Untitled

Otago Witness, Issue 3247, 7 June 1916, Page 5

During the pours<j of his address at the opening of r.ho Dunedin Winter Show, tho Hon. Dr M'Nab made an important statement. He said that ho understood that the- country would have to face the contingency of the British War office commandeering the whole of the output of cheese from the dominion for 191617. Of the past season's output of cheese the factories agreed to allow the British War Office to secure ono-third. Speaking at the opening of the new Westfield Freezing Works ah Auckland on the 29th ult., the Primo Minister stated that it was almost a certainty that the Imperial Government would require the whole output of cheese from New Zealand for next season. A Press Association telegram states that in the Magistrate's Court at Hawera on the 30th ult., I. B. Mendelson was fined £lO on each of two informations for breaches of the Stamp Duty Act. All the members of the Otago Education Board retire from office on August 8. An election of members for the new wards and for tho urban area will bo held on July 19. The total number of members constituting the new board will bo 10, four for tho urban area, two for North Ward, two for Central Ward, and two for South Ward. Nominations will close at 5 p.m. on June 28. No person will bo eligible as a candidate unless he is nominated in writing by at least two electors in tho particular ward or area, and tho nomination paper bears his consent in writing. Tho Balclutha Habitation of the Young Helpers' League held its first box-opening ceremony at the school on Empire Day, and as a result over £22 has been forwarded to Dr Barnaclo's homes. "Why ure infantile paralysis contacts allowed to go about a day or two after a caso has been discovered, if tho disease is contagious? Why aren't they quarantined?" asked tho Mayor of Maeterton at tho conference on tho 26th ult. Dr A. Hosking explained that the disease was not carried by contacts to the extent it was at first thought. The instructions given to the doctors were those issued by the Health Department after considerable experience throughout the dominion. Dr Cowio said there was practically tho same isolation as in tho caso of scarlet fever. Early in April tho Madrid correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph had a long conversation- with an intimate friend, who returned a few days previously from tho Austrian city of- Trieste, after a long sojourn there. He brought most interesting news. Tho population was reduced to 80,000 inhabitants. Lack of food had caused hug-o swarms of rate and cats to invade tho streets, tho number being so great that there was an organised service to destroy the cats, which had been driven by hunger to attack human beings. On some days, oa many as 800 cars were killed. The streets were full of women and children in a famished condition, and many of tho children had died of hunger. Tho bread ration supplied by tickets had boon reduced to 210 grammes per person. The bread was very bad, and tho making of caikes, pastry, and sweets was prohibited. Fish was not obtainable because fishing had

been prohibied. A few privileged persons obtained small quantities caught by sailors under a special permit. On Mondays and Fridays the sale of meat and batter was prohibited. On the other days of the week rations were divided according to the supply. Almost daily Italian aviators flyover the city, but the ofiicial reports novel say anything about them. The scarcity of coal has prevented the heating of dwellings, and the winter has been intensely cold. There is no gas, and the darkness is so complete that many persons have been drowned in the canal which traverses the city. It has been found necessary to put railings all along the banks of the canal. The municipal services have been abandoned, and grass grows in the streets. The authorities fear that cholera will break out this year with greater intensity than last year. The use of lights in houses at night is absolutely prohibited, and patrols have strict orders to fire upon windows and balconies displaying lights. This order has been rigorously carried out, and many people have been killed and wounded. An instance of the hardships attendant upon farming in the north was given by a witness in the Supreme Court at Wanganui last week. During- the past year 300 out of 1100 ewes had been lost through a disease. of the head. One-third of the total of 900 lambs had perished from another complaint, the owner having to sell the remainder at 10s per head to prevent further losses, and owing to the drought and pests the whole of a 200-acro crop of turnips was lest. The increases in the wholesale price of imported spirits since the war began have set hotelkeepers in Australia 'wondering howto make eooh bottle return a satisfactory margin of profit. At Adelaido about a month ago practically all the hotels began charging 7d a nobbier. Several publicans there aro restoring to the English practice of using a measuring glass. If a customer asks for whisky, imported brandy, or gin, tho bar attendant, instead of placing the bottle on the counter and permitting l the purchaser to help himself, as was the oaso in "the good old day*," carefully measures a quarter of a gill a\)d pours it into a nobbier glass. It is stated that the quantity served represents a fair nobbier, which satisfies the average customer, and that a number of other hotels are likely to adopt the practice, especially if wholesale prices continue to rise.

