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Otago Witness, Issue 3494, 22 February 1921, Page 3

A Press Association message from Christchurch states that at a meeting of the Council of Churches it was resolved that tho council congratulate the Minister of Internal Affairs upon his determination to prevent the exhibition of moving pictures having a tendency to lower public moral. With regard to tho issue of racing permits, the Rev. J. J. North was deputed to place the council’s views before the Racing Commission. At a meeting of the Hillside branch of the A.S.R.S., held last week, the finding of the Wages Board was discussed, and after consideration the following resolution was carried:—“That this meeting of the Hillside branch of the A.S.R.S. enters an emphatic protest against the decision of tho Wages Board, and is of the opinion that the conference assembled in Wellington showed a laxity of judgment in endorsing the finding of the said board; and, further, this meeting instructs the Executive Council to reopen the matter with the department, and if the council fails to agree to this request this 'meeting calls upon it to resign.” A movement is on foot among tho old students of the late Professor Gilray to perpetuate hi 3 memory by establishing a memorial prize in English. The annual meeting of the Waikouaiti Library Institute was held on Monday evening. The annual report and balance sheet was read and adopted. The latter showed that the credit balance for tho year was £4O, as against £54 last year. The principal expenditure was incurred in renovating the piano and building a new chimney. The election of tho committe for the ensuing year resulted in Messrs T. Lang (chairman), B. W. Fell, R. Templeton, N. Stewart, S. Bray, W. Mudge, and C. Peterson being chosen. Messrs Lang. Peterson, and Fell were constituted a Works Committee. Mr B. Ilallett was appointed secretary. An interesting as well as a significant feature ot the “Jubilee Bazaar” which is being held in London in aid of Dr Barnardo’s Homes is the large stall containing a great variety of articles supplied by the generosity of New Zealand, and under the s|>ecial charge of Lady Allen, wife of the High Commissioner, states the Daily News (London). We do not seem to hear very much about New Zealand now that the war is over. Few people realise how actively concerned are the people of this distant dominion, so genuinely British in blood and sentiment, in every phaso of life, social,

And political, in Great Britain, or how quickly their sympathy s are aroused in any good purpose affecting the home of the Empire that they are asked to serve. One cannot help thinking that if the British public appreciated more justly the dose attention with which the course of Home affairs is followed in all parts of the Empire and the anxiety shown to discover our motives of action, there would to a heightened sense of responsibility on the part both of politicians and the press towards domestic problems as well as those which concern our brethren overseas. It is good sometimes, when occasion offers, to call attention to considerations such as these, for the strength and durability of the Empire must depend on the oneness ©f its outlook, and on the extent to which the centre in its practical ideals can re tain the confidence and active support of the outlying parts. That, is Imperial control reduced to its simplest terms A girl of 18 years, named Vera Stephens, "who absconded from the Caversharn Industrial School on January 23, was charged In the City Police Court last week, on nine Mounts, with tho theft of various articles of •If)thing belonging to other inmates. It, Appears that tho girl returned to the school

on February 5, when everyone was away at a picnic, and took what she fancied from the laundry. On Monday she was discovered in company with a man, who said he did not, know she was an inmate of the school, and she admitted to the police that she had been sleeping out at nights and subsisting as best she could. The girl denied five of the charges, which were dismissed. f)n the principal charge, the theft of a grey skirt, valued at, £3, she was sentenced by Mr 11. Y. Widdowson, S.M., to be detained in Addington prison for reformative treatment for a term of two years. On three other charges, involving garments to the value of £2, she was convicted and discharged. The matron of the Caversham School (Miss O’Shea) said the girl was uncontrollable and would not be taken back. An investigation has been made by Mr W. K. Dallas, orchard instructor, and Mr 11. Shields (who has had experience in the tiro blight area in Auckland), of the case of alleged fire blight discovered in a hawthorn hedge at Dansdowno, near Txi Tape (says the Christchurch Press). They found that no fire blight existed in the particular hedge, and that the appearance which raised the suspicion of that dissease was due to the hedge having been killed

