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Otago Witness, Issue 3400, 14 May 1919, Page 3

Tho recount of votes cast in the recent Hospital Board election was completed on the 6th instant. The result is that Miss Mendelsohn, who previously occupied th« seventh position on the list, has now been displaced by Mr J. W. Scurr. Miss Mendelsohn and Mr J. H. Walker are, therefore, the two candidates who have failed to securo election. Tho following are tha final official figures, with those given on polling day in parentheses :—Mary Gordon 9872 (9603), France's G. Gumming 8870 (8569), Rosina S. Macfie 8259 (8013), William T. Tal'boys 8112 (7823), William Newlands 8109 (7822!, Margaret Ann Jackson 7960 (7767), John W. Sourr 5831 (5562), Annie Mendelsohn 5759 (5591), James H. Walker 5660 (5467). ,

At the meeting of the Bruce County Council last week the chairman introduced tha question of the proposed South Otago Hospital. After several councillors had spoken it was resolved to invite Messrs Malcolm and North to give their views to ratepayers in tho outlying- portions of the northern ridings, provided the members of the ridings axe agreeable.

The Ret.iil Fruiterers' Association held its monthly meeting on the 6th. There was a very large attendance of members. The following resolution was earned:—"That as the soft fruit season is now>over, we reaffirm our previous decision to buy no fruit where cases are charged for."

Mr Wm Charles Chambers, a retired railway servant, who resided at 34 Leckhampton Court, Gaversham Rise, collapsed and died on the 6th while sitting with his wifa in a tram car at the Caversham terminus. He was 64 years of age, and it is understood that, as deceased had suffered for some timo from heart trouble, an inquest will not ba necessary.

At Wellington on the 2nd, Mary Josephine Leo came before the Chief Justice for sentence on a charge of opening postal packets at Apiti. While admitting the seriousness of the ordinary offence of this type, Mr G. Watson, for the defenco, claimed tha* this case- was not so bad in that the packets had not been opened with any hope of gain. Sir Robert Stout: It appears that some people were courting and that this woman opened letters to see what was being said between them. ... It was feminine inquisitiveness. Mr Watson said the man whose letter had been opened had apparently been on very familiar terms with the accused girl, but had changed his affectiona and had written letters to the second girl, hoping that they would be opened.' ■ Sir Robert Stout: Ho adopted a very clever ruse, putting into his letter a littlo salt, which, when the letter was opened in the post office, dropped out, so that when the letter reached its destination the salt, was missing, proving that the letter had been opened. Mr Watson handed in a petition from the residents of Apiti, testifying to the excellent character of the accused: S£r Eobert Stout said that had the offence been of tlie ordinary type there would have been no option but to send the accused to gaol. It was not necessary, he thought, to placo Leo on probation, and, instead, he "would order her to come up for sentence when called upon She would not be so called upon if she paid £3 3s towards the cost of the prosecution within six months. The Lyttelton • Times states that a telegram has been received by Mr T. M, Charters, district repatriation officer, from the Repatriation Department in Wellington, stating that arrangements have been made for a training farm to be established for the purpose of training men suffering from tubercular trouble in general farming, bee-keeping, poultry raising, etc. Capable instructors will be appointed, and, after several months of training, the department will assist the men to establish farms of their own; Up to the present time men suffering from slight tubercular trouble have been unable to attend the Government farms already established. About two months ago 12 men wrote to the Canterbury Repatriation Board, suggesting that a special training farm should be established, and representations were made to Wellington on their behalf. Mr Charters statea that he understands the farm will be at Trentham.

' The high prices being, paid for tea in the Home markets are affecting the position in the dominion (states the New Zealand Herald), and, while a number of retailers have notified customers of a probable rise in prices, wholesale merchants say thatr-from the information they have they can only regard the position generally as one of great uncertainty. Latest advioea show

th.it London is exporting tea to the Continent under restriction, the prices being paid ranging from Is 6d to 2s 6d a pound. $6 is considered that if tho whole embargo

is lifted, and Europe is supplied with her full requirements, the market will harden considerably. Despite restrictions on shipping, a great deal of tea is held in Eng-

