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Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 3

On December 16, 1876, the sailing ship Oamaru reached Port Chalmers from England with 300 immigrants, and with a view to forming a committee to organise an annual reunion to celebrate their arrival in New Zealand, some half dozen of the men who came out in the Oamaru met in the Otago Finance Company's board room on the 12th 'Mr 8.. Hosio presided. The object of the meeting was discussed at length, and it was decided "Bhat Messrs James Swan, Thomas Ness, and Thomas Olsen, with tha chairman, be a provisional committee to ascertain the number of the original passengers by this ship now in Otago, and also the number of their descendants in order that suitable arrangements might be mada for commemorating their arrival in Otago.The chairman was empowered to get into communication with any of the Oarnaru'a passengers he might locate, and the opinion was expressed that it would assist the commilteo if any of their shipmates or their descendants in Otago would communicate with Mr Hosie, who would establish a record of all such people. As an evidence of the acute scarcity of suitable farm hands, a well-known dairyman informed a Wanganui Chronicle) representative that he had difficulty in filling the position of milker at £4 5s a week, a free house, and other perquisites. The hours were r.o longer than the ordinary labourer's; in fact, there was a good deal of freedom to bo enjoyed between milking hours, which covered a period from 5 a.m. to 6.45. and 2 to 3.30 p.m. There was, of course, clearing up to do after that. Asked if these wages applied to a man and h!s family, a reply in the negative was received. The amount represented the wages paid to tha man only. The Minister of Education (the Hon. J. A Hanan) states that lie has the- opinion of a high authority, Dr Don, that boya were going to the high schools who could not benefit from the course there owing to their limited capacities, and whose time would be better employed in the technical high schools. To meet the position he had stiffened up the conditions under which free places could bo obtained at the high schools and lowered them for fr<v places at the technical high schools. There are, says Mr Hanan, different types an"i grades of ability, and ho wants to encourage the boy who may not possess high scholastio ability, but who has manual ability and special aptitude in that direction. An appeal to the mothers of Auckland to take a more active part in the cause of social purity wae made by Dr Averill, Anglican Bishop of Auckland, in an address delivered at the Diocesan Mothers' Union annual festival service in St Mary's Cathedral last week (says the Star). Bishop Averill said that in many homes of the present day there is neither religion nor ideals, and one could hardly wonder that boys and girls went out from such homes to swell the great army of the fallen. Take youi* courage in hand, and do your utmost to savo these boys and girU before it i 3 too lato. Speak out more boldly upon the growing degradation of the word 'love,' and declare before all the world th*\.t the only remedy for tho present terrible conditions of social impurity lies in

Christian homes and Christian influences." Tho Bishop spoke of the tendency'to look for amusement in the street, such as the picture show—anywhere but in the home.

The Gorman " nature men," who arrived at Wellington as prisoners of war from Tahiti, were followers of a cult established in Papeete by an American. Originally a student at a Pennsylvanian University, ho developed lung trouble, and, having been advised that his case was hopeless, he established an abode 2000 ft up the side of the mountain which constitutes Tahiti in the Eastern Pacific. Discarding civilised clothing, he lived upon wild tropical fruits, and from a weak consumptive developed into a strong healthy man, as the outcome of the experiment. Ho made a practice of visiting the steamers touching at Papeete, and distributing pamphlets in Roosevelt's phonetic spelling, extolling the virtues of the Tahitian climate, and posing as a living advertisement of the benefits to be derived from " getting cldsc to nature." On these occasions ho donned a reading shade, and a " pareo" (waist cloth); with long hair and beard, and bronzed skin, he presented a picturesque appearance that was always a source of interest to the casual tourists.

The Primate has received a message from the Minister of Defence, inviting "die members of the Anglican communion to join with the people of New Zealand on Christmas Day at 8 a.m. in praying for the protection and continued success of ouv soldiers, for the restoration to health of all sick and wounded, for comfort to those who suffer, for the safe return homo of our troops, and for a lasting and honourable peace. The Primato therefore requests that, as far as possible, all members of the Anglican Church in this diocese will comply with the invitation of the Minister of Defence, and especially at the early morning celebration on Christmas Day.

