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Otago Witness, Issue 3339, 13 March 1918, Page 36

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that a Gazette extraordinary has been issued summoning Parliament to meet on April 9. A Press Association message from Christchuroh states that, in discussing the terms of the new war loan. Sir Joseph Ward intimated on the 11th that the compulsory clauses would bo put into operation, if necessary. He hoped it would not bo necessary to do so, but there were financial shirkers as well as military shirkers, and everyone was expected to do his duty. Sir James Allen states (says a Press Association telegram from Auckland) that men returning on furlough without pay who havo applied for extension of leave, will be granted three weeks' pay. The statement of receipts and expenditure at Mr S. H. Osborn's recital on the 25rd ult., in aid of the Returned Soldiers' Memorial Club Fund, has been submitted to lis. The receipts were £73 Is, and the expenses £ll lis Bcl. Of the balance, Mr Osbom retains £2O, "as arranged," leaving £42 4s 4d (subject to a slight adjustment) for the Memorial Club Fund. Applications for sections of Orown land at Lee Stream, Warepa, and Kawarau closed at the Lands Office on Monday. The only application received was one from John Alexander Anderson for section 2, of 6, and section 7, bloc-k 111, Warepa district, comprising 304 acres of grazing land. Tho feeling of resentment against exempted men who lose no opportunity of giving expression to strong anti-oonserip-tionist sentiments, or whoso actions would point to disloyalty to tho Crown, is becorc>ing intense in Kaitangata (says our correspondent). It has been hinted that severe measures for reprisals are likely to be adopted with a view to bringing somo steadying power to bear upon tho men referred to. At a. welcome homo social given by the public to returned soldiers onlJriday

evening the Mayor, in his address, stated : "I regret to say that even in Kaitangata wo have some citizens who, as a class, are the most disloyal and disreputable citizens who could possibly be found in any place in this dominion." Continuing, Mr Cairns said that, although he agreed there was very good singing talent in the class he referred to, the committee decided against the inclusion of that talent in the programme. The speaker's remarks appeared to coincide with the opinions of the largo audience, who heartily applauded the Mayor. Mr A. S. Malcolm, M.P., delivered a splendid address of appreciation of the valuable services i-en-dered by the New Zealand troops. A capital programme of vocal and musical items was thoroughly enjoyed. At the monthly meeting of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce Mr Hoyles (the chairman) said that, when in Wellington, recently, he had seen Mr M'Villy, of the Railway Department, who said that if the through express were reinstated the wholo of the branch services would be upset ; nor could it be run on three days of the week; if it was put on it would have to be on every day. The Mayor said country people probably would not be in favour of one express, as it would mean that they would have to stay a night in Invcrcargill, and they preferred Dunedin. It was decided that a representative meeting of members of the Southland League, Chamber of Commerce, and Borough Council- be called to consider the matter. Mr Andrew Davidson, of Earnscleugh Flat, who is the Otago representative of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, arrived in Dunedin on Monday, en route to Wellington for the monthly meeting of the executive, which will take place on Wednesday. In the course- of a conversation with a Daily Times representative, ho said that the main business of the meeting would be the annual apple, show, to be held in Auckland in May. Speaking with reference to the fruit season in Otago Central, he said it had been most successful from the growers' standpoint. It was remarkable how the prices had kept up, the result being a good return to the producers. Regarding the future of the industry, Mr Davidson said the Fruitgrowers' 00-operativo Association would, before long, have to face the question of treating fruit which was now being wasted. Every year a percentage of fruit had to be practically thrown away because it was not fit to be packed. This was so with regard to peaches and apricots. There was no reason why pulping should not be gone into, and he was of the opinion that enough pulp could be produced in the dominion to avoid importing any. At the present time, or prior to the war, large quantities of pulped fruit were imported into New Zealand. We also imported large quantities of dried apples, which could bo had in the dominion. Instead of being destroyed, windfalls and suchlike apples could be dried in sufficient quantities to meet the demand for local consumption. A problem that will have to be solved in the near future by local governing bodies (states our Balclutha correspondent) is a more effective treatment of tlie main roads, both in the matter of formation and repairing. The increased motor traffic that has sprung into existence since the outbreak of war, consequent on tho wholesale acquirement of motors by the farming community, is now playing havoc with the roads in the country. The continued spell of dry weather has accontuated tho trouble, and the main roads in the country are generally becoming very badly out up and patchy. Especially is this the case with the Main North road from Balclutha. In places this road has become typical of a back-blocks road owing to the heavy motor traffic. A prolonged spell of wet weather would make some of the roads almost impassable in places. About 1 p.m. on Saturday a resident of Abbotsford named Andrew Love left his home to go fishing at the Green Island beach, and has not been seen since. It appears that he intended to be home in time to go to Dunedin in the evening with hi 3 wife, but as he had not arrived at an early hour on Sunday morning his wife told his brother about his disappearance. Search parties, accompanied by Constable Hart, were soon on the way to the beach, and searched all along the shore towards the river mouth from Blackhead, also from Blackhead behind tho cliffs at the back of Hewitts's and Knox's, but no trace was found of tho .missing man. His bicycle waa found at Alexander's hay sheds, near which ho would cross the sandhills, and his fishing rod was found where he usually-loft it. New Zealand's Prime Minister is a man who carries weight (17st), in the material sense. When in France, he desired a flight in an aeroplane, and was given the chance in a machine "'-just vacated by General Seely; but the body strap, which sufficed for the general, was two inches too small for tho dominion statesman (so Mr Massey told a Y.M.C.A. meeting in Wellington). It was patched up with string, and the aeroplane ascended after taking a rather longer run than usual on the ground. After the flight, the pilot asked: "Would you mind telling me what you weigh, Mr Massey?" "About seventeen stone," replied tho Prime Minister. "I don't wonder the bally old 'bus wouldn't go up," remarked the aviator. Tho amusement tax adopted last session, with a view to taking toll of the patrons of picture shows in particular, has turned out almost a failure (says tho Wellington correspondent 6f the Lyttolton Times). The yield for tho 10 months of the financial year, - according to the Government Statistician's abstract, was only £2575, which compares badly with the estimate placed before Parliament in the Budget. Sir Joseph Ward gave £BO,OOO as the probable yield. Picture shows, which were specially aimed at by a number of country members, have escaped lightly from this tax. The popular sixpenny shows are not liable. There are shilling seats in some theatres, but patrons have shown a definite preference for the cheaper and untaxed seats since the tax came into operation. A large picture theatre in Wellington, which held one performance