land, but tho finer and fresher tea of the new crops is needed for blending with this tea, and the crops of India, at least, will not be ready until this month. Prussia is said to be operating to a small extent in the East, shipping through Vladivostock, some credit having apparently been found. Should she come into the market to any extent, her vast requirements would ensure a ocntinuance of high prices. Local stocks of finer quality Ceylon teas are low, owing to there having been no ships from Ceylon for Ihe last ■'ix weeks, and shipments now on the water are anxiously awaited. Tho break at Smith's, near Stirling, through whioh the. water from the _ Molyneux River has recently been flowing in time of flood and causing much damage to the surrounding country, is being repaired by the Publio Works Department. A solid embankment is to be constructed, at a cost of something like £IOOO. A Press Association message from Christchurch states that owing to tho failure to couple Sundance and Kilgour on the race card at the C.J.C. autumn meeting, the committee has decided to pay the dividend on all tickets presented on the second horse—Some Kid.

The local millers have decided to reduce the price of flour from £ls to £l4 10s a ton. The reduction of 10s a ton has been brought about, it is understood, in consequence of the cutting tactics of one or two millers, and the general body of millers anticipate being able to meet the competition by dropping their prices. The price of £ls a ton was fixed by the Government some time ago as the maximum which local millers could charge. Later on, in answer to protests by millers that they were unable to pay the current prices for wheat, and charge only £ls a ton for the flour gristed from this wheat, the .Government agreed to give the millers a subsidy of £2 17s 6d on each ton of flour manufactured by them. This course was adopted by the Government to prevent any increase in the price of bread. The position that has now arisen is that the millers are to all intents and purposes using the subsidy of £2 17s 6d to enable them to cut the Government price of £ls by 10s a ton. It has been suggested that if the millers are prepared to sell flour at £l4 10s the Government would be doing a wise thing to reduce its subsidy from £2 17s 6d to £2 7s 6d. The millers could then bring their prices up to £ls a ton again, the Government would save 10s a ton, and the cutting tactics would also be met. If something like this is not done the baker will simply reap the benefit of the 10s a ton. The Commercial Bank of Australia is about to issue a new series of notes presenting distinctive New Zealand features. The design on the face of the £1 note consists of complicated geometrical patterns skilfully arranged to display the necessary wording, and includes a finely engraved allegorical female figure representing "Commerce," with a suitable background showing shipping, docks, and factories, with New Zealand palms on the left. On the reverse of the note is a chaste arrangement of protective lace work, embodying vignettes on national emblems. The shield in the centre shows a view of Mitre Peak and Sinbad Gully, Milford Sound, with a kangaroo on left and emu on the right, suggestive of the Australian connection of the bank. In the top loft hand corner is a fine representation of a typical Maori chief, with the rare huia bird feathers in the hair, and beneath is the kiwi bird. In the top right corner a New Zealand palm is given with a Maori pah below. The other denominations of the; notes present varying arrangements of the same features, which effectively distinguish the different A'alues. The notes are printed direct from steel plates with harmonious protective tints giving a pleasing effect. The issue represents a high-class type of modern bank note with security printings to protect it against forgery, and was entirely produced by Waterlow and Sons, London, a wellknown firm of bank note engravers.

The deadlock between the Green Island minors and the proprietors is no nearer an ending'. The miners at a meeting held on the 6th inst decided to adhere to their former decision not to take any action till a conference has been granted them by the proprietors. This decision has complicated matters considerably. The various proprietaries worked under one company —the Green Island Supply Company—and the coal was distributed from the office in Dunedin controlled by the secretary (Mr G. B. Ogilvie). The company has, however, now dissolved, and each proprietary has a _ free hand to do what it likes. The opinion of the various proprietor's has been, and is still, divided on the point whether they should meet the miners in conference. One proprietor, at least, is prepared to meet themj another' says he will not. Tho miners are, however, asking that the proprietors as a body should meet them in

conference, and as the proprietors are not now joined as a company, and are divided in opinion, it is difficult to see an immediate settlement of tho trouble. Some of tho Green Island men aro now working at Kaitangata, some at Brighton, and some at Gray's Fernhill mine, in tho Green Island district. This last-named mine was not included in the Green Island Supply Company. It is stated that Mr Gray has agreed to the demands of the men as regards trucking, but that the trucking at Fernhill is far longer than any other mine in the southern suburb. Our correspondent at Queen stown states that so far no trace has been found of Walter Manson, who has been missing at Glenorchy since the 17th ult. He was a single man, 49 years of age, and a scheelite miner by occupation. He had been lodging at the Glenorchy Hotel, and on the night of the 17th was supposed to have gone to bed. On tho following morning his bedroom door was open, and the bed looked as though it had been slept in. His watch and chain was left in the bedroom, and most of his belongings, whilst his swag was left at the Bonnie Jean mine, where he last worked. He has a sister at Wyndham and a brother at Rimu, near Hokitika. The lake has been dragged by the police, and the bush has been searched about the locality of the hotel, but without success.

