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Otago Witness, Issue 3205, 18 August 1915, Page 6

Two for trial were completed at the criminal sitting of the Supreme Court on the 10th. The charge against John Ilaely of committing mischief at Brighton, which was commenced the previous afternoon, was concluded, and the jury, after an absence from the court for two and a-half hours, returned a verdict of not guilty. The other case was one in which a young man named James Kirkman, alias James Turner, was charged with destroying a small dwelling at Kawarau Gorge and contents by fire. After the case had been gone thoroughly into the jury retired, and at the expiration of about half an hour found accused not guilty. There, however, remains another charge against Kirkman of threatening to set fire to the Bridge Hotel, in tho Kawarau Gorge. Alfred Janies M‘Coll was brought before his Honor for sentence on a charge of mischief. His Honor, in admitting prisoner to probation for two years, and ordering him to pay the costs of the prosecution, amounting to £2 10s, expressed the opinion that no one could have doubted tho truth of tho evidence prisoner had given to prove that Riely took part in the destruction of property. George Waterman, having been rejected by tho military authorities for war service, was ordered to come up for sentence, within three years, for forgery, and also ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution, amounting to £2 16s. A case of cerebro-spinal meningitis is reported at Glcnore (says the Bruce Herald), where a lady resident is alleged to have contracted tho disease from a trooper who had recently been staying with tho family on furlough from Trentham. A fatal accident befel a horse attached to a heavy spring cart at the cross wharf between 9.30 and 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 10th inst. The vehicle was standing parallel to and alongside the wharf, when a piece of paper—a frequent cause of trouble where horses are concerned—was suddenly caught by the wind and blown into the face of the animal, which took alarm, and plunged with the cart into the harbour. The driver, who had just loaded tho cart with a length of weighty cable, and was standing on the vehicle at the moment, “narrowly escaped by scrambling over the side of the falling cart to the wharf The vehicle turned turtle in tho air, and must have completed a somersault in the water, for it was righted when the horse came to the surface. Excited onlookers were powerless to save tho horse, which, after a struggle, was overcome by tho weight of the cart and was drowned. With the aid of gear from tho Victoria and grab-hooks, tho horse and cart were raised and taken away just before noon. The horse, a young one, and the property of the New Zealand Express Company, which lost an animal in a similar fashion from the old Tongue wharf over tour years ago, was valued at about £6O. A number of proposals, including tho completion of the South Island Main Trunk line between Christchurch and Picton, and tho encouragement of main arterial road construction, came before the Chambers of Commerce Conference at Wellington on the 6th inst- Tiio feeling of tho conference was that the time was inopportune for going to the Government and urging any largo expenditure of public money or of raising loans for big public works. Mf W.. Gow (Dunedin) described all the remits bearing on the subject as political in character, and said, they should be struck out. Ultimately all the matters were referred to the executive for report in time for next conference. Seventy-five years of age, and anxious for a “smack” at the Germans. This is the age and the desire, respectively, of John Mather, an old Otago identity who has been camped for the past five years on tho side of tho Waipori River. Mr Mather has had “smacks” at Britain’s enemies in several parts of the world, as ho ran away from college when he was 14 years of age and joined H.M.S. Terrible, taking part on that vessel in tho bombardment of Odessa and Sebastopol in connection with the Crimean war. He says he saw Admiral Seymour, then a middy on the Terrible, pick up a live shell and throw it overboard. Ho was bought out of the navy, and came to Now Zealand, but went back to England and joined the Esk, taking part in the Chinese war, where he was

wounded. Subsequently ho returned to Now Zealand, and fought in tho Maori war. Ho also volunteered for active service in tho Boor war, but was informed he was too old, despite bis assurance that he could “stop a bullet” as well as any other younger man. Mr Mather has drawn up plans for a now type of submarine, and is at present in communication with tho Minister of Defence as regards his invention. He informed a member of our staff that he has four nephews at present fighting at the front, and kindly made up a parcel of books to bo forwarded on to our soldiers. His is tho fighting spirit which has helped to place our Empire in the forefront of nations. A Press Association telegram from W ollington states that an Order-in-Council just gazetted provides that if tho Attorneygeneral is satisfied in respect of any company, firm, or