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Otago Witness, Issue 3509, 14 June 1921, Page 36

Evidence at the Tasman inquiry was directed to the fact that, the steamer was considerably off her course, the captain being of opinion that there was some unusual influence affecting the compass (says a Press Association wire from Auckland). Mr V. R. Meredith, counsel for the captain, suggested that the influence might have been the Aurora Australis. He said ho knew of two instances where vessels found themselves in trouble during the recent Southern Lights display.

The Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association concluded on Sunday, after a sitting covering the morning, a targe puit ot tne afternoon, and the whole of tiie evening till midnight, the proceedings of the daytime were largely devoted to the consideration of the report of the Lands Committee, in which keen interest was taken, partnaiariy in regard to tile question ct vile financing of soldier settiers over tile present difficult times. Tlio principal business in the evening, outside that of the election cf the office-bearers, was the question of the Canteen Fund. In the afternoon a remit from Canterbury had been brought forward that it should be a recommendation that the fund be used bv the Government tc provide a maternity bonus ol £lO for the wives of returned soldiers, -tile discussion that- followed provided one of the most humorous passages in the course of the conference, but the proposal was seriously made and seriously upheld, the principal speaker being Mr Leadley, on behalf of die Canterbury district, from whence tiie proposal emanated. It was defeated, however, its main opponents taking the ground that any experiment in a maternity bonus should come from the Government, and that such a use of the Canteen Fund would be most improper. Later a confidential report was introduced by the Canteen Fund Committee, and this was taken up in committee in the evening. Colonel T. IV. McDonald strong! y urged open discussion, but reasons were advanced deciding the conference to remain in committee. The course of action suggested by the committee was agreed to, and t-lie committee was empowered to draw up recommendations and follow the course of action suggested, members of the conference to respect the confidential nature of the proposals in the meantime. Our Queenstown correspondent, wires that at the Magistrate's Court on the 7th David Young, proprietor of the Coronet Beak Station, was proceeded against under section 6 of the Rabbit Nuisance Act, 1908, for failing to destroy rabbits to the satisfaction of tho inspector (.Mr W. Wilson) on a portion of the property at the branches of the Upper Shotover. Considerable argument took place regarding the area of the affected portion. The prosecution alleged this to be 2400 acres, and required that five men be put on to clear it. For the defence it- was stated that the area was only five or six hundred acres, and that the one man employed was quite sufficient, and that the work had been carried out as effectively as could be done in the period given to clear it. The magistrate (Mr A. M. Movvlem) pointed out that under section 20 of the Act the inspector had to be satisfied, and the evidence showed he was not. The area made no difference. The Act did not leave it to the discretion of the court to say whether the work w-as done, satisfactorily or not. It was the inspector who had to be satisfied. Apparently the ceuit was only left exercise of power as far as the fine was concerned. At the same time the settlers had their side. One could not shut one's eyes to the fact that the settlers in these days were in an awkward position. To put it vulgarly: they were “ up ag'ainst it,” but the law must be carried out. The rabbits must be cleared. lie did not. want anyone to think that anything he had said was upholding the part of the settler in what he bad done, lie considered the position would be reasonably met if he inflicted a fine of £lO. The position of New Zealand newspapers under the laws of libel was summed up by Mr Justice Salmond in the Supreme Court on the 7th, when he was instructing the special jury in the New Zealand Times libel case (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington). “if,” said his Honor, “a newspaper is proved to have been guilty of publishing a libel it must pay up, and avoid further libels in future.” He then referred to libel laws and their strictness. “The New Zealand press,” lie remarked, “can be commended for the remarkable vigour with which it keeps out of its pages defamatory references to individuals, and articles of an unsavoury character.” An Auckland Press Association message states that on receiving the intimation from the Minister of Education that it was intended that instruction in history and civics shall aim at instilling into boys and girls a love for their country and a pride in the achievements of the British race throughout the Empire, Mr King, chairman of the Auckland Education Board, remarked that it seemed an opportune time to take exception to the clause in the Act which gave parents an opportunity of objecting to their children being taught history. The board had sent a remit urging the deletion of this clause in tile Act; and he moved a resolution on similar lines, which was carried by four to three. A committee consisting of tile principal heads of departments is inquiring into possible economics in the public service (wires our Wellington correspondent). As the result of their deliberations various economies have already been effected. Eventually reductions of staff in certain departments will be possible, but the danger of possible unemployment will prevent this at present. Our Wellington correspondent wires that Mrs Farr has now landed there from the Ulimaroa, and is staying with friends. Her refusal to take the oath of allegiance was not oil account of any disloyalty on her part, but because of reasons connected. with tin: proceedings in which she was concerned recently in Sydney. On Thursday the local stipendiary magistrate, Mr K. Page, heard medical evidence regarding her condition, and as the result of ibis she was permitted to stay with friends The Chief Postmaster advises that the mails which left New Zealand on April 28, per R.AI.iS. Maraina, via San Francisco, arrived in London on June 9. A Hamilton Press Association message relates that two men, Michael George Joyce and John William APCorkindale, were discovered last week on the premises of Mr W. Mhattuek, a butcher. Meat had been missed for three weeks, and the police were hidden on the premises.