The Girls' Empire Club, which is now a branch of the Overseas Club, has during the past three years been working most energetically and effectively for various patriotio funds. It is now finding fresh outlets for the talents and activities of its members. It started a new venture on the 7th,-when it entertained a large number of returned soldiers at a social and dance in the spacious and attractive Overseas room in the Security Buildings. An excellent programme of games, competitions, and dancing and music had been arranged, all the entertainment being contributed by members of the club. The soldiers expressed themselves as very grateful for the entertainment eo thoughtfully provided for them.

A proposal to erect a statue in Auckland to the memory of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, was discussed at a meeting of the Council of the St. Andrew Scottish Society. Mr J. M. Mennie presided, . and he announced his intention of defraying the entire cost of providing the statue. A cordial vote of thanks , was accorded Mr Mennie for his generous' offer. The details in connection with carrying the proposal into effect were left in the hands of the donor and the hon. secretary. Inquiries are to be made concerning a suitable site for the statue.

Now the censor has ceased to tell the newspapers "Thou shaft not!" when they have a good bit of war news in hand, wo may hear something of the good work done in the railway shops for the Defence Department (says the New Zealand Railway Review). The fact that a machine gun was turned out successfully at Petone railway workshops became public, but nothing has yet been diselosed about the gun mountings fixed up for transports when it became necessary to arm them as a defence against submarines. Perhaps we shall see something in this year's Railways Statement. Ninety-nine years ago on the 3rd inst. a plough was put to New Zealand soil for the first time. An account of the event was written by the Rev. J. Butler, father of the late Judge Butler, of the Native Land Court, in the Church Missionary Society's report for 1820. "This morning," he wrote on May 3, 1820, "I put the agricultural plough into New Zealand soil for the first time and felt much pleasure in holding it after the bullocks. This day, I trust, will be remembered and the anniversary kept by ages yet unborn." It is stated (says the New Zealand Herald) that the bullocks were brought to New Zealand on board H.M.S. Dromedary, on the Rev. S. Marsden's third visit to New Zealand. The extraordinary demand for steerage passages to England which is reported from Melbourne is noticeable also in New Zealand. All steerage accommodation in steamers leaving New Zealand for England between now and August has been fully taken up, and that on vessels leaving later is rapidly filling (says the New Zealand Herald). The situation ie rendered worse by the fact that all the Shaw, Savill, and Albion steamers will have been despatched from New Zealand by next month, and after that the company will not have a passenger steamer on the sailing berth in New Zealand before September. This leaves only the New Zealand Shipping Company's vessels available for travellers during that period. There are still vacancies for first and second class, passengers in both companies' steamers, and a number of travellers to England have paid the extra fare

instead of waiting until steerage accommodation is available. Some indignation has been expressed at first and second class fares being reduced, but not the steerage. The explanation given is that in May, 1918, tho British Government imposed a war tax on passengers travelling to England, of £4O on first and second class fares, and of £2O on steerage fares. When a readjustment of fares took plare last month the tax on first and second class passengers was reduced by £2O, while that on those travelling steerage was left as before. This means that all passenger rates from New Zealand to England are carrying a £2O war tax, irrespective of class.

Development too late for use in the war of a motor fuel which adds 10 miles an hour to the speed of airplanes, and has possibilities for use in automobile racing, was announced recently by the United States Bureau of Mines. The liquid, a. combination of benzol and cyclohexane called bactar, costs about a dollar a gallon, so while of military value it is not regarded as practical for commercial purposes at present. Another combination developed by the bureau consisting of benzol and gasolene has been found to be more powerful than gasolene alone, and is expected to prove of value in industry. The comparative scarcity of benzol, however, makes its production' to supplant gasolene on a large scale improbable in the immediate future.-

A further development in the Mackanzio County is understood to be the proposed subdivision of 80,000 acres of Crown land into four, grazing runs, to be thrown open for selection by returned soldiers (says tho Christchurch Sun). There are several other Canterbury settlements which Will be made available for soldiers shortly, notably a block of approximately 800 acres at Orari, the area of the Coldstream Estate which was purchased, and the recently-acquired! 200 acres at Fendalton, the last-named of which is intended for fruit and poultry farms. Single sections in the Homebrook and Leeston sections are to be balloted for in about a month's time. Applications close this month for the Snowdale grazing run leases, too. Without flat wintering country, as it is, tho Snowdale proposition is largely a gamble, but the gambling spirit is said to be strong in the soldier, so that there will probably be plenty ready to risk the bad winters with the good.