person carrying on business in Now Zealand that any alien enemy, whether resident in New Zealand or elsewhere, is interested in that business and that the business is being carried on under representations calculated to mislead the public as to tho persons interested in that business, tho Attorney-general may, by notice in the Gazette, prohibit that company, firm, or person from continuing to carry on business in New Zealand. At the J.P. Court at Tapanui on the 7th inst. a Chinese gardener named Hue Sun was charged with indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16 years. The accused was brought from Invercargill on remand, and after evidence had been taken be was committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court at Invercargill. Mr Robert W. M'Larcn, a former resident of Wairarapu, who has now charge of a large ranch in Argentine, writes as follows to Mr Wolters, of Carterton : —Wc had a very good harvest this year, and our wheat gave over 60 bushels per aero, and was sold at 5s per bushel, which was not bad. We have had a splendid summer and autumn, with plenty of rain, and now this month (May) is tike spring. We arc busy ploughing for wheat ■ and linseed, and expect to have 2400 acres in wheat and SCO in linseed. There is sure to be a good demand while this dreadful war is on. I will get another lot of steers away this month, and that will make 1200 this year, and I hope to got another lot away before tho end of the year. Your throe Romney Marsh rams were sold last February, and I got the result of the sale in March that netted £BS 10s. Your Romneys were well thought of, and had splendid wool. If it bad been a normal year they would have made £ls or £2O more. Air M'Larcn also separately mentions a deal of 9100 bullocks at £l6 10a per head and 400 cows at £lO 10s per head, and thinks that is probably a record. The first Cabinet meeting of the National Ministry took place on Wednesday afternoon, but Mr MacDonald and Mr Kanan, both of whom arc on visits to their electorates, were not present. The Prime Minister, referring to the meeting, said that Cabinet had dealt with a lot of preliminary business of considerable importance. A Press Association telegram from Wellington elates that the Prime Minister announced on tho 11th that tho Government had decided to enforce the provisions of the Gaming and Lotteries Act relating ’o raffles. He said that raffles which were actually in progress at that date for patriotic purposes would bo allowed to proceed )o completion, tho police not prosecuting with■dut instructions from the Attorney-general, but the Act would be enforced for the future, and permits would be issued only in accordance with tho Act. It lias boon suggested to us that there are many instances whore returned soldiers can supply information regarding casualties at Gallipoli which have apparently not been officially reported at tho Record Office at Alexandria, and that it would bo a simple matter to record statements made regarding those officially reported “ missing. This is -a matter which properly should be undertaken by the military authorities, but if their hands arc already too full there are probably many business men of ability who would cheerfully give their time to the work. Reference is (says a Press Association telegram) made in the annual report of the inspector in charge of the Labour Department at Wellington to the work of the Mayor’s Distress and Unemployment Committee. Although there has not been much unemployment a large number < f families of soldiers who have gone to tho front have received assistance, and during the earlier period of the war many unemployed persons were assisted by the committee. Tho committee is alive to tho possibilities of unemployment during tho winter, and will no doubt bo able to render assistance should it become -necessary. Oil boring operations at Kotuku are to bo commenced immediately (telegraphs our Greymouth correspondent). Air Charles Tavlor, who superintended similar operations in the Webber country for tho Shell Company, will bo in charge. The work is being carried out by a local syndicate. “It seems to mo that parents have children and do not understand their responsibilities towards those children,” said Air Widdowson, S.AL, in the Juvenile Court on tho 11th, to a father whose boy had pleaded guilty to two charges of theft. “ If those boys were looked after when they wore younger wo would not have the trouble' wc have with them now.” The father drew tho rebuke down upon himself by his somewhat callous attitude towards the lad. He was protesting that he had always watched the boy carefully, when

