conclusion of the exhibition has yet to be decided.

The Auckland Diocesan Synod of the Anglican Church has passed a resolution requesting the Prime Minister (Mr Massey) to grant a referendum on the Bible-in-echools question. The Synod set apart December 14 as Bible-in-Schools Sunday. At Lumsden, after church hours on Sunday, 19th inst., a largely attended Bible-in-Schools meeting was held in the Public Hell. After an address by the Rev. R. Wood, a motion in favour of the Bible in schools was unanimously passed, and it was agreed to ask the Prime Minister and the Hon. Mr Fraser to support the demand for the referendum.

After hearing legal argument Mr C. C. Kettle, S.M., gave judgment at Auckland on the 21st inst. (a Press Association message states) on a claim made by Edward Waterson and Melvin Reid, two deserters from H.M.S. New Zealand, against William Austin, farmer, Manurewa, for £l6 wages each. His Worship said that the plaintiffs were deserters from H.M.S. New Zealand, and on leaving the ship burnt their uniforms and went into the country, where there were employed by the defendant as farm hands. The defendant apparently knew that they were deserters. They remained on the farm for over three months and were then arrested. The question was should the court assist them in enforcing the agreement made by them with the defendant while they were deserters? Ho thought not. Apart from all other questions as to the validity of the agreement it would bo contrary to public policy to aid the plaintiffs in enforcing the agreement, and on that ground, apart from other considerations, the plaintiffs would bo non-suited. His Worship added that ho presumed that the evidence taken at the hearing concerning the man who had helped the plaintiffs to desert would be forwarded by the police to the proper authorities. At the Auckland Anglican, Synod (says a Press Association telegram) the following resolution was passed on tho voices without dissent; —“ This synod deplores the existence of war, -with its attendant evils and miseries, and the crushing, ever-increasing burden of armaments, and recognises the duty of Christians to pray and labour for the promoting of peace; that inasmuch as under existing conditions it is absolutely necessary to bo prepared to safeguard national freedom and rights against violent aggression, the synod affirms its adhesion to tho teaching of Holy Scripture and of the Church of England that it is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the magistrate to wear weapons and serve in the wars; that the synod approves of the New Zealand Defence Act as a measure calculated to secure our national safety, and by training and discipline promote the moral and physical well-being of the youth of the dominion.’-’

Our Wanganui correspondent states that the Chinese residents of that town have within the last three days subscribed £3B 2a 6d towards the Ko Tong Hospital fund.

A few children in Balclutha arc laid up with scarlet fever, but the illness is of such a mild type that no alarm is being felt in the town.

Regarding the statement that New Zealand butter was being treated by machinery in Canada until it was made to hold a large percentage of water, the Canadian Trade Commissioner (Mr W. A. Beddoc) remarked to a New Zealand Herald representative last week that he was pleased to see that the Auckland Chamber of Commerce had taken up the matter. “ I communicated with the Canadian Government on August 27,” raid Mr Beddoo, “and tho Government there has now arranged for a special inspection of butter offered for sale throughout the dominion of Canada. This is being

done by officials of the dairy and cold storage branch of the Department of Agriculture. The object of this is to ascertain whether the regulations of the Dairy Act are being complied with with regard to the moisture contents. The legal moisture limit in Canada is 16 per cent. A number of dealere in Vancouver handling New Zealand butter were heavily fined last year for re-working it, and adding moisture to the product. The Pure Foods Act of Canada,” he went on, “ provides that all foreign-made butter shall be offered in original packages, and so displayed in the window, and any breach of this law is visited with severe penalties. Now that the attention of the Canadian Government has been drawn to the subject , the officials of the Agricultural Department will keep careful watch upon the butter imports from New Zealand, and will invoke the law at once when any infraction of the Act is discovered.”

The Plumbers’ Board of New Zealand has decided to hold its first examination on December 12 and 13, the written examination being taken on the first day and the practical on the next. The centres at which the examination will be hold will be decided later on. when the number of applicants for examination is known.

At a mooting held at Clinton on the 17th inst. it was decided that a rifle club be formed, to bo called the Clinton Defence Rifle Club, and that model rules and general rcgLllations be adopted, subject to amendment if necessary. The annual subscription was fixed at ss. Practice days wore fixed for Wednesdays and Saturdays. The following are the office-bearers: —President, Mr Jas. .Steven; vice-presidents—Messrs Jas. Begg, Wm, Millar, sen., and Jas Alexander; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. Garden; executive committee, Messrs Jas. Barron, J. Steffen, Wm. Brown, and J. Williamson ; auditors, Messrs Ingpen and Charlton ; Shooting Committee —Messrs A. Charlton, P. Wagner, J. Steffen, W. Brown, J. Barron, F. Ingpen.

