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Otago Witness, Issue 3566, 18 July 1922, Page 3

Lovers of cats will be interested in knowing’ that Mr C. A. Hous*. the wellknown Knglish authority on t oultry and other fancies, who is at prese it visiting the dominion, was the first mat: to breed red tabby female eats (says the Christchurch Press). Previously thev were as rare as tortoiseshell toms. In his breeding of cats Mr House produced six red female tabbies, and from these bate d soended all the red female tabbies. In an analysis of import returns for the five months ended 30th May last, (he Trade Review siiows that the value f or ’.lie period was £13,303,4-92 (excluding specie' as compared with £24,726.421 for the first five months of lust year. The total of merchandise is 44 per cent, less than last year, and is back to the level of '.919. goods show the lightest total for ’he period since 1918, and the decrease in general. Hardware has decreased 37 per - ml. ; foodstuffs also show a heavy decline The drop in motor vehicles is slight A Dannevirke resident is the proud owner of a marvellous parrot. It mutates the sound of every animate or inanimate thing, from the crow of a rooster to the drover's whistle or the shriek of a railway engine. The usual cry of the drover to his dogs is “Come here,” punctuated by whistles and other things. On a raw, wet day, two men were driving a mob of sheep past the house of the imitative bird. 1 hey were delighted to hear what they thought was a hospitable whistle and a call of “Come here.” They put the sheep through the side-gate and stepped on the verandah with anticipations of something warm, only to hear, “Go aw ay I good-bye I’’ from the cage. When they realised the source of the invitation they departed, almost as voluble as the parrot 1

Many are the tasks of the Public Works Department. One of the speakers at a gathering of the members of th;- staff at Wellington last week recalled rt incident in the early history of Wesllar*V A man was 'o be hanged, and the local architect and district engineer of the Public Works Department were assigned the duty of preparing a scaffold. The Coast did not possess an established convenie >ee of the kind at the time. The two officers designed a suitable structure, and had it erected under their supervision. Then they spent en anxious afternoon studying the operation of the drop, with a sack of Potatoes in the leading role. The design proved an excellent one, and the department’s over- I Beer became so enthusiastic about the neatly finished appliance that it was'“with the I greatest difficulty that he was ore vented ] taking the second leading part next day.’’

He feared that a careless hangman might, east some discredit upon the department. “Theory of the pheasant is past,” said Mr H. F. Ostler at a meeting of the council of tire Auckland Acclimatisation Society on Saturday (wires our Auckland correspondent). It was extremely disappointing, he said, that, despite iihe large amount spent by the society on rearing pheasants, these birds were fast becoming scarcer. For the future, unless some small bird could be obtained, sportsmen would have to rely upon Californian quail. The society, he thought., should secure about 50 Virginian quail, which had been successfully acclimatised, and breed from them on the game farm. During the year ended March 31, 1922, the revenue of Use public baths was £582 and the expenditure £2097,

Mr D. Tannock, in the course of his annual report on the operations of the lieserves Department, states that with reasonable success in the nursery the planting of the reserves on Flagstaff with trees should be completed in another year, and also the filling in of the blanks at, Wli-are Flat, where the rabbits have been troublesome. The department will then be ready to tackle the tops of Fligsfcaff, Mount Cargill, and Signal Hill, ail of which wpnld grow satisfactory timber trees. The need for afforestation as well as forest conservation is universally recognised, and the Government Forestry Department is doing all it can to assist local bodies and settlers to plant, for it is recognised that every tree planted, no matter where or by whom, provided it receives reasonable after-treatment, will become a valuable asset to the dominion. We oan look forward with confidence, adds Mr Tannock, to creating one of the most profitable deportments controlled by the Oity Council, provided we continue planting operations until all the council’s property not suitable for agriculture is afforested. It was most satisfactory to find during his recent visit to Eiuropc that the planting, pruning, and cleaning methods followed in Dunedin were the same as those employed on the large estates in Scotland and Wales, such, as Blair Athol, Murthley, Pollok, and St. Fagan’s Castle. An interesting characteristic of New Zealand plants is their affinities with those of South America. Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., who mentioned this fact in a lecture in Auckland recently, said it formerly was a great puzzle to botanists, but the exploration of the Antarctic region cleared the matter up. That great area once had a mild climate, and as it was supposed that it was at some time a vast continent, reaching to New Zealand, Australia, and South America, or was a.t different times connected with those countries, it was probable that the plants moved that way and not across the Pacific. There was not now, he said, a single herb in Antarctica, owing to the intense cold, but fossils collected showed that that great tract once had forests, birds, and insects. About 25 of our plants were the some as those of South America, and even the parasites on some were alike. Messrs H. Ward and John Gray, who have been carrying on prospecting operations on the West Coast for the past three months, have returned to Riverton (says the Western Star). In the course of a conversation Mr Ward stated that the telephone wires to Puysegur were broken in several places, and as a result the lighthouse keepers aro shut out from civilisation. The track overland was almost impassable in many places, and the Government, should take steps to have this remedied. At Gates’ the party discovered several reefs, and samples had been sent to the School of Mines far treatment. A small quantity of alluvial gold was also obtained. The party travelled overland, and at the Wairaurahiri and the Waitutu the cages, although not in first-class order, were utilised in crossing those rivers. At Big River a large landslip has fallen near the mouth, and as a consequence the lake has risen fully four feet. Wild ducks- and swans are numerous here, and from the Waiau as far as Wilson’s River deer were met with in large numbers, and, in the opinion of Mr Ward, there should be some good sport there in the course of a few years’ time. The small native birds, such as the tui, robin, bellbird, and parakeets, have all disappeared, due to the presence of stoats and weasels, which are increasing at a rapid rate. The kakapo and kiwi have also disappeared. There is on view in Smithiield Market (says our London correspondent, writing on May 30) a very fine exhibition of New Zealand lamb and mutton. The idea of giving publicity to the quality of the dominion meat in this manner is due to Mr H. E. Fairweather, representative here of the Wellington Farmers’ Meat Co. The High Commissioner has taken an interest in the display to the extent of officially calling the attention of the London newspapers to it. Further, he is having an enlarged photograph produced, which will be placed in the window of the New Zealand office in the Strand. The exhibition consists of about CO carcases of lamb, from 331 b to 381 b in weight, and some 30 carcases of wether mutton. The meat is prime quality, killed since Christmas, but no special selection has been made i& the carcases on show. Nevertheless, if anyone had any doubt as to the brightness and quality ot New Zealand lamb when it arrives in Smithfield, this display vrould dispel all doubts. The appearance of the meat is excellent, and it is hoped that the illustrated papers here will make a feature of the photographs which have been taken. Certainly the meat will be greatly appreciated by the trade. On March 31 last the City Corporation completed five years’ experience of conducting its own accident insurance risks and four years with the fire risks. The lesult of the venture, says the Town Clerk in his annual report, leaves nothing to bo desired from a financial standpoint, and nothing has occurred to suggest that the stop taken by the council in carrying its own risks has not been amply justified. The year closed with a surplus of £5757. taking the two branches jointly, and the fund now stands at £24,913. No claims for fire were reported during the year, but the accident claims numbered 43, and involved a payment of £795. A Wellington Press Association message states that the members or the Wellington Tramways Union took part in a secret ballot on the 10th on (lie question of going out on strike, in connection with the dispute with the City Council. The ballot, which was conducted by the Labour Department in accordance with the provisions of the Labour Disputes Investigation Act, resulted overwhelmingly in favour of the strike the results being: For, 449; against, 41. The total accumulated renewal funds of the various departments of the Oity Corporation on March 31 last amounted to £333,343, the Electric Power and Tramways Departments heading the list with £115,892 and £108,834 respectively.

