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Otago Witness, Issue 3487, 11 January 1921, Page 3

A Timaru Press Association message states that the rash of applicants for accommodation at The Hermitage, which caused many adverse rejilies to inquiries during the last two months, appears to have ceased. Visitors are still going up, but the large exodus of tho last few days is giving opportunity to othera. In common with most northern parts of tho Dominion on the 3rd, Dunedin experienced what may be likened to a heatwave. At 6 o’clock on Sunday evening the thermometer stood at 80 in the shade and 120 in the sun. On Monday morning at 7 o’clock the mercury rose to 76 in the shade and 120 in the sun, and two hours lator 85 in the shade and 127 in the sun. A sharp shift of wind to the south-west,

late in the afternoon, caused the temperature to drop 14deg. Later in the evening) the temperature again rose, despite tha fact that slight rain was falling. A Press Association message from Christchurch states that “ Keinton Combe ”• (Waiau North), the Canterbury residenoe of Colonel R. A. Chjiffey, formerly O.C. Canterbury Military TDistrict, was destroyed by fire on Tuesday morning. A fire had beert started in the laundry, and it is supposed that while the laundress was absent sparks ignited the wood in the vicinity. The whole place was a blazing mass before the outbreak was discovered. Unfortunately the water supply system was located in the laundry, and access to it was cut off by the flames. Shearers and others managed to save some of the furniture and a nearby cottage. The building, which contained 15 rooms, was insured in the State offico for £2OOO, and the furniture in the South British office for £575.

The official opening of the Matakanux Peace Hall took place on Friday, 31st ult., when a large number of residents from the surrounding districts attended. Mr A. C. Scoular (county councillor) presided, and, in his speech, expressed thanks to Mr J. Horn, M.P., for his efforts on behalf of tha district. He then declared the hall opened. The grand march which followed was led off by Mr and Mrs Scoular, about 5€ couples taking part. Music was supplied by Mr H. Partridge, violinist (Clyde), and Mrs Jophson (Matakanui). The strength of the police force, haa been considerably increased during the year, but recruits are still required, for the demands on the force are increasing day by day. The new Arms Act will entail an enormous amount of work, and will fully occupy a number of officers. The rates of pay were recently increased, but they still do not seem large enough to attract all the men of the right stamp who are wanted.

The Foxton paper states that a local resident who suffers from asthma visited Turakina last Sunday to interview the Maori faith-healer. He said there were 200 patients ahead of him, and he was told to call again. He said that what he saw removed a good deal of scepticism, and instanced a case of paralysis, where the patienft was now able to move about, instead of being wheeled.

The men engaged on the work of constructing the new manure department aft tile Mataura Freezing Works put up a record day’s work recently (says the Ensign). Commencing at 4 a.m., they worked on until 6 p.m., and during that time 288 bags of cement wore used, which, at four bags to the yard, meant that 72 yards of concrete were turned out of the mixer and laid into the beams, posts, and floor of the manure shed. ’ Twelve men were engaged on the job, and the Rex Mixer worked throughout the day without a stop. The mysterious man who, in November last, left £SOO at the Orthopaedic Hospital, in London, refusing his name, address, and even a receipt, has been to other hospitals with an equal gift (reports Tho Times)His clothes were so old and his appearance so unimpressive that the porter of an institution in Bloomsbury did not think itf necessary to show him to the secretary, as he requested, but let a clerk deal with him. Putting down the £SOO, the benevolent visitor explained that he was growing old, had not many more years to live, and might as well get rid of his money this way as any other. The secretary, when informed of the windfall, rang up a brother secretary, and warned him against not welcoming with open arms a man in top-boots and breeches, a coat green with age, and a cap (which was tha philanthropist’s costume). “ Thanks,” came tha reply over the telephone, “but he’s been here.” The porters of hospitals he haa not yet visited are said to have polished their manners towards men in old clothe* more exquisitely even than usual.