The following applications for assistance were dealt with at yesterday's meeting of the Otago District Repatriation Hoard: — Business loans: Four applications were received, of which one was approved, and three were declined. Furniture loans: Fifteen applications were received, of which 12 were recommended, two were held over, and one was declined. In four cases where returned soldiers are receiving training in new trades, payment of withheld subsidy was approved. In three cases, payment of withheld subsidy and a continuance of training was approved. Increased subsidy was approved in one case; while subsidy and continuance of training was approved in a reviewed case. One application to commence learning a new trade and to be subsidised whilst learning was also received and approved. Seven applications for assistance for technical and university training were received, of which live were approved and two were held over. are published (says the Melbourne Argus; vliien show that throughout Australia three people in every live have accounts m a sayings bank, and that adding the depositors in other banks the proportion is four out of five. Evan allowing for the effect ol a temporary inflation of the currency in having increa ed the apparent wealth of the community, these figures have «n important and a double meaning. Not only are they a proof of the thrift of the people, but also they represent a bulwark against the wild communistic schemes that attiaCt (he thriftless minority by their promises of a redistribution of the country’s wealth. There are also to be considered the investments of the people in building Societies, and in insurance societies, and in the freehold titles that so many hold to the homes that they occupy. When those who have been careless of their own future are deducted from the total of those who have a stake in the country, it will bo seen that there is really a very small majority in Australia that can be relied upon by socialist agitators to give serious heed to their extravagant and dangerous doctrines. In previous years teachers, when appearing before the Grading Appeal Board, had to conduct their own cases. Many failed to do themselves justice before the board, while others shrank from doing so. .Some teachers, unaware of the regulations and the procedure necessary to appeal, would never have appeared before the Appeal Board had certain information been given them beforehand. For these reasons the Otago Educational Institute invites members, who intend apealing, to consult Air Miller, who lias been appointed to conduct the cases for those requiring assistance. Air Miller will be in attendance at t-hc Y.M.C.A. rooms on Saturday’, June 18, and members requirin'* .advice and assistance are requested to communicate with him straight away. A rather uncomplimentary reference to New Zealand members of Parliament is contained in A'iscount Bryce’s book, “Modern Democracies.” Viscount Bryce says:—“The New Zealand House of Representatives is in one sense too representative, for its members are little above the average of their electors in knowledge