Attention was drawn to the dearth of veterinary surgeons by a speaker at the Auckland Provincial Conference of the Now Zealand Farmers' Union on the 25th (says the New Zealand Herald). Replying to a suggestion that dairy herds should be inspected with the object of eliminating unsatisfactory animals, ho said that in ono district, carrying between 10,000 and 15,000 cattle thero was not one qualified veterinary surgeon. Whether or not that was due to the. war ho did not know. It was no use appealing for help from the Government, because there were no veterinary officers to spare. The Maori woman Tuhirangi Tawhal, who is in Mount Eden Gaol (Auckland), awaiting trial on a charge of the attempted murder of a Maori named Enoka at a Native settlement near Tuakau, on May 11, lias recently slibwn symptoms of insanity. The woman was to have appeared at the Police Court on the 26th ult., for remand to Pukekohe, but Sub-inspector MTlveney stated to the court that the prisoner was not in a fit condition to appear. She had, ho said, shown decided indications of insanity during the time she had been in custody in Mount Eden Gaol, and this morning she had become so violent that she had had to be put in a. strait-jacket. In tho circumstances, the caso was s-et down for a week pending medical observation of the prisoner. A deputation of some 20 business and professional men who have summer residences at Waitati and Warrington waited on Mr Ayson in Mr E. S. Wilson's board room on the 29th inst. to protest against the Acclimatisation Society's recommendation that the Blueskin Bay should be closed for netting. Mr E. G. Reynolds introducsd the deputation, and pointed out the vast amount of pleasure a large number of city men derived from tho pursuit of netting for flounders. Ho regretted that the short notice given prevented a large number of those interested from attending. Dre Fitchett, Ross, and Riley, and Messrs J. A Park and J. G. Sawcll also expressed their views. Mr Ayson thanked the deputation for the facts placed beforo him, and assured the deputation that tho interests of tho many would bo considered by him when making his report. Scrgeant-majoß Walsh, who.'was recently appointed by the Bruco Qounty Council to canvass for recruits, paid a visit last week to Greenfield, accompanied by Mr Adam King (member for the riding), and in two days was successful in securing nine men. It is stated that altogether there were 13 eligibles in tho district, and as three of theso were absent from homo at tho time of tho visit, tho result of the canvass must be considered highly satisfactory. With tho near approach of conscription tho question of who will bo exempted as being of paramount importance to tho maintenance of vital industries becomes of increasing interest. In this connection the position of tho Christchurch Meat Company's works at Pukcuri, as stated by the company, ae one of tho largest concerns in the district and one that must certainly be kept running at all co.'-ts, shows that there are employed eight men under the military ago, 35 over it, and 100 men who are of the military ago. Of these 100 men, 49 are married and 51 are single. Of tho married men 20 are considered essential to the running of tho works, and of the single men 15, a total of 35 who must be

retained if the works are to bo run at full capacity. Of the married men of military ago 29 are not considered essential, and of the single men, who will bo the first called upon, 36 arc not essential to the business. The. qualification of essentiality is held chiefly by butchers and pullers. - Older men could not do the work and younger men would take at least 12 months to become efficient so that the works could cope with the work expected. Many young men who are taken on to learn butchering no\ r make butchers who can keep pace, with the work while, doing it cleanly and well. A largo shipment of motor cars from San Francisco was on board the steamer Waitorno, which arrived at Auckland on the 24th inst. In all there were about 200 cars, of which about 50 arc to be landed in the north, and the balance are for Wellington. A number of the motors were brought as deck cargo. Many came in cases practically ready for the road, and the remainder -were brought in parts, to be assembled after being landed. A number of Kaitangata miners who had enlisted, and expected to depart with the Seventeenth for camp, find they have boon put down for a reinforcement at the end of the year (says the Balclutha Free Press). Tin's is said to be owing to a shortage of labour for the mine. The man who was arrested at Kaikoura a few days ago, called at the Lyttelton Times office to say that ho was remanded from Kaikoura to Kaiapoi on a charge of vagrancy, and, after, the charge was dismissed, he could not return to Kaikoura, because he had no money, and was stranded. Inquiries show that in those cases it i-5 usual for the police to return a man arrested to the place from which he was taken if it is considered advisable to do this, and con-