A Press Association message from Wellington advises that immigrants to tha number of 1589 are due to arrive in tha dominion from England up to the middle of February. The immigrants consist of mechanics, tanners, farm labourers, artisans, miners, shop assistants, and domestic servants. The last-named are on tho Pakeha, and coming out under the control of a matron. An Invercargill Press Association message states that Mary Toole, aged six years, whose clothes caught fire while she was toasting bread, died from shock on the 4th inst. Following up a slight clue as to who was tile perpetrator of a series of burglaries in the city, Detectives Palmer and Lean on the sth arrested a young man about 20 years of age, named John James Stubley, on charges of breaking and entering the City Hotel at night and stealing £7 10s; breaking and entering at night the dwelling of Joh n Wood, and appropriating £10; entering Thomsom and Co.’s factory and stealing two bottles of brandy, and breaking into the shop of A. and T. Ingli* and stealing therefrom clothing and boots to the valua

I of £3O ss. The offences were all com- ! mitted between December 19 and January i 3, and the young man arrested was taken | into custody as he was on the point of leaving town for Queenstown. The greater ' part of the stolen goods has been recovered, and there is a prospect of getting j back some of the money taken. The award of the Arbitration Court in the Oamaru butchers’ case has been received by the local clerk of awards. It embodies the recommendations of the Conciliation Council with the exception that , the hours of work have been altered in accordance with the provisions of the Shops : and Offices Amendment Act, 1920, which came into operation at the begining of tliis year. This makes the hours 48 weekly. The court has also added the amount of the recent 3s bonus, and thus constituted a precedent, as this is the first j occasion on which the bonus has been added ; to a local award. | In an appendix note at the termination 1 of his annual report, H. M. Trade Commissioner (Mr R. W. Dalton) says: “The import of motors for road traffic increased from £451,444 in 1918 to £1,135,320 in 1919. The shares of the three principal countries of origin were as follow: —The United Kingdom £7686 in 1918 and £49,531 in 1919, Canada £98,493 and £300,910, and the United Slates £434,965 and £782,384, respectively. The import of spare parts and tyres increased generally.” ! A Press Association message from Gisborne states that a riotous affray is reported from Ruatcrea, East Coast. A party of 20 to 30 Maoris at 1 a.m. on New I Year’s Day rode up to a hotel, and comj menced to stone the building. The licensee, Mr Raynham, remonstrated with j the hooligans who attacked him, but he I was borne down by weight of numbers, and freely kicked and struck by the rioters. Finally he managed to struggle back to ' shelter, whereupon the Natives galloped away. Mr Raynham was badly knocked about, receiving cuts and bruises about the face, hands, and body. [ “Gold for notes,” is one of the oldest ; ruses adopted by the confidence man in the pursuit of his nefarious profession. ! This stype of individual usually selects as 1 his “mark” a stranger in a strange land . or a person going to another country and i “very kindly” offers to secure for him gold in exchange for paper currency, but : when the innocent hands over the notes tho trickster disappears and fails to return with the equivalent in precious metal. This particular practice has been exposed so often in recent years that nowadays it is rarely attempted. Occasionally, however, some acquisitive person takes a chance, and with success. One such case was reported to the local police department (says the New Zealand Times), the victim being a passenger per the lonic for England. Victimised for £SO, he left by the mail steamer a sadder and wiser man. ; A testimony to the powers of Wi Ratana, the Maori miracle man, as a curative medium, is afforded by Mr G. D. Robertson, taxi-driver, of Hastings, who took a Maori woman resident at Paki Paki over to Ratana’s camp, near Marton, recently. ! for the purpose of submitting her to the influences of the Maori seer. Mr Robertson says that the woman had been ailing | for a long time with some internal disorder, and that, she had to be carried to j Ins car. Whilst on the journey the sick | woman’s meals had to be brought to her, ; and on her arrival at her destination she had to be lifted out, she was so utterly helpless. After one day he saw her walk--1 mg unassisted about the grounds, and she returned to Paki Paki on Wednesday week, | apparently quite recovered. | The total imports of printing paper increased from £280,895 in 1918 to £319,696 j in 1919 (says H.M. Trade Commissioner’s | report). The bulk was supplied by Canada and the United States, imports from the former being and £217,267, and from the latter £26,197 and £73.543, during the same years. Similar imports from the United Kingdom fell fom £58,634 to £25,922. The total increase in the imports of printing paper was not, however, by any means sufficient to meet the demand, and j the shortage of this class of paper is still j keenly felt in the dominion. The total ! imports of writing paper and also of i materials for making cardboard boxes in- ! creased. As regards butter paper, it may be mentioned 90 per cent, of the imports of this commodity in 1919 emanated from the United States, the value being £32.332 as compared with £24,929 from the same . country in 1918. ! When a case of shoplifting was beingheard in the Auckland Police Court on I the fill instant, counsel for the accused ; asked (a Press Association message states) ; the magistrate to direct that the names of j the accused, who were first offenders, should . not be published. Detective Sergeant j Hammond, who was prosecuting, pointed j out that the case having been previously i before the court, t.he names had already | been published. Apart from that, how- | ever, he said, the strongest deterrent in , cases of shoplifting was the publicity afterj wards given in the Police Court. “It is ’ really the greatest deterrent we have,” he added. The Magistrate (Mr M'Kcan) said it was only in exceptional cases that ho would give a direction in regard to nonpublication of names. | “In connection with my recent utterances on financial matters, I have been accused of pessimism by several newspaper critics, simply because I have endeavoured to show the need for the exercise of economy and prudence by all classes of the community,” states the chairman of the Hank of New Zealand (Mr Harold Beauchamp) in the course of a New Year’s j message to the Wanganui Herald. “Many people, I fancy, would prefer to adopt the ‘ ostrich-like policy of digging their heads in the sand and refusing to see the dangers | that surround them. That, of course, is j neither wise nor prudent. After 30 years ' of almost uninterrupted prosperity, it is, ! I am aware, difficult for those who do not think deeply to recognise the complete reversal of the economio and financial conditions that has taken place through the terrible war in which we, as an Empire, were engaged for upwards of four years.