Ladybirds have been most numerous in gardens this season, busily engaged in devouring aphis blights (says the Christchurch Press). Millions of the useful little insects are to be seen on the beach at Sumner, having evidently been blown out to sea by the recent nor'-westers, and washed up w'th the tide. A farmer near Islington, when weeding a crop of Belgian carrots, found ladybirds in numbers apparently eating the carrots off just above ground. Whether they have actually done this themselves or arc feeding .on another pest that has done the mischief is not known. Specimens of the ladybirds and carrots that have been attacked are being sent to Wellington by Mr A. Macpherson, of the Department of Agriculture. The Belgian carrot stands further out of the ground than other varieties, and two other kinds in the same paddock have not been attacked. Ladybirds are also reported to be very numerous in Duvedin. In the Supremo Court (in Banco) on the 13th Mr Justice Sim heard argument on a motion to eet aside an award in a matter of arbitration between Daniel Corlctt Kce (of Timaru) and the National Mortgage and Agency Company, Mr Kinnemey and MiFinch appeared in support of the motion; Mr C. G. White and Mr Campbell to oppose. After argument his Honor reserved his decision.

At the deputation to the Minister of Defence last week, Colonel Stoneham raised the question of the classification of the men in the Second Division of the Reserve. lie instanced the case of a man with a wife and four children who was desirous of arranging his affairs to enable -him to go when called upon, and pointed out that in the Second Division there were men with one child and men with seven or eight children. It would surely be unfair to conscript the man with the large family while the man with one child remained The Hon. Mr Allen replied that his own feeling was in favour of the classification of the Second Division. For one thirg there was the economic reason that it was better for the Stato to take the man with th -■> smaller responsibility before tho other man, as it would entail less expense. There were other reasons why the man with one child should bo put in tho ballot before the man with four, five, or six children. Mr Allen added that, as far as ho knew, there was little probability of the men of the Second Division being called up for 10 months yet. That period was, of course, more or less of an estimate, and though ho could not state it as gospel it was what he judged to be near the mark. Colonel Stoneham said that so . many men in tho First Division were being turned down as medically unfit

and so many exemptions were being granted to fit men that the feeling in Dunedin was that the men in the Seco'id Division would be required in less than 10 months. The Hon. Mr Allen said that in his estimate of 10 months ho had allowed for the medically unfit and for those men required for essential industries.

The Executive of the New Zealand Federated Flourmills Employees' Industrial Association of Workers, which is located in Dunedin, has forwarded to the Hon. W. D. MacDonald (Minister of Agriculture) the following resolution:—"That this association enter an emphatic protest against the action of the Government in removing the duty on flour, as, by doing so, many men who are dependent on the flour industry for their livelihood will be thrown out of ! employment. In the opinion of the as- ; sociation, the Government would be conferring a lasting benefit on the people of ; New- Zealand if it removed the duty on I wheat, as the prohibitive price of that com- \ modify is really the cause of the present | high price of flour and bread." A meeting of fellmongers representative of the dominion was held at Wellington | yesterday (says a Press Association tcle- \ gram). It was decided that, in the best J interests of the sheepskin and felimongcry ! trade, sheepskins should not be comman- : doercd, but that the Imperial Government ; should take slipe wool as delivered at the port, leaving an open market for skins, but prohibiting all exportation. It was further resolved that, should it become neceissary to commandeer sheepskins, the Minister be asked to notify direct all persons interested, and that they be given an opportunity to attend at Wellington to discuss the matter. Before Mr T. Scollay, J.P., in the Police Court at Port Chalmers yesterday morning, a first offender for drunkenness was coni vieted and discharged. The Rev. G. W. Blair, of Wanganui, : writes to the Wellington Post regarding a statement that, up to the appointment of tho Hon. J. G. W. Aitken as Moderator of tho New Zealand Presbyterian General Assembly, "for more than 300 years no elder has filled the office of Moderator of a General Assembly." Mr Blair says: "This honour really belongs to an Indian civil servant. I have before me a copy. of the minutes of tho General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in India, held at Calcutta on December 23 to 30, 1907, and it was an elder who filled the Moderator's chair on that occasion. Tho Standing Committee nominated his Honor -Sir A. H. B. Fraser, K.C.5.1., Lieutenant-governor of Bengal, whose name had been suggested "by every Presbytery of the Church for the position. The nomination was accepted ; with acclamation, and Dr Wherry and Mr | F. C. Uppal were appointed by the retiringModerator to conduct Sir A. H. L. Eraser to the chair. Sir Andrew Fraser filled the oifico with dignity, and his closing address was printed and published in pamphlet form, and is worthy of the man and of tho occasion that called it forth. It was during his term of office as Moderator that an attempt was made upon Sir Andrew's life. The iSynod of Gujarat, Rajputana, and Central India placed on record a minute expressing i its profound gratitude to God for tho deliverance of His servant at a time of extreme danger."