At a meeting of the Westport Harbour Board on the 20th (a Press Association message states), the following resolution was carried: —“That the letter dated September 29, and addressed to the Chairman of the Harbour Board Commission of Inquiry relative to' solicitors’ costs, is not in accordance with any resolution of the board. Mr M‘Donald, who takes the sole responsibility of the letter, suggested that the secretary should write the letter in question, and the board cannot endorse the statements therein. The Chairman reports that the matter of costs will remain in the hands of the Commission, and, with the actual facts before them, the members of the Commission can arrive at a fair estimate of any services rendered without unduly penalising the hoard’s finances.’’

By the steamer Dorset, which reached Auckland from Liverpool last Wednesday, arrived another batch of immigrants, numbering 188, for all parts of the dominion, and including men of various trades, farm workers, and general labourers, as well as a few ' domestics and a number of women and children. A pleasant trip out was experienced, and the boat was free from sickness. At both Melbourne and Sydney the passengers, as well as the officers and crew, were vaccinated The immigrants are described by the Auckland Star as a very good lot, and excellent conduct was maintained throughout the 54 days’ sea voyage. “I have never come in <ontact with a bettor crowd of third-class passengers,” declared an officer of the steamer. Miss Griffin, of the Immigration Department, was in charge of the domestics. She said they were a superior lot, and all had practically been placed in suitable positions. It is stated that most of the men have friends or positions to go to. “ We have not seen any of them,” remarked an immigration officer, “and no doubt they have been whipped of! by friends.” Tire party included 50 children under 12 3-ears of age, and most of the new arrivals are under the age of 50. Perhaps one of the most interesting cases of skin grafting on record at the Auckland Hospital (says the Star) is that of a little girl at present in the institution, Six months ago she was frightfully injured, the whole skin being practically burned off her back. When she was admitted to the institution, her life was despaired of. For six months she has been lying in the one jiosition on her stomach. Twice in that period her mother has gone to the institution, and submitted herself to the gkifl of the surgeon, and layers of skin have been transplanted to the back of the child. Slowly the frightful injuries of six months ago are being covered with a grafting of new skin. Shortly the brave mother will go again for the last time to the hospital, and one more transference will mean the completion of a slow but gratifying success in skin-grafting work. At a meeting of the Lake County Council on Wednesday the chairman maao reference to the vote of £IO,OOO recently passed by Parliament for the purposes of irrigation in the Ida Valley and Cromwell districts. Ho understood that the vote would not be taken advantage of by the Cromwell district in the meantime, and ho thought that the Lake County should make a move in the matter while the money was available.—Or Baird said he was convinced of the feasibility of utilising the Shotover River for irrigation purposes, and bo thought that in order to set the ball rolling the council should make an application to the Government with a view to obtaining the services of an engineer who would be able to draw up a scheme for the irrigation of the district. The suggestion was adopted (says the Lake County Press), and the clerk was in-

structed to write to the Hon. Wm. Fraser in regard to this matter.

As showing the importance of the whitebait industry in this district (says the Greymouth Star), it may be mentioned that during two days last week Mr J. Steer, who has erected a canning factory at Oobden, bought approximately 300 kerosene tins full, which, at the rate of 12s per tin, represented £IBO in purchase money. As there are two canning factories in Greymouth) it may be fairly estimated that from the factories alone close on £4OO lias been paid out to fishermen. By one Hokitika train some 40 tins .of the fish were consigned to the canning works, .which employ a good number of hands a nd have been working at high pressure during the past few days. As regards the earnings of individuals who do the netting, it was stated to a reporter tliat one fisherman had netted £ll and £l2 respectively for two days, but this average, of course, cannot be spread over any lengthy period. The Pounawea Convention will hold its annual meetings at Pounawea, near Owaka, on December 24 to 28. The speakers for this year’s meetings include the Rev. J'. S. Saunders, of Auckland, the Rev. S. Robertson Orr, of Dunedin, Mr E. Ettmann, of the New Zealand Evangelical Jewish Mission, and Mr J. M‘Kendrick, the evangelist. The committee, which is a strong and representative one, has built premises to lodge visitors, while for others preferring them tents arc provided. The catering is undertaken by the Convention authorities. The Convention is conducted in a large marquee on what are known as “ Keswick ” lines.