Referring generally to the works being carried out by the Publio Works Department, the Minister of Public Works, Sir William Frasor, stated in Auckland that the labour difficulty was not so acute a 3 it had been for some time past. The number of men engaged on various works had been increased by about 400 since the beginning of March, and as the soldiers returned it was anticipated that further men would be available. In regard to the Jugo-Slavs employed, by the department, he said that those who were being re- , patriated would make very little difference to the work, as they were a very small percentage of those who were employed. After the signing of pear.a, however, said - the Minister, the Jugo-Slavs would be free from the war restrictions, and this might lead to a shortage of men at some of the Works, if the aliens exercised their freedom by seeking private employment. There were between 400 and 500 of them employed by the department.

The report of Chief Inspector Cameron on the infectious diseases in Waitaki Hospital District for the month of April affords most interesting reading (says the Oamaru Mail). Writing of Hampden the report says:—"The last swabbing of school children "and teachers took place on March 3. One diphtheria carrier was found, a boyj Three cases occurred on March 5, all of whom had been recently -in contact with this carrier. The latter was discharged from hospital'on March 27 after negative swabs on March 13, 18, and 25. He was taken in the train from Oamaru to Hampden by a neighbour who was bringing home a child of hers disharged from hospital the same day, after diphtheria. The former - carrier took seriously ill of diphtheria on -. April 9, and was removed to hospital on the 11th. His mother sickened of diphtheria on the 13th, and was removed to hospital on the 15th. It is worthy _of special note that no cases broke out during the 13 days the carrier was in hospital; but a fresh outbreak occurred six days after he returned home. Also no cases have been notified now since the mote of the carrier was removed to hospital, 20 days ago. The Department of Agriculture has also recently completed a close examination of all the milch oattle in Hampden, the total examined being 169, belonging, to 48 owners. No trace of disease was found. - Fowls were also inspected. Two fowls were discovered with tuberculosis. No sign of disease among cats or poultry was found either during the 17 months the diphtheria outbreak has existed."

A Press Association message states that an indignation meeting of passengers for Sydney by the Makura, which is still in Auckland, was held on the vessel on the Bth. It was decided to send a telegram to the general manager of the Union Company demanding that the Makura should take passengers to Sydney in fulfilment of the contract or that a suitable boat be immediately provided from Auckland to Sydney, and that in the meantime adequate accommodation be provided by the company for passengers of all classes. A Press Association telegram from Auckland stated that three prisoners of warCarl Seegner (formerly German Consul), Langguth (formerly Austrian Consul), and Dr Brackebush—have been released from Narrow Neck Camp on parole owing to illhealth.

The swift career of an enterprising boy thief was outlined by Chief Detective Bishop to Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., m the Juvenile Court on Thursday morning. The boy, who turned 14 only last December, lived with his grandmother in Tunaru. Last month ho stole £4 from his aunt and_ came on to Dunedin, putting up at the Leviathan Hotel There ho made the acquaintance of a Mrs Sopp, of Gore, who invited him to come and stay with her. He did so. and promptly robbed her of £l, taking another

£1 two days later. Then he stole from her a gold wristlet watch valued at £lO and made off for Dunodin, where he was arrested on Wednesday evening on his arrival. Nearly all the stolen money was found on him. The ohief detective asked for a remand to enable further inquiries to be made, particularly in Timaru. The Rev. E. A. Axolaen expressed his willingness to take charge of the boy in the meantime, and he was remanded for a week. The Hon. J. T. Paul (president of the Wholesale Clothing Trade Workers' Federation) returned from Wellington on the Bth. In all he attended three conferences—one compfosed of delegates from the unions in the wholesale workers' federation, the second with the manufacturers, and the other with representatives of the bespoke workers' federation. All were successful, the results being increased wages and reduced hours for the workers in the wholesale trade, and the formulation of a new constitution for an amalgamation of the existing federation in the wholesale and order clothing trade. . A Press Association message from Wellington states that it is officially announced that in the case of intended wives of New Zealand soldiers the Immigration Department will accept nomination for their assisted passage and will give £l3 towards either a second or third-class passage.