or ability. . . . The Assembly is left to persons five-sixths of whom do not rise above the level of the town councillors of an English town. . . . The standard not only of attainments, but of debates and of manners also, leaves something to be desired. Thinking bears a low’ ratio to talking. , . There is certainly what one may call a sort of commonness, a want of that elevation and dignity which ought to raise above their ordinary level those who administer the affairs of a self-govern-ing community with a great future, and this lowers the moral influence of Parliament upon the community itself.” “Conscientious reasons,” laconically declared two middle-aged men named Harry Batten and Joseph Ratten, of Edendale, who came before Air J. W. Poynton, AM., last week on a charge of having failed to fill ill their census papers (says a Press Association wire from Auckland). “ Ridiculous rot,” retorted the magistrate with equal brevity, when it was explained that the men had just refused to till in papers when asked to do so by the census sub-enumerator, and that Joseph Batten had been fined (in default one month’s imprisonment) on tho occasion of the 1916 census for a similar attitude. Joseph Batten was fined £lO, in default one month’s imprisonment, and Harry’ Batten was fined £5, in default 14 days' imprisonment. How many remember liow money was made by the rabbiters in the early eighties? (asks the Gundagai. New South Wales, Independent). A man on the North Lachlan, when the rabbits first appeared, offered a bonus of 7s 6d each. “ That will stop them,” lie said. But it didn’t, and the rabbits came so fast that he dropped the bonus to ss, and still they came. Then he dropped it to 2s, then to Is, and finally the rabbits stopped his bonus altogether. He couldn’t keep up with them. For a. time the men in the western country between Hay and the Darling paid a bonus of Is on rabbits, and Jimmy Tyson was one of them—even he believed that the bonus would beat the rabbits —but it didn’t. Big money was made by the trappers. There, was an hotel out from Wilcannia that cleared about £7OOO in two years, and practically all of it was made out of the rabbiters. Those were great days for tho rabbiters —you would see them driving in a four-in-hand into Wilcannia. But when the. bonus was stopped the trappers let their packs of dogs go wild, and themselves passed on to less lucrative work elsewhere. Lieutenant A. G. Hamilton, in an interview in the St. Louis Star, talks about his record parachute descent of 24.000 feet near Rantoul, Illinois, recently. The upward climb of the aeroplane from which ho dropped took 86 minutes, the parachute drop about 20. His pilot paired him on the back and shouted, “I'll send you lilies.” Then the lieutenant put his feet over the side and dropped. “I had a. few anxious seconds until the harness tightened round my shoulders,” lie said, “arid 1 knew the parachute had opened. Then I just lit a cigarette and drifted.”

A remarkable story of how Lord A lien by saved Jerusalem from bombardment was told at Norwich (England) by Mr B. I.ipschote, a missionary (says tne Newcastle Weekly Chronicle). When the famous cavalry leader arrived in Egypt to take command of the army, said Mr I.ipschote, his first act was to hold a prayer mooting. He prayed that it might not be necessary for him to Lombard Jerusalem, because lie felt that a shell might fall on the spot wheio ottr Saviour was crucified. When the British army was approaching the Holy City, General Allenby saw that it might Ik? necessary to shell it, and he cabled to the War Cabinet for definite instructions. In reply lie was told to use his own judgment. He was not satisfied, and communicated directly w ith the King. 'I lie King's reply was very short, but very much to the point. It: was Pray about it.” General Allenby did so, and, as everybody knew, when he arrived at the gates of the city it surrendered unconditionally. In Chambers on Saturday morning, Mr Justice Sim, Acting Chief Justice, disposed of the matter of the application for the release of Eric Hans-on, who was sentenced at Middlemarch by Mr E. C. Levvov, S.M., to two terms of three months’ imprisonment without the optron of a fine for procuring liquor while a prohibited person. On 1 hursday Mr Justice Adams granted a rule nisi calling upon the. gaohr to show cause wny the prisoner should not bo discharged, the rule 10 be returnable before the Acting Chief Justice, and on Saturday Mr E. B. Adams (Crown Solicitor), asked by the Acting Chief Justice if he had anything to sav why the rule should not be made absolute, replied that he was afraid he could say very little. His Honor remarked that the conviction seemed to be hopelessly lwd, the rule ni-i was made absolute, and an order given for the immediate discharge of the prisoner. Mr A. C. Hanlon appeared for the applicant. Mr \ . G. Day, S.M., president of the Assessment Court, arrived in Dunedin on Saturday evening. Ihe newly-appointed Assessment Court held its initial sitting here on Monday, where the court will bo occupied for two days, and then sittings will bo held in Xaseby and Clyde. About a week will be spent in Central Otago, and after that there will fie a one-day sitting in Balclutha. Mr Day will then go north, and will be in Whangarei about the end of the month. After that some of the Auckland city cases will be heard. The itinerary subsequent to the Auckland sitting of the court is not yet known. I he etiquette of the Supreme Court go far as it applies to tile members of the liar is fairly strictly defined, and the matter of dress is not the least important of its requirements. In Invercargill recently, when a solicitor appeared before Mr Justice Sim (Acting Chief Justice) in a light grey suit; and tan boots, he was informed that his garb was not suited to the occasion. Ilis Honor pointed out that a dark suit should bo worn before the court. The newly-discovered goldfield on the Alexander Liver, in tiie Inangafiua district, continues to excite great interest on the IV esc Goast, and Leeiton people are using every endeavour to secure immediate road access and the early opening up of the feel's. The new reef is called the “Bull,” and it is interesting to note t Hat it is called after a cattle dog named “Bull,” owned by the prospectors, one of whom, Mr M‘Vicar, was Ininting cattle one day in at the foot of the ridge where the reef was discovered, and ''Bull'’ laid a few animals bailed up against the bank. When his owner went in after the ting, he picked up a quartz specimen containing gold, and it was from this beginning that the reef was eventually traced to its position on the ridge hundreds of feet above. The creek where the specimen was picked up is now called Bull ( reek, and the new discovery the Bull reef. The discovery was actually made away back in January of this year, but the prospectors did net make the discovery public uniil they were satisfied with