sideration is being given to the position of the man arrested at Kaikoura. He states that ho never stayed at the boarding-house in Kaiapoi at which it was believed he stayed shortly before the recent tragedy. As a matter of fact, he had not been in the town for two years and six months until he was taken there by the police. He has documents showing that he enlisted on May 8, and was given a badge showing ho was not up to the standard on May 10, the day before the murder, and immediately left for Kaikoura. He is a tunneller, and wishes absolutely to clear himself of all association or suspicion in respect to the affair at Kaiapoi. Thirty-seven years ago (on May 25, 1879) the whole of the settlers along the West Coast were in a state of i xtrerne anxiety owing to the fact that, under instructions from To Whiti, the Pariliaka Maoris commenced ploughing up laud belonging to Europeans on the Waimate Plains. So intense was the excitement in Hawera and at Patea that volunteer corps were resuscitated or formed as precautionary measures. The lato Major Noake paid a special visit to the district and addressed meetings at Hawera and elsewhere, urging the people to bo ready for any emergency. The arrest of the dusky ploughmen followed, and after trial they were sent south. But this did not end the trouble, for in June the famous raid was made upon Parihaka by the Hon. John Bryce and a strong force, when 180 Natives (including Te Whiti and Tohu) were arrested and deported to the South. Island. Just a year after (June, 1880) the first portion of the deported Maoris were released, and in October the remainder were set at liberty —wiser, if sadder men. The Mayor of Petone (Mr J. AY. M'Ewar) is communicating with the War Pensions Board in respect to a Petono resident, who took part in the landing at Gallipoli. It is stated that this soldier was badly wounded, had three ribs removed from his right side, lost his right arm, and carries a bullet in his knee. After his return to New Zealand, ho was discharged, and lias since been informed that his pension will be £1 per week. Mr M'Ewan considers this a ease of exceptionally hard treatment, and the man has a wife and three children to support. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the Prime Minister informed a reporter on the 31st ult that a confidential oflicer of the Sugar Refinery Company had arrived in •Wellington from Australia to conclude negotiations with the Government and the Board of Trade in regard to the maintenance of the present price of sugar. -An unusual decision was given by Mr F. V. Fraser, S.M., last week in a maintenance case (says the Auckland Star). The defendant, Frederick W Nets, had been imprisoned in default ol payment of maintenance respecting some children at an industrial school, the order ior imprisonment being made in the man's absence, as he did not comply with the summons to attend court. 'The man's wife subsequently represented to the magistrate that her husband's imprisonment had left her and the children at home in distress. .She was advised to get her husband to apply for a variation of the maintenance order and cancellation oi arrears, and, on his doing so, he was brought before the court to prosecute his application. Necs explained that he did not appear to defend the prosecution previously on account of difficulty to get away from his work, and he gave evidence as to means, which satisfied his Worship that the man had not been wasting his money, and that his earnings were not sufficient to enable him to comply with the maintenance order respecting the children at the industrial school. His Worship informed defendant that, if ho had taken the trouble to appear to put his position before the court when first summoned, ho would have escaped imprisonment. As the original sentence could not bo reversed on tho present application, recourse would be had to

section 1 of the Act, and an order would be made that defendant be released on payment of the siun of one shilling in satisfaction of the arrears. "And I'll lend you the shilling in (he meantime," concluded his Worship, when defendant intimated that ho could not pay even that amount. At a meeting of the Auckland branch of the Australasian Federated rioamens Union strong exception was take; to the attitude adopted by the president (Mr A. Nixon), at the recent conference of the Fish Oarers' Union at the Conciliation Council (reports the Star). Ultimately, it was decided to request the pros, dent to tender his resignation from his official capacity by neon on May 25; failing his resignation being received by •that date, he to be suspended, and the matter reported to the executive council of the union, which, in turn, will cause a plebiscite vote to bo taken to decide the position. A Press Association message from Auckland reports that Wright Chambers, a married man, 44 years of age, died in the hospital on the 27th from injuries received at Messrs LeyLuid and O'Brien's timber mill. Ho was working a circular saw, when a piece of wood flew up and struck him in the abdomen, causing internal injuries. Ho leaves a widow and one child. Passengers from the West Coast had :m old-time experience on the 22nd, consequent on a huge landslip having occurred on the Otira Gorge below the roadmen's huts. The weather wa.s fair in G rcymoutb in the morning, but rain was encountered at Moana. The passengers coached from Otira. to the landslip and walked the remainder of the distance —about six miles—to '.ho Art!;sir's Pass railway station. The' train had been kept back. Amongst the passengers from the Coast were a number of soldiers returning to Trcntham after being homo on leave, and also a number of recruits bound for the training camps. " These exemptious in the dominion are running into a large sum of money, and I do not think we can go on granting them," said the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Wellington in a case which came before him from Mr G. 11. Smith, of Manganui, who wrote asking if he would bo relieved of paying rent if he enlisted. The applicant had a mortgage of £3OOO over the property, but it was a productive farm. He said he would be able to provide for his wife and family if he went. The board refused the applicant's request, remark b;ing made that such a man's duty was to stay in the country. "I do no: think we should encourage a .man in his circumstances to go to the front,'" remarked a memb r; ''his place is to stay behind and work the land." The Mayor of Christohureh (Air 11. Holland) lias received, through the Minister of Internal Affairs, a communication from the Canadian Assistant-superintendent of Emigration (London), drawing attention to the fact that the luncheon clubs in the largo cities of Canada are anxious to meet prominent New Zealanders when they are passing through tii.it dominion. These clues are like the New Zealand Club, which is in existence in Wellington and Christchurch. In Winnipeg there is often an attendance of 803 business men at the club, and it is pointed out that there, and in other centres, a good audience is readily presented to travellers who have anything of interest to impart. Indications point to the face that the present epidemic oi diphtheria in Napier is far from being- on the wane. Cases have been reported daily in ones, twos, and threes for the past few weeks, and the total of the district since the commencement of the outbreak is well ever 103 ct-ses. There havo been several deaths. Latterly the majority of the cases have been reported from Napier. Later two cases were reported from Chaucer road, Napier, and another from Hastings. Resultant upon the epidemic, the Norsewood School has been temporarily closed down. The attendant s at the Napier schools have not been affected, the number of children attending daily being fairly satisfactory in the estimation of the secretary of the Education Board (Mr G. Crawshaw). The Petone District High School Committee has passed the following resolution: "That, owing to Leslie Manning (a pupil at the school) breaking his leg through no fault of his own, in the playground, during school hours, the committee wishes to know whether the Wellington Education Board would assist the parents of the child by paying the medical expenses incurred at Wellington Hospital." Failing assistance in this direction, the committee recommends that the board should communicate with the Minister of Education, and ask him i:o set aside a sum of money as an annual