Our Wellington correspondent informs us that during the last few days rumours have been current that the Prime Minister had declared, in conversation, that he was not particular about pushing the Arbitration Bill through this session, but would-be content if it passed the second reading stage. Mr J. Robertson mentioned, the matter in the House on tto 22nd, and invited the Prime Minister to make a declaration on the subject. Mr Massey said that at the last meeting of the Labour Bills Committee on Tuesday it was arranged that evidence should be taken, and that the Bill should bo proceeded with. He hoped to proceed with the Bill, if only for the purpose «•>[ correcting some of the gross misrepresentations that had been made in different parts of New Zealand. Sir Joseph Ward said he hoped the Bill would come back to the House this session.

A great deal of sympathy is wasted by certain members of Parliament on the woes of the passive register (says a Christchurch cerrespondout). A letter received by the officer commanding the Ist Infantry Regiment (Canterbury) gives some idea what the Christchurch specimen of the passive register is. The Beary case was before Parliament quite recently. Beary has written to the officer commanding F Company a defiant letter, in -which ho states that he is returning the card forwarded to him with the compliments of tho Passive Registers’ Union. To tho accompaniment of insulting language, he . states that he thinks it is about time that those who are doing their host to rob the community discovered that the resistors would not prostitute their consciences to the gang which does*, not possess the rudiments of the freedom of thought. He further states that he and tho passive resistors will see all liars in the lowest depths of hell before they will obey any military order. “ Wo, the members of the Passive Resisters’ Union,” he proceeds, “challenge you to carry out the law by prosecuting us. If you fail to take up this challenge wo will consider that you confess ..... your cause is rotten. —Yours against tyranny .(Signed) C. L. Beary ” A meeting of the executive of the forthcoming band contest at Invercargill was held on the 21st inst. A letter was received from Captain H. O. Glcndinning advising that in respect to judges at the contest, Lieutenant Wilkes and himself would consent to act, provided that in the event of tho other members of tho Permanent Staff being available they retained the right to use them as their substitutes. Tho Cavcrsham Band intimated that it ■was, unfortunately, unable to make the trip to compete at the contest, and asked for a refund of solo entry money. The executive decided that the band be advised that no entry money could be returned. The bandmaster of the 10th Regimental Band (Oainaru) wrote to the effect that a letter appearing in an Invercargill paper had so unsettled his men that he could not get them to take part in the B grade contest, so would now only take part in the A grade contest. “The white plague is being sown and scattered broadcast over Auckland,” said Dr Florence Keller at the meeting of the Hospital Board when bringing forward a motion to. tho effect that a site be immediately secured for a suitable home for tubercular patients. Dr Keller went on to explain tho urgent need for such a home, and related aji appalling case which had recently come under her notice. In a small fruiterer’s shop in Ponsonby she found a young girl in an advanced stage of; the disease. The girl’s sole attendant was her mother. The mother would carry out tho rags used by the girl for expectoration purposes, burn them in tho kitchen grate, and then, with “ tubercular germs literally teeming from her finger tips,” go into the shop and sell a child a penny apple, which ho would immediately oat. Dr Keller related another example. This case was the daughter of a boarding-house keeper. When Dr Keller saw her she was over some vegetables which she was preparing for .the boarders’ meals, and coughing immoderately. In another instance a woman in an

advanced stage of -tuberculosis was living in a small cottage with an aged mother and six children, who. Dr Keller said, must necessarily be infected with germs. The motion (a Frees Association message states) was carried. Now that the Now Zealand war medal carries with it a pension, and the Government has agreed to reopen the question of issuing medals, many doubtful claims are being made for the decorations. So said Colonel Porter at the New Zealand Veterans’ Conference at Wellington. Since the pension was granted he himself had received hundreds of requests to certify to the correctness of claims, but he was being very careful in the matter. The Government would grant the medal to any man who could get a comrade to certify that ho was in an engagement. That was not sufficient. Ho cited an instance where the medal was given to one man to whoso eligibility he had himself declined to certify. Lieutenant Humphries gave some amusing instances of frauds which bad been attempted by bogus veterans in connection with the granting of lands on account of military service. One man produced his discharge, which Mr Humphries glanced at. “ Get out of that door,” he said to the applicant. The man went, but his head came back for a last word. “You know a sight too much,” ho said. Mr Humphries had seen at once that the applicant did not correspond at all with the description on the discharge. Another man came forward with confidence. He knew Percy Smith, Will Humphries, Tom Humphries, and so on. “Do I look like any of them?” asked Mr Humphries. *“ Not at all,” was the reply. “ Well, I’m Tom Humphries!” On the motion 'of Colonel Porter, seconded by Captain Preecc, the following motion was carried: “ The Go\ ernment having now liberally extended (lie military pensions to the veterans holding New Zealand war medals, this conference desires to express its gratification on behalf of the veterans; at the same time to urge upon the department responsible for the issue of medals to more' closely examine the claims so that the privilege now granted be not abused, and that the chairman, Colonel Newall, Captain Precce, and Colonel Porter lay the matter before the Minister.”

