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Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 13

The Primate completed the forty-fourth year of hie episcopate on Friday last. He was consecrated on June 4, 1871. The Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark) telegraphed to Sir Francis H. D. Bell the congratulations of the citizens of Dunedin on his being honoured by being created a K.C.M.G.. On Saturday his Worship received the following message from Sir Francis:—“l thank you sincerely for your kind thought fbr an old Otago boy, and value very much the congratulations you offer from yourself and the citizens of Dunedin.”

The coal shipments from Westport last week (says a Press Association message) were as follows: —Westport Coal Company, 9707 tons 15cwt, and 42 tons of cote; Wcst-port-Stockton Company, 2481 tons XOcwt. Following on the adoption of the Satursday half-holiday for shops in Dunedin, the Mosgiel shopkeepers met on the 4th to discuss the advisability of coming into line with the city or allowing the half-holiday to remain as now—Thursday. The meeting was well attended and many and varied were the opinions expressed both for and against any change. Some feared that the late night on Friday in Dunedin would attract people from Mosgiel; while others contended that such fears were groundless. It was also pointed out that many people came in from the surrounding district to Mosgicld on the Saturday evening and did their shopping, who would not come to town on a late Friday or a Thursday afternoon. The outcome of the meeting ‘\yas that no change will be attempted in the meantime, but a similar meeting will be held in December to consider whether Mosgiel has benefited or lost through the change made in the city. In the Otago Early Settlers’ Hall on the 4th, Mr J Wood (secretary of the association) gave one of his popular lectures on the early days of Dunedin, chiefly relating to the city and surroundings. At the outset Mr Wood explained that although not a pioneer, he felt it his duty as a lover of Otago and its reputed identities, to do something towards acquainting our young people with the glorious and progressive work of their forefathers. The speaker pleasantly traced the history of Dunedin from the time of the arrival of the first ship, the John Wickliffe, and illustrated his remarks by fine lantern views, dealing with the period when the sea came up in front of where the Grand Hotel now stands. The pictures, with the aid of the lecturer’s lengthy address recalling landmarks and matters of keen interest when contrasted with the state of affairs prevailing to-day, were most enjoyable. At the conclusion Mr Wood was heartily thanked for his graphic and educative discourse. Mr W. Simpson carefully manipulated the lantern.

A movement is on foot in Balclutha to establish a system of electric lighting in the town. t, The visit of several thousands of New Zealanders to Egypt has resulted, incidentally, in the collection of numbers of curios and antiquities, some probably of high value and destined to find honoured places in the public museums. Among the most important gifts of tho land are some mummied remains which have just been received by Mr D. C. Bates, the Government Meteorologist, from Sergeant Robert Yarrow, who is serving with the Wellington Divisional Headquarters (says the Wellington Poet). Sergeant Yarrow

lias sent a head, which ho states belonged to a servant of an ancient Egyptian King, and a pair of feet, reputed to bo those of a queen of 1000 b.o. The parts are in an excellent state of preservation; the head is a finely-shaped specimen, and the specimens were, of course, their original ancient wrappings, still odorous of preservative spioes and gums. Mr Bates expects further particulars relating to the specimens by the next mail, and intends to hand the objects over to the Dominion Museum.

The “prophet” Rua, who created a stir on the East Coast some time ago by his crusade, partly religious, has just fallen into serious trouble (says the Auckland Star). He was char-god at Whakatano with sly-grog soiling by selling liquor to Natives, and some variants of this offence, and as ho had previously been convicted of a similar offence and ordered to come up for sentence when called on, he was now ordered to gaol for three months. He had the effrontery to toll his followers that the imprisonment ho had to undergo is nothing but a trial of jbhoir faith in him, and to institute some blasphemous parallels. The policy of the Government in regard to public works was briefly referred to by the Prime Minister at the opening of the Mangere bridge on May 31 (says the New Zealand Herald). He stated that at the end of the financial year, March 31, there were 6271 men employed on public works in the dominion, as compared with 3989 men .at the corresponding date of the previous year, thus shoeing an increase of 2300 men, despite the war. He also mentioned that during the past -financial yearno less than £646,878 had been expended on the making of roads, principally in the back-blocks, whilst 91 miles of new railway had also been opened. In connection with the suggestion of the Dunedin Presbytery that all hotels should be placed out of bounds as far as the men of the Expeditionary Forces are concerned, the Minister of Defence and the officers responsible for the control of Trentham camp feel strongly that a general aspersion against the conduct of the troops when on leave is utterly without foundation (says the New Zealand Times). Wellington sees more of the soldiers than any other city in the dominion can do. Many hundreds of them are in the town during the evenings, and the cases of insobriety are few and far between. The later recruits admittedly are better behaved in this respect, taken all round, than earlier drafts were, and the camp authorities are finding the maintenance of a high standard of conduct and discipline a comparatively easy matter.