allowance for tho inauguration of a school children's accident fund, and to point out that, as employers arc liable for accidents to employees, so the Government should be responsible to the education board for any expense that may be incurred through tho accident to a child during school hours on school premises, the child being at work (educationally), in tho same manner as tho worker is industrially. According to tho testimony of returned soldiers, the number of bombs thrown by hand or otherwise impelled that prove effective is about 1C per cent. It was found difficult, owing to the narrowness of tho trench, to direct a bomb so that it will fall vertically, or nearly so. into the trench opposite, the embankments in frons of tho opposite trench being another difficulty. Mr J. S. Wcara, of Chr : etchurch, lias devised a method of bomb-throwing for which ho claims an effectiveness, when the rang© is known, of 100 per cent., and experiments that have been made go to support his claim. A prominent Christchurch business

man has xindertaken to bring the Woarn system under the notice of the "War and Defence authorities in England and New Zealand. The invention is being placed before the authorities free of price, and without any restrictions being placed on the disposal of the patent. The vital statistics for last month show that there have been 146 births in the Dimedin district, as compared with 123 for the same month of the previous year. The deaths have numbered 86, as compared with 73 for May, 1915, and there have been 47 marriages recorded, or three more than for the corresponding period last year. A Press Association message from Wellington states that the vital statistics for May were: —Births, 232; deaths, 78; marriages, 92. The figures for May last were:— Births, 196; deaths, 81; marriages, 71. The Taieri and Peninsula Company has for the second time, at the Waikato Winter Show, won the Carnation Cup for butter. Some littlo dissatisfaction has become apparent lately (says our Wellington correspondent) in the Post and Telegraph Department at the lino of policy taken by the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association in Wellington, and there is more than a probability that a rival organisation will be established under the title of Post and Telegraph Officers' Institute. It is understood that the departmental authorities arc not unfavourable to this new development. The dissatisfaction felt with some of the present association's actions is so acute that it is stated that many officers, particularly in the higher branches, have resigned from membership. Some of the returned soldiers have paid a heavy price for the services they have rendered to the Empire. One such oase came under the notice of a representative of this paper on the 31st, a North Islander, who has just come to Duncdin on leave after two months in the "Wellington Hospital, and nearly seven mouths in hospital at Cairo. This man belonged to the Artillery. A bomb was dropped from a Turkish aeroplane, and landed on the parapet of the gun emplacement, killing a brother of this man and also seven other soldiers. The man himself received an injury to the spine, which affected his arm and leg. The leg got better, but the arm is withered, and in pursuance of the doctor's advice, he has decided to have it amputated. He also received a bullet in the abdomen. The man is staying at the Leviathan Hotel, and has expressed a desire that the public should know of the treatment he has received there, everyone connected with the establishment sparing no trouble to see that he is comfortable and well looked after, and looking for nothing extra for any service rendered. In connection with the Patriotic Apple Show, held at Wellington (which a correspondent .stated was "run" by the Nelson land agents), it appears that the list of prizes supplied to the Press Association agent by the promoters was inaccurate, in that the prizes awarded to Otago were stated as: Firsts, 5; seconds, 2; thirds, 2. Mr W. T. Goodwin (Government expert for fruit) informs us that the actual awards to Otago growers were: Firsts, 9; seconds, 5; thirds, 3. He has the certificates with him at the Otago Winter Show, and these may be inspected by anyone interested. At the annual meeting of the Farmers' Union in Timaru on the 27th ult., Mr C. N. Orbell, speaking in praise of the good results obtained from the shearing classes, said that he had a young fellow who had learnt at these classes last year, and he could shear 60 to 70 sheep a day, and do them well. Mr Trotter (Fairlic) said he was astonished to hear this, as it usually took a shearer four or five years to work up to 70 sheep a day. There must bo something very good about teaching which could bring about results like that. Mr Garland (Waimate) said the ease must be an exceptional one; 20 or 30 sheep a day was the general tally for the first year. Probably the man Mr Orbell referred to was middleaged, and able to stand the work. Mr Orbell said he was under 20 years of age. A suggestion was made at the annual meeting of the Farmers' Union in Timaru on the 27th, by Mr John Talbot, that with a view to causing the Government to take such action as will protect the wheat-grow-ing industry in New Zealand half a dozen representatives of Canterbury and North Otago should meet in conference and discuss the matter. It was essential, he said, that the import duties on wheat should be raised so as to give effective protection to the dominion wheat growers. With this the meeting unanimously agreed. It was not definitely decided to hold the suggested conference, but one will in all probability be held if the Government does not equalise the import duties on wheat and flour as between New Zealand and Australia. r At a meeting of the committee of the Gore Agricultural and Pastoral Association Mr T. Kain (Mandeville) stated that a largo number of soldiers were returning and gravitating towards the towns (says the Mataura Ensign). If tin's continued it would mean a scarcity of labour eo the farms still. That should bo avoided as much as possible. The migration to the towns was noticeable in armosfc every walk of life. In the high schools scarcely any pf the pupils were taking the agricultural courso. It was bad for the returned men to stay about the towns. They were likely to drift and not become as useful citizens as they might be. It was in the interests of agriculture that men should be encouraged to remain on the land. He would like to see a remit on the matter sent to the conference. Mr G. P. Johnston supported Mr Kain's contention, and thought the* idea should bo crystallised in the form

