Untitled

Otago Witness, Issue 3214, 20 October 1915, Page 48

The two local butter factories having increased tho price of their butters, grocers, in sympathy, have advanced their price from Is 5d to Is Sgd per lb. It is understood that there is a prospect of the retail cost being increased to Is 6d per lb. The Minister of Defence has received a cablegram from General Godlcy stating that the Now Zealand troops engaged in the war have boon informed of the resolution of tho Now Zealand Parliament congratulating them on their successful operations. The general adds that the men highly appreciate the thoughtfulness of tho public of the dominion. The Hon. W. Fraser (Minister of Public Works) will pay a visit to Otago shortly, and while in the Wakatipu district will formally open tho now bridge at Luggatc, A few days ago the Prime Minister indicated that there was a possibility of tho Board of Trade, purchasing New -Zealand’s entire output of dairy produce during, the coming season, in tho. same way as meat is already being acquired. Mr Massey stated on the lßth hist, {says our Wellington correspondent) that- he had not hoard from the Imperial authorities concerning the proposed commandeering of cheese, and ho thought it could now bo taken for granted that tho Board of Trade had abandoned tho idea for this season. Mr Duncan Rutherford has received from Mr A. E. G. Rhodes a copy of Lord Kanfurly’s acknowledgment of fowls and hares recently sent from tbs Amuri and other districts for the New Zealand hospital ship at Horne and other hospitals (says the Lyttelton Times). “1 understand that the chickens and hares have both arrived, and I hope to distribute them this week,” Lord Eunfurly wrote. “Tho Now Zealand Hospital is now at Walton-on-Thamcs, with now over 100 in it) and (hey hope to double

that number.” Ho stated in a later letter that ho chatted with some of the men, and a few remembered him. He had told the matron that whatever she wanted could be reserved for her in cold storage, and the* rest was going round to smaller hospitals. “I can assure you,” he added, ‘‘that hospital after hospital has written acknowledging the thoughtfulness of New Zealand in so helping them with their work. Chickens cost hero 4s 6d, and not very good at that.” Hater Lord Ranfurly wrote that ho had just come back from his third visit to the New Zealand Hospital, and the men were ail well and happy. Arrangements were being made to keep an extra amount of fowls and hares in cold storage for tire men, so that there would be no stint.

Tho Bluff correspondent of the Lyttelton Times states that Mr Adam Adamson, of Mason’s Bay, on the west coast of Stewart Island, returned to Bluff on the 12th for tho first for 12 months, and brought over 2030 z of ambergris, which he had picked up on the beach. Tho value is an unknown quantity at present, as there has been no demand since the war. Ambergris is principally used in the manufacture of scents and champagne, and tho bottom has dropped out of both of these markets. Before the war Mr Adamson was receiving £2 16s per ounce, but the market has at times run up to about £8 per ounce, according to tho supply.

There died last week at Tikorangi (says the Taranaki Herald) a weii-kiic .. Native resident of Egmont road, named liouiPuruwlia.ro (better known as “Johnnie Bull’ ). Johnnie was popularly supposed to be in the neighbourhood of 120 years of age. Residents now past middle ago can remember him aa being an old man when they were children, and ho himself used to narrate that when the Waikatos raided the Natives in these parts, about 1820, he, then a young man “with hair on his face” (according to his own description), was carried away with Ins sister, who was taken aa a wife by one of the raiding chiefs. “Johnnie Bull” was kept by his captives until the war ended, when he was returned to this district. He retained his vigour to the last, working about his place and making frequent visits to town. Hero he was a wellknowh figure, being always barefooted, bent with age, and with a home-made walkingstick. He was a half-brother to Mere Tahana, who, until her death at Puketotara some three years ago, was equally well known in New Plymouth. Those, who have endeavoured to trace Johnnie Bull’s correct age are, convinced by information gained that ho must have been at least 120 years old at the time of his death.

According to recent files from (Suva, an elderly Indian woman named Lekenia was charged at the Supreme Court on September 27 with murdering one Madari at Gelonimatu, Bau. The case, as briefly outlined by the Crown Solicitor, was that the murdered man, Madari, ran amok, killed two Fijians, and the husband of the accused woman, and also attempted to kill her son by means of a knife and spear. The accused sprang upon the murderer and held him down, the prostrate victim meanwhile slashing at her with his knife. The son came to his mother’s assistance and took the knife from Madari. At his mother’s request he then handed the knife to her, and she did the rest. Madari’s neck and body remained connected by the skin only. The assessors found the accused not guilty of murder, justifiable homicide being their view of the case. His Honor accordingly discharged the woman. Shortly after war broke out two little Gisborne girls, among others, commenced sewing for the poor in England, and got together a large number of outfits to fit children from about three years to 12 years. These were shipped to England, but when the Tokomaru was sunk it was believed that the cases of goods went down with the ship. The little girls were greatly disappointed, but commenced again, with the result that other cases were sent later. The other day, however, the children received a letter from a little girl at Home, who was evidently in very poor circumstances, thanking them in simple words for the gifts she had received from them (says the Times). Great was the children’s delight, when, on inquiries being made, it was found that the gifts referred to were included in the first shipment, which, it appears, missed the Tokomaru by one mail.