The value' of the rateable property in the city is set down as at the present time a£843,723 —an increase of £44,376 as com pared with the previous year. The vale., tion of the non-rateable property is give: by the city valuer as £84,354 —an increas: of £9007 on last year’s figures An Ashburton Press Association message states that a gift of £3OOO has been made to the Ashburton County Hospital Board by Miss J. Chalmers, of Ashburton. The money is to be used far equipping and extending the women’s *ward accommodation. A Wellington Press Association message states that the Appeal Court on the 10th granted leave to appeal to the Privy Council in the National Mutual Life Association v. Smallfield case, heard at the last sitting. Security was fixed at £SOO. A Wellington Press Association message states that the appeal in the Supreme Court by Cameron and Co. against judgment in favour of Adess and Co., of Dunedin, was dismissed Mr Justice Husking holding that

(he rescission of the contract by the defendants was justified by the correspondence received by them from the plaintiffs. • ’osts amounting lo ten guineas were alio wed. The number of signatures required to form a Power Board in South Canterbury was 2407 and ihe number receiver! to the petition is 2827 The petition (a Press Vssoeiation telegram states) will be taken to Wellington by the chairman of the provisional board (Mr-T. L. Ilart) and formalK approved. A meeting is to be held at Timaru to take the necessary steps for the formation of a board. This is on age of appeals Within the last few' months there have been the Lh arson Memorial Appeal, the Russian Famine Appeal, the Starving Children of Europe Appeal, of the most important, and to come in the near future are the Unemployment Relief Appeal and the Memorial Fund Appeal.

Messrs G. Renwick, J. Harris, and M. Anderson, who have been trapping on the Gladbrook station, had the misfortune last week to have their oamp burnt to the ground. A few days before the sod chimney attached to their hut had caught fire, and it was thought the fire had been thoroughly extinguished, but evidently it was not so, for during the men’s absence a breeze springing up fanned it into flame, which soon burnt out everything. The trappers lost 2000 winter skins, and 4000 rounds of ammunition, besides rifles, clothing, and a violin valued at 50 guineas belonging to Mr G. Renwick. Hie death of Mr Patrick Donovan at Orepuki at, the advanced age of 87, recalls the fact that it is just £6 years ago since the late Mr James Kirkton discovered gold at the western township. How rich that field proved to be in the heydey of its prosperity is shown by the quantity of gold Mr Donovan himself disposed Of to the local banks -4000 ounces. The last rich lead worked there was known as Klondyke, and when that petered out, after enriching a few, alluvial mining dwindled down to one or two sm'uil claims. 'ihe word-building competition, which was promoted at Wanganui and advertised in the four centres, produced phenomenal results (wires our correspondent), the responses from Auckland. Christchurch, and Hawke’s Bay being particularly numerous. Thousands upon thousands of words had to be investigated, and it will take several days jet before tiro adjudicators complete their arduous task. In the meantime, the first four awards have been made to H. H. Hughes (Hastings) 1, Miss Dorothy Hardcasrle (Timoru) 2, R. Young (Kelburn) 3, Miss Margaret King (Dunedin) 4. Mr G. A. Lew in (the Town Clerk), in the course oi his annual report, makes reference to the fact that the acute financial stringency of 12 months ago synchronised with the exact time that the corporation was called upon to raise very large sums ol money to meet maturing loans. The results of the efforts which were made to cope with the situation would bear comparison, he gees on to say, with similar results attained by any local governing body in this country. As the redemption loan showed iiiucnions of filling up, the council was encouraged to raise, on the local market, a further portion of the Public Works loan, and as funds came to hand quite freely rite fear '.hat the permanent paving of the streets would have to remain in abeyance was 30on dispelled. As matters transpired, it was gratifying to be able to record that a really satisfactory year's work had resulted. It was, ot course, quite clear that the financial stringency had bad a retarding effect on many of the ventures that it was hoped' to put iiT hand; but, biking all things into acoonnt, the city could congratulate itself on the measure of progress that had been made, and as the dark clouds showed some rather convincing evidence of dispersing the future was now