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Otago Witness, Issue 3510, 21 June 1921, Page 3

It can be but rarely that it falls to the lot of a minister of religion to conduct the opening services of a church and 50 years afterwards to take part in its jubilee services. Such, however, has been the experience of the Rev. John Ryley in St. Stephen's Church, North Dunedin, for, having preached the sermon at the opening of the church in 1871, he conducted tho thanksgiving service in tho same church on Sunday, 12th Inst. His sermon on the latter occasion was of a thoughtful nature, delivered without the aid of a single note, and with a vigour which would put many of the younger ministers in the shade. Those who heard Am were struck with tha feeling that his v. remarkable performance for a man in hi 87t.h year. Mr I-tyley is now stationed at Pembroke, and has a number of outlying posts to work at, three of which he preaches every Sunday. As ho met with a buggy accident about 12 months ago, the settlers take turns in motoring him to these posts. The residents have., however, subscribed funds for the purchase of a motor car for his church, and it is expected that this car wifi shortly be at the disposal of Mr Ryley to take him on his circuit. An Auckland Press Association telegram states that eight butchers at. the city alattoirs, paid on piecework, refused to cut l oef carcases in a certain way, and are new idle. The union secretary states that it is looking to the Labour Department to take action for t.he lock-out. Meantime, the meat is being supplied from tho freezers. The disputo was in reference tq instructions to use the saw instead of both sa\r and chopper.

A Wellington Press Association message states that Sir Heaton Rhodes (Minister of Defence) has announced the completion of the personnel of the War Pensions Medical Board by the appointment of Drs G. Lapraik (Auckland) anil E. K. Edie (King George Hospital Rotorua). Dr J. M. Christie is pi ddent of the board, which is to open its sittings on .Tune 22. If will sit at New' Plymouth on June 25, Wanganui June 27, and Auckland on June 28. hater, the board will sit at Hand. ton, Palmerston North, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Appeals mu.o j„. made on the prescribed form, width will he obtainable within the text ton day- at the offices of the local r i-tr.ns of pensions throughout New Zealand. A young women s hockey club has been formed m Mi.hi r■ -.j r -j and has started under good auspices with a satisfactory members ip. \t a recent meeting, Mrs J. Black v as elected president of the club, and Miss Iris Bloomfield secretary. The girls are hoping lint their example will ! •> followed a little further up the. line so that healthy rivalry and competition n. « be an add'd incentive to practise the garni. Mr F. G. Gumming, general secretary of the Patients and Prison-rs’ Aid Society, in his annual report for the year, states that the Victoria Jubilee <>rivalescent Fund has decided to amalgamate with the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society. The amalgamation lias duly been completed, and three members of the Victoria Jubilee Committee —Mrs ]'.. (\ Reynolds, Mrs Mowat, and Miss Williams—have joined

tiie committee of the Patients and prisoners’ Aid Society. This has helped the latter society to go further with the convalescent home scheme than was at first intended. The subscribers to the Victoria Jubilee Fund have decided to slid continue their annual subscriptions, which will be spent in the future as in the past, in sending women to the country for rest and change. These patients will go to the James Powell Rest Home, where two rooms are specially sot apart to meet this need. A free issue of uniforms will in future be made, on first appointment, to officers of the New Zealand Territorial Force. This free issue is made conditional upon the officer undertaking to render four years’ efficient service. If an officer's appointment lapses or is cancelled or revoked, or if an officer resigns his commission within two years from the date of such first appointment ho will bo required to return the uniform, and refund 25 per cent, of its price. The Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court (Mr F. Knight) on the 14th granted a creditor’s petition (.Messrs Hayward and Oarratt, Bid., applicant) adjudging Harry Knewel!, of Dunedin, importer, a bankrupt. There was no appearance on behalf of the debtor. A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that during the past season tile Auckland Racing Club paid the large sum of £01,788 to the Governin' nt by way of taxation, made up as follows: —Totalisatortax, £55,990; amusements tax, £1661; income tax £5176; land Lax, £959.