Mr Widdowson told him that it was no use arguing as a man like him did not realise the position. It was of the training of children before they wore 10 years old that he was speaking. Senior Sergeant Dart told the court that the boy, who was 14g years of ago, had stolen a sum of 14s and another sum of £1 2s 6d, belonging to Mr Richard Trace} 7 . Ho had entered the same house on different occasions through the window, and had stolen the money from banks in children’s rooms. He was suspected, and a trap was laid for him, and ho was caught, but for a long time he denied his guilt. He had proved most untruthful in many other respects, and had thrown suspicion on an innocent boy. Senior Sergeant Dart asked his worship to consider committing the boy to tho Industrial School, and to make an order that the father refund the stolen money. The father, on being appealed to, said ho had made up his mind not to pay anything. The boy would have to pay it himself. Mr Widdowson said he could not make an order against tho father. Tho boy was convicted and committed to the Wcreroa Industrial School, to bo brought up in the Anglican form of religion. Tho guardianship was transferred to Mr Axelsen, and an order was made that tho amount stolon bo refunded by the boy out of his wages. Part of the order was that the boy should receive a sound thrashing in order to impress the seriousness of the offence upon him. At tho Westland County Council meeting (says a Press Association telegram from Hokitika) it was resolved to compliment tho Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald on his appointment to tho Mines portfolio, and to express satisfaction that the separation from the portfolio of Public Works would load to the early appointment of a separate Under-secretary for Mines, in order that the mining industry might receive more direct control. It was also resolved to -extend an invitation to Mr MacDonald to pay an early visit to tho West Coast, to learn personally tho requirements of ’.ho industry and to hear suggestions for tho promotion and development of gold mines. Discussing on the Ilth tho reported reduction in the prices in Xcw Zealand of wheat and flour, the Prime Minister remarked (states our Wellington correspondent) that this is in sympathy with tho fall in price in Europe and America. “ I presume,” said Mr Massey, “ that there will bo a similar reduction all over the world. Here we have now had two tests —tho thrashing machine returns, and throe months later the wheat census was taken. Wo intend to take another census in October to satisfy ourselves as time goes on that our supplies of food arc sufficient for our population. The number of people who took advantage of the opportunity to see the intercepting conduit which has just been completed was so small on the 11th that it occasioned some comment among tho members of both the Drainage and Harbour Hoards. Tho work is a particularly good one, but this was not tho point that appealed to members. Much is heard of dissatisfaction with tho way money is spent by both bodies, Put when there is a chance to see how it is spent no one seems to bo interested. As several speakers rightly observed, neither body has much to show on tho surface for money spent—it is either sunk below the ground or below tho water. However, it has been decided to extend the opportunity, and it is hoped that many people will take the chance to see what is really a fine, permanent, and highly creditable piece of work. The engineer (Mr SHnger) congratulated the members of both boards on the fact that them difference had been settled in a way that had given tho city tho best possible work from every point of view. A great deal of money would he sated to tho Drainage Hoard in ’ho immediate future, as it would no longer hat o to keep the outlets to the old drains clear, and then, looking to ultimate results, the provision was tho best that could bo made. Judgment has been delivered in tho bupierao Court, \\ cliin.gton, in tho action brought by George W. Hean, chemist, Wanganui, proprietor of Hean's Cough Essence, against Percy 8. Eaton, chemist, and William J. R. Hill, commercial traveller, both of Auckland, and trading as Hill's Essence Proprietary. Tho plaintiff sought to restrain the defendants, from passing off a cough mixture, which, it was alleged, was named, bottled, labelled, and packed to resemble Ilean’s Essence, and thereby to mislead the public. Defendants did not appear, and Mr Justice llosking ordered that an injunction bo issued restraining the defendants from passing off, or attempting to pass off, any cough essence not manufactured by George W. Hean, and restraining defendants from offering for sale any cough essence not of plaintiff’s manufacture by means of the use of cartons, labels, and bottles similar to those of George W. Hean. IT is Honor also ordered tnat tho profits made therefrom be computed by the registrar of the court and paid over to the plaintiff; that all packages of Hill’s Essence offending against the injunction granted be handed over to the plaintiff and that the defendants also pay to the plaintiff £26 Is as costs and disbursements. At tho Kaitangata Court on the 12th, before Mr Young. S.M., James Jarvio, butcher, was charged with keeping liquor for sale, and with failing to keep proper names, as required by the Act. Detective Sergeant Kemp appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Stewart for tho defence. The chief witness for the prosecution was Amos MTUgg, licensee of the Henley Hotel, who said that, at 7.20 p.m. on July 6, defendant called at his hotel with three other persons, all of whom wore sober. They brought in an empty 10-gallon keg.