of a remit. It was felt that farm labour would be scarce and something should be done to encourago settlement on the land. It was resolved, "That the secretary write to the Council of Agriculture on the subject and suggest tht the conference should give the matter consideration." A plucky act was witnessed in Severn street, Oamaru, on the 29th ult. (says the North Otago Times), when Sergeant Darracott, who is at present in camp at the Drill Hall, caught two horses which were startled by the firing of the Territorials on the esplanade. Though Sergeant Darracott w?« swung under the cart he held on to the shaft and finally managed to pull the horses up. But for the quick action of the young soldier, who is only 19 years of age, more serious damage might have occurred. At the Hamilton Police Court on the 26th a young woman, Theresa Casey, was committed for trial at the forthcoming sessions of the Supreme Court at Hamilton on a charge of arson in setting fire to a' cottage belonging to Patrick Ryan, at the rear of the Hamilton Hotel, of which Ryan is licensee. Casey was previously in Ryan's employ as bookkeeper, but was discharged because of her drinking habits. On May 3 accused arrived from Wellington and was about the vicinity of the hotel about the time of the fire. She admitted she had purchased a bottle of kerosene and a bag of shavings, and the evidence of one of the hotel employees showed that she made a remark to him after the fire that " she was the one to burn down hotels." The police and other evidence showed that accused was considerably under the influence of liquor on the night of the fire, and was arrested and locked up for drunkenness at midnight. An adjourned meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of Daniel Murphy Beard, Dunedin, tobacconist, was held in the Public Trust Office on the Ist inst. The acting official assignee (Mr K N. H. Browne) presided. A statement of accounts was laid before the meeting and adopted. The estate should realise about 6s in the pound. At a meeting of the Otago Education Board on the 7st inst., Mr Parker M'Kinlay was appointed to represent the board on the University Council. The board's previous representative (Mr J. Mitchell) declined renomination. In his lecture en the Ist inst. to the Otago Egg Circle, Mr J. B. Merrett, Ohristchurch, said the instinct of business must have been very strong in the soldier at the front who was found searching for his lost arm, and to whom a doctor remarked, " It will be no use to you now." The soldier replied, "Won't it, bai Jove, it has my •wristlet watch strapped to it." Contrast this spirit, said the speaker, to a Canterbury town, where on the gate post of its cemetery a large placard was to be seen, "Wake Up! Your King and Country Need You." " The poultry industry," said the speaker, "was one of the last to arouse itself from its lethargy on marketing, and he w ? as glad to see even a shaking among dry bones." A representative meeting of farmers was held in the Waiwera Public Hall on the 27th ult. to consider the rate of payment for chaff-cutting. One mill-owner, was present. Mr John Edwards presided, and, after considerable discussion, it was agreed that the price for cutting bo 6s 6d per ton, the men to receive 5d per ton. A committee was appointed to draw up an agreement. At a meeting of the Waikouaiti Borough Council on the 29th ult., Cr Smith called attention to the fact that motor cars were frequently driven at an excessive speed through the streets in defiance of the motor by-law relating to the matter. The council decided to write to the local police officer, requesting him to prosecute motorists in all cases where the speed limit was exceeded. Mr George Dcbie, an old resident of Opunake, was found dead under distressing circumstances on the 27th ult. A young lady was walking on the beach, and came across Mr Dobie's body at the foot of the cliffs. He lived in a street leading to the bay, and presumably lost his way in the dark the previous night and fell over the cliff. His death recalls another tragedy which caused intense excitement throughout Taranaki 35 years ago, when the Native troubles had barely subsided. On November 25, 1880, Miss Mary Dobie, who was visiting her sister, the wife of Major Goring, then stationed at Opunake, went for a walk to a secluded dell near the Te Ngamu Stream about a mile and a-half north of the township. The lady was an artist on the staff of the London Graphic, and while walking was tempted by the beauty of the spot to stop and make a sketch. As she was so occupied a, Maori named Tuhi rode by, saw her, and brutally murdered her He subsequently confessed his guilt, and was hanged. A handsome monument stands in the old cemetery near the site of the Armed Constabulary barracks, erected to the memory of Miss Dobie by the residents of the district. Opossums are not yet protected, though acclimatisation societies have for some time past urged that they should be in districts not mainly devoted to fruit farming. Mr L. 0. 11. Tripp, chairman of the Wellington Society, stated last week that, in response to a deputation, he had lately received a reply from the Minister of Internal Affairs in which he acknowledged the possibilities of the industry and the need for placing it on a belter basis. It was hoped now that something would be done, so that the animals might not be ruthlessly exterminated. Mr W. 11. Field, M.P., in supporting the chairman's remarks, said that in Southland as many as 80.000 opossums were trapped and killed in one year.