much more hopeful "than it was 12 months ago. Little owls are becoming plentiful throughout the district (says the Western Star). They are splendid mousers. They beat the domestic cat. A resident of Tewaewae says his outhouses were infested with mice, but with the coming of the owl they have almost disappeared. He says he has seen the owl at work, and they hare an instinctive knowledge of the habits of the mouse, which makes the little rodent’s life a precarious one where the owl exists. A meeting of committee conveners in connection with the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Appeal was held on the 11th, the Mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas) presiding. The convener of the Personal Canvass Committee (Mr F. W. Mitchell) reported that altogether £1206* lbs ?d had been collected and that there were other amounts still to come in, including about £ICO from the Rugby I uion. Mr Mitchell added that a hundred circulars had a. been sent out to townspeople who were not easily accessible to the canvassers. In view of the fact that the canvass is still incomplete, it was decided to extend the appeal to the end of July. In addition to the legacy 'o the National Mar I unds Council by the late Miss S. M. Brock, recently mentioned, within the past three months the funds have benefited by two other legacies (says a Wellington Press Association message). Rifleman William Little bequeathed the residue of his estate “for the benefit of wounded soldiers, in such a manner, and in all resjiects as the council shah deem fit.” Mrs Louisa liotheram, of l>ef|ueat-hed portion of her residuary estate for the benefit of blind soldiers. The total of these three approximates to £5006. The Executive Committee at its last meeiiiig expressed its appreciation of the generosity of the testators. ' A Press Association wire from Auckland says that a special meeting of the Auckland \acht and Motor Boat Association discussed Otago & objections to the Sanders Cup conditions, and resolved that future contests shall be sailed by boats built strictly to the fourteen-foot, one-design class. The question of military defaulters and sport came up at the annual meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Cnion last week. Mr A. Polworth moved that, the following be forwarded as a remit to the conference of the New Zealand Union, to be held at 'Eltham in September; “That no ‘shirker,’ military defaulter, or undesirable 'person be allowed to compete at any meeting held under the rules of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling T uion. Mr T. Reid seconded the motion. He said that he himself was a returned soldier, and considered that if a person did not think his country worth fighting for, then the field of sport was too clean for him to enter. —(Hear, hear.) Mr A. A. Campbell asked where the line was to be drawn as regards undesirable persons. Mr W. Rennick moved as an amendment that the words “undesirable person” bo deleted. Mr Campbell seconded, and the motion as amended was carried. The .State school at Waipukurau was totally destroyed by fire early on the 11th inst. (says a Waipawa Press Association message). Practically nothing was ■ared The loss is estimated at £4OOO,

There has for some time past been a demand from Otago Central residents for clear information on the subject of irrigation. It has been hard for settlers to know how best to lay out their land for irrigation and how to turn the water obtained to best advantage. As a result of representations made to the Department of Agriculture, Mr R. B. Tennent and Mr J. R. Marks, district engineer at Alexandra, have started to prepare a fairly comprehensive bulletin which will be ready for publication shortly and which will be distributed free to any settlers desiring it. Most of the turnip seed used in the dominion is imported, but there have been some who maintained that the New Zealand grown seed is quite equal to anything brought from overseas. The Agricultural Department recently took the matter up, and has conducted tests on the experimental area at Gore, with the result that faith in the dominion product has been triumph antly vindicated. The official results are as follow : —Red paragon, grown in Canterbury, 42 tons 3cwt per acre; imperial green globe, 36 tens 13cwt; centenary, 31 tons 19cwt; purple top yellow Aberdeen, 28 tons Ecwt; Fosterton hybrid, 26 tons 6cwt; green top yellow Aberdeen, 21 tons 7cwt. All the crops, with the exception of the first, were grown from imported seed. A Wellington Press Association message says that oji Monday the Anglican Diocesan Synod resolved that it would welcome the appointment by the Standing Committee of a Parliamentary