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Otago Witness, Issue 3610, 22 May 1923, Page 3

The Church Congress, the first that has ever been held in New Zealand by the Anglican denomination, will be opened in Christchurch o~ the 22nd inst. The Chairni. of the Central Committee of the New Zealand Art Section of the British Empire Exhibition has been in communication with the secretary of the Otago Art Society in connection with the selection of pictures, the work of members of the Otago Society. The council of the society is invited to select pictures to occupy 150 square feet of space on the walls of the Imperial Art Section, the works to be representative of typical New Zealand subjects and, as far as possible, by living New Zealand artists. In addition to these pictures a further 200 square feet of space has been allotted for old and modern pictures of historical events showing the development of the dominion and notable for the subjects treated rather than for any high artistic quality, These latter pictures are to be exhibited in the New Zealand Pavilion. A Press Association ware from Wellington says another accident happened to the pantomime company on the 12th, Jack Cannot, comedian, this time being the sufferer. During the matinee one of lha borders fell from above, and the batten 6truck him on the head, gashing his scalp and rendering him temporarily unconscious. The wound was stitehe-d up, and ha managed later on to sing one song. In the evening he was able to re-appear. A Press Association telegram from Auckland says that Mr Justice Hardman, in the Supreme Court, sentenced William Lawrence Pillinder for breaches of the Bankruptcy Act (in contracting debts without a reasonable prospect of paying his creditors) to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour on each of three counts, the sentences to be concurrent. At a meeting of the Lauder Combined Medical C!lub, held on the 12th, delegates representing each part of the district were present, also Dr M’Kibbin, cf the Health Department, and Messrs John Smart and Ray, of the Vincent Hospital Board. 'Pen applications" were received for the position of medical officer. In the opinion of lie meeting the district was, owing to climatic conditions, unsuited /or a lady doctor. All the applications were considered in detail and Dr T. Harrison was appointed medical officer to the club. A joke at the expense of the American nation was indulged in by Lord Jellicoe at a meeting of the Auckland Savage Club on Saturday evening. lie sa:d he had been informed that a gentleman from the United States had inserted an advertisement in a newspaper asking for information regarding the conditions of life in New Zealand, as he desired to settle in the dominion. The advertiser was particularly anxious to ascertain whether New Zealand Natives molested white people. After the laughter which greeted this statement had subsided his Excellency occasioned further mirth by turning toward the Governor of American Samoa and observing: “Possibly Captain Pollock inserted the advertisement.” Captain Pollock, who neither admitted nor denied tho soft impeachment, joined heartily in tho laughter, as also did Dr P. H. Buck, a member of the Native race. One effect of the floods in the South Island has been an acute shortage of potatoes in Hamilton and the consequent high prices that are ruling there (wires our Auckland correspondent). Potatoes, which were recently selling in Hamilton at £9 per ton, are now quoted at £l2, and there is no indication that the peak has been reached. It is not anticipated that

supplies will be replenished this month. The position in Auckland is also unsatisfactory, and merchants have been caught with short stocks. The quotation is nominally £ll to £ll 6s, ex store, but no great quantities are changing hands. A sharp rise in chaff has also resulted from the floods, local stocks being at a low ebb. A Press Association message from Wellington says that the Union Steam Ship Company has purchased the oil tank installation at Miramar from the Vacuum Oil Company, where it is proposed to store residual oil fuel.

A Press Association message from Auckland states that H.M.S. Laburnum left the northcm port on Monday evening on an extended cruise among the Pacific Islands. She will first visit Suva ; then Hull Island, Sydney Island, Stafu, Nukunono, Faknofu, Apia, Pago Pago, Rarotonga, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Penrhyn, Nino Island, Nukualofa, thence to Suva, where she will be duo on August 16.

The Otago Labour Representation Committee met in the Trades Hall on the 14th. Mr C. M. Moss, president, was in the chair, and over 50 delegates were present. The following resolution was carried unanimously:—“That the Otago Labour representation Committee congratulates the Queensland Labour Party on its magnificent victory at the polls, and is pleased that the workers of Queensland have shown confidence in the Labour Government in again returning- it with a greater majority.” Mr J. E. Mr.eManus reported that he had, along with other councillors, visited the flooded areas. He referred to the deplorable conditions as a result of the flood, and the committee carried the following resolut.on : —' that this meeting of the Otago Labour Representation Committee extent's its sympathy with all sufferers from the effects of the late flood, and urges all citizens to immediately demand that the council do everything that will prevent a recurrence, and, further, that the Labour representative on the council Be requested to urge the council to immediately take the necessary steps to safeguard the city against further inundation.”. The Prime Minister has received a most cordial invitation from the Governor of the State of Oregon to visit that State should he go abroad to attend the Imperial Con-