Poachers had already found tho value of opossum skins. They killed the animals in and out of season in great numbers, and sometimes in a cruel way. If skins were exported out of condition tho industry would suffer. He agreed with the chairman that steps should be taken to protect young and female opossums. A largely attended and representative meeting of dairymen was held in Christchurch on tho 29th ult. to discuss tho price of milk. After a full discussion it was decided to raise the price of milk to 5d per quart for the winter months, ending August 51. The reason advanced for the increase were tho shortage of feed, tho advanced price of cattle, and tho general rise in all farming and dairying commodities, the advance in many oases being as high as 25 per cent. It was also stated that good dairy cattle are at an exorbitant price, and dairymen find a difficulty in obtaining tho cattle to keep their business going. The Loco Record says that the statement in the newspapers attributed to the Prime Minister regarding railway men being prevented from enlisting because there was already a shortage in the staff was referred to the general manager, who said he had no knowledge of any such arrangement. Railway men were still being allowed to enlist, and there was no intention of preventing them from going to the front. The Record says that it has received many anxious inquiries from members who desiro to get away and who were under the impression that they could not enlist. This statement will clear the matter up. Commenting on tho statement made recently in Christchurch by Bishop Sedgwick, of Waiapu, to the effect that a business man had told him that it was impossible for a man to live a straight life and succeed commercially, the Anglican Bishop of Auckland (Dr A. W. Averill) stated that ho did not in the least agree with tho statement, which had been made without thought or consideration (says tho Herald). The idea was erroneous and foolish, because it was well known that there were honest men in business as in any other calling of life. There wore "black sheep" among tho ranks of ministers as there were in every profession or trade, but because there were a few "black sheep" it did not follow that the whole class should be condemned. " My experience of business men," concluded Dr Avorill, " is that they are strictly honest and straight. I consider Bishop Sedgwick's statement to be too sweeping, and altogether uncalled for." The tables were neatly turned on Mr Payne, of anti-German fame, in the House of Representatives last week by Mr Nosworthy, who inquired if the Government was aware that a younger brother of the von Kaiserberg so frequently mentioned by the member for Grey Lynn, was a year or so ago employed by Mr Payne in the orchestra of a picture show at Masterton on (Saturday afternoons for the remuneration of 2s 6d. Mr Nosworthy askcel if iho Government would take steps to prevent this class of sweated labour being continued. Tho House enjoyed the question immensely, and was not the less tickled when Mr Payne moved to place on record the fact that the boy had been employed to relievo other men. The game presented by Mr G. R. Ritchie to be sold for the Otago Women's Patriotic Funds realised the handsome sum of £2O. Mr E. C. Reynolds acted as auctioneer. A shooting accident occurred on board tho steamer Whakarua at Port Chalmers on Friday morning. Mr Hall, the second officer, was. cleaning a revolver, and something appears to have caught the trigger, causing the weapon to go off. The bullet passed through one of his fingers, and then struck the fourth officer (Mr Arthur Moore), who was leaning over tho side of the ship, in the thigh. Mr Moore was conveyed to tho Hospital. At the meeting of the Otago Educational Institute on Friday morning the secretary (Mr J. Jcffery) brough up the matter of schools subscribing to various funds, patriotic and otherwise. He referred especially to circulars that had been sent out for subscriptions for various purposes mostly patriotic. Ho thought that the time had come when any systematic collecting from tho schools, whether for patriotic or any other purposes, should come through the Committee of Management of the institute, except in the case of local contributions or efforts. At present, he thought, they did not know what they were giving. Other institutes and associations knew definitely that they were giving so much to this, so much to that, and so much to the other. Ho suggested that an arrangement should be come to that schools should not subscribe to anything outside their . own districts except under tho authority of the Committeo of Management. Perhaps such matters might be carried out by tho Education Board, or through tho board and Committee of Management jointly. The assurance given by tho Prime Minister to Mr W. H. Field, M.P., that shipping space will be found in June for taking away 22,000 bales of flax from the.enormous quantity (over 40.000) in'si ore has encouraged millers to face tho future with some confidence. This 22,000, with the 7000 going to America during June, will materially relieve file congestion of manufactured fibre. Mr Massey's suggestion that, if, later on, it should bo found impossible to get the flax away, tho Government might adopt the same course with flax as with the disposal of kauri gum, is not, however, so comforting, in view of the present highlysatisfactory condition of the fibre market. What tho price of flax is to-day millers know; what it may bo to-morrow gives them some concern. It is absolutely neces-

