OMNIUM GATHERUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3349, 22 May 1918, Page 41

OMNIUM GATHERUM.

It is stated that the preliminary survey of tho Waikaremoana hydro-electric scheme has been completed, with the exception ol determining the quantity of water available. No fewer than 444 animals slaughtered at the Wellington City Abattoirs during the past 12 months were condemned as unfit for human consumption (says the Post). The stock disposed of totalled 7043 head of cattle, 46,406 sheep, 10,546 lambs, 1042 calves, and 532 pigs. " I am not going to allow a compensation case to depend on technicalities," said Mr Justice Stringer at the Arbitration Court (the Napier Telegraph states). He added that the court was not bound by strict laws of evidence and as long as no injustice was done he would allow evidence that perhaps was not strictly within the law of evidence.

Captain Rolls has probably created a record within certain limits (according to the Fiji correspondent of the Auckland Star). By means of concerts, raffles, sports, auctions, etc., the sum of over £39,000 has been collected for the Red Cross since the outbreak of war. His vessel has given a moior ambulance, and maintains it in France.

Tho Oamaru Mail says that a thunderstorm on the sth did its worst in the neighbourhood of Glenavy. Hailstones tho size of damsons —some even larger—fell to a depth of from 6in to lOin in the paddocks. A tea kettle left outside one of the fishermen's huts -was covered over the handle, while in several places the roofing iron was dented.

Crime in Germany, according to the. German press, is increasing at an alarming rate. One Berlin insurance firm reports that it averages 300 cases daily in burglary and housebreaking. Refugees from outlying provinces and men in uniform appear to be the chief offenders. The police forces are mainly old men, who are easily overnowered.

" It seems to me," said Mr W. T. Young, denouncing War Regulations in the office of the Minister of Justice at Wellington on Saturday, " that a man can't go to sleep and "dream without a risk oj" waking up in the arms of a policeman." " I have not had such a case brought before me," replied the Minister, to the amusement of a depu-tation-present.

Experts say that the Hawke's Bay races saw a record collection of rogues on the course. No local meeting has ever boasted such an abundance of the shady fraternity, and the confidence trick was attempted many times by "men in the know." Police intervention resulted in a couple of court cases, and the sequel will be heard in the Supreme Court. —Hawke's Bay Herald. A commercial man in Invercargill on Friday informed a Southland Times reporter that there was good reason to believe that the Government would shortly fix the price of potatoes. The same gentleman also stated that there is a steamer to leave Melbourne shortly carrying potatoes for all ports, which will be landed at approximately £6 10s per ton. The traffic on the Lake Wakatipu steamers for the period ended March 31 shows a falling-off compared with the corresponding period of last year, when 2154- people travelled, as against 1507 this year. The revenue shows a decrease of £59 4s 4d as compared with the return for the corresponding period of last year, when the amount was £7ll 3s 7d.

Giving evidence before the Defence Expenditure Commission at Wellington on Friday, the Commandant (Maior-General Sir Alfred Robin) guvo the following- figures to show the increase in the cost of defence in New Zealand since the war started: —For the vear ended March 31, 1914, £518.756; 1915," £2.685,198; "1916. £6.384,744; 1917, £14,742.302; 1918. £15.135.858.

Major C. J. Hamilton, of Gisborne (says the Gisborne Times) was one of the Imperial Mounted Escort to the King at the opening of the British Parliament in February. The whole of the escort, with the exception of the bodyguard, which is drawn from the Life Guards, . was composed of overseas troops. The New Zealanders in particular' received a very fine reception. Mr R. Wilson, whose name has been mentioned in connection with the Grev election, was for several years a Methodist minister at Dannevirke, where he identified himself very much with no-license and issued a little temperance paper. Afterwards he was at Reefton, where ho resigned, owing to health reasons. When in Christehurch ho became prominently associated with West-land gold mining enterprises. At a sitting of the Canterbury (No. 2) Military Service Board on Thursday, a diamond merchant was among those up before the board. The chairman, Mr H. W.. Bishop, ventured the opinion that the diamond trade could hardly be very flourishing at these times, but the appellant remarked: "On the contrai-y, ,it has never been more flourishing, and the same thing has been noticed in England!" Another of tho oldest residents cf Putiki

Pah has passed to his long rest. Pity Whatitiri, who died on Tuesday wae the father of Mrs 'Walter Williams Hipango, and was said to be between 35 and 90 years of age. JIo was one of the oldest members of the Wanganui River tribes (states the Wanganui herald), and during his eventful life aw many changes tako placo on the great waterway. Among those who were burnt out in the Raetihi fire was Mr T. A. Harris, who a number of years ago was a headteacher at .the Okaiawa School (says tho Okaiawa correspondent of the Ilawera Star). It is said . that misfortunes never como singly, _ and, unfortunately, this was tho c.'ise with Mr Harris, for, a few days after tho fire, word was received that his eldest son, Lieutenant Roy Harris, had been killed in action.