Affairs Committee to watch and report on any legislation that might be detrimental to the moral, social, and spiritual welfare of the Church, and to report to the Standing Committee. After lengthy discussion the Synod resolved that, in view of the forthcoming referendum on the liquor issue, “this Synod earnestly commends to church people in the diocese the resolution on the subject recently carried at a meeting of the General Synod in Auckland, as follows : —‘That this Synod expresses its strong conviction that it is the bounden duty of Christian people (unless they ar? prepared to vote for total prohibition rd the liquor traffic) to have some other drastic remedy for an evil which is sapping the work and efficiency of the community.’ ” In describing a visit which He paid to the Ohau and Wanaka country in the summer of 1880-81 Professor Park, in the course of a lecture last week, stated that on a portion of the trip he was accompanied by Mr John Buchanan, Government botanist* who fairly revelled in the fine alpine vegetation. The Mount Alta range was thoroughly examined both botanically and geologically, and Buchanan’s heart was gladdened by the discovery of many plants new to science, and from that year Mount Alta became classical ground. One of the new kinds, Raoulia parlcii, was destined to prove the rapidity of plant dispersal when conditions were created which were favourable for its growth. At the time of its discovery this patch plant was represented at Mount Alba by only a few insignificant examples. In later years the persistent burning of the luxuriant tussock that, covered the flats led to the creation of desert conditions, and as a consequence R'. parkii spread rapidly into the low country. At the present time it covered thousands of acres of alluvial land in theWanaka-llawea country where it would be difficult, to exterminate. It had 3. become so typical of desert conditions that it was now known to the New Zealand botanist as the Desert Raoulia. In the course of- a recent visit to Queens land, Mr Oswald Reiiiy, of Dunedin, was surprised to be mid that the most successful middle-class men in Queensland at the present time are Italians. The native-born Queenslander, he says, resents the position the Italians are now occupying: they are a thrifty and industrious people, and with out a doubt are getting a big hold throughout Queensland. Unfortunately, the average Australian devotes too much time to sports of all descriptions, particularly racing and gambling, with the result that the more thrifty who are content to work are making a distinct headway, and the Australian-born dislikes this. Mr E. Oswald Reilly, who has returned to Dunedin from a visit to Australia, gained the impression that Queensland was suffering from two different causes—a very severe drought and the effects of bad government. He gathered from persons whom he met that the Labour Government in Queensland had really been a travesty, and the opinion seemed to be that it would take some 10 years under the sanest Government before the State could expect to recover from the consequences of the present misgovernment, It was, Mr Reilly says, very gratifying to a New Zealander, meeting men who, after having travelled all over Europe, America, China, etc., seemed to agree that New Zealand was particularly fortunate in having a sound Government. He heard the opinion frequently expressed that New Zealand was fortunate in having a man such as Mr Massey, an Imperialist and a statesman, at the head of affairs. It was pleasant to him to hear how well the Government of New Zealand was thought of throughout the whole of Australia and by visitors to the commonwealth. All the State Governments in Australia have agreed to adopt the Federal uniform export trade mark scheme. Under the scheme all goods for export will bear an Australian trade mark of a distinctive design, which has not yet been determined. This trade mark will be the commonwealth’s guarantee to the world that the goods bearing it are of first-class quality. Each manufacturer may, of course, use his own mark in addition. The Evening Post says that Mr C. E Statham, M.P., met a full meeting of the executive of the National Progressive and Moderate Labour Party on Friday, and the matter of his retirement from the United party was considered, with the result that his action was unanimously approved and endorsed by the meeting. It was furthermore unanimously resolved that as there had been no real fusion in practice between the two parties, the National Progressive and Moderate Labour Party dissociated itself altogether from the United party, and will continue as a separate and distinct party under Mr Slal hem’s leadership.

