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Otago Witness, Issue 3494, 22 February 1921, Page 36

Shortly after 7 o’clock on Saturday evening the Fire Brigade was summoned by street indicator to a fir© that had broken out in the second storey of Marshall’s malt vinegar brewery in Vogel street. The building is a three-storey one, and the flames had a strong hold and were leaping out of the windows when the brigade arrived. The outbreak was speedily got under, however, when the water was turned on, but the two upper storeys of the building and the contents were badly damaged. A considerable amount of stock used in the business, such as pepper, spices, and essences, was destroyed and damage done on the ground floor by water. The contents are insured in the Northern Assurance office. The request made by the Waihemo County Council for the establishment of a cottage hospital at Palmerston has been referred by the Finance Committee of* the Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board to the Health Department for its advice. Our Oamaru correspondent writes that the thrashing of wheat, so far as it has gone, has been productive of better results than was generally anticipated. Some disappointments have been met with, but there have been a great many more pleasant surprises. In some localities where poor or comparatively poor returns were looked for, yields of 30 bushels and upwards have been obtained, while in more favoured districts as high as 60 bushels per acre are now confidently anticipated. The improvement is the result of the rains experienced in* January, which had the effect of Ailing the ears very well. A Press Association telegram from Dannevirkc states that the B grade band contest has concluded. The second test selection played resulted : Palmerston North 135 points, Dannevirke 133, Marton 129, Hamilton 122, Temperance Guards (Auckland) 117, Auckland East Coast Defence 116, Hastings 109. The Boosey Shield, for most points for music in the tv.-o tests and rhe_ quickstep, was won by Drtnnevirke with 347 points, Palmerston North next with 346, and Marton third with 336. While in the Bay of Plenty with the Parliamentary party, Mr W. D. T.ysnar made inquiries with regard to cattle tick and, as a result, he has despatched a telegram to the Hon. W. Nosworthv, stating that three months ago ticks were discovered on two farms at Opotiki by the Government inspector. Mr I.ysnar understands that nothing has been don© to declare Opotiki an infested area, and protests strongly oil

behalf of Gisborne against the inactivity of the Stock Department. He asks to have the Opotiki district declared an infested area and that barrier dips be erected. He also considers that the £l5O subsidy from the Government towards the cost of dips is inadequate, and states that the Government should pay the total cost and put an expert in charge to supervise the dipping, farmers finding other labour if necessary and pay reasonable charges. Few New Zealanders perhaps are aware that the dominion has its own pearl shell fisheries, but off the islands of Penrhyn and Maniiiiki, now under the Government, of New Zealand, pearl divers have been at work for many years (wires our Wellington correspondent). The shell obtained is the well-known “mother of pearl,” and occasionally quite good pearls also are obtained. New regulations have just .been made in connection with the pearl diving industry in these islands, which is carried out by only naked divers, who are usually fine strong swimmers, and also by the aid cf diving machines. Licenses for naked diving and for diving machines must be 'procured, and a close season observed. The machines are to be used in the deeper waters, so that the shallow waters shall be reserved for naked diving. Only six licenses to use diving machines shall be issued in any one season. Evidently the New Zealand Government means to see that the industry is protected and not destroyed by the indiscriminate faking of the pearl shell fish. Major Winton is very satisfied with the manner in which the returned soldiers have responded to the Salvation Army Orphan Home appeal. Cards have been returned from the West Coast, Stratford, and, in fact, from nearly all parts of New Zealand, ranging in value from 2s 6d to £lO 7s 6d. The value of the cards returned so far shows an average of £1 13s 6d, which is, indeed, very gratifying, and illustrates the high admiration the work of the Army is held in by men who fought for the Empire. An early return of all cards will be appreciated, as each one has to be checked and accounted for. Seven members of the Chatto Creek Cricket Club were mulcted in heavy fines ar.d costs for being drunk and disorderly on licensed premises, and refusing to quit, at the Ophir Police Court on Friday. They were further charged with being on licensed premises after hours. On the first charge each defendant was fined £5, and on the second 10s. The evidence showed that the men, after returning from the cricket match, entered the Chatto Creek Hotel and refused to leave. All the windows in The front of the building were broken. Delegates to the International Postal Congress in Madrid were invited to attend a bull light. Mr R. 13. Morris, secretary of the New Zealand Post Office, was one of those who accepted the invitation, but lie did not appreciate the entertainment. “It •was the most disgusting and brutal show I have ever seen,” he declared. “There were 12 horses and six bulls killed, and four men were gored. Madrid went mad with delight. The place was packed with bloodthirsty people, who never missed a moment of the gruesome display.”