by its proximity to certain gum trees. They did not confine their investigation to this particular hedge, but inspected all the hedges in the vicinity, but saw no signs of fire blight. Mr Dallas informed a reporter that it woffld be well if people who have hawthorn hedges growing on their land cut them down to a height of five feet. Mr T. Buxton, managing agent for the South Island Potato Growers’ Association, arrived in Auckland on the 16th, and reports having appointed Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Christchurch and country branches, shipping and distributing agents for the association from the Rangitata to Knikoura. It is authoratively stated that poliomyelitis (inflammation of the grey substance of the spinal oord, and known as infantile paralysis) is not so far spreading rapidly in this part of the dominion. So far the total number of notifications in Otago and Southland since the beginning of the year is 16, of which 11 were in the Otago hospital district, three in Southland, one in Vincent, and one in Waitaki. There have not been any deaths. Apart from infantile paralysis, the whole district is practically free from infectious diseases. A Wellington Press Association telegram states that at the annual meeting of the Wellington War Relief Association it was stated that the income for the year was £351, and the expenditure £1205; while the total funds were set down at £51,324. It was pointed out that during the year the association had dealt with a record number of 4721 claims. A Wellington Press Association telegram reports that the following is the result of the election for a telegraphic representative on the Post and Telegraph Appeal Board:— H. I. Bennett (Wellington, 1844 votes; 11. H. Brown (Wanganui), 1459; IT. Shaw (Christchurch), 317. The shepherd leading his flock had to be carefully explained by the Sunday school teacher to Now Zealand scholars as the custom in Palestine, where flocks were small and each sheep was known by name. But the custom is not so foreign in New Zealand j (states an exchange), as might have been observed at Mayfield last week. The drover in this case was leading a large herd of sheep, and they apparently appreciated the revival of the custom of their ancestors, for they were crowding in behind the shepherd and following him “ like a lamb.” He carried a long staff to complete the illusion. In this case, however, there was a very large flock of two-tooth ew r es ftarting on the long trek for Christchurch, and two drovers had been engaged to shepherd them. The leading drover explained that, the sheep travelled easier and gave less work for the dogs if a man could be spared to go steadily in front. Any str-agglers were, of course, rounded up by the rear driver. The sight was interest- : ! ing, however, as ail illustration of reversal to ancient custom. At a recent conference of the New Zea- ! land Federation of Woollen Mills Employees ; the following delegates were present:— i Petone, Messrs Anderson and Boyes; Roslyn, I Messrs Edward and Wrigglesworth; Kaia- ! poi, Messrs Murphy and Bennetts; Oamaru, ' Messrs Watson arid Blacklock; Onehunga, ; Mr R. Thompson; Mosgiel, Mr Henderson ; Ashburton, Mr H. C. Revell. Mr S. Edward (Roslyn) was elected president, and Mr S. Br eon (Roslyn) secretary. It, was decided that the headquarters for the* ensuing year should be at Dunedin. ! Boys 15 years of age who have passed the Fifth Standard can now earn 6s 6d a day in various trades in the railway workshops (states our Wellington correspondent,). In their fifth year they will be earning 10s 6d per day. i A Ihess Association telegram from Christchurch states that Michael Mylrea, an elderly man, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court with attempting to deliver tobacco into Paparua Prison. The evidence showed that accused placed a packet of cigarette in the prison van standing in the vicinity of the Supreme Court, and used to convey prisoners to and from Paparua Prison. Ho was fined £5, in default one month’s imprisonment. I A Wellington Press Association message ' states that a meeting of local motor traders discussed the question of toll-gates by means of solving the question of good roads. Several speakers spoke strongly in their favour. It was considered, however, that they should be under Government and not local supervision; and with (his provision the meeting passed a recommendation to the National Executive in their favour. ; An Auckland Press Association telegram states that in the Arbitration Court Lillian

