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Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 June 1915, Page 48

“ The Government should have bought all the wheat in New Zealand at the outset at 3s 6d or 4s a bushel.” This statement (says our Wellington correspondent) was made by Sir Joseph Ward at Tauinarunui in the recent election campaign, and was so reported in the local newspapers of the town. A Press Association message from Napier states that Mr Dolan, counsel for Alice May Parkinson, who was sentenced to imprisonment for life for manslaughter in connection with the death of .Albert West, has filed notice of his intention to move for an order of the court reserving for the opinion of the Court of Appeal questions of law (1) regarding alleged misdirection of the jury; (2) the alleged presence of two police constables and a civilian (a caterer) in the jury room during the time the jury retired to deliberate on their verdict.

A private cable from London received at New Plymouth last week {says the Herald) conveys information of a disquieting, not to say startling, nature. It is to the effect that air-craft risks cannot be covered in London under 50s for three months, and that as rates are advancing this quotation is only ..for immediate acceptance. There is nothing in our press cables which furnishes an explanation of this extraordinary rate. How extraordinary it is may be judged from the fact that in October, barely eight months ago, the rate was 3s 4d for six months. That is to say, an insurance premium of 3s 4d would then cover a loss of £IOO for a period of six months, while now 50s is asked to cover a similar risk for three months, and the rates are advancing. It can only mean that serious fears arc entertained of Zeppelin raids on London, and probably the now factor which has increased the risk so enormously is a new variety of bombs, which are not only explosive, but contain highly inflammable gas as well, and are likely to cause serious iircs.

Our Cromwell correspondent informs us tliat heavy. warm rain fell throughout the greater part of Wednesday night and until shortly before mid-day on Thursday. This had the effect of removing a light coating of snow from the lower slopes, but before the storm cleared there was an additional fall of snow on the mountain tops.

Perhaps New Zealand’s best experiment with various timbers in respect to the busy borer is the one which occurred by' accident at tho Dominion Museum (says the Wellington Poet). During - two or three decades specimens of native timber, ori,ginally prepared for exhibition in different centres, were arrayed in a compartment where tho borer had free play. In all cases tho sap-wood was demolished, but the insects treated the hard hoartwood with discrimination. Borne specimens have been loft intact, and others have only a few holes. The collection has been brought under tho notice of Mr Cockayne, biologist to the Agricultural Department, who is making a special report on the borers’ behaviour.

South- America’s absorption of Nelson apples appears to bo restricted now byshipping space (says the Wellington Post). The general world shortage of tonnage has, of course, affected the steadily-growing trade which Nelson was building up with South America. The reports are yet to come to hand upon how the fruit turned

out, and what it realised, spread over the whole of the shipments, but it is hoped that they will bo of a highly-satisfactory character, considering the abnormal circumstances caused by the war, which surround almost every commercial transaction. Fairly large quantities of choice apples intended for South America are, in consequence of insufficient freight space, finding their way into this market.

The Prime Minister informed our Wellington correspondent on the 17th that the term of the appointment of tho Hon. T. Mackenzie as High Commissioner for New Zealand in London .bad been extended by one year.

An amusing instance of the folly of litigation over small suras was heard in tho Magistrate's Court on tho 17th. A claim was made for 4s 4d, and the intricate machinery of tho law was set in motion to enforce it. The defendant journeyed from Milton to attend the court, and both lie and the plaintiff were represented by counsel. The witnesses in support of, the claim did not appear, and after tho formal hearing of evidence judgment was given for the defendant. The fact that the claim was for less than £2, however, legally prevented the defendant from being allowed his solicitor’s fee, though ho was allowed his own expenses. The result was that, over 4s 4d, the defendant would, presumably, have to pay his counsel a guinea; tho plaintiff would have to do tho same for his lawyer, an cl also pay the defendant’s expenses, and tho time of the court was occupied for about half an hour.

One of the necessary effects of tho concentration of effort upon patriotic enterprise throughout the Empire has been that the public contributions to the great national charities have diminished. Tho London papers by every mail contain advertisements appealing for help on behalf of hospitals which are declared to be in urgent need of help, and Ur Barnardo’s Homes, with a population of 7500 under daily care, nearly 20 per cent, of whom are helpless, have inevitably felt severely the stress of tho war time. Institutions of this description were, however, never more in need of assistance than they now are. The claims upon them have, not been decreased, while on the other hand, their expenses have, through the increase in the prices of necessaries, been greatly augmented. It lias been truly said that tho British people owe a national debt to Dr Barnardo’s Homes, as through their agency some 80,000 young citizens of the Empire have been afforded a start in life, which in the majority of instances, they have turned to useful account, and been instructed in their duties as. citizens. Tho fact that about a thousand lads from these homos arc now in active service with tho colours sufficiently indicates the value, on one side, of tho great work that is being performed by these institutions. With the object of recognising in some measure tho debt of obligation which British people have incurred to Dr Barnardo’s Homes, it has been decided by several Dunedin ladies to hold a sale of work and produce early in September. The movement is one which may bo cordially commended to the sympathy of the public.

