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Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 3

A Presg Association message from Wellington states that tho exportation of iron, wire . nails, staples, and articles manufao* tured from metal generally is prohibited without the consent of the Minister of Customs. Tho company formed to work tho Taranaki ironsand is hopeful of obtaining satisfactory results. If the manufacture of pig iron can successfully be carried out in ouf dominion, it will do of inestimable value and national importance. ' ■ o Investigations by the Efficiency Board go, to show that there are 270 registered dairies in and about Dunedin, between Seaclirt in the ■ north and Brighton in tho south. Owners of these dairies are finding a diflSU culty in obtaining men or boys to do the milking. Mr Peter Barr (honorary treasurer for Dr Barnardo's Young Helper*' League) -has received a cheque for £9O 8s 3d, ths proceeds of a bazaar held by the Normal School pupils and their friends in aid of tho Homes. This will be a very fine ad* dition to tho amount to be remitted t$ London from Otago in time for Christmas* The boring for petroleum oil at Cherjsey has at last assumed a decidedly hopeful aspect (writes the Ashburton correspondent of the Christchurch Press), and th© operations during the past few weeks have afforded good evidence that oil exists be* neath the Canterbury Plains. The bore it now down to a depth of 1400 feet, with a ?i-inch casing of pipe, and for tho last 30 feet alternate beds of sand, a greasy cement, and beds of what are technically known as "butter petroleum" have beet* gone through. The works manager, Mr T. Smith, says that he is more than satis* fied with the presont and feel* confident from his long and varied expert* ence in boring for oil in other parts that they will eventually etriko a flow of oil a.if Chertsey. He is awaiting the laboratory tests of samples, whioh have been sent to Wellington for analysis. The unveiling of a monument to the late Maori "King" Mahuta took place at Mor>> rinsville, on the Auckland-Rotorua line, on tho 12th inst. There was a largo assem*. blage of Maoris and Europeans—about 200 Q —tho former largely predominating, include ing such distinguished visitors as Sir Jamei Carroll, the Hon. Dr Pomare (member for Western Dietriot} and Tan, Honare (member for Northern District). Sir James CarrolL in an impressive manner, gave greetings M the dead and the b'ving, exhorting the liv» ing to unity in all things affecting the Maori raoe, and urging them nob to follovf after any "will-o'-the-wisp," He said tha* matters affecting both races would l>e di** oussea the next day at the rcarae. The

Wjll-'known chief Rawhiti To Whena recited |ho pedigree of Mahuta. The monument is of beautiful design, a life-sizo statuo of the chief, on a pedestal 10 feet high : in hiß hand he holds a taiha, the chief's "weapon. At the meeting of the Otago Education Board on the 19th Messrs D. Giles and P. Jlutton appeared as a deputation to protest against the removal of the unused room at th» Waianakarua School. Mr Gibaon said

the room was used as a gymnasium in connection w { ith the school, as a Sunday school, and as a building in which to hold entertainments. The Chairman (Mr D. T. Fleming) explained that the removal of the building had been forced upon the board owing to the high cost of materials. Mr G. Livingstone said the room was the only place in the district in which entertainments oould be held. Mr Hutton maintained that a great hardship would be in-

flictcd on the residents if the building were removed. Mr Wallace pointed out that the residents of the district did not show sufficient interest in school matters to elect a ommittoo. The architect stated that the difference in cost between the removal of the room and the erection of a new school would be about £2OO. —The board resolved to adhere to its previous resolution with reference to shifting the room, Mr Livingstone dissenting. Bishop Sadlicr, of Nelson, has been presented with a motor car, the gift of the people of the diocese. The voyage of the hospital ship which arrived in New Zealand recently was marked by a departure from the usual arrangement, for with the exception of one sister, who specialised in massaging, there was no nursing staff aboard, the hospital work having been done entirely by orderlies of tho Medical Corps. This experiment was made only after a great deal of careful consideration, but the results show that the orderlies, under the guidance of the medical staff, were able to attend to the comfort and health of the patients with every success. The services of the trained nurses will be taken advantage of in the base hospitals of England, where they are urgently needed.