sary, then, for them to get their produce away now, and at the present prices and current freights. Millers now find themselves paying royalties on a basis of £47 per ton in London, whereas at the time they sold their flax with which they are nowfulfilling their contracts the royalty paid would bo on a basis of £32 or £33 per ton. If, in addition to heavy loss caused by increased royalties, tho miller has to meet a further increase of, say, £5 per ton in the freight, then he will not bo receiving more than £l7 to £l3 per ton in New Zealand on a good many of the current contracts. This would make milling a dead loss. Millers will, of course, bo required to clear all current contracts out of tho way before entertaining fresh business. It is felt by those engaged in the export of flax that the scheme applied to tho marketing of kauri gum will not be practicable in the caso of flax, by reason of tho noed for taking advantage of tho ruling high prices and existing freights. Mr John Wanamaker, millionaire merchant, of Philadelphia, in a letter to tho Aoro Club of America, has announced his intention to attempt a Transatlantic flight in a heavier-than-air machine in June. Mr Wanamaker, it will bo remembered, intended to make an effort in the summer of 1914- with Lieutenant John Porto, R.N., now commander, as navigator, when the European war stopped his plans. Tho new machine with which Mr Wanamaker hopes to cross the cccan in ono flight is now being constructed by the Curtiss Aeroplane Company. It will be a seaplane of huge proportion, and will have 10 times the power of the old America. It was observed that White Island was unusually active on May 25, and Colonel Ward accordingly measured tho height of tho steam column rising from the island with his theodolite. Tho height proved to be tho highest yet recorded —viz., 9370 ft, — and the width was approximately 2000 ft, about tho full width of tho island. Tho previous highest measurement obtained by Colonel Ward was 9020 ft, on May 26, 1914. It is a coincidence that these two measurements were taken on almost the same day of tho year, and it is also worthy of note that October is a favourite month for unusual activity at the island. On October 3, 1886 (the year of tho Tarawcra eruption) 7550 ft was measured, on October 9, 1906, 8000 ft, and on October 10, 1910, 6213 ft. Now that the rain and clouds have cleared away, the portion of the Southern Alps to be seen from Ashburton presents a magnificent sight (says the Guardian). They are ono great panoply of snow, clothing the mountains in a mantle of virgin whiteness that extends to their base. In tho early morning, especially, the sceno is one of surpassing grandeur, which cannot bo excelled in any part of New Zealand. Tho snow-clad ranges have excited tho admiration of many travellers passing through on the trains. Recently a resident of Kuku, while on tho beach, noticed something glittering in the distance (says the Otaki Mail). On going to ascertain what it was, she found a lump of metal lodged in the root of a tree. To all appearances it is a nugget of gold, and several persons to whom the find has been shown declared it to be a valuable find, worth about £4OO. The lucky finder is taking steps to ascertain definitely the ti-uo value of the nugget. It is thought possible that the gold was washed down tho river from the hills. Mr L. F. Ayson (Inspector of Fisheries for New Zealand) passed through Christchurch on Wednesday. Asked whether there was any chance of tho quinnat salmon being somowhat akin to tho brown trout, only sea run, he stated that he had been asked that question again and again, and he could mox-t distinctly state that the fish were quinnat salmon, and not sea-run brown trout. There was a great difference between the two fish, but if they were to blindfold him and place 10 brown trout sea run and 10 quinnat salmon before him ho would forfeit £SO if ho made a mistake in grading them. He said there was a little girl 10 years old at the Hakataramea fisheries who could distinguish the salmon from the brown trout, even in their yearling stage. At 3.32 on Saturday morning a fire was discovered in the Government Analyst's room at the Otago University, adjoining the chemistry laboratory. The City Brigade dealt with tho outbreak promptly, and the damage was practically confined to one room. It is supposed that the fire may have originated from one of a number of gas jets in the room. The whole building and contents are insured with the Standard office. Prior to the commencement of an address in tho Town Hall on the 30th ult., Mild. Atmore, ex-M.P. for Nelson, said he wanted to put himself right with the audience at once. It was only fair to those present, ho said, and to himself, to answer the question which might be asked: Whyhe was not at the war? "Like a good many others," he said, "I could not afford to go for 5s a clay, having obligations which I must discharge. I made an attempt to go by writing to the Agent-general in the Old Country trying to get a commission, in tho hope that the increased emoluments would enable me to go, and at the same time discharge my obligations here. I was told that commissions wero not given to anyone over 30 years of ago, unless they wore in tho ranks at tho time of applying. I was not in the ranks, and, being considerably over 30 years of age, I could not get a commission, and you know what chance I would have of getting a commission in New Zealand." Mr Atmore added that, when tho people thought the matter out, they would realise that many of the men holding back now are