An amending regulation regarding fishing, published in this week’s Gazette, provides that no person shall take, kill, or have in iiis possession any salmon or trout during the spawning season —that is, during the close season from May 1 to September 40 in any year in every acclimatisation district, other than the Rotorua Acclamatisation district, and in that district from June 1 to October 31 in any year. The regulation does not apply to fish taken by officers of the Government or of acclimatisation societies for the purposes of pisciculture or as otherwise provided in the Act. The penalty for a breach ,of this regulation is a fine of not more than £SO. From July 15 next medical attention free of charge will be provided tor all members of the Permanent Force for disabilities arising out of, and during the course of, their official duties. A soldier, while in camp or barracks, who reports sick will be attended by a medical officer, who will certify as to whether the disability is the direct result of the man’s official duty. If the disability is not due to tins cause the soldier will be subject to a stoppage of 2s a day during the period he is receiving medical attention at the Government expense. If transferred to a civil hospital for treatment of disabilities not arising from his official duties, the soldier will be responsible to the hospital authorities for all charges in connection with his treatment during the time he is a patient in hospital.—Extract from General Headquarters Instruction

The (Minister of Education has been endeavouring to make arrangements for tho training of secondary school teachers (wires of Wellington correspondent). A complete scheme for the dominion w-as drawn up, but it was found impossible to inaugurate it this year. In the meantime the Minister has approved of a local scheme to be carried out under the auspices of the Canterbury College. This college has appointed Professor Shelley as Professor of Education, and those students of Canterbury College who are taking the subject of education, or who are studying for the diploma of education, together with any approved graduate students already attending the Christchurch Teachers’ Training College, are to constitute the secondary school teachers’ training class in Christchurch. The Canterbury College Board of Governors i 3 prepared to arrange that observation and teaching practice may be obtained by these students at r.he Boys and at the Girls’ High Schools. Tho Minister has approved of the issue of a trained secondary school teacher’s certificate to those students who subsequently complete the approved course. The hope is expressed by the Minister that this may be the beginning of a movement which will extend to the other centres, and result in the practical training in teaching of ail those who are to enter on the work of teaching in secondary and technical schools.

Three highly interesting papers on widely varied subjects were read before the ordinary monthly meeting of the Otago Institute which was held in the Museum on the 14th. There was a good attendance of members, numbering between 50 and 60 persons, and the chair was occupied by the president, Mr \Y. G. Howes. Dr Fulton, the first speaker, delivered a brief lecture on “ The Propagation of ScarletMistletoe and Red Beech,” showing how, after a number of unsuccessful experiments, he had at length induced this attractive flowering parasite to grow upon >a red beech tree in his garden in Pitt street. In his early experiments he had placed tho mistletoe seeds in tree forks and on the branches in their natural state, but be had eventually succeeded in getting two plants to grow by removing the sticky fruit which encased the seed and then placing the seed on a bafanch. At the close of his address Dr Fulton distributed a number of envelopes of mistletoe seed to those present, and no doubt this, romantic Christmas emblem will become more plentiful in and around Dunedin. Mr H. Mandeno exhibited a number of illustrations of the Great London Exhibition of 1851, these being reproductions from actual drawings, and in many cases revealing great skill in draughtsmanship. He also read a short paper briefly tracing the development of the exhibition movement from the time of King Ahasuerus onwards, and giving a number of interesting particulars with reference to the great- exhibition at the Crystal P-alac-e. The final address of the evening was delivered bv Mr A. Bathgate, who traced in a highly interesting manner many of the changes which, within his own observation, had taken place in the flora and fauna of Otago within the last 50 or 60 years. The most- notable of all these changes had been the extermination of plant, covering in Central Otago, which, in the early days was generally well-grassed and even showed scrub in the gullies. The only hope which he held out for a restoration of the plant covering in this locality lay in systematic irrigation and in extensive afforestation. The president mentioned that Mr Bathgate’s first paper before the institute appeared in Volume HI of the transactions, covering the year 1870. and lie felt sure that his present address, which was an intensely interesting one. would also find a place in the transactions. A new design in motor car number plates, invented by a lady resident of Wellington, has been brought under the notice of the Wellington City Council’s chief motor inspec i or. This is a small rectangular 1 \ with a gin---: in front on which the mmilet of tho ear is frosted, the rest of the glass device is that- the number shows ordinary black cud while during daylight, and at night -1 ime is illuminated with a small fleet iilight, which makes the number show out very clearly, and, in addition, di-plays tie new design ha.- come through many tests satisfaeiorii.v (says tie- Rust', and it- is tc be seise' l -1 --d ti) the City Counod’s By-laws Committee with a view of being" recommended for adoption in Wellington. The glass j s protected by gauze to prevent breakage, uirl owing to tho shape of the box in which it is priced tho regi-lralioi number is clearly and evenly spread.