Nows cornea from Queensland (says a Press Association message from Christchurch) of the purchase of a large cattle property near the Flinders River by a New Zealander, Mr G. D. Greenwood, of Teviot, who recently acquired the Saxby Downs station, embracing an area of some 800,000 acres, and carrying some 30,000 cattle. This recent purchase, added to Mr Greenwood’s sheep property in the same State, brings up his holding to nearly a million acres. Among 100,000 sheep shorn recently at Tocal were some thousands of half bred Conic-dales, which cut the record average of over lllb of wool per head. This proves the suitability of Corriedale sheep bred in New Zealand for the climatic conditions of Queensland.'

An interesting feature of the Official YearBook for this year will be a “graph” showing the export of wool and frozen meat for the years 1882-1912. It was in tho year 1882 that the meat export trade commenced in New Zealand. In that year, it is interesting to note, only 1,707,3281 b of frozen meat was exported, as against 288,202,5561 b 30 years afterwards. In the course of eight years the export was lifted from less than a million and three-quarter pounds to upwards of one hundred million pounds. It rose the following year (1891) to 110,199,0821 b, but dropped to 97,636,5571 b in 1892, and from that time has gone on steadily advancing, till the frozen meat trade has taken second place among the exports of New Zealand produce. Occasionally there was a drop from the previous year’s figures. The year--1904, for example, showed a falling-off of upwards of 52,000,0001 b compared with the year 1903, and in 1905 the export was 25,000,0001 b leas than 1904, but there were various causes at work in those periods to account for tire drop in the figures. During tho 31 years embraced in tho “ graph” the highest point was reached in 1910, when the meat export totalled 297,269,9521 b. It is a record that those engaged in the development of the frozen moat trade may well feel proud of. Tennis playing on Sundays by students of Victoria College has boon prohibited by tire Professorial Board. The attention of the College Council was drawn to the ban by the Tennis Association of the University, and a lively' discussion on the ethi<» of the matter occurred at the council’s meeting on Wednesday evening. “The next a thing will be that the students are not to smoke or to wear moustaches,” remarked Mr C. Wilson, who also described the prohibition as a sumptuary law passed by an irresponsible body, his contention being that the Professorial Board had no jurisdiction over the conduct of students outside university precincts. On the motion of Sir Robert Stout, the council decided to ask the Tennis Association whether it desired to appeal against tho decision of the board, and also to ask the board for an explanation of the circumstances which led to its decision.

Although the newspapers have been disposed to see only the humorous possibilities of tlie appointment of 10 women to tho police force in Chicago (says tho New York Outlook), the women have apparently gone at their work in a spirit calculated to bring credit to themselves and discormort to those whoso attitude towards this social experiment has been expressed in gibes about “copesses armed with hatpins,” and in such puerility as letting rats and mice loose among the female police. Six married women were among those selected. A committee of three women is in charge of tho movements of the amazons, composed of Mm Gertrude Howe Britton, of the Juvenile Protective League; Mrs T-. J. Med or, of the Catholio Women’s League; and Mies Minnie Locwe, of the

Associated Jewish Charities. The uniform adopted temporarily is a blue suit with the silver police star, and a hat with a blue band. Each “ blue-skirt” is equipped with a police whistle a»d a patrol-box key, but, for a while at least, no billies or revolvers will bo carried by the fair enforcers of the law. The women will devote themselves rather to getting information and to assisting the forlorn than to making arrests, although the performance of that function is not discouraged. Miss Mary Wilson laid the honour of making the first arrest when, on the evening of her second day on duty, •he took into custody one of her sex for soliciting. At first it was planned to send the valiant 10 into the ‘‘-red light” district, to combat the social evil, but the Advisory Board decided to assign the recruits to parks, bathing beaches, excursion steamers, and railway/stations, where they ere a source of protection to children and to women and girls unacquainted with the city.

In some of the dry lakes of Central Australia, said Professor David, in a lecture in Sydney recently, important discoveries have been made of the bones of gigantic birds of tho genyornis type, a sort of emu, probabjy 13ft high, and a little taller than tho moa. Then there was another aJiirnal of tho elephant species, of which Professor David said there were thousands at one time roaming over the plains. “ They were about the size of small elephants,” he said} “they did not burrow under the ground or climb trees, and it is probable they just obtained food for themselves like modem elephants.” Traces of a similar animal had been found in Tasmania, and it was most probable that at one time there was a land connection between Australia and Tasmania. In one of the Tasmanian lakes a species of shrimp had been found to which they should “take off their hats,” as he was the first to go on the laird- —(Laughter.) “ Millions of years ago,” said the professor, “ the ancestors of these animals lived in the sea, when probably they found that they had a great many enemies, so they went up the rivers—the next best thing to going on the land. So far as is known, Tasmania is the only place where they survive.”