The railway arrangements at Invereargill for the re-railing of stock from the Southland Show were the subject of very uncomplimentary remarks by a well-known South Canterbury sheep-breeder. Ho drew a sharp distinction between them and the arrangements at Tahuna Park on the occasion of tho recent Dunedin Show, where, though all stock had to be driver.', from the grounds, every exhibitor had his own trucks, and everything was carried through like clockwork. At Invereargill the tracks were not retained as in Dunedin, and fresh arrangements wore necessary for the return journey. After suffering great annoyance in getting trucks at all, ho found to his disgust that one truck of his sheep was attached to one train and a second to a train going north later, while he had only one attendant. Ho insisted on both going by tho same train, and eventually carried his point, with the result that he came to a dofinito understanding that both would go by tho late train. One can imagine his astonishment and vexation when he found on Thursday morning that tho trucks had been sent off by the early train, leaving himself and tho attendant in Invereargill and no one with the sheep—some

of which are of great value. He made angry representations at the station, pointing out that he might easily suffer severe loss, and insisted on the attendant bearding the first express to catch the stock at Duncdin—whero they were due an hour ahead—and travelling on the ticket that entitled him to go only with the stock. This was refused, but the South Canterbury gentleman was firm, and bade his man board the train, saying ho would run all risks.

The children of the Kaitangata School have forwarded one guinea towards the Christmas tree in the Duncdin Hospital.

The Recruiting Board. Wellington, forwarded to the Otago Education Board on the 14th a copy of .the regulations as to appeals under the Military Service Act. During an informal discussion, it was stated that the board as an employer did not intend to appeal in any case. Mr H. Abbott, of Duncdin, has secured the tender fo r the erection of two fields inspectors' residences at Tapanui and Ranfurly respectively. Each building will cost about £9OO.

Mr C. J. M'Kenzio (District Public Works Engineer) has completed arrangements for the running of a train service over the Clyde-Cromwell railway to cope with tho fruit of the coming season. A siding will bo put in at the end of the line already completed—about eight miles and a-half up tho gorge from Cyde. The fruit will bo transported by horse or motor wagons, etc., from the Cromwell district, and placed on the train at the siding. The Fruitgrowers' Association has advised that the full flush of its fruit season will commence on January 15.

A Parliamentary tour of the North of Auckland will take place in January. The object of the trip is to bring the resources and potentialities of the north prominently before members and other representative men from the south. Most, if not all, the Canterbury and Otago members will take part in the tour, and about 30 southern formers and business men are also expected to attend. Practically ail the members representing electorates in the Auckland province will be present, and the total number of members who have accepted the invitation of the promoters is 44. ThreeMinisters arc ajso likely to join the party, these being Messrs Herdman and Fraser and Sir Francis Bell. About 60 members of the Auckland Automobile Association, and a number of Auckland; business men will likewise be included. The tour will occupy a fortnight.