One of the questions asked the Rev. R. B. 8. Hammond at his meeting in the Burns ttall last week was this: Is it true, as stated in the cables, that there is a great wave of crime in New York as a result of prohibition? Mr Hammond, in response, read a letter from the Commissioner of Police of New York City, dated May 23. 1922. In this letter the Commissioner submitted figures showing that in the last year of the “wet” regime the city had 13.1-11 major crimes, and in 1921, it had 10.-436 major crimes, a decrease cl about 27C0. That was in the most cosmopolitan city in the world when there was a wave of crime sweeping over the whole world. The total number of arrests for drunkenness in New York fell from 19,453 in the last year of license to 7804 in the first year of prohibition. A Wellington Press Association message says that the New Zealand Interclub Photographic Competition resulted as follow's: —Invercargill, • 1127; Wellington, 1088; Auckland, 1018; Hamilton, 1006; Timaru, 923; Dunedin, 918; Christchurch 885. The possible was 1300 points. A Greymouth Press Association message says that the members of the State Miners’ Union held a meeting on the 121 h to consider the Minister’s letter that management’s terms regarding knocking off time must be accepted or the mine will be closed. There was only a fair attendance, but after discussion a fair majority agreed on acceptance, end work will be resumed on Monday next-. A youth, 17£ years of age, who had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing an electric motor, valued at £l, the property of Robert Stewart, came before Mr J. R. Bartholomew. S.M., in the City Police Court on Wednesday morning. Chiefdetective Bishop said the lad’s story about seeking employment was not quite true. He said he was a wireless operator from America, and some of the hands at Fa _ ner’s foundry made a collection for him. A j-oung lady there took him home for a night and afterwards took him along to the Y.M.C.A. Mr Faulkner was going to employ him, and he worked in the foundry till the end of the week, receiving a guinea. His father and uncle were present in court from the country, and were prepared to take the lad back. The local constable reported that his previous character was good, and his home particularly good. The father said the boy had been frying to get away to sea. The magistrate placed him on probation for a term of two years, provided that he is of good behaviour and engages in such occupation as is sanctioned by the probation officer. Considering his youth and all the circumstances, publication of the name would be prohibited. The ease of Archibald Hunter, charged with failing to comply with the terms of his probationary license, was further remanded till Saturday. Pedestrians in the Strand (writes our London correspondent on May 30) still continue to stand and admire the display of New Zealand apples in the show window of the High Commissioner's Office. When the first exhibits were taken out after 10 days’ exposure to the summer sun, it was found that the fruit was as firm and juicy as when it v»is put in; there was no sign at all of deterioration or of discolouration. Since then a new lot, grown in Nelson, has been substituted. Acting on authority from the New Zealand Government, the High Commissioner’s Department bought a number of oases from two wholesale arms in Covent Garden market. There was no special selection of oases. The eases opened up well, and enabled the Tracks Department to make an imposing exhibit in time for Empire Day, when British trade was one of the great points stressed. These apples have been most artistically arranged in gold baskets decorated with purple ribbon, and they claim the interested attention of the thousands who pass along this London artery. By means of printed display cards, useful information is supplied to the passer-by, and one of the statements made is to the effect that the time should come when apples from New Zealand will be considered a necessity and not a luxury. The fact, too, is stressed that the display is not composed, of specially picked fruit, but of fruit that every, purchaser will be able to buy who goes to market salesmen. A Press Association message from Hamilton says that Alexander Crossan, charged with attempting to murder Detective Lambeth, pleaded not guilty at the Police Court, and was committed for trial. Replying to a question in the House o-f Representatives on Wednesday afternoon (our Wellington correspondent telegraphs), the Minister of Railways (the Hon. D. H. Guthrie) welcomed the idea to let farmers cultivate narrow strips of railway land abutting upon plantations belonging to the department. It was explained by Mr Witty (Riccarton) that this would result in a profit to the department, and the prevention of fire. Mr Guthrie said he would make inquiries and see if the idea could be carried out. As a branch of art etching has so far received very little attention in New Zealand. It- is satisfactory, therefore, to learn that the inauguration at the local School of Art of a class for tuition in etching, under Mr F. V. Ellis, is attended with most encouraging prospects. We have had tha pleasure of inspecting an original artist’s proof etching by Mr Ellis, done to th“ order of Mr J. Abernethy, the subject of which i 3 the Main Gateway qf Otago University. Possibly tliis is the first prod tie tion of the kind, delineating a feature c-1 local architectural or scenic interest, turned out in the dominion. However that may be. the result compares well with examples of similar work coming from the Old Country and elsewhere. The artist is to be congratulated upon the success with which he has treated his subject, and upon Ink incidental reminder (hat the University Gateway is a credit to Dunedin. The press necessary for the etcher's work was only recently secured by the local School of Art. An Auckland Press Association wire says that the Devonport ratepayers carried a loan of £40,000 for purchasing an electric lighting plant and additions. The voting was 543 for and 199 against.