At a meeting of the New Cathedral Board (Incorporated), Dean Fitohctt in the chair, it was rcjjorted that the Primate had left for Sydney on private business. It was decided vthat the new Cathedral should be commenced at the chancel end, Moray place, thus retaining the use of the present church. A cablegram has been sent to the architect, Mr Sodding, asking him to prepare the necessary drawings and have them sent out within three months, and he replied that he was complying with the instructions. Mr Henry Mauder, the secretary, having resigned his position through dl-health, the board passed a resolution that the tion bo accepted with regret, and that the board wished to express sympathy with him in his illness and appreciation of his earnest endeavours to carry out the duties of hie office during the last nine years. Mr C. H. •iitatham was appointed secretary.—'l he tiea-

surer reported that the balance in hand was £16,177 12s 6d. Messrs Spencer Brent and Son forwarded a copy of the judge’s decision with regard to the originating summons, and it was resolved that a copy be sent to the Public Trustee, Wellington. Committees were appointed to consider the way in which the building should be erected, whether by contract or'day labour, and to report, and to go into the matter of the vicarage and report.

During August there were 164- artisans and 2095 labourers emp'oyed under the cooperative system on railway works in the dominion, and 41 artisans and 1859 labourers on roads. Public buildings and other works brought the total to 4750 men of both classes. On the Catlins-Waimahaka railway 13 artisans and 85 labourers were employed, and 1 on roads in the Otago district there were 16 labourers, and in the Southland district 93. Under the will of the late Mrs Margaret Washer, of Dunedin, the Dunedin Hospital and tho Presbyterian Orphanage at Anderson Bay will benefit by the sum of £2O each.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that Sir William Lever, head of the firm of Lever Brothers, Port Sunlight, is en route to visit New Zealand. His main object is the establishing of a large soap factory at Petone, which will probably include a model village on the lines of Port Sunlight,

A well-attended caucus of the Government party was held on the 23rd inst. (says our Wellington corresponded). Every member of the party was accounted for, and the general programme of business for the remainder of the session was discussed and unanimously agreed upon. “ There is no startling information of any kind to be given,” said the senior Government Whip (Mr Guthrie) after the meeting. Mr Guthrie added that there was a feeling among the members of the party that they were prepared to stay in Wellington for an indefinite period, provided tho Government’s legislative programme outlined at the beginning of tho session was carried out. The spirit of the members of the party as expressed at tho meeting was that they would resist every effort on tho part of the Opposition to prevent tile inclusion on the Statute Book of those measures which constitute the main features of the Government’s legislative programme.

The Hoad Master of Christ's College, who has been in correspondence with the Oxford University authorities with reference to the difficulties of New Zealand students in taking responeions, received an official reply yesterday (says a Press Association message from Christchurch). By this reply he is informed that a special grace has been jrassed bv the University by which there has been added to the schedule of the examination a provision exempting from res pensions “ the matriculation examination of the University of New Zealand provided that in such examination tho. candidate has satisfied the

examiners in Latin and in mathematics, and

that either he has also satisfied them in tho Greek language or has passed in Greek at responsions in Oxford.” The effect of this important concession is that in future boys who are to go to Oxford from New Zealand will be able to take the equivalent of responsions in their ordinary routine in this country.

Mr Amery, a member of the touring British Parliamentary party, arrived in Dunedin on the 23rd. The well-known journalist did not join tno party till its arrival in Sydney, and after journeying through Australia with his fellow M.P.’s,Tie decided to come on to Now Zealand.

Serious complaints have reached the Eastbourne Borough Council (says the Dominion) with regard to tho conduct of certain “bach” establishments which have caused offence to peace-loving folk in the seaside suburb. In a letter to the council, tho Rev. I. Sola takes strong objection to the practice b) vogue by persons of both sexes of strolling about in company, clad in tho scanty costume designed primarily for sea-bathing. Tho writer also complained of disorderly proceedings on some of the wharves. “My feelings,” he said, “are warmly reciprocated in this matter by many other residents of the bay.” Tho conduct of the inmates of one “ bach” in particular is said to be notorious. Immediate action is to be taken by the council to enlist the co-oporation of the police authorities in order to suppress what is regarded as a nuisance and offence to the regular residents of tho bays.