Mr Wright asked the Minister of Defence on the 19th (says our Wellington correspondent whether anything further had been done to provide financial aid for married men from New Zealand doing patrol work in European waters. Sir James Allen stated that if such aid! were extended to these men the Government would have to extend it to every man volunteering for service in other than the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who happened to be domiciled in New Zealand. The proposal would have to be very carefully considered. An interesting feature of the last Horticultural Society's show at Westminster was a small exhibit of New" Zealand apples, grown by-iVIr F. G. Duncan, Sunnyvale Orchard, Central Otago. Our London correspondent mentions that there were half-a-dozen glass stands of the fruit, comprising speoimens of the Jonathan, Stayman, Winesap, Cleopatra, and Sturmer Pippin. The exhibit was awarded the Banksian silver medal. One authority on fruit remarks that the display gave "a favourable impression of the possibilities of orchard-culture in New Zealand." On behalf of Mr Duncan, the High Commissioner presented several cases of the apples to tho King, who was graciously pleased to accept them. Two oases were also sent to Queen Alexandra, andi Slir Dighton Probyn, acknowledging the gift on her behalf, said, "the fruit is a credit to the dominion,"

Our London correspondent states that Mr L. F. Ayson, Chief Inspector of Fisheries in New Zealand, has a letter in the Fishing Gazette of July 14 on the acclimatisation of Pacific salmon. He says: "Personally I am confident that if the Government had persevered with the Atlantic salmon in the same way as quinnat was dealt with we should have been equally successful. However, I hope when this awful war is over, and if things settle down to normal again, that the introduction of this fish Will again be taken up, and in the proper way." A man named Charles Harbourne, employed on the railway works near Cromwell, has been missing since 10 p.m. on Saturday, when he was seen leaving- the town for his camp at tho railway station. Inquiries were made in all possible channels without any trace till the ISth, when a watch and a hat were found on the water'ia edge under the Cromwell bridge. Tho watch had stopped at 10.15. There is little doubt that these articles are tho property of the missing man. Dragging in the vicinity has been unsuccessful, and no solution of tho mystery has been found yet. The man is believed to be a native of Queensland. Our. London correspondent says a White Paper on a single slip of paper was published containing a supplementary estimate for £5 for the office of works, being tho amount required "for the removal of the grille in the ladies' gallery of the House of Commons." This amount will be moved in tho House by the First Commander of Works (Sir A. Mond), and the fate of tho grille will depend on tho vote. Pigs are to be found ranging over the watershed at tho head of the Silverstream, and a responsible authority states that they are in such numbers that in places tho passer-by can actually " smell " them. They are under a (strong suspicion of taking a heavy toll of tho lambs born on the runs adjacent to the locality, and are now becoming so numerous as to constitute a nuisance. Tho runholders in the Silverstream district aro, however, not greatly enamoured with the prospect of irresponsible ehooting parties wandering over their lands

in search of the elusive Captain Cooks, but they give it as their opinion that as the City Council has always been very careful to see that its reserves on the watershed are kept clear of sheep and cattle, iso that the Silverstream water should not become contaminated, the council should certainly take ster>s-to exterminate these animals, which range freely over tho reserves and are a much greater source of contamination than sheep, cattle, or rabbits. The total overtime worked by females and in the 15 principal towns of the dominion during the year 1916-17 amounted to 489,374 hours, as against 432,250 hours worked during the previous year. The boot and shoe trade was responsible for 32,178 hours; but, except for hat and cap making and dressmaking and millinery, which again showed substantial increases, the trades mentioned in last report showed considerable decreases, the overtime worked in ammunition works being less than half — namely, 16,569 hours, as against 41,534 hours. No record is obtained of the number of hours overtime worked by males above 16 years of age. Some pointed remarks on tho question of calling up 19-year-old boys for service were made by Mr Coleman Phillips at the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of tho New Zealand Association of Veterans. He thought that too much objection had been -tmade to lads of 19 joining reinforcements. He had joined in the Maori war in 1864, when only 17 yeans of age, and it had made a man of him. There was no danger in New Zealand lads joining at 19 to-day, when the Empire required every man to defend it from a barbarous and unspeakable enemy. Ho Would recommend parliament to allow the enlistment of lads of 19. What was thought to be a danger was the growth of, military caste in our midst if the war lasted much longer. But he thought this danger would be an advantage in checking the " Red Fed." or I.W.W. castes.