Vancouver papers received by the latest mail are responsible for the statement that the Union Steam Ship Company is removing its head office from Dunedin to Vancouver. Yesterday one of our reporters asked Mr D. A. Aiken (general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company) if there was any truth in the statement. Mr Aiken replied that the statement was news to him, and that it was without the slightest foundation. At a largely-attended meeting of First Church congregation on Wednesday evening an enthusiastic welcome was given to Sister Elinor (deaconess) and to the Rev. R. S. Watson, M.A., M. 0., who are now associated with the Roy. G. H, Balfour in the many activities of thi9 church. The meeting also cordially endorsed the proposed congregational peace thank-offering brought before it by the Deacons' Court. With ah appreciation of the epoch-making times which it is at present passing through, the congregation of this historic church .is preparing to keep abreast of the new conditions opening up.

The general cleotrio workers have filed a dispute, which will come on for hearing before the Conciliation Council on the 27th inst. The Brewers' Bottlers, Bottle Washers, and Aerated Workers' Union has also filed a dispute, which will be heard on the 28th inst.

The positions occupied by Otago teachers in the graded list for' Now Zealand which has just been reissued will como as a sur' prise to educationists and others in this province. In the first 16 names in grades 1, 4, and 5 (no name 3 are included in grades 2 and 3) not one Otago teacher is included. Of the 16 teachers at the head of the list seven belong to Canterbury, three to Wellington, three to Nelson, two to Auckland, and ono to Southland. In grade No. 1 two names are included; in grade No. 4, five names; and in grade No. 5, nine names •, or 16 in all. The teachers in each grade, it may be mentioned, are considered to be equal in merit. In grade No. 6 there are four names, and here the first two Otago teachers are included—Messrs W. M'Elrea end J. H. Moir. Ono of our reporters on the Bth asked a' responsible officer of the Otago Education Board if he could give any reason for the placings in the grading Bcheme as worked out by Mr Caughley, and adopted by tho Education Department. He replied as follows: "It is absolutely preposterous to say that we have not in Otago teachers equivalent in professional ability to the majority of those placed in the first 16 of tho graded schedule. "Why they are not placed higher is quite beyond my comprehension." V

Our London correspondent states thai a deputation from tho New Zealand Engineers' Band waited upon the Bournemouth Co;noil recently to present to it a framed photograph of tho band as a souvenir of thenstay in tho locality. Tho presentation was made by Sergeant Pamell (bandmaster), who thanked" tho Mayor and Mayoress and tho corporation for the great kindness they had always shown to tho New Zealanders. Tho Mayor, in reply, expressed the cordial appreciation of Bournemouth of tho fact that Colonel Barclay had invariably consented to requests for the services of the band for any publio and patriotic purposes. They appreciated very muoh the patriotism with which New Zealand entered the war, send-

ing a greater proportion of men to the aid of the Mother Country than in the case of any other colony. They would always have a hearty welcome in British homes, particularly in this county borough. Our London correspondent says that at a meeting of the British Empire Shakespeare Society at the Haymarket Theatre, Princess Marie Louise presented the prizes. In the course of a discussion, in which Mr Henry Arthur Jones and Mr Arthur Bourohier took part, Mr J. W. Joynt spoke of a performance of " Julius Csosar" which he once saw at Heidelberg, from which he said it was perfectly obvious that the drift of neither the play nor the characters had been grasped in the least. Lord Howard de Walden remarked that he was quite ready to make Germany a present of " Hamlet." The Prince, he says, remained a " gloomy ass, happy only when he listened to the fulsome oration of the fat-headed Horatio." -

A writer in the Scarborough Mercury is responsible for the assertion that a Yorkshireman, who went out to New Zealand before the war, declared that when war broke out he had conscientious objections to fighting. " But the colonists are a rough and ready lot, and with ropes they dragged tho Yorkshireman to the docks and put him on board ship, bound for the front. They respected his convictions so far that they made him a stretcher-bearer. However, he caught the war fever, and proved himself quite a hero, and was awarded the Military Medal."