not shirkers, but found it absolutely impossible to go to the war on the terms tho Government was offering-. At St. Paul's Cathedral on Sunday morning Bishop Neviil referred to the fact that it was just 45 years ago that he had been consecrated to the Bishopric of Dunedin, and on that date (Juno 4, 1871), Bishop Harper, of Christchurch, resigned the new diocese of Otago, which had formerly belonged t-o tho Christchurch diocese, into h.'s hands. His Lordship stated that tho Diocese of Otago started with nothing, and that all that had been accomplished hero had taken place sinco that day. There were then eight Church of England clergymen in the wholo of Ola go, and now there were 53 churches and an equal number of clergymen. Ho appealed to tho people to continue to work in the future- as they had in the past. lie acknowledged that all that had been done for the church was by the kind co-operation of the lay people. In the evening the vicar (tho Rev.E. R. Nevill) took a special service of intercession for the sailors of :he fleet as a commemoration of the brave men who had given their lives on the Queen Mary and the other warships for the Empire. The sermon was preached by the Rev. C. H. Statham. Tho preacher remarked that people prayed for peace, but had they considered that they deserved peace. On Saturday the races had a capital attendance, but on Sunday when news had come through that 30 or 40 of the ships of both sides had been fighting, and thousands of lives lost, was there a "capital attendance" in the churches to pray for God's aid? The disease known as Australian stringhalt has visited Rakaia and surrounding districts, with serious consccpicnco to many farmers. A farmer informed an Ashburton Guardian reporter that he knew of two farmers who had recently lost three horses each through the disease. One of tho farmers referred to had to shoot tho horses shortly after they had contracted tho disease. It appears that when tho horses become affected a form of paralysis sets in in the hind-quarters. The Hon. A. M. -Myers (Minister of Customs), replying in the House last Wednesday afternoon to a question by Mr Wilford whether ho would introduce an amendment to the Old Age Pensions Act increasing the payment to old age pensioners from 10s to 15s per week, and thus helping them to meet the increased cost of living, said that it was not at. present proposed to increase the pensions payable under "The Pensions Act of 1913." The gross payments under tho Act last year, ho stascd, exceeded £563,000. Mr A. Garland (Waimate), is of the opinion that the best and most economical May to deal with the small bird nuisance is for the County Councils to employ men to go round the country poisoning hero and there. Selecting a favourable locality, he says, the birds should be fed en good wheat for a few days, after which the poisoned grain should be fed to them. Their suspicions thus dulled, tho birds would take the poisoned grain freely, and would bo killed in large numbers. If this system were adopted, the County Councils, who were now spending thousands of pounds on the destruction of small bird*, would no longer require to purchase eggs and heads, and £SO a year would cover the cost of poisoning in the manner he suggested, and besides tho very substantial saving in cash, a great many more birds would be killed. "The strict censorship of mail and cablo matter that passes between England and America has been responsible for record business by way of wireless communication with Germany," said tho wireless operator of tho Ventura in Sydney. "Practically all the commercial work is now carried out by way of aerials, which not only saves time, but ensures delivery," he said. 'All the copy is handed in at tho Navy Office, where it parses through an American censor, but as it nearly all relates to business matters there is very little for that official to do. So great is the demand to ledge messages that it has been found almost impossible to despatch in one day tho telegrams lodged in that period. That state of affairs will continue until the British censors permit American business people to have a free run of the cable services." The refrigerating company, which has its headquarters in Christchurch, and has been for so long known as the Christchurch Meat Company, contemplates changing its name to "Tho New Zealand Refrigerating Company." The directors early this week will forward a strong recommendation to the shareholders to agree to this course, and a general meeting will bo called to decide upon a step that, it is considered, will bo of some importance to tho future of the company. For some time past it has been felt that the wide scope of tho business done by the company, which lias works in both the North and South Islands, merited a rather more descriptive name than the one it rejoices in at present, which possibly has a slight savour of parochialism — hence the proposed change. Tho commercial instinct is evidently highly developed in eome of the Rakaia youths (says ihe Ashburtou Guardian). Recently a small boy approached the clerk of the Road Board and .intimated that lie had some rats' tails for sale. The clerk asked the lad to sy.rea:! them out in his hand for tho purpose of counting them, and before making a deal he was induced to make a closer inspection owing to the peculiar appearance of some of tho alleged tails. His surprise can be better imagined than expressed when he discovered that the plleged tails were healthy specimens of dock roots, all about a uniform size, and about tho same length as a rat's tail. The specimens were shown to tho members of the board at its meeting, and created considerable amusement.

A practical illustration of the good work that can be done by women as apiarists is afforded at the Dilworth School of Agriculture, Papatoctoc, where a graduate of the Ruakura State Farm has entire charge of the apiary department. Mr Hopkins acts a 3 adviser, and, with over 60 hives under her care, the beekeeper attends to ©very detail of the work, including the building, ••lc.-inir.'.r. and repaintimr ■■: 'ho bivos, making pi framee, attending to the

bees' food during the winter season, and numerous other duties connected with beekeeping. Assistance is necessary in the work of extracting, which is done by a machine run on a principle similar to that of a separator, the honey being forced from the comb, through two strainers, and into tanks. Among the by-products of the honey industry aro honey mead and honey vinegar, both of which are made at the Dilworth Farm, whero last season's honey output amounted to close on a ton.