One of the least obvious illustrations of J that portion of Dr Truby King’s lecture I in Auckland, dealing- with the importance j of proper nutrition (says the Herald), was a j lantern slide showing a pair of boots, lie ' explained that an expert could tell from j calf leather whether the calf from which j the skin was taken had been naturally or ; artificially fed. This, -fie said, showed the j tremendous effect of artificial feeding. Fur- j flier investigation had shown, lie added, j that the portions of tile alimentary carta! I used as sausage casings also showed dificr | euces in the two typos of animals, 'in- ! intestines of artificially fed animals wort j thinner and more fragile in texture t inn t those of the naturally fed. Tile Government has arranged with the Chatham Islands Visiting Company to run an alternate monthly service to tit - Chatham Islands, granting ihe company an annual subsidy (wires our Wellington cor- ! respondent), f have been unable to ascor- | lain tie all JO Lit ‘ i of ill d r■IOSII iV , bi! t- I ! J mules s' aiul n is aim It £SOO. liio service J ] Torch. It is possible that two extra trips J I a year will be made. There has been a j request for wir. less communication between J the two islands, and inquiries are being I made as to v.'liiU This would cost. In the cafe against William 11. M. Taylor, who admitted the theft of two diamond rings (says a Press Association ines.-age from Auckland), Mr Justine Stringer said that he hesitated in accepting the recommendation by the aecuvod’s counsel, who stated that ids client was a wealthy man. and had no need to steal, and j that the ease be met by the im;-' sit ion of I a substantial tine. But as the prob.flion officer lutd reported favourably and th- j police had reported favourably he would ! agree to making the tine £2JO, such as would probably impre-s the accu.a.d that homely in tile best- policy.

A painful experience Left'll Mr William ! Howard, aged 83 years, on Saturday, 11th j inst. Mr Howard follow - the vocation of i a gold miner, cradling the auiiierous wash in tiie Kurivao stream, which fi0..., down ! the South Wyndiiain slopes (reports tho j Farmer). Hie chimney of his hut took I fire and lie was ascending a ladder to inj vestigate when he fell heavily to tiie ground, j fracturing the neck of one of his thigh ! bones lie was able to reach au outhouse. [ whence lie win.o.-sod the total destruction I of liis hut and all its contents, including | iiis clothes, mining tools, a much-prized | collection of books, and other cherished l things. There, too, he remained in anxiety j and without a bite of food for upwards of 36 hours—until Sunday morning, when Mr Peter Campbell happened to be in the vicinity, and heard the old man's cry. Ho v o.s promptly removed i" the Gore Hospital, where lie is doing well. Mr Howard is one of the few remaining pioneers of the i historical Gabriel's Gully rush, and he af- ! tended tho diamond jubilee celebrations ill | connection therewith held at Lawrence on ; Friday, May 28 last. I llow easily juvenile crime can be matin- ! fa: lured anil the stalk-ties of juvenile dej pravity enlarged was illustrated in the Juvenile Couit at Wellington on Saturday, when seven lads were charged with playing football in a street. This crime luis been committed by generations of boys, and there are grey haired grandfathers who. in their ilay, were guilty of the same offence, but who were fortunate in not being dragged before the magistrate. 8 lie Magistral", turning to the Probation I Officer (Mr J. Dinneen); said: ”1 suppose j y.ii have to take a .record of these boys’ | names')” Mr Dime on: Vs; I have to, j sir. Mr F. K. Hunt: Seven bovs have to I have their names recorded for playing football in the -ireet. and so they .will help I p, sw oU the record of juvenile 1 and tho statistics of juvenile depravity.