True, many people amassed much wealth during that period, as was the case in previous wars; but I have no hesitation in affirming that the masses, as a whole, particularly in Great Britain, are distinctly poorer than they were prior to the outbreak of hostilities, and it will, I believe, be many years before it is possible to make good the leeway lost while fighting for our lives and liberties. That can be accomplished only by working harder, producing more, and spending loss on the luxuries to which we have accustomed ourselves in the halcyon days of the past. Further, there must be greater co-operation and a better understanding between Capital and Labour. By the adoption of such a policy the financial equilibrium in this dominion — so highly favoured by Nature in the matter of climate and fertility of soil —would be speedily restored.” Our Wellington correspondent advises that a new member of the Ministry will be appointed when Sir William Herries hands in his resignation in about a month’s time. The appointment will be settled in Cabinet. A 3 'ress Association message advises that the first examination (practical) for officers of the New Zealand Permanent Force will be held on the second Wednesday m February. Only successful candidates can sit in April. The New Zealand Educational Institute resolved (states a Wellington Press Association message) : “That, in common justice to the teaching service, all removal expenses be paid by the department, as is done in other branches of the civil service”; also, "‘that the married assistants’ allowance he incorporated in salary, and that in cases where residences are provided a fair rent be charged.” Our London correspondent writes that, according to the report of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, prolonged drought reacted seriously on its fortune® for the 12 months ended March 31 last. It reduced the wool clip from 25,200 to 22,100 bales, entailed the expenditure of over £150,000 on artificial feeding of the flocks and other relief measures, cut five stock sales to a minimum, and ruined the lambings on most of the properties. So, in place of net profits which in the three preceding years had varied from £345,400 to £429,600, a loss of £176,100 was incurred on working. This was reduced by £94,600 received from the Government on account of the resale of wool taken over by it from the company. Including £3IOO brought in and £320,000 withdrawn from the contingency fund, a disposable balance of £241,700 was obtained, so that 10 per cent, was paid on the ordinary stock, compared with the same rate, plus a bonus of 3 per cent., for the preceding year, and £I7OO went forward. Prior to the draft on it the contingency fund had been reinforced from £518,000 to £648,000 by the crediting of “amounts set aside in previous years to meet certain charges not now required,” and thus the fund stands now at £328,000. The balance sheet bears witness to the trying nature of the year. Live stock figures at £688,500, against £778,600; investments have been reduced from £1,283,100 to £1,254,700; and in place of the cash balance of £219,300 in March, 1919, bank overdrafts and temporary loans of £292,700 are shown. An Eltham Press Association message states that as a result of further conference between the managing director and the men, the strike of the Egmont Box Company emplovpps at OlmtM has bee-> settled, and work was resumed on the 6th. The Trade Supplement of The Times draws attention to the lack of improvement in the Australasian mail service. During the first two or three days of this month a mail arrived after an interval of about three weeks. “The delays and irregularitie which occur in the mail service between Great Britain and the Australasian dominions are an Imperial scandal. Not only is trade seriously hampered, but the difficulty of intercourse is a menace to the maintenance of the close touch between distant parts ®f the Empire which is a vital British interest.” The Department of Overseas Trade has published a report of the Empire Timber Exhibition (says our London correspondent), which was opened in London at the time of the Empire Forestry Conference. It was the first occasion on which timber had been gathered from all parts of the Empire under one roof, and exhibits from every dominion and Crown colony were on view. New Zealand had a display of native woods, and the interests of the dominion were represented by Mr 11. 0. Cameron, of the department of the High Commissioner It appears from the report that no call had to bo made on public funds. At present it is impossible to judge the results of t.he exhibition either directly