At the Balclutha S.M. Court on the 15th Arnold Cross (Warepa) was charged with assaulting a boy named William (Smith at Warepa on September 8. Defendant pleaded “Guilty.” Constable Harvey stated that the boy Smith had worked for defendant, and ho left, the place one day, but Cross found him on the railway station and struck him There were no marks left on the boy, and it did not seem that a severe blow had been struck. Defendant said that Smith was under the care of Mr Axelsen, Dunedin, and he came out to work for Cross from the Labour Agency. On occasions, when Cross was absent, the boy did absolutely no work. On the morning of the assault Smith could not bo found, and so Cross went to the railway station and found him there. On asking the boy what ho was doing there, ho looked sulky, so Cross gave him a light smack with his hand. Defendant asked that the charge should be dismissed, as he had been considerably provoked. Defendant was convicted and fined 20s, in default two days’ imprisonment. The plea of good intentions provides no sort of defence for those busy-bodies who break the first law of good manners: “Mind your own business and the rest of the world will look after itself.” In this respect women are notoriously the worst

offenders, and two very glaring instances arising out of the war have been brought under our notice. In both cases returned troopers were subjected to annoyance from unauthorised recruiting agents, and to men who have, in every sense of the word, accomplished their duty to their country the indignity must bo extremely galling. One returned soldier who happened to attend the recruiting demonstration at the Octagon on Saturday evening in his plain clothes was handed a white feather by a young lady with a sadly distorted idea of patriotism, and his feelings on the receipt of such an acknowledgment of his incalculable services can better bo imagined than described. In the other ease three returned soldiers appeared in the public streets —two in mufti and one in uniform—and a lady whose feelings evidently ran very high buttonholed one and harangued him at length on his duty to his country, and the necessity that lay upon all young men to enlist. After being compelled to listen to a patriotic address extending over about a quarter of an hour, and interlarded with nob a few direct personal references, tho soldier was at length able to get in a woi'd of explanation, and, though ho was then smothered with apologies, the injury to his feelings was irreparable. There is in the city an authorised recruiting committee, which is carrying out its duties in a thorough and energetic manner, and tho procuring of all the available men could well be left to this responsible organisation. Several returned troopers are very sore over annoyances of the kind described above, and in conversation with a Daily Times reporter they suggested that a badge should be issued by the Government to all those men who have done their duty at the front, and are now back home. Instances are also known whore wounded and invalided men aro in very straitened financial circumstances through not being able to collect the pay that is duo to them, and this is another matter that seems to merit attention.

The commission which is to sit at Invercargill on the 21st inat., before Judges M'Cormick and Rawson, of the Native Land Court, will inquire exhaustively into the position of the Waiau Reserve, and the claims of certain Natives in connection therewith. It is a matter of history that in the 60’s the then Government purchased a huge tract of country—said to be some millions of acres—from the Natives for a sum of £2OOO, and that, in the course of the transaction, a large area was tacked on to the purchase, for which it is alleged no payment whatever was made. A very important issue that will arise in the case is that of the “tenths,” involving extensive additional claims on the part of the Natives. After evidence has been taken at Invercargill it is probable further evidence will be heard in Wellington. Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P., of Wellington, and Mr T. Parata, M.P., will appear for parties interested in the case.

In regard to a cablegram relating to the prohibition of the importation of cattle into New Zealand from Australia, new regulations have now been gazetted. The most important amendment embodied in them is that the introduction of cattle from the whole of the commonwealth is now absolutely prohibited. Horses may be introduced now only from the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and from the States of the commonwealth, except Queensland and Western Australia. Dogs may be introduced only from the United Kingdom, and from the four States of the commonwealth previously referred to. Cattle may bo introduced from the United Kingdom and Canada. The introduction of swine from the same four States of the commonwealth is now permitted, subject to certain restrictions. Special provisions are also incorporated in the regulation. l - regarding the introduction of fodder and fittings used in connection with imported stock, and also regarding the introduction of hides, skins, and wool.

A young couple in the Tuapeka district have had the truth of the saying “The course of true love never runs smooth” brought home to them (says the Times). The man in the case had, it appears, been keeping company with the daughter of a neighbour for some time, but the latter’s family objected and peremptorily insisted that all further personal attention on his part should cease. Their wishes in this regard were respected, but love laughs at locks and bars, and the local post office was resorted to as a vehicle for exchanging love’s tender greetings. This proved satisfactory for a time, but eventually the girl’s family discovered the fact that letters were passing and resolved that nothing short of personal chastisement would bring the young man to a proper sense of their disapprobation. The climax came the other day when the father and brothers of the young lady met the young man on the hills. Just what happened cannot bo said, but as a result several informations have been issued, and the matter will be judicially threshed out at the next sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at Lawrence.