A remarkable example of the power of the suction dredge, now employed on the reclamation works at Mechanic’s Bay (says the New Zealand Herald), is afforded by the latest acquisition to the extensive collection of curios drawn up from the bed of the harbour. This curio is a cannon ball, 61b in weight, and measuring 7|in in diameter, which was drawn from the silt 24ft below loSv water level, and delivered through 803 ft of pipe to a height loft above low water, a total lift of 37it. This ball was recovered from the discharge pipe from which ail manner of relics are obtained by the engineer in charge of the dredge, who manifests a keen interest in articles Ttrought up from the depths of the Waite.nata. Recently he mentioned other articles that had been caught in the suction pipes. On one occasion 13 florins, rusted together, were obtained. Possibly they had been lying together in a purse. Sovereigns of old issuo are sometimes found. One day the engineer found a sovereign that had been flattened out by being worked around in the socket joint of a pipe. Doubting if the metal was really gold, he showed it to a dentist, who immediately bought it for 17s. A silver coin, issued in the reign of William IV, had been found, and from the present dredge site, which was an old man-o’-war anchorage, a number of ancient firearms had been brought up. Some Martini-Henry cartridges, which were recovered some time ago, appeared to be in a very bad condition, but upon placing them in the fire they exploded. As the end of the suction pipe operates in about 13ft or 15ft of silt, some time must have elapsed since the articles fell into the sea. Recently a large number of counterfeit coins, of fairly recent make, were found. The fact that they discoloured upon exposure, revealed their spurious nature. It is with the spirit of the prospector or gold miner that the dredge engineers delve in the pipes or search the silt deposit on the reclamation for fresh curios from the depths. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the following rates of interest will be paid by banks on fixed deposits from June'2o, 1921: —Three months, 31 per cent.; six months, 3| per cent. ; 12 mouths, 4 per cent, j two years, per cent. V ith regard to a very large consignment of oil that is being re-consigned to the United States, it appears that a certain quantity of it got into actual use with motor cars, and in other directions, and fell far short of requirements and expectations. The result has been that purchasers have repudiated the oil, and it has been thrown back on the hands of merchants, who in turn have had to reject the whole consignment, which is now being sent back to New York for refinement. This must necessarily entail considerable loss to someone. The Donald M'Kay, which has not yet arrived from Australia, will take the rejected oil back to the States. A proposal to revolutionise the control of the Girls and the Boys’ High Schools was disclosed to the Otago High Schools’ Board on Thursday afternoon in a motion submitted by Mr W. It. Brugh in the following- terms:—“l hereby give the following notice of motion to be moved at the next meeting of the board:—‘That it be a recommendation to the Education Department that the control of the Otago Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools bo taken ever by -the Otago Education Board, that the Board of Governors be disbanded, and that a committee o' management with powers similar to school committees be elected biennially as follows—namely, one member by the Otago University Council and eight others by the parents of the pupils attending tiio schools (a proportion of the eight preferably to be parents of the pupils), and that three ladies representing the girls’ school be added es co-optative members. And, further, that thi3 resolution shall bo made applicable to all high schools within the dominion. In the event cf the above resolution being carried that a copy of same shall be forwarded to the Hon. the Minister of Education and the Director of Education.’ ” The members of the Returned Soldiers’ Club are now able to use the new building in Moray place, the premises being open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on week-days, and from 10.30 a.in. till 10 p.m. on Sundays. At a meeting of the Club-house Committee on Tuesday evening it was reported that the furnishing of the dining-room had not been quite completed, but a 3 soon as the room was ready a mid-day meal would be furnished. The committee decided to have heaters installed in the office. A Wanganui Press Association message states that the body of flames Robert Streeter (85), who disappeared from home on Wednesday, was found in the river on Thursday morning. Deceased was a very old resident of Wanganui. During a lengthy debate on the annual report and balance sheet of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation (states a. Wellington Press Association telegram), an amendment was moved by Mr C. Mackay (Nelson) - expressing no confidence in the present executive on account of the friction alleged to hire taken place between the federation headquarters and the various districts. Subsequently, after a warm debate, this amendment waa withdrawn, the mover explaining that lie did this to facilitate the work of the conference, not because his opinion had in any way changed, e He had been given to understand that certain alterations would take place in the executive of ♦he federation tltis season. Therefore, ho thought it a pity to continue washing dirty linen in public. A lengthy reply was made by the general manager (Mr F. J. .Shelton) on Thursday morning. The chairman (Air J. Longton) having also spoken, the report and balance sheet were adopted. A Gisborne Press Association message states that in connection with several reported cases of breaking and entering business premises, six boys were charged in the Juvenile Court on the 14th with a series of thefts. The magistrate put them under probation for tw-o years, ordered restitution, and also ordered them to keep away from picture shows for eight months.