and one of them asked that it be filled with beer, which was done. Defendant also ordered a case of whisky, which ho said ho would take to Mosgiel. A little later defendant said that he would take another case. Witness asked whom he was taking it to, and ho said to Mosgiel. Witness became suspicious, and sent a note to the clerk of the court at Bulclutha, informing him that two cases of whisky had -gone into his district. Evidence was also given by George Henderson, motor car driver, to the effect that the beer and whisky had boon taken in a car to Kaitangata. For the defence; Ivan Jarvio, son of the defendant, said that he had poured the, liquor into tho Molyneux River. James Jarvio, the defendant, denied that he had ever kept liquor for sale, and also denied that ho had bought beer at Henley, and stated that ho had no recollection of buying whisky at Henley. Ho could not say what had become of the whisky if ho had got it. Tho Magistrate said that between July 5 and 10 Jarvio had had 2-0 gallons of boor and four gallons of whisky, and this liquor was disposed of in that time. Jarvio’s explanation was not satisfactory, and ho had not- discharged the onus of proving that ho did not keep liquor for sale. Ho would be fined £SO, with £2 2s costs. A Press Association telegram from Oamaru states, that, as a means towards the relief of stock affected by the continued dry weather in that district, the Minister, of Agriculture (the Hon. W. D. S. M‘ Donald), at the request of Mr E. P. Lee, M.P. for Oamaru, lias arranged for the free carriage of all consignments of turnips to Goodwood station. Some excitement was in evidence at the departure of the ferry steamer Mjnowai from Wellington on tho night of tho 7th. It was clear that a good many intending passengers would be disappointed, and when tho gangways were hauled up a large number wanting to travel were left on the wharf. One of these—a soldier on leave, — possessing considerable agility, scaled tho side of the steamer and clambered on board, to the accompaniment of loud cheering, both from those on board and on the wharf. Taking the cue from him, others, including at- least one member of tho fair sex, assisted from tho wharf and boat, climbed on board, the efforts of the police being quite inadequate to put a stop to tho proceeding-. By the time tho steamer cast off quite 50 additional people gained admittance to the vessel. At tho Bdlclutha Court on the 10th a youth named Christopher Arthur, charged with stealing a tea cosey, valued at os, and a cushion, valued at ss, the property of Thomas Dent, on April 17, pleaded guilty. Constable Harvey said tho accused and another young fellow went, from Balclutha to a jumble sale at Otanomomo, hold in aid of the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. The accused took the articles and hid them outside tho hall, and on tho police making inquiries and questioning defendant on dto following Monday, Arthur said he took the articles and intended to replace them vho following Wednesday. Nothing was known against tho accused except that he took too much drink sometimes. The accused on being questioned by his Worship, said ho was 19 years of age. He just took the things for a lark, and intended to return them on tho following Tuesday. He had not yet tried to enlist because he was too young. Tho accused was fined £5, with the option of three weeks’ imprisonment. The fine was paid. The work of plate-laying on the Otago Central railway is proceeding satisfactorily (states tho Cromwell Argus), as the rails are now extended to a point within sight of the orchard formerly owned by Mr Mayo. The formation to the Halfway House, with tho exception perhaps of a few days’ work, is practically completed, but as nothing has so far been done to provide a crossing at Leaning Rock Creek platelaying seems certain to be delayed at this point. Had this provision been made tho ballast engine would be steaming into the site of the station at Halfway House in three nion tlis’ time. The northern end is now a busy scene, and as all hands will henceforth be engaged on this section it is estimated tho formation will bo completed early next year. The eagerness of non-commissioned officers of the Territorial Force to qualify themselves for first appointments to commissions is shown by the fact that 399 candidates have applied to sit for the August examinations, this number being a record for the dominion. From the Wellington military district there are 184 candidates, from Auckland 100, from Canterbury 61, and from Otago 54. A good many officers arc also desirous of qualifying themselves for promotion, and tho number who will sit for examination this month will be 125, made up as follows: —Wellington -‘B, Auckland 35, Canterbury 26. and Otago 17. The total number of candidates, 525, is an additional record. The Hon. J. A. Hanan (Minister of Education) loft Dunedin cu Friday morning by the second express for the north. Speaking to a Daily Times reporter prior to his departure, Mr Hanan said that one of his j chief aims on taking office will be to improve and strengthen the pi imary -side of our educational system. “Let the foundation be on the soundest and best linos,” added the Minister, “so that we may build upon it a superstructure of tho higher branches of education that will bring lasting benefits not only to those who- receive tho instruction, but to the people of tho dominion as a whole.” Mr Hanan has received quite a shoal of telegrams from educational authorities congratulating him upon his appointment, and expressing the opinion that his personal knowledge and