nightly/ and had an extensive "circle" clientele, changed into a continuous show after the tax came in, thus enabling the proprietors to obtain at least as much revenue as before, and save their patrons from the tax, as tho tickets to all * parts are usually sixpence. There aro reports (says our "Wellington correspondent) that the Government has decided tho price that is to be fixed as the maximum for flour in future. Tho price will not be fixed until the Board of Trade or the Government has met the Millers' Committee. After that tho price of flour may bo fixed, and as soon as possible afterwards the price to be paid for wheat next year, which must be dependent to some extent on the price to be allowed for flour, will be announced. That price is certain to be in the neighbourhood of 6s per bushel. If that price is not acceptable to tho farmers, probably they will not be pressed, as they wero last year, to grow wheat, because it has been found that there is not the remotest danger of this country suffering from famine, as wheat and flour can be brought from Australia quite easily. Captain Lovett, the harbour master at Bluff, who had enjoyed a salary of £450, died recently, and the Harbour Board offered the position to Captain Hamilton, the pilot, who had previously received £300; at £409 to start with. Captain Hamilton promptly declined, and resigned, and" the oommittco resolved to advertise for a harbour master at a commencing salary of £4OO. Subsequently Captain Hamilton is reported to have stated that' he would leave his position at s.o'clock next day unless paid tho higher rate, and Mr Hinchey, tho deputy-chairman, after consultation with the secretary, agreed to pay him at tho higher rate, becoming personally liable for the salary. The majority of the board strongly resented Captain Hamilton's attitude, and expressed the opinion that Mr Hinchey had gone much beyond his rights. They (or the majority of them), while praising Captain Hamilton's undoubted great ability as a pilot, held that he had to be tried as a harbour master, and then his salary would have been increased to the £450. Mr Hinchey contended that he had acted in the interests of the port and of Southland, but the majority of members, in view of the circumstances, preferred to accept the resignation. The board passed ihe extra salary for payment, thus relieving Mr Hinchey of his liability. At the conclusion of a licensing case at tho Ashburton Magistrate's Court the question arose as to what was to become of the stock of wine held by the police, about 300 gallons. The magistrate said he thought it was not' fit to be given to tho hospital authorities. Senior-sergeant Ryan said ho thought the right thing would be to run it into tho gutter. At this stage Mr Acland, who appeared for the defendant, put in a claim on behalf of his client for the return of tho wine, but the magistrate said that if a man was convicted on a charge cf selling liquor, the stock must bo confiscated. Ho ultimately made an order that the wine was to be destroyed. Mosgiel residents wero given a treat on Sunday afternoon, when the Fourth Regimental Band played a programme of music in the Recreation Ground. Those assembled freely appkraded tho pieces. A collection was taken up in aid of the Taieri Women's Patriotic Association. Hopes that the long spell of dry weather experienced in South Otago was about to be broken were entertained on Sunday night, when a light rain commenced to. fall. Unfortunately, the fall was of very short duration, only 4£ points being recorded. Another light shower "fell on Monday morning. The position in the surrounding country districts is becoming very serious to the farming community, as-the outlook in regard to winter feed, for stock is decidedly gloomy. Owing to the parched condition of the pastures the milk returns have shown a big drop, and the turnip crops are badly affected with blight. Unless a heavy downpour of rain is experienced very shortly it will be too late to improve matters appreciably, as in a few weeks' time early frosts can be expected, and little growth will then be experienced until the spring.