A raid on an alleged " two-up" school at tho freezing works near Whakatano was made by Detective Cooney and Constables Cummings, Greenslade, and Keepa on Simday. Operations began on the eastern side of tho men's quarters or barracks. Two of the raiding party debouched at each end of the barracks, but a stampede had already commenced. Three men ran headlong into Constable Cummings, /and the others scattered across a barb-wire fencing through the standing maize- into the swamp and elsewhere, where they hid. The gathering was estimated at about 60 persons, and included Maoris. It is understood that the police took several names and also seoured tho money abandoned.

Some idea of how prejudicially affected Sydney was by the influenza trouble may be -gained from perusal of the statistics of Easter holiday traffic. Thus in 1918 the railways carried 229,042 persons and earned £5384 on Easter Monday ■ this year only 141,535 were carried, and £2483 received. Every route (except the southern) showed a falling-off of about 50 per cent. The tramways told the same tale. The number of passengers carried from Good Friday to 'Easter Monday (inclusive) was 3,584,406, against 5.566,534 in 1918, while the revenue showed a falling-off from £46,568 to £30,365. Thus over 2,000,000 fewer passengers wore carried, and the earnings were £16,000 less. " What we find," said a N.Z.E.F. commercial delegate at Sheffield, "is that your manufacturers do not ' boost' their goods from the house tops to the same extent as do the Americans. When the Yankees send up anything, they send along with it a shipload of ' boosting ' material. The Yankees very successfully pursue the policy of adapting themselves to our requirements with respect to light machinery. While the British engineer builds for durability, tho American pays first attention to immediate utility." A writer from New Zealand in the Saturday Review gives a very jaundiced view of oversea affairs. "I do not think you realise in England how strong are the disintegrating influences in Australia, and, in a smaller degree, here. England is largely to blame for this. You have flattered and praised Australia to nausea; the consequences are disastrous. Witness tho great Gallipoli lie, the great Anzao lie. You have driven Australia, and ourselves too, to believe that we aro great nations, and that were it not for us you would have been overwhelmed by Germany. Facts are nasty things. Australia would rather see the U.S.A. in the Pacific than England. England must at all costs bo kept out and have no naval baso in those glorious islands." The Saturday Review adds : " If these are facts, we agree that they are nasty."

A list mado public by tho district of I Columbia License Bureau discloses the fact i (says the New York- correspondent of the | Daily Telegraph) that a great number of tho Congressmen who voted tho country teetotal wero prepared for prohibition by importing from other States many cases ! of strong drink, and storing them away j in their offices. It is suspected that many I more than thoso listed aro similarly forti- ' fied against a dry era, because a large

number of the names are known to bo

fictitious, and many more have been made

I purposely illegible. Most of the clerks i of the two Houses and clubs are also j suspiciously well stocked with demon rum, so that Senators who feel that they cannot live through the admittedly dry proceedings of the Senate Committees without a wet stimulant will find solace in their assistants' lockers. . , Congressmen who neglected to provide in any way against prohibition can, in an emergency, probably find relief in virtually any ol the Government departments, because all are listed as receivers of spirits. Most of the Embassies have emergency rations, and finally Congressmen on speaking terms at White House may find it an oasis in time of need,

because the record shows five or six large consignments to men employed in executive offices. In defence of the Embassies and White House it is admitted that they are frequently resorts from the representatives of the older civilisations of Europe, and from the last of the Republics in South America where potent liquors still retain their popularity. A writer in Country Life (says our London correspondent) recalls the story told by his mother of Bishop Selwyn, who declared that ho could sleep comfortably upon anything. He had only once in his life been uncomfortable to sleep, and that was when going down the Lower Waikato River .in a canoe half full of eels. The eels would wriggle so much that ho really could not sleep when lying upon them. Our London correspondent states that during the month of February the total number of men entertained by the Hospitality Committee of tho New Zealand War Contingent Association was 9606. Of these, 1659 were entertained from headquarters by means of drives, teas, theatre tiokets, etc., 1584 from Walton, and 5799 from Torquay. Twentyfive concerts were given at Walton, Oatlands, Hornchurch, and Codford at an approximate cost of £125. Concerts were also given at the other camps. During tho month, 49 officers and men were entertained by various hostesses on tho hospitality list. On account of ill-health Miss Hay has resigned the post of commandant of the Te Aronanui Club at Oatlands Park, and is succeeded by Mrs Wyett.