New regulations under clause 141 of the Land Act, dealing with the wood-pulp industry, are (says a Press Association message) published in the Gazette. They lay down tho conditions under which persons or companies may lease forest land from tho State for the production of wood pulp, and authorise tho Government to remit rents and royalties in connection with the first 500 tons of pulp. The Minister of Lands (tho Hon. W. F. Massey) stated yesterday that there was no special significance to be attached to tho revision of tho regulations at the present juncture. Tho Government would tike to see the industry established in tire dominion, and had power to offer fair terms to anyone who would undertake it.

Tho Hon, James Allen returned to Dunedin from Wellington by the second express on Saturday. Questioned by a reporter about the coming session, Mr Allen expressed tho opinion that it would be a very short one, of not more than six or eight weeks’ duration. He anticipates that nothing but absolutely necessary legislation will bo dealt with, such as pensions and matters arising out of tho war. He was not aware of any Land Bill to be brought forward. The Minister will leave again for Wellington by the second express this morning.

There was a good deal of snow clown the line on Saturday morning, and at an early hour an engine became derailed at Clinton to snow clogging the rioints. The engine blocked the main line, but was moved out of the way in a quarter oi an hour. The express from Invercargill was delayed to pick up passengers, that would otherwise have caught the earlier train, and readied Dunedin 12 minutes late.

An unpatriotic remark about the men who left Auckland for Trcntham on Tuesday is stated to have had some unpleasant results for the man who made it (says the Star). Some time before the draft marched down Queen street, a young man standing on the footpath in front of the General Post Office was hoard to ask a friend in a loud tone whether ho intended to “ go and see the pigs off.” The remark was overheard by a well-known coastal captain who has two eons serving in the Expeditionary Force. The captain immediately asked the young man to “say it again,” and when he did so, promptly knocked him over. The young man showed no inclination to carry tlie matter further, and the incident closed with a warning to

him from the captain against unpatriotic conduct in public places. A Wellington Press Association telegram reports that the Postmastergeneral announces that he has agreed with the Postmaster-general of the United Kingdom to pass either way between Now Zealand and the United Kingdom literature for the blind, printed in raised Braille characters, as follows: — Maximum weight to bo raised to 61b, the present rate of one halfpenny for two ounces to bo retained up to and including a weight of 20 ounces, but thereafter one uniform rate of scl to be levied irrespective of extra weight up to the six pounds. Therefore, for a packet of 20 ounces in weight the postage will be sd, and for one weighing as much as six pounds the postage will be only lOd. The Arbitration Court has forwarded its award in the Otago Hotel, Restaurant, and Boarding-house Employees’ dispute. The president, in his memorandum, states: “The award is practically identical with the award made in the Wellington district, the reasons for which will bo found in the memorandum of that award.” The award comes into force on July 5 next, and remains in force until July 6, ISI7. One clause in the award reads: “The court reserve the right to suspend, alter, amend, or vary any of the provisions of this award, cither of their own motion, or, with the leave of the court first obtained, on application of any party to tho award.”

Mr Searl and a number of other people made an investigation among the ruins of tho St. Clair pavilion on Sunday ’with the object of finding any trace, if possible, of the missing cash register about which there has been some comment. Their efforts were rewarded with the discovery of tome 40 pieces of fho register, and sufficient to prove that the National cash register was amongst those destroyed, tom? of the pieces brought to light bearing that company’s brand. Mr Searl thinks that in justice to those who made tho previous search it should bo stated that it was cf a somewhat cursory nature, those making it thinking they would And the machine in a more or less intact condition.

An Association telegram from Westport states that tho Westport Coal Company’s shipments last week amounted to 8724 tons 4cwt of coal, and 65 tons lewt of coke. The Westport-Stockton Company shipped 1545 tons 16c\vt of coal.

As showing what chemistry has done for the dairy farmer during the past four years, it is interesting to note that in one factory not a hundred miles from Patea, no loss than 24791 b of whey butter was made, which at tho low estimate of Is per lb brought in over £I2OO to the dairy farmer (says the Patea Press). Four years ago tho , extra butter fat thus saved from the whey would in some cases have been allowed to run into the nearest crook. Another innovation that has resulted in the gain of many thousands of pounds to the dairymen is the manufacture of cheese from milk that has been pasteurised beforehand. The result of this process has been that an increase as High as 5 per cent, in tho yield has been obtained.