"The percentage of the strength of world-population now united to fight for the preservation of democracy and freedom as against the forces of autocracy and militarism is approximately 80 per cent.," said the Hon. Arthur M. Myers, Minister of Customs, etc., on Saturday. ' That proportion of tho world's population still remaining neutral is 10 per cent., leaving a remaining 10 per cent, on the side of a deservedly losing cause. The capital wealth of the United States of America and of the British Empire together total some £70,000,000,000, whilst the collective capital wealth of Germany and Austria is about £21,000,000,000. From the standpoint of both man-power and finance, therefore, the support still available for the cause of tho Allies is practically unlimited; whilst tho Central Powers are persisting in following a suicidal purpose —racially, financially, ecomomically, and morally."

Mr F. R. Cooke was released from Lyttelton Gaol on the 18th after serving a sentence of imprisonment for sedition. He was met by a number of friends and congratulated on obtaining his freedom. In the evening Mr Cooke was accorded an enthusiastic reception by the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council. Mr F. M. Robson (vice-president of the council) presided, and addresses of welcome were given by Messrs E. J. Howard (president of the United Federation of Labour) and Mr H. Worrall (past president of the council). On behalf of the working men and the working women of the dominion, Mr Howard handed Mr Cboko four £lO-notes wherewith to take a holiday to recuperate after his incarceration. Mr Cooke, in acknowledging tho gift, which he said would be devoted to furthering the cause of the working people, said that he was in the middle of the fight, and not at the end of it. He had been in tho Labour movement for 29 years, and 12 months in gaol was not going to send him out of that movement. His remarks were warmly applauded. Tho warm hospitality extended by Australians to New Zealand roldiers returning from the front was the subject of some appreciative remarks in Auckland by Major H. W. Smith, who returned to the dominion recently after serving continuously at the front for over two years. "The returning contingent, which numbered well over 100, was royally entertained at Melbourne," snid Major Smith. "Tho citizens, Red Cross Society, and various patriotic .organisations vied with one another. Tho men were feted everywhere. Motor cars were placed at their disposal to visit various points of interest, and gifts of fruit and cigarettes wero showered upon us. Tho contingent was sent by special train from Melbourne to Sydney to embark for New Zealand. We were met at tho latter oity by a representative of tho Government, and during our 10 days' stay there were housed in two of the finest residences in Sydney—Rose Hall and

Graythwaito, vvliich have been given to the Government by tho owners for the use of convalescent soldiers. Our 6tay in Sydney was ono round of entertainments, theatro parties, dinners, and sight-seeing trips. The officers were taken on a trip to the famous Jenolan caves, lasting three days. Tho Premier's private secretary and officials of the Tourist Department in both Melbourne and Sydney, and members of tho New Zealand Association, wore especially zealous in doing everything they could think of for our entertainment."