A sea serpent found alive at Farquhar Inlet, near the Manning River, New South Wales, and forwarded to Mr D. Stead, of the State Fisheries Department, proves to be the ■ first specimen of its kind found in New South Wales. It measured about Bft long, and at a cursory glance looked like a carpet snake. Its coiling propensities when iheld in the air emphasised its similarity to this land snake, and both hold their prey by vice-like coils. But in the shape of its body the sea serpent is quite different. A ground snake has a flattened or roundish under-part, on which it crawls, but the sea serpent’s body underneath juts out after the fashion of the keel of a ship, and when it gets washed

ashore it becomes stranded on its side, locomotion in the serpentine method as generally understood being a matter of groat difficulty with it. But in its native element tho sea serpent darts through the. water at a great pace, its tail, which resembles the flat end of a paddle, enabling it to steer with facility. Its greatest weight is concentrated in the lower part of its body to help it in dragging down and constricting whatever it seizes. Mr Stead says that the sea serpent has poison fangs, and its bite is deadly. It lives mostly at the top of tho 'water, and has to come to tho surface to breathe, as it possesses lungs and not gills. When it comes up to the top to breathe it is almost invisible from a boat, as it just puts its nose above the surface, all tho rest of it being immersed.

An inspiring story of the perseverance and invincible enthusiasm of a Napier young man is related by the Telegraph. The young soldier offered, himself for medical examination in tho first instance, and was informed that ho was ineligible, as his tooth were defective, so ho at once had them put in order, at a cost of £lO, and he presented himself again. This time his teeth were passed, but ho was told that his chest measurement was too email. Nothing daunted, lie sought the assistance of a physical culture expert, under whoso treatment he developed the necessary inches. With full confidence he presented himself for a third examination with expanded chest, when the conscientious medical expert discovered that one of his toes overlapped and, still undismayed, tho gallant youth has gone into hospital to have the toe amputated.

It has truly been said that a man is just as old as he feels. There is proof of that axiom in the experience of one veteran recruit from the Wanganui district, who is now well on his way to the front (says the Clirouicle). His age was 62 years, hut an iron constitution and considerable activity were combined results of a healthy, vigorous outdoor life. Hia initial difficulty was a colour change m iron-grey hair and moustache, and when that problem had been solved with the aid of a bottle of dye, he duly presented himself for enlistment, and his patriotic statement that his ago was 39 years went unchallenged. A month later this hardy veteran was in full training at Trentham, but in some trepidation lest his resolve to see active service should be thwarted. An orderly told the veteran ho was wanted at his commanding officer’s tent, and there ho went. Under pressure, the elderly soldier admitted that ho had five grown-up sons, the eldest 55, and with a glow of pride ho added that they ■were all at the front. The officer was evidently a sporting sold, as he did not press for any answer on tho evident disparity in ages. Shortly afterwards the day came when the veteran embarked with tho younger generation for the land of tho Turk.

A person whose house or business premises within the borough has been unoccupied for six months may 6laim a rebate of rates in consequence, but (says the Oamaru Mail) a person whose house has been burned down must continue to pay full rates until other legislation is enacted. Neither can a person who removes a building from his section obtain a rebate of rates upon that section. Indeed, one instance was mentioned at a recent council meeting there of a case where, the building having been removed, the council was now being paid full rates both on the section thus rendered vacant and on the section to which the building had been removed. It was a declined request of the proprietors of the Star and Garter Hotel which opened up the question, which was referred to the next Municipal Conference, with a remit urging the enactment of readjusting legislation.

The West Australian Government recently decided that the 48-hour week should bo reverted to throughout the Government service. When the announcement was made, the Acting Premier explained in a note to an official of the Metropolitan Labour Council that the Government did not intend to make any retrenchment in the service if possible following on this step. lie added: “In response to your inquiry whether the unions would have to take the risk of retrenchment in their particular industries, I have to state that at tire preset-.', juncture it is impossible for mo to say whether retrenchment will be necessary by reversion to full time, but I can assure you that the Government has no desire or intention to retrench in ihis direction if it can possibly be avoided. Your request that the unions should bo allowed to choose whether they should work full time or continue on the 44 hours, I regret is impracticable, as much of the work upon which they are engaged is inter-dependent, and it would not be feasible to have portion of the employees working full time and portion 44 hours. In this connection, therefore, I regret that I cannot comply with your request.” The unions have been discussing the matter earnestly, and the result was that no men put in an appearance on the first Saturday morning on which the change was put into force to work the extra four hours.