In conversation with a Masterton Age representative recently the Hon. A. M. Myers outlined a scheme for licensing reform which, he thought, might appeal to the people of the dominion. He was of the opinion that the hotels should bo run more on the Continental lines than at present. The first consideration should be for mora open bars, where men and women could assemble In the public gaze, and partake of light wines and beers. The sale of spirits should bo restricted, and adulteration of liquors should bo rigorously suppressed.

For some time past the Bank of New Zealand has paid a war bonus of 10 per cent, to members of the staff in the dominion, such bonus being paid to married officers and single officers with dependents, in receipt of salaries up to £7OO. In order to mark the termination of the war the Board of Directors has now, states the Wellington -Post, declared an additional bonus of 10 per oent. to the above officers, and bonuses of 15 per cent, to officers in receipt of upwards of £7OO, and single officers who did not participate in the original bonus of 10 per cent.

Mr Samson (Director of Repatriation) stated in Christchurch (says a Press Association telegram) that, although the department had established a training farm for tuberculous soldiers near Featherston, where they could have the benefit of the best medical advice, skilled training, and healthy ont-door life, and had sent circulars to all its boards and committees, and had advertised in the newspapers, only one application for admission had been received.

Mr R. T. Sadd (Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Otago district) returned to Dunedin on Thursday night from Wellington, where he had gono to attend a conference of commissioners, the main object of which was to discuss the administration of the law as it affects discharged eoldiers, with a view to. securing uniformity of practice throughout the dominion. Eleven commissioners attended, and tho Hon. D. H. Guthrie (Minister of Lands) occupied the chair at. most of tho sittings, taking a keen interest in tho proceedings. Several important resolutions were passed, and a number of amendments to the Land Act of 1908 will be recommended to the careful consideration of the Government and the Legislature. The recommendation of the greatest importance to Otago was that which practically asks for a revision of

Part VI of the Act, dealing with pastoral runs. This part of the 1908 Act is quite obsolete, because many amendments have been made, and the clauses of tho Act which are out of date have not been repealed. The suggestion of the conference, supported by weighty reasons, is that Part VI as it now stands in the Act should bo cut out bodily and the paii; rewritten. The ,Early Settlers' Hall was a scene of activity last week. The women connected with tho Otago and Southland Patriotio Association have undertaken to assist tho members of the Returned Soldiers' Association to make up 20,000 flags to be disposed of on Peace Day, and soldiers, sailors, and others have been engaged, nailing tho flags to suitable sticks. It is said that not a few of the female workers have become expert in th 9 use of tho hammer, and blistered hands are quite common, but realising that the work is in a good cause complaints are not heard. Some SCOO flags have been completed in two afternoons, but as 15,000 have yet to be made, the assistance of more workers would be appreciated, x Victor James Robert Keen, the young man who was arrested in Oaniaru recently on a charge of breaking and entering the Milton Post Office and stealing £SOO from it, appeared before Mr Bartholomew, S.M., in tlie City Police Court on Friday morning to answer a further charge of forging the name of 0. Gaudin to a telegram at Makarora on April 4,'with the intention that the telegram should be acted upon aa genuine. Chief" Detective Bishop asked for a further remand for a week. There was another charge pending, he said, and as the witnesses were a long way back in tho Wanaka district, it would tako some time to arrange with them. Keen was remanded till May 16. Five swords of honour are to bo presented, with the Freedom of the City, by the Mayor and coi'poration of the City of London to Admiral the Rt. Hon. Viscount Jellicoe of Soapa, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., Admiral Sir David Beatty, G.C.8., G.C.V.0., D. 5.0., Field Marshal the Rt. Hon. Viscount French of Ypres, K.P., G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., K.C.M.G., Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, R.T., G. 0.8., G.C.V.0., K.C.1.E., and General Sir Edmund H. H. Allenby, G.C.8., G.C.M.G. The designing and manufacture tho swords have been entrusted to the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company, of 112 Regent street. They are to be of 18 carat gold, the designs being symbolical of the war services of the recipients, and ex- ! pressive of the value of those services in particular to the City of London. They • will bo decorated in relief, and the designs | enriched by the use of enamel and precious i stones.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that a case arising out the recent licensing poll came before Mr Frazer in the Magistrate's Court on Friday, when the Rev. Mr Gray was charged with publishing a paper entitled "The Vote," and W. J. Lankshear with having printed the publication without having the name and abode of the printer affixed to it. Counsel for the defendants pleaded guilty, and said it was impossible for the Rev. Mr Gray to look at all the literature that was being circulated at that time. As far as Lankshear was concerned, it was purely an oversight. The magistrate imposed the minimum fine in each case—£s, with 7s costs.