the value of it, and bad made themselves secure as to the ground round about the reef itself. i(I : Honor Mr Justice Adams sat in chambers on Thursday morning to hear an application by Mr A. C. Hanlon for a writ of habeas corpus for the release from the Dunedin Prison of Eric Hansson, who was sentenced at Middlemarch by Air E. C. Lovvey, SAL, to two terms of three months’ imprisonment without the option of a fine for procuring liquor while a prohibited person. Mi Hanlon pointed out that the Licensing Act, under which the informations were laid, fixed tile maximum penalty at £lO, in default three months’ imprisonment. The magistrate, lie said, had inflicted a term of imprisonment on each charge, and the sentence had been made cumulative -six months in all. Counsel contended that the magistrate had no jurisdiction to issue the warrants under which the man was held in prison. 1 lis Honor granted a rule nisi calling upon the gaoler to show cause why accused should not be discharged, the rule to be returnable before Mr Justice Sim on Saturday morning next. Referring to the large surplus announced by (he Treasurer of New Zealand, the Federal Treasurer, in the lloubg of Representatives a fe.v days ago, >aid the point to lie noted was the large ycild of the income tax in the sister dominion. This source of revenue last year produced £8.000,003. Xew Zealand had a population of about 1.200.000- a;>iderably less than the State of Victoria. The equivalent of that tax in tiie commonwealth would have been about £33.000,000 to £35.000,000. In other words, the direct taxation in that wonderful little country was nearly 50 per cent, more per head than in Australia. Our direct taxation last year was £6 11s 6d per head. It was £9 12s per head in X* vv Zealand, and £ls l£s 2d in the United Kinmlom. What Sir Joseph Cook did not sav (remarks the Age) was that a single Government in New Zealand collects all taxation. lie neglected to point out that, in addition to the burdensome Federal taxation borne by the people of Australia, the taxes of •State Governments are super-imposed.

A number of New Zealand slaughtermen sailed for Australia yesterday. It is not usual for men in this line of work to go across still September, ar.d a reason given for their making the trip earlier than in other years is that they regard the prospect of winter work in Australia as brighter than the prospects here.

At a meeting of the committee of the 'i imam A. and P. Association on Friday, a member stated that it was now recognised in Christchurch that the Christchurch Show was becoming a back number by reason of the fact that it was held when the races were on, and the latter attracted the crowd. The speaker added that he believed the Christchurch Show Committee would be glad of an opportunity to alter the dates of the Metropolitan Show.