It is usual for some judges when summing up in a criminal case to draw the attention of the jury to the distinction between the sworn evidence of a prisoner which the Crown can attempt to shake by and a mere statement from the dock which is not liable to challenge from the fact that it is not evidence. In the course of a trial last week (states the Auckland correspondent of the Wellington Post), counsel for the prisoner questioned the propriety of even the presiding judge directing the jury’s attention to the fact that the accused person had elected to make a statement, on the ground that the Statute sets forth that in the event of a prisoner choosing not to give evidence on his own behalf that fact shall not be used against him. The point cropped up again at Auckland on Tuesday. His Honor Mr Justice Hosking in summing up remarked to the Jury: “You are sworn to give your, verdict according to the evidence, and I am bound to toll you that the prisoner’s statement is not evidence. You may discard the prisoner’s statement altogether if you think fit, because it was not given on oath, but you may also assign such weight to the statement as you think fit. If you believe his statement you may find him not guilty.” Later on, when the jury had retired his Honor informed Mr London, who was defending the prisoner, that ho had followed what had been laid clown by the Court of Appeal as proper in his direction to the jury on this point.

In the Supreme Court at Auckland on Saturday (states a Press Association telegram), Mr Justice Cooper gave judgment on an application by Soren Marius Mikkeleon to have an order of the court varied, so that he might have access to his little girl, 11 years old, who was the central figure in a sensational abduction incident a couple of years ago. His Honor had interviewed the girl in company with Dr Lindsay. The latter said the girl was evidently in perpetual fear of her father. His Honor’s judgment was that it would bo highly detrimental to the physical and mental health of the girl if access by her father was permitted, even under the most stringent precautions. His Honor declined to vary the order, and dismissed the application, with costs.

Many indignant remarks were passed by holiday-makers at the Balclutha station on Wednesday afternoon at the unsatisfactory arrangements in connection with the special express timed to leave at 4.10 (says the Free Press). Long before 4 o’clock there was a Ipng queue of excursionists in front of the ticket box, and more were arriving every minute. It was not until about 10 minutes before the time for departure that the ticket-box was opened, with the result that when the train pulled out many had been unable to obtain their tickets. To add to the already sore feelings of those who had managed to purchase tickets, the majority of the carriages were found locked, and had it not been, for a gentleman with a knife many—women and children included—-

would have been hard pressed to find seats in the 'over-crowded carriages, which had been “ kindly ” loft open.

There are now two comets visible in our hemisphere—Delavan’s and Mellish’s comets, both American discoveries. Mellish’s, which was discovered some four months ago, is now visible to the naked eye, but will reach its nearest point to the sun in about four months’ time. Its position at present is south-east of Sagittarius.

A peculiar mishap bofel a farmer of Central Otago a few days ago. A heifer he was milking managed to put his shoulder out of joint. Ho Buffered great pain during the day, but in the evening the same cow, by another sudden plunge, bumped the shoulder-blade back into place. This unconscious act of generosity on the part of the animal did not end the matter. Ab tha result of the wrench and the strain, tha farmer is now in Dunedin securing special treatment for his arm.

The paucity of bunting displayed in Oamaru on Thursday, and especially in the business portion of the town, was a causa of comment (says the North Otago Times). There were many flagstaffs on buildings in Thames street, but for the most part their owners were content to let them be “ naked and unashamed.” Flags were flying at a number of private residences, the schools, the Victoria Home, and the Baths, but tha business places in Thames street could show only four, Tyne street one, and there waa one further on. It remained for a foreignownod sailing vessel lying at the wharf to show better recognition of our Sovereign’s natal day.

Messrs Walsh Brothers’ locally built seaplane made several very successful flight* yesterday (states a Press Association message from Auckland), travelling altogether about 60 miles, the . longest fligdit being about 21 miles. On three occasions Mr W alsh carried passengers, one who accompanied him on one of his longest flights being a Now Zealand Herald reporter. The machine, in full flight, travels at tha rate of a mile a minute.

In a letter to the Minister of Defence, Mr E. S. Wilson, secretary of the Otago Patriotic and Recruiting Committee, Dunedin, drew attention to the fact that in most of the reports of the Gallipoli fighting the New Zealand troops are included in the word Australasians, and suggesting that steps bo taken to give duo credit to New Zealanders (says the Post). Mr Allen handed the letter to the manager of the Press Association, Mr W. H. Atack, who has replied that he will communicate with Australia and see what can be done to distinguish between the two bodies—New Zealanders and Australians.

“ During this season I have received many flattering communications concerning the quality of the butter and cheese shipped from this dominion,” remarked the Prime Minister on the Ist at the opening of the Waikato Winter Show (says the New Zealand Herald). “All are agreed that the quality is everything that could bo desired. So far as cheese is concerned, thcro is an unlimited and unsatisfied demand for army purposes. This terrible war, I am afraid, will not be over for some time, and therefore the demand I have just spoken of will continue. The prices received for cheese affect the prices of butter, and therefore the dairy farmers of the dominion hava done very well indeed. Personally, however, I am more pleased about the quality of our dairy products than about the prices, although, of course, the latter are to bo dosired.”

Some time ago the Palmerston North Patriotic Society decided to erect permanent offices (states a Press Association message). On Saturday afternoon volunteer workers started work, and by 5 o’clock a substantial three-roomed building was erected iu the square.

A peculiar contretemps marked tire commencement of the Wanganui Supreme Court sittings. After the Grand Jury had been sworn in one of their number was found to be a mere youth, who offered the explanation that he had attended the court on behalf of his father. “ Another time I hope you will know better,” remarked Mr Justice Edwards, as the youth took his departure- As the result of the incident the foreman and jurymen had to be resworn.