Counterfeit half-crowns and florins are *n circulation to a small extent in Auckland. A Wellington Press Association message says that the Australian Association team which has been visiting the dominion completed its tour on Wednesday, when the team played Manawatu at Palmerston North. J he tour has been in every' way a. success, the financial result being a profit of approximately £6OO, which will be divided among the associations affiliated to the New Zealand Football Association and that body. The visitors will arrive in W ellington to-day and will leave/ by the Moeraki this afternoon. There are now 23 returned soldiers , (married men) at work on the railway deviation at Pelichet Bay, and it is ex pected that more will he wanted as the work develops this week. The question of Sunday football came up at last week’s meeting of the St. Ivilda Borough Council. The Mayor (Mr J. W. Dove) set. the ball rolling by drawing attention to a report that a game had been played on Alexandra Park on Sunday last. ITe continued to say that quite a number of people had approached him to see if tho practice could not be put down. One of those vho had approached him that day was a man who did not claim to be a “wowser,” but who was strongly opposed to the desecration of the Sabbath as had occurred on the past three or four Sundays, particularly the last. Unfortunately, the council had no control over the players, but he was happy to say that a movement was on foot among influential men in town to have the law amended. He added that he would do all possible to oppose, and, if possible, stop football oil the park next Sunday. Last Sunday there were four bails on the ground, and 25 young men were playing. Cr Seddon said that, while not approving what- had been done, be must say that tile council had absolutely no jurisdiction in the matter. A. different note was struck by Cr Longworth, who remarked that, if they were going to stop football, they should, to be consistent, stop the playing of golf and stop the tramcars. Tlie great trouble was that the boys were exposed to the view of the public. The discussion then lapsed. A man named Samuel Clarkson, 60 years of age, died in the Dunedin Hospital on ihe 12th. On August 20, 1921, he was riding a horse, which bolted, and the rider, losing his seat, was dragged 50 yards. He was unconscious when packed up, and was conveyed to the Clyde Hospital. He remained there for five months and a-lialf, and was then sent to the Dunedin Hospital, where he was operated upon. He progressed favourably up tiU»the Bth inst., when symptorns of tetanus Legan to appear. He became worse from day to day, and. finally passed away on the 12th inst. The medical opinion is that death was probably die to tetanus, following injuries received from the fall from his horse. When the mail contracts were being relet at the commencement of the year, the settlers on the Drybread-Matakamvi road were desirous of obtaining an alteration of the route to give them a more equitable mail service. Advice has now been received by the secretary (Mr A. C. Laing) of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association from the postal authorities to the effect that in alternate weeks the service on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday is to be performed via Dry bread road. At a meeting of the General Committee of tihe Pearson 'Memorial Fund (says a Wellington Press Association message) i! was .VL .icd that the sum of £1550 was in hand, and that £2OO was sent direct tc the New Zealand committee Mr Clutba Mackenzie, M.P., who attended, said that a very liberal response was made by all the localities. Of £45,000 required, almost £25,000 was already in hand. The establishment of the Pearson Fund would enable blind people who, under present conditions, could not be assisted to obtain such training as would in time make them independent, and useful members of the community. At the Bluff Police Court on the Hth Alfred Stephen Archer, licensee of the Golden Age Hotel, was charged with permitting drunkenness on the premises on July 4. He was convicted and fined £2O, and the ease was adjourned to Invercargill, where Archer will be called upon to show cause why his license should not be endorsed. In response to the request of the chairman of the Harbour Board, Captain West, marine superintendent of the C- and D. Line, visited the board’s office on Ihursdav morning, and perused the latest chart of the Victoria Channel. Mr Wilkie, the board’s engineer, pointed out. the greatiy increased depth on the last soundings. Captain. West was extremely pleased, and observed that, so far es his knowledge went, the greatest obstacle to vessels of, say, up to 500 ft, navigating Victoria Channel was the approach to the islands from the Lower Harbour, the bend there being of such a nature as to make the handling of large vessels very risky, especially if there was a strong tide running. He suggested that the board’s attention should be given