Brinsley claimed £520 compensation from the Ilikurangi Coal Company on the death of her husband. Brinsley, when using the track alongside the railway line, was struck ' by an engine. The court found that, i although the railway line was habitually I used as a means of access to the mine work- • ings, there was no necessity to use it, and j gave judgment for the defendant. Leave ' was reserved to apply for costs. ; Air C. Todd (president of the Otago Ex- ! pansion League) on Thursday suggested to the Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public ; Works) that a conference should be held between the various Government depart- I merits concerned in respect to the question I of water rights. He urged that an effort ; should be made to have a law passed pro- I viding for the reversion to the Crown of i water rights when once their use for mining purposes had ceased. Mr J. Horn, j M.P., said that the Prime Minister had promised to set up a commission to go into that question before Parliament met in June. He thought that, such a coursn j would result in placing matters on a more satisfactory footing. Our Wanganui correspondent wires that a confidence trick was worked off on a well- j known local farmer on the 17th. lie happened to enter a local store, where a man Viy endeavouring to change a cheque, of whioh the proprietor of the store appeared to be doubtful. Evidently knowing the farmer the confidence man greeted him, and told him that, he was Mr , of Mar-

ton, and could lie oblige him by endorsing his cheque for a small amount. The \\ anganui farmer, not having met the Marton farmer before, but being familiar with the name, good-naturedly applied his signature to the back of the cheque. On presentation at the bank a little while later it was learned that the document was valueless. However, in the meantime the police had been put upon the trail of the erring one, who had already traded off two valueless cheques on local business men, and an arrest followed. Speaking at the Otago Expansion League’s dinner to the lion. J. G. Coates last week, the Mayor (Mr W. Begg) referred to the fact that in the near future we were likely to have a Minister resident in the city. lie suggested that the addition to Cabinet of the guest and Mr Downie Stewart would provide the driving power that was required for the country. Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P.. paid a graceful compliment, as the senior member present, by saying that if rumour was right, they would all cordially congratulate the member for

Dunedin West, and did now on his improvement in health.—(Applause.) Mr Sidoy observed that in 10 days the district would have Pen visited by no less then five Ministers of the Crown, which, ho thought, might be due to a dawning recognition by the (iovornrnent that it was out of touch with this part of New Zealand.—-(Hear, hear.) Mr (..'has. Todd, who presided at the dinner, hoped the Minister would return to Otago, where he had made many friends, a sentiment which was cordially endorsed by those present. A Press Association message from Masierton stales that at a meeting of 300 Wairarapa wool-growers at Masterton on Friday the following -esolutiou was unanimously carried: —"That this meeting of Wairarapa sheep-farmers strongly protests against the advance recently made in the freights on frozen meat by the London Tonnage Committee, and requests the Prime Minister to make the strongest possible representation in the proper quarter to have the injustice removed.” The resolution was pro-

posed by Mr A. D. Al’Leod, M.P., seconded by Sir Walter Buchanan,M.L.C., and supported by Mr Hugh Morrison, president of tire Wairarapa Provincial District Farmers’ Union. All speakers entered a strong protest against the contemplated increase, which was characterised as an unfair load on the already over burdened farmer. The Executive Council has decided that no person shall haul or use a trawl net for the purpose of taking fish in Otago Harbour inside a straight line drawn from the outermost point of Taiaroa Head Dight- ' house to Hayward Point (telegraphs our Wellington correspondent). Any person committing a breach of the clause of the regulation is liable to a penalty of not less than £1 and not exceeding £SO. When seen on Friday by a Daily Times reporter with respect to the outcome of the visit to Otago of the Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public Works), Mr C. Todd (president of the Otago Expansion League) expressed great satisfaction with the result. " Our object when we set out,” he said, “ was to obtain power for Otago at a reasonable price, and we are going to get it. Mr Shacklock is supplying the Minister at once with the figures respecting the development of Waipori, and the Minister has promised to let us have full information about the Teviot proposals within the next day -or two, so that "'e shall shortly be in possession of the latest data on the subject. The conference between the Expansion League, the City Corporation, and the Government experts will be held in Dunedin, and I see no reason why it should ”ot take place before the end of the month. We are now going to push the whole matter forward as rapidly as possible, and our next step will be to proceed with arrangements for the election of a properly-constituted Power Beard for Otago.” A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the Board of Trade has been advised by the Crown Law Office that Messrs Bing, Harris, and Co. has abandoned the appeals in the three cases under the Board of Trade Act, in which the company was recently' convicted and fined a total sum of £3OOO. The Taranaki Rifle Association’s annual meeting concluded at New Plymouth yester‘day. Roots (Hawera) won the Championship Belt, and Hawera won the Teams’ Match.