or indirectly, but it, is understood that many exhibitors received a considerable number of orders, and there is every reason to hope that the numerous inquiries which were made during the course of the exhibition will have a far-reaching effect upon the industry. “Exhibitions such as that recently held do much to foster goodwill between the different sections of the timber world, and it is to be hoped,” says the report, “that all sections will pull together and do all that lies in their power to further the schemes that are afloat whereby it is hoped to secure a sufficient and constant supply of timber within the bounds of the Empire to supply the Empire’s needs.” An Auckland Press Association telegram states that among the passengers by the Makura were two Roman Catholic bishops, Dr Joseph Shell, of Rockhampton, and Dr M’Garthy, of Sandhurst. Both have just come from Ireland. In discussing Ireland’s troubles they said the only solution of the problem that they could suggest was that Great Britain should grant the Irish people complete Home Rule, or that they should clear right out of the country. They contended that the Irish could govern their country equally as well as New Zealanders governed theirs. Merchants and grocers alike have again sold out their supplies of sugar. The Wanaka, which is at present at Lyttelton, has a quantity on board for Dunedin, but will not arrive till towards the end of this week, as the vessel has to call at Timaru, Oamaru, and Bluff before coming to Dunedin. No advice has been received as to what vessel is to follow the Wanaka with sugar. A young man, Christian Lawson, alias Larsen, was arrested on Friday by Detectives Palmer and Lean on a charge of false pretences. It is alleged that when buying sheep at Lawrence he issued a valueless cheque for £215. Active preparations are being made for the Otago A. and P. Society’s forthcoming Summer Show, to be held at Tahuna Park on February 9 and 10. Many applications tor schedules are now being made at the society’s office. It is anticipated that a large number of entries of live stock will be received from Canterbury and Southland The keenest interest is being taken in the New Zealand leaping and hunting championships, and competitors for the large prizes from near and far will meet to try conclusions on the show ground. Subscriptions to the Government’s soldiers’ settlement loan of £6,000,000 have been fairly satisfactory, but it is probable that the full amount will not be raised without the compulsory clauses of the Finance Act being put into operation (says the New Zealand Herald). Referring to this matter the Minister of Finance, Mr W. E. Massey, said the loan had done very much better than most people had expected it would. Of course, he did not think now that the Government would be able to secure the amount required without compulsion. He would not be able to make a statement as to the position of the loan until he received the necessary figures, j Our Queenstown correspondent wires that delightful weather prevailed at Queenstown i for the holidays, there being only one wet ■ day during the festive season. The absence of the intense heat, usually experienced at this time of the year, contributed ; much to the enjoyment of pleasure-seekers. | All the excursions by land and water were i fully availed of, and the entertainments each | evening were well patronised. ! Writing to a Manawatu Standard representative from Melbourne, Mr Gordon M'Minn says that the country right throughout the commonwealth is going to produce the most bountiful harvest yet garnered. The Mallee wheat crop is estimated to produce the good return of 40 , to 45 bushels to an acre, and there is a wonderfully increased acreage under crop. “Just now,” adds the writer, “we are experiencing a rather critical period of financial stringency on account of the action of the banks in attempting to counteract the I almost insane extravagance that is so pronounced. In some quarters a feeling akin to panic prevails, but the extremely favourable conditions in the country will do much to restore buoyancy.” j “Again and again I have wondered how our soldiers lived and endured under active service conditions in France,” said the Rev. D C. Herron, M.C., when speaking at Manurewa on Sunday at the unveiling of a war memorial. “Strangely enough they ! groused when in comfort but when the mud was up to their t.highs and the bread ration was a loaf between eight men, they took their hardships with n light heart and a fine spirit of self-sacrifice. And strangely enough,” said the speaker, turning to the Prime Minister, who was seated on the

platform, “they blamed it on to you.”— (Laughter.) “Ihe boys said it was only because they were ‘Bill Massey’s tourists’ that they had left their happy homes and struck this trouble.” —(Laughter.)