A return of the estimated population of New Zealand as at March 31 published in tho Gazette gives a total of 1,167.356, mad© up of 574,581 males and 592,775 females. Tho gam in population by excess of births over deaths sinco the end of 1917 is estimated at 2006 males and 2235 females, while tho gain by excess of immigration over emigration (including members of tho Expeditionary Forces; is estimated at. 2730 males and 140 females.

A remarkable incident was related by Colonel M'Donald in giving evidence beforo the Defence Commission at Wellington last week. A month after the Wanganui murderer, Bonnier, was executed, the Director of Persona! Services and the Director of Rccruitins: were much, exercised as to what had become of hi in as a reservist. It took much, correspondence beforo it was officially decided that tho man could be finally filed as really "deceased."

A man named William Aitchison has been _ admitted to the Wanganui District Hospital suffering from a bullet wound in the shoulder, as ■ the result of a peculiar mishap at Te Tuhi. A friend went out; pig shooting, and in mistake fired at Aitchison, who was coming along a track, and at the time was almost hidden from themarksman by somo fern. The latter's aim was good, but fortunately the -bullet did not strike a -vital part. Striking evidence of the mildness of the season in Southland is afforded by a second crop of strawberries that has appeared in the garden of Mr Hannan Wilson, Gladstone. The berries ripened without attention, showing the warmth that the ground has retained as the result of a long, hot, dry summer. This is further proof (comments the Southland Times), that Southland . this season has had just about the best. climate in New Zealand.

As the result of a little rivalry, a weliknown employee at the Cromwell" Canning Works last week undertook to remove the hides from 500 rabbits in an hour, and amidst an interested audience accomplished the feat in 50 minutes (reports the Argus). Skinning rabbits in a factory is, of course, entirely different from handling bunny on the hills where the object is the skins, but the performance referred to was a most creditable ona. v

Peter Bowling appeared on April 19 before the executive of the Australian Labour party to show cause why he should not be expolled from the Labour movement for accepting a position advocating the Government proposals in connection with the conciliation scheme for the settlement of disputes in the mining industry.: A motion was submitted at the end of the inquiry that the executive should take no further action, and this was agreed to.

The Lvttelton Times states that Colonel | R. H. Rhodes, the. Red Cross Society's commissioner in England, has sent a message to the society, "More honey wanted," m and tho society, is appealing for unlimited quantities to be sent to sick and wounded New Zealand soldiers as soon as possible. Tho schools have been asked to contribute, and the society's branches at Geraldine, 1 Sumner, Lincoln, and Glenroy have decided to take.part in the "work. . - ■.. ■'

A number of tho residents of Marshland have lately been victimised by midnight marauders (states the Christchurch Press). Onions, potatoes, cauliflowers, and broccoli have been commandeered, and the culprits have so far eluded detection. One farmer spent the eight recently in the open neat his cabbage patch, with his dog beside him. In the early hours of the morning, ho made a suspicious "bag," and he does not anticipate further trouble in that direction.

The penny bank operated by tho Auckland Savings Bank in the interests of the children of Auckland is steadily declining in popularity.' Five years ago thero were 22,000 depositors; now there are only 12.000. Last year there was a decreasa of 1800 depositors, and a drop of £773 in the amount deposited. There has been 'a | steady decline in the figures for the past half-dozen years. Mr J. Muir Barr, the manager of the bank, attributes the change | to the influence of picture shows. A peculiar attitude by farmers has pre- | vented some promising lads in Wellington. - from beginning a career in the country ; (says the Post). The Labour Department's Employment Bureau has been in touch with some bright, willing youths eager to learn a rural occupation, but apparently the average farmer does not wish to bp bothered with apprentices, even with an assurance of aptitude for work. The mand is always for the " experienced lad." - The question is asked: Hoav is a town lad to become '' experienced " in country work if ho is not granted an opportunity to learn ?

Interesting information from America regarding the manufacture of leather from fish skins was received by Mr Fuller, Chief Secretary of New South Wales, last week. He saj's that experiments have been con- Y ducted for the Government of the United States in tanning fish skins for use as •|§ leather. This will not be "a substitute for leather, he says, but will be real leather, and will materially reduce the price of footwear. Mr Stead, general _ manager of 3 the Now South Wales trawling industry, states that there are a great number oj fish in Australasian waters, the skins of which would be' admirably adapted to the purpose of leather-making. There are prospects of another epidemio of diphtheria in tho Wellington Health. District during the coming winter (states the Postl. In a report concerning fchla diconse. the District Health Officer stete* : | '' Here thcro is not the same satisfactory j condition to report. During- March 255 oases were notified, ns commrod with 182 casea for the preceding month. There 19 every indication that the exoerience of last winter will be and that there will again be a widespread epidemic of this disease. For the quarter-year iust ended 573 cases have been notified in the Wellington Health District, as compared with 354 oases for the corresponding period of lasfc year,"