to widening the approach to enable a vessel to get a straight run through the islands. In reply to the chairman, Captain West said he thought the channel was of sufficient width from the islands to Dunedin, provided it could be straightened at .the bend at Curie’s Point. Captain West also suggested that the board should work towards getting a depth sufficient to permit of a vessej, drawing 25ft being able to navigate the channel. So far as his judgment went, that would be sufficient depth for a long time, as a great proportion ot the outward cargo from New Zealand was of a light nature, and vessels were not down to their maximum draft until they had bunkered at (he last port of call. Captain West said that it seemed to him quite wrong that all the outward cargo should pass through Dunedin to a pointfurther away before it could be shipped. A swagger named Sydney Warner, 40 yearn of age, was found dead in a billiard room at Motu (says a Gisborne Press Association message). Death had apparently taken place 12 hours previously

A Wellington Press Association message says that the Gazette contains regulations for the New Zealand Royal Naval Reserve, which will be composed of three classes:— A : Men who are British-born subjects and who have served for a stated period in Royal Naval rating in the Royal or Dominion Navy. B: Men who are Britishborn subjects and who folldw the sea as a profession in ships of the mercantile marine engaged in New Zealand coast .-I, Australian, or Pacific Ocean trades, or in steam fishing vessels. C: Men who are British-born subjects, but belong to neiiher of the above categories. Class A will I e divided into (1) in active service; ,2) active reserve. A Wellington Press Association message gives the vital statistics for the month of June in the four principal urban areas as follow: —Auckland City, death rate per 1000 of population, 1.05; Auckland urban area, C. 86; Wellington City. 0.94; Wellington urban area. 0.91; Christchurch City, 0.92; Christchurch urban area, 0.91: Dunedin, City. 1.22: Dunedin urban area, 1.20. Including the suburban portions Dunedin is the highest, and Auckland tho lowest At its meeting hist week the South Otago Hospital Board received a letter from the Bruce County Council asking it to proceed immediately with the erection of a cottage hospital ar Milton. The board decided to do so. It is intended to use (lie plans for the Owaka Hospital, if they are found to be suitable for Milton’s requirements. They provide for six beds, with emergency accommodation for more patients. A Wellington Press Association message says that Alexander Galbraith, who was fined for inflammatory language, is not the •selected Labour candidate for Napier. Mr L. MTlvride is the candidate chosen by the party, and Galbraith is not recognised by it. At a special sitting of the Police Court on Thursday afternoon, before 31 r J. R. Bartholomew, 8.31., George Addison was charged with stealing, on July 9, a pocket wallet containing £53 in money and a cheque for £6 2s 6d, the property of Charles Birss. Chief-detective Bishop said that the complainant, who resided at Owaka, had come into Dunedin lor a holiday. lie had about £63 in money with him, and had spent about £lO of it, and he then missed his pocket wallet. The accused, who was the porter at the hotel at which lie was staying, denied having stolen it when questioned bj the police. When told that.he would be searched, tho accused said lie would tell them where the wallet and the cheque were. There was no trace of the money, however. The accused stated that he had come out from Scotland three years ago. On the application of the chief detective a remand was granted till July '2l. Mr B. 8. Irwin, who appeared for tho accused, asked for bail, which was grantedself £IOO and one surety of £IOO or two of £SO. A Taiunarunui Press Association message says that an 11-roomed two-storied dwelling on the Matapuna road was destroyed by fire at 6 o’clock on Thursday morning. The outbuildings alone were saved. The occupants saved but few clothes. The house was owned by Mr A. 11. Gregory, and the building was valued at £2OOO. It was insured for £I2OO in the Scale office. The furniture was insured for £450 in the same office. A deputation from the "National Dairy Association and the South Island Dairy Association waited upon the Minister of Railways on the 13th la Press Association message states), placing before him the matter of greatly increased freight rates relating to dairy produce generally, but to butter and cheese in particular, which rates, the deputation maintained, were 150 per cent, in excess of the pre-war rates. Mr Guthrie promised to go very fully into the various points raised when the question ot the railway tariff should come on for discussion. The members of the deputation subsequently met a representative of the various steamship companies in conference on the question of similarly reducing the marine freights. The matter will be further gone into.