experience will result in a marked improvement in the education system. In the near future Mr Hainan will bo called upon to make the appointments provided for in last year’s legislation—namely. Assistant Director of Education, at a salary of £750, and four senior inspectors at salaries ranging from £550 to* £575. The question of a dominion grading scheme is another task to which the Minister will soon apply himself. Inquiries made by a Daily Times reporter indicate that there is a probability of people in ’some parts of Otago presenting Maxim guns to the Now Zealand Expeditionary Forces now at the Dardanelles. Mr W. L. Milne, of Fu-kerau, lias communicated with tlie Otago Defence Headquarters as to the cost of such guns. The cost of a Maxim landed in New Zealand is £250, but if a gun is purchased at Home and landed from there at the Dardanelles, the price is £IBO. Mr W. Harvey, of St. Kilda, a wellknown cricketer, is at present an inmate of the Hospital. A needle entered his left arm, and as blood poisoning set in, the limb had to- be amputated. Mr Harvey is dq;ng as well as can be expected. Hitherto all matters Hn connection with aliens in the dominion have been in the hands of the Minister of Internal Affairs, but it has now been arranged that tiic Hon Dr M'Nab shall take over this work. “To give some idea of how the public is being demoralised by the raffling craze,” remarked the Minister of Internal Affaire laughingly on the 13th, " I may gay that within the last couple of days I received an application for permission to raffle a sucking piga I had to raise the point whether it was a work of art. It was suggested to mo that when cooked and decorated it-would certainly fail within that category. Another instance was that in which a bootmaker asked permission to raffle a pair of boots for patriotic purposes, the tickets to cost one penny each. Needless to say, both requests were declined politely but firmly.” A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that the manager of the Northern Roller Milling Company announced on the loth that the price of flour had been reduced bv 10s per ton, and now stands at £ls 155.” The famous soprano, Madame Melba, was a through passenger by the steamer Makura for Canada and the United States. It is about five years since Madame Melba gave concerts in the chief centres of' the dominon. *T am going to America,” she explained, in response to a question, ‘‘to give concerts. I helped to collect for the patriotic funds in Australia. In Canada it its rny intention to give Red Cross concerts for the benefit of the funds of that country. The war has had a great effect upon concerts. The; war is so awful, and nobody cares to attend any but Red Cross entertainments. I shall not go to England unless the war is over. There was no opera season tin's year; that was why I did not go Horne earlier. I hope to bring an opera company to Australia and Now Zealand when the war is over. It cannot even be thought of before then. Let us hope the end will come soon, atid that wo will all bo happy again.” An experiment in afforestation is taking place on the hills at the wireless station at Wellington, and about three months ago a consignment of 1000 rata seedlings was despatched thereto f; cm bush properties in Taiori Mouth and Glonledi districts. A further consignment of 2000 seedlings is now being prepared for despatch to supplement the experiment. A Press Association telegram from Christchurch states that factory butter has been reduced by Id per lb, ' and is now quoted wholesale at Is 5d to Is 6d. Bread is celling for 8d per 41b loaf. A somewhat novel method of raising money for the Wounded Soldiers’ and Rod Cross Funds -was adopted by a gathering of sportsmen during- dinner at the Clarendon Hotel, Christchurch, on Wednesday evening (says the Lyttelton Times). Mr W. Hayes, sporting editor of the Otago Witness, picked up a banana from a plate, and suggested that it should bo sold by auction in aid of the funds. The idea was agreed to immediately, and Mr Hayes officiated as auctioneer. Bids came rapidly, and the banana- was sold and resold again until it had realised £3l 11s, the skin being knocked down for £2. It was decided to divide the amount between the two funds. The skin of the banana was retained by Mr Hayes as a trophy. A Birmingham firm, writing to- its representative in Wellington, says:—“Wo much regret to report that wo have been compelled to advance the cheap lines of tinware from’ 20 to 35 per cent. This is due to the abnormal advances of raw material. These lines wore previously made by girl labour, which is now unobtainable through their being drafted into the ammunition factories, consequently wages have had to bo more than doubled in order to got the work through. Fixed prices at the present time cannot be given. We shall only increase sufficiently to cover the extra, cost in materials and labour.” The business man who received the above letter was able to cast some light on the effect of the war on the price of hardware in England. The rises in prices on those prevailing just before the outbreak of war wore as follow: —Tinware and japanned goods, 20 per. cent.; table cutlery, 12£ to 33 1-3 per cent, (the latter on the cheaper lines); pocket knives, 15 per cent. ; grates, 20 per cent. ; T hinges, 25 per cent, (since March last); aluminium goods, 171. per cent.; garden tools, 50 per cent.; locks, 17A per cent.; Barking (roofing felt), 35 per cent.