About one marriage In every nine in the United States is terminated by divorce. The number of marriages in proportion to tho population has increased eince 1890, but the divorce rate has increased much more rapidly. The returns for 1916 show 1050 marriages and 112 divorces per 100,000 of the population. Dr Gordon Macdonald has sent us some bunches of ripe grapes of the Black Hamburg variet}' grown in the open air in front of his house in High street. Tho vine is, he informs us, 20 years old, and although it receives no attention, in respect either of pruning or manuring, it grows from 50 to 1001 b of fruit yearly, and has oven in the cold weather of this year yielded about 601 b. It is not every day that a man is seen "shinning" up tho flagpole of the Town Hall. Yet shortly before 1 o'clock on Friday this spectacle met the astonished gaze of thoso who happened to bo in tho vicinity of tho Octagon, and they could be forgiven if they watched it open-mouthed. -On reaching his objective, the steeplejack, who must be- tho fortunate possessor of sound nerves, seated himself on top of tho polo and calmly his surroundings. Doubtless many people jumped to the conclusion that the feat had, beon pea-formed

for a wager, but this was not so, as tho man's object was merely to convoy a wire to tho top of the pole in order that it might bo illuminated with an electric globe during tho forthcoming peace celebrations. The name of the young man who carried out this daring piece of climbing was J. Bond, full-back for the Zingari-Richrnond Senior Football Team.

Besides expressing the opinion that peace celebrations should not 'be held in -view of the possibility of a recrudescence of influenza, some speakers at tho Chamber of Commerce meeting at Invercargill on Friday expressed themselves as being against expending money in such a transitory manner.' Mr F. Loughnan thought that incapacitated soldiers could be assisted with tho money to be spent, and his views were supported by another speaker.

I Mr Thomas Gage was installed as Mayor J of Kaitangata last Wednesday evening, j when all tho councillors, several ex-conn* | cillora, and others were present. Later j in the evening the Mayor tendered a | banquet to all present. The function was a ! very successful one, and the usual toasts were honoured. The Mayor was congratulated upon attaining tho position of chief magistrate of the town, and was promised the support of evei;y councillor. At the present time, acoording to Mr G. V. Hudson, there are five distinct groups of spots visible on the sun. The last to enter, now still close to the eastern limb, is a large spot associated with a considerable number of smaller spota (the Dominion states). One row of the subsidiary spots is placed almost vertical to the sun's equator. All these spots will (says Mr Hudson), be worth watching during the next ten days. An indication of the great increase in trade between Canada and New Zealand, notwithstanding the yrar, is contained in the returns for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1919, showing tho year's total imports from Canada to have been £1,085,224, an increase of £207,071 over the previous year. The exports from New Zealand were well over £1,000,000. In 1910, when the Trade Commissioner's Office was first opened at , Auckland, New Zealand's total imports from Canada amounted to £261,402. A Press Association message from Wellington states that the Peace Treaty, include ing substitutions, ran into 13,098 words. Excellent despatch was given by the telegraph authorities in the dominion, but there was a hitch in tho arrangements outside, as transmission stopped altogether for hours afca time, and the delivery was stretched-over some 36 hours. In addition, sections did not arrive in sequence, and gaps were left which seriously interfered with prompt handling in tho telegraph office.

Captain M'Kenzie announces that as the result of the collection made on behalf of a widow, and children on the 11th at the corner of Princes and Dowling streets, aftej the Salvation Army Silver Band had played several selections which were appreciated by the public, that the collection amounted to £l7 and that the whole of this amount would be handed over to the widow. The need for a " half-way house" between the gaol and the mental hospital waa again emphasised by Mr J. E. Wilson, S.M., in the Aucklnd Police Court last week. In imposing a sentence of six months' imprisonment on a woman who had been found guilty of consorting habitually with undesirable characters, Mr Wilson said : "It is difficult to deal with these cases. There ought to bo some home for such people, nob as a means of punishment, but as a protective measure for the public." Later, in considering punishment of a confirmed offender, the Magistrate remarked: " This man is a menace to society. As yet there is no plaoa to put him. We have an island for those who give way to drink; we ought to havS another for such persons as these. For theif own sake it is not safe to leave them Large." A term of six months' imprison* ment was imposed on the offender.