Tho Chief Postmaster informs ns that correspondence is being posted bearing on tho face a label worded “War Seal gd Disabled Service, 1914,” and states that aR such correspondence is being sent to the Dead Letter Office for return to tho sender as inadmissible by post. Such labels may only bo affixed to tho back of postal articles.

Speaking at a reception in honour of Our Soldiers’ Queen in the Burns Hall on tho 21st, the Rev. J. Miller stated that that day he received printed communications criticising him for taking such a prominent part in recruiting meetings. To those who had favoured him with these documents, Mr Miller replied in a forcible and straightforward manner. He said: “As a minister of tho Presbyterian Church I absolutely deny the right of anyone to dictate to mo what my attitude should be on great public questions. If I had my own way I would much rather bo among the men in the trenches or nearer them than here, and I would have been had it not been for the possession of certain veins which blocked the way. However, as things arc, I will continue to do what I believe to be my duty at home.”

Before the commencement of the business in the City Police Court on Monday, Mr J. XL Bartholomew, S.M., said it was with the deepest regret that he had to announce the death of Mrs Widdowson, wife -of their respected senior magistrate. Ho was sure that their deepest sympathy would go out to Mr Widdowson and his family in their groat loss. As a mark of respect he would adjourn the court after the usual charge sheet had been disposed of. At a meeting of the directors of the Patea Co-operative Freezing Works on Saturday (says our Wanganui correspondent), it was decided to carry out extensive additions. These will involve the installation of a 65-ton freezer, doubling the present capacity to 2000 carcases a day. An additional cooling chamber is to be erected capable of holding 24,000 sheep, giving space, with the present room, for 60,000 carcases altogether. A now concrete engine room is also to bo built. The will of Bishop Grimes is being proved by Messrs Izard and Loughnan, solicitors, on behalf of the executors, Dean Begnault and Mr 11. 11. Loughnan. The estate (says the Christchurch Press) is valued at about £SOOO, and there are legacies amounting to £I6OO, of which the principal are:— Mount Magdala, £100; Nazareth House, £400; Nursing Sisters, Lewisham Hospital, £400; Sisters of the Mission, £150; Sisters /

of St. Joseph, £IOO. The residue is divided equally between the late bishop’s successor and the superior-general of the Marist Order-. The charities for which there are specific bequests are those whose urgent need under the conditions arising from tiro diversion of charity through the war were strongly advocated in the last pastoral issued by his lordship shortly before his death. A lady informs us of an incident that happened last week, as she was collecting money in connection with the Queen Carnival, not 100 miles from Tapanui. She received one clay a promise of £1 from the wife of a wealthy farmer, and the next day a promise of 10s from her son. As she was passing the homestead a day later she was mot by the farmer, who handed her £l, and told her, angrily, that “ these tilings wore coming too strong; ho had three collecting books in his house already!”

There is at present in the city a married woman, 35 years of age, with a family of four children, of whom the eldest is 14 years, who had never scon a train nor this city before. She hails from the Wanaka district. When spoken to as to her impressions of man’s artificial efforts, sho said she expected the trains to whirl along at a much greater pace than what she had found. She added that her greatest fear was that she would lose herself in town,- where she has resided for a fortnight. Even when quite close to any locality with which most people would have become familiar within a day or two, she is hopelessly lost as to her w'hereabouts.

It is definitely announced by the Christchurch Meat Company that it has decided to provide extra cool storage for 100,000 carcases at Islington (says the Christchurch Sun). Plans have been passed-and tenders will be called in the course of a few days. The work will bo completed in ample time for next season. The company has also decided to further increase its storage space in Canterbury by increasing the reconstructing the stores at Smithfield as soon as the works are empty to enable the work to bo done. It has also been decided to strengthen the position in Otago by the erection of a large store at Burnside capable of accommodating another 100,000 carcases. The company’s total additions at all places will mean an addition to the storage space in the aggregate of 200,000 carcases.

The inquiry into the circumstances attending the fire which destroyed the St. Clair Pavilion on May 4 was concluded last week. After hearing the evidence of a number of witnesses Mr Bartholomew, S.M., said there was no evidence to show the origin of the fire, though two theories were put forward. One was that the electrical installation was at fault, but it had been clearly shown that the temporary installation could not be in any way connected with the outbreak. It was also suggested that there was smoking during the evening, and shortly before midnight in the vicinity of a storeroom which was cumbered with a good deal of litter and straw, and that a match or cigarette end might have boon dropped and subsequently caused the outbreak. However, any such suggestion was only a theory. In view of the evidence, he could not come _to any positive finding. His formal finding was that the building was destroyed by fire which originated at the southern end, but there was no evidence to show the cause or origin of the fire.