The following resolution was unanimously passed at a meeting of tho Hillside branch of tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants: "That, in view of the fact that tho Government has made no effort to reduce the cost of living to within reasonable limits, this meetng urges the Executive Council to request an increase of wages of at least 2s per day; and, further, that this branch pledges itself to support the Executive Council in whatever action it deems necessary to secure this relief." Within tho last week or two there has been quite a shortage of seamen and firemen in Dunedin. This shortage has been so acute that 18 firemen had to be brought down from Wellington the oilier day to make up tho complement on an overseas vessel. As regards men for sailing vessels, they are almost unobtainable, the pay and general conditions, as compared with those on steamers, not being sufficiently alluring to tempt the men. We understand that, as a result of increased duties and increased freights, the local hotelkcepcrs have decided to advance, from next week, the charges for certain classes of drinks. When a disaster to- a. steamer is, reported as tho result of an internal explosion, the general feeling among all sections of the community is that the explosion has been caused by a time-bomb having been placed secretly on board. There is, too, a kind of helpless mental groping amongst the people as to tho means which can be adopted to discover the assassins who are responsible for this desperate typo of destruction. The Government has decided that the wharves where overseas boats are to be berthed shall be barricaded, and passes given only to those who have business on tho wharf. It has now brought in a further drastic protection prohibiting the employment of foreigners on tho wharves. Though this control will doubtless be of value in the direction desired, the opinion amongst local seamen and waterside workers is that it would bo very difficult for a man to convey a time-bomb direct to a steamer and not be detected. They say that these bombs are put in the cargo before it reaohes the vessel ; that, even' if a man could get a timebomb on board a ship, ho would have a difficulty in putting it in position without being but that there is scarcely anything to prevent a man from obtaining access to cargo which is to be shipped and secreting his diabolical machine in it. It is suggested, in fact, that it is the "wealthy pro-German, who never goes near the wharf, that is to be feared, not the humble labourer. It was reported some time ago that an attempt had been made in New York to discover by means of X-rays whether any bomb machines had been placed in cargo awaiting shipment, but the examination tailed to give the expected results, and entailed such an enormous task that' if had to be abandoned. It is absolutely necessary for shippers of cargo to exercise the strictest supervision. At the Dunedin wharves —and at other wharves, too, —there are- wuterside workers who are on tho lookout for any suspicious conduct on the part of fellow-workers who may in tho slightest degree be suspected. But they cannot watch the cargo, where they maintain tho greatest danger has its origin. During the discussion on the Estimates in in the House of Representatives last evening Dr Newman referred to the dreaded disease of cancer. He claimed that, if, during the recess, the Minister of Publio Health would confer with him and two or three medical friends, they would evolve a policy which, in the space of five years, would very materially reduce the number of oases of cancer. The Minister agreed to Dr Newman's proposal.

A suggestion that the New Zealand Government shcaild take more control of the disposal of New Zealand frozen meat in England was made to the Prime Minister in the House by Mr Payne on the 21st. Mr Payne said that since the Imperial Government had taken over the cold storage in England,' tho New Zealand Government might take steps to set up its own shops in order to give the Now Zealand meat to tho Home oonsumers. Mr Massey said tho difficulty about doing any such thing now was that the Imperial Government required nearly all our products, and would probably require them until after the end of the war. Ho had been for some time considering the possibility of improving tho marketing facilities at Homo for our produce, and he would not lose sight of tho idea. Considerable amusement was created in tho House of Representatives on Friday when Mr M'Combs asked the Attorneygeneral, without notice, whether tho Government was going to take steps to prevent any disaffected person from preaching or otherwise inciting rebellion in regard to 6 o'clock closing. "I think the hon. gentleman had better put the question on tho Order Paper," replied Mr Herdman. The exemption of farm workers from military service was referred to by the Hon. D. Buddo in tho House of Representatives on Priday. He stated that in several recent cases in the northern district of Canterbury men employed on large estates had been exempted by the Military Service Boards on tho ground that they were essential, and, on tho other hand, men had been taken off comparatively small farms, leaving elderly men in chargo, who had to employ labour. There was a rather strong feeling on tho part of these elderly farmers over this matter, as they considered that the men employed on tho larger estates could be more easily replaced than the farmers' son? on tho small farms. Mr Buddo admitted that the question of deciding was entirely.

possibly the Minister could lay down sorao general rule on the subject. Sir James Allen stated that, without any knowledge of special cases, it would be very difficult to answer the question. He did not see what morp they could do than leave the matter to an independent body—the Military Service Board, whose judgment would possibly be more accurate than the opinion of the district. ~

Our Wellington correspondent states that Mr Statham presented a petition by John

Andrew to the House on Friday asking for an amendment of "The Military Pensions Act, 1903," in the direction oi making ins claim for a pension valid. Some time- ago the miners at Blackball ceased work because the employers refused to meet the demands of the bin-boys for increased payments. The men were prosecuted for an alleged breach of the Arbitration Act, but the case was dismissed, the magistrate holding that the agreement under which the men were working wag not , valid. Fresh Sroceedings are now being instituted under le Labour Disputes Investigation Act, ■which applies to industrial bodies which are not bound by awards or agreements. The case will be heard towards tho end of this month.

At a meeting of the Alexandra Bowling .Club it was decided by a majority of one that the green*be open for play on Sundays. As a result, some of the members have decided to resign. On Saturday a member of our staff asked

Mr J. Moloney .(chairman of directors of

the National Insurance Company) it there * Was any truth in the rumour that negotia- ' tions were in progress whereby the company was to be absorbed by another insurance company. Mr Moloney's reply was short and to the point. "I have no statement to make," ne said. He added that none of the reports that had gained currency had emanated from the company Itself.