On Friday. Bth instant, a seven-roomed house at Owaka Valley, with post and telephono office attached, owned and occupied by Mr Benjamin Morris, was totally destroyed by fire. The outbreak was first discovered in the wash-house by Mrs Morris, who had been washing a short time previously. All efforts were made to save the building, but the wind unfortunately was blowing from the wrong quarter, and the house was soon in flames. Nothing was saved but the telephone instrument and a few small articles. .The insurance on the building was £500; but the furniture was uninsured, and Mr Morris's loss is consequently a heavy one. The copper in the wash-house was a portable one, set on bricks placed on top of the wooden floor, and it is thought that, as the bricks were not cemented together, the fire must have reached the floor through the spaces between.

"It is a remarkable fact, but it is true, that New Zealand already has sent to the front double the number of men that the Duke of Wellington had under his command at Waterloo," said the Hon. G. W. Russell on Saturday at Tuakau at the unveiling of the obelisk to men who fell in the Maori war. "Wellington had under control only some 23,000 men, but New Zealand, after being settled for only 70 years, has been able to send over 60,000 men. It is an achievement of which the country might well be proud."

The Minister of Commerce stated on Friday that, following upon the conference in Christohurch, the Board of Trade is arranging to meet representatives flour millers to hear what they have to say on wheat and flour production. Ho hoped that before the end of next week the board would be able to submit a report making comprehensive recommendations for present and future action. This report would be thensubmitted as soon as possible to the Cabinet for consideration.

The Christchurch Presbytery devoted some considerable time at its meeting- on the 12th to discussing matters connected with the rejection of contributions to the Outlook, the official church publication, and on the motion of the Rev. Mr Dickson, resolved that the editor should be asked to' give substantial reasons to contributors when their communications were not accepted, and that the Publications Committee should be asked to see that this was done, and so "prevent all complaints of bias and partiality." The Rev. J. Patergon remarked that the editor might give aa a reason that he had no room. Something like a shudder went round when Dr T. J. Withers suggested that the editor "should take out some of the unwholesome advertisements." Equanimity was restored by tho Rev. F. Rule's assurance: "You must remember that it's tho advertisements that make tho mare to go!" "I haven't seen the Outlook for six years," said Dr Erwin, who asked what tho Presbytery thought of tho editor of a church paper who, when ho (Dr Erwin) was Moderator of the church, mado a paragraph to the effect that the retiring- sermon ho preached was "an old sermon." "It was an old text," said Dr Erwin, "but not an old sermon." A ministerial member of Presbytery remarked

that it showed "there, is something radically wrong with the Outlook," when Dr Erwin had not seen it for such a lengthy period. The Kev. J. Paterson referred to certain articles on prophecy, which he said were "ill-considered," and did not give both sides.

At tho annual meeting of the Union B'team Ship Company, hold on Friday afternoon, tho chairman (Sir James Mills) gave shareholders definitely to understand that there was no foundation for the many rumours of impending amalgamation of tho company with any other company. Tho Mayor of Dunedin (Mr J. J. dark) and Mr Lewin (town clerk) have been engaged for some time on a scheme which, they believe, should result in a considerable saving to the city. Tho idea is to initiate a scheme whereby the council's fire insurance business will be carried on by the council itself. The following resolution has'been passed by the Furniture Trades Union: —" Irrespective of tho merits or • demerits of conscription, this meeting emphatically resents the unwarranted attacks made by a section of the press and certain individuals of this city on the Hon. J. T. Paul for his honest expression of opinion on that subject, and the members of this union have yet to learn that a belief in the efficiency of conscription is the hall-mark of either**patr:'otism or loyalty, or the sine qua non for membership of any patriotic institution. The members scent in the present heresy hunt a reiled attempt at the suppression of publio expression of opinion on important events long after the duration of the war. Holding theso views, this meeting desires to extend to Mr Paul its sympathy, with an expression of continued confidence in him as a Labour representative in politics, and as a momber of tho Otago Patriotic and General Welfare Association."