A young woman named Mary Walker arrived in Dunedin on Saturday morning ■with her mother on a visit to some- relatives in the suburbs. She was evidently not well, and on the way to her destination she left a suit case whioh she was carrying at a shop in the city. On arriving at their, destination it was discovered that the girl was very ill, and Dr Evans was called in. An examination disclosed the fact that the girl had recently been confined. This led to inquiries being made by the detectives, resulting in the discovery of the body of a newly-born child in the suit case at the shop. The girl's condition was such that her removal to the Hospital was necessary. It is understood that the Overseas Produce Committee has chartered the Union Steam SJbip Company's steamer Corinna with the view of her utilisation in the conveyance of frozen produce from ports on the west coast of the North Island to Weliington. The object of the arrangement s apparently to save the time that would otherwise be spent by the Home steamers In picking up cargo at Waitara and Wanganui.

As from Monday an increase will be

made in the prices of all spirits sold over the bars of the hotels in Dunedin. For all imported liquors the prioe will now be 9d E glass, with the exception of a special ind of brandy for whioh Is a glass will be charged. In the present threepenny bars the price of a long glass of beer with a "dash" of lemonade has been increased to

od, the oharge without the lemonade being 4d. A medium glass of beer may still be obtained for 3d. The price of - bottled spirits has also been raised all round, the

increase in some cases running into several

shillings. Advice has been received from the president of the Auckland Licensed Victuallers' Association that all imported spirits are "Ho be sold in that city at 9d a glass.

The Arbitration Court has filed its award in the Dunedin trawlers' dispute. The principal question, referred to the court Was that or wages, which (with found) have been fixed at: —Mate and leading deck

hands, £3 2s 6d' per week; engineer, £4 2s 6d per week; firemen, £2 17s 6d; deck hands, £2 12s 6d; cook, £2 12s 6d. Those wages represent an increase of 5s per week over the old rates. The award will take effect from October 8, and will continue in force for two years. Although since the outbreak of war InTeroargiil has become much quieter in every way, the "hoodlum" element is not entirely absent (says the Southland Times). On Thursday evening, for fully an hour, four houses in the eastern extremities of the town were subjected to a contnuous bom-

bardment of stones. Among the occupants of the houses there was only one man, the others being women and children, whose male protectors happened to be absent. As the storm of good-sized rocks etc. continued unabated, the womenfolk naturally became exceedingly alarmed, and some be- i came hysterical. The man alluded to put up with the disgraceful disturbance as long as possible, and then went out to investigate, taking with him a gun. One of frightened females, peeping out from haven of refuge, saw the man prowling round with the gun, and jumped to the conclusion that someone had taken leave of his senses. However, after a couple of shots had been discharged in the air, the marauders hurriedly decamped, and quiet once more prevailed. Mr G. J. Anderson intends to move in the House of Representatives for a return to be laid on the table showing the salaries or other emoluments paid to valuers appointed under the Government scheme commandeering wool, sheepskins, and hides for Imperial purposes; the travelling expenses paid by the Sltate to such valuers; the clerical and office expenses; the brokers' commissions paid on account of purchases of such wool, sheepskins, and hides; tho storage charges in connection with the purchases of wool, sheepskins, and hides, and the brokers' charges per bale on wool commandeered by the Government, such return to be for the term (dating from the time of commandeering up to and including August 31, 1917. A Press Association telegram states that the Hokitika Borough Council, at its meeting on Friday evening carried the following resolutions :■ —"That this council protest to tlie Right Hon. the .Prime Minister against the general charges levelled in the Legislative Council against the conduct of the jury system on the West Coast, and point out that so far as the Westland portion of the' West. Coast has been concerned the charges and reflections are without cause or justification ; and, further, that as the action of the Government in the past in creating' several centres on the West Coast for sittings of the Supreme Court has not met with apparent approval and the success desirable, the Government bo urged to revert to the former practice of making Hokitika the assize town for the West Coast." "That tho attention of the Right Hon. the Prime Minister bo again drawn to the fact that Westland is without representation in either House of Parliament, and that he be urged to appoint a repre- , sentative to the Legislative Council." • I