Messrs R. Hudson and Co. have forwarded a donation of £IOO to the funds of the Presbyterian Social Service Association. In thanking them for this splendid gift the Rev E A. Axelsen, superintendent of the association, writes:—" This is a time of great difficulty, as you are aware, and in work of this kind wo feel the stress continually, as constant appeals come to us on behalf of young people in need. We do not wish to turn a single deserving one away from our doors, and it is gifts such as yours that help us ■ when we are confronted with difficulties of that kind. I would also like to thank you for the way you have met me from time to time when I have brought you lads out of work, many of them, I should judge, not of the greatest value to you; yet your firm has always been willing to employ them when at all possible."

At last week's meeting of the Education Board the truant officer reported that a number of cases had been reported where, owing to the scarcity of labour, parents had been compelled to keep their children at homo to help with shearing, etc. Under the circumstances ho had thought it wise not to take any action in the matter.

Supporters of the anti-shouting legislation ■will find cause for satisfaction in the experience of the Maniototo A. and P. Society, -which goes to show that that legislation is by no means a dead letter. The rights for the liquor booth at the show ground have in past years been let by the society at prices ranging from £l4 to £l7, but this year no one would volunteer to sell liquor even when allowed to do so fr&e. The result was that at the show on Thursday the only refreshment stall on the ground was for soft drinks, and the rights to that were granted freely. . Fear of the effects of anti-shouting legislation waa plainly stated to bo the cause of the difference in the value of the rights. Nevertheless there are certain sceptics who axe prepared to name other shows held under the new conditions where the lioensed booth is said to have done better than over.

A trip by the railway through the Taleri Gorge just now will put to confusion anyone who has ever spokon slightingly of tho beauties of that wonderful achievement of nature. The comparatively wet season experienced has turned the bare brawns usually associated with tho Gorge into rich and varied greens blending haxmoni-

ously with the grey rock shapes everywhere appearing. As if this was not beautiful enough, Nature has lavishly strewn tho sides of the gorge beyond Hindon with reel and white and creamy foxgloves, growing in such profusion in some places as to form an almost solid mass of glowing colour. The hardiness of these beautiful flowers is amazing, and they may be seen flourishing oven in the crevices built up by masonry. Foxglove, though the most conspicuous, is by no means the only flower that finds a place in the colour scheme of the gorge at tho present time. 4 The result of the shooting competition for the Daniel Clarke Shield was announced at last week's meeting of the Education Board. The following are the scores:— Oamaru South 162, Papakaio 151, Sawyer's Bay 150, Mosgiel No. 1 143, Caversham No. 1 111, Macandrew Road 139, Moray Place 134, Maheno 131, Mosgiel No. 2 129, George Street 125, Caversham No. -2 125, Mornington 123, Ngapara 109, Maori Hill 108, Ravensbourne 101, Wedderburn 100, NorthEast Valley 94, Normal 88, Maclennan 56. It was decided, to forward a copy of the scores to Mr Clarke, who is a resident of Dunedin.

The Hotel and Restaurant Employees' Union of Wellington has received from the Attorney-general (the Hon. A. L. Herdman) a reply to the request which it placed before the Minister recently that the penalty of disqualification for six months, in addition to a fine, should not be imposed upon bar-tenders convicted under tho anti-shouting regulations. The Minister states: —"After carefully considering the whole of the circumstances in the mattor, I very much regret that I cannot see my way to recommend the Government to repeal the regulations imposing the penalty referred to." The assistant-secretary (Mr E. Kennedy) states that members of the union are much dissatisfied with this reply. They fail to see why the hotel-worker should be tho only person subject to a double penalty for the same offence. One of the clauses hi the regulations recently issued expressly provides that no person shall bo punished twice for the same offence, and bar-tenders fail to see why their case should be an exception.