ference. An opportunity to entertain Mr Massey would, he says, be regarded as an honour by the people of the State. The general manager of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of the business community of the State, also expressed the hope that Mr Massey will visit America while abroad. The flood damage extended to a number of the Otago schools. A report to Wednesday’s meeting of the Education Board stated that it will be impossible to conduct school in the Henley School buildings for six weeks or longer. The Henley hall had been engaged, and classes were being carried on there. Twenty-four pupils were at present on the roll. The teacher was granted house allowance during the time the school residen»3 was flooded, and the action of the cordniittee in engaging the hall was approved. Tire Waianakarua Committee (North Otago) reported that owing to the flood a cart which brought a number of children to school was unable to cross a stream, and asked the board to press for the erection of a bridge. This matter was referred to the county council concerned. The committee at Whare Flat reported that serious damage had been caused to thh attroaches to the school by flood waters, ted that protective works were urger.Trij Seeded. The architect was asked to repst£,Sh this matter.

The annual conference of directors of tho technical schools on the 16th (says a Wellington Press Association message) It was decided to support the proposal of the Technical School Teachers’ Association that the association should comprise two branches—directors and teachers —who should meet separately every year, and subsequently meet as a united body. Mr W. G. Aldridge (Invercargill) was elected president, and Mr W. J. Thompson (Ashburton! secretary. The paper consists principally of talks upon subjects of special interest in connection with technical education, the first of which was opened bv Mr D. Hansen (Christchurch) upon the grading of new entrants by means of intelligence tests. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Howell (Wellington), to bring down a report on co-education. It, was also resolved to join up with the Teachers’ Association. A Press Association message from Wellington says that something of a novelty in the way of bands has been introduced by the formation in Wellington of a Chinese band. Among the Chinese here are several musicians who in their own country had a professional status. They recently combined to form a band, and instruments have been imported from China at considerable cost. The uniforms, which are being made in the city, are said to be very elaborate. Tho band will make its first appearance in Wellington at the end of the present month.

The Minister of Lands and Railways (the Hon. D. H. Guthrie) is still in a private hospital, and it scorns very problematical whether he will be able to take any part at all in the work of the session (says a Press Association message from Wellington). He has been advised to make a trip to the Pacific Islands in June. At present the portfolio of Lands is in the hands of Sir Francis Bell, who is a member of the Upper House. The Prime Minister has not indicated yet whether there will be any rearrangement of portfolios; nor has he given any hint of how soon a Minister will be appointed to take the place of Mr Lee.

The scheme inaugurated by Sir Henry Harwell, Premier of South Australia, for bringing out British boys as immigrants is apparently working satisfactorily (says a Wellington Press Association telegram). The Bishop of Willochra, who arrived by the Marama yesterday from Sydney, said that the boys were known as “Barwell boys.” They were arriving in batches and going on farms, where they were doing extremely well. They were a. very good class of boys, and seemed to he well educated and willing to work. Some British girls were coming out as well.

Richard Savage, labourer, petitioned for a divorce from Jessie Savage under a separation order that had been in force for more than three years (says a Press Association message from Christchurch!. During cross-examination by respondent’s counsel, the petitioner admitted that ordinary relations had been resumed after the granting of a separation order. Counsel for the petitioner stated that he had been wrongly instructed, and intimated that he would not proceed with the petition. Mr Justice Adams said that the petitioner’s admission put an end to the matter. Parties were not allowed to cohabit after a separation order had been made. Counsel for the petitioner had no option but to withdraw the case.

A meat war is now raging in Wanganui (wires our correspondent). Lad week a meat company brought the price down and later a new company, comprising graziers and beef-growers, brought the price of beef down by a further penny per potnc, ad round. Fillet is down to Bd, rump steak to 7d, and sirloin to 4d, with other lines correspondingly low in price. When the shop opened on the 16th it had all the appearance of a first day large display sale, the stores being crowded all day. The other large shop was also packed all day, and never in the history of Wanganui has so much meat been retailed within 12 hours. One company is delivering meat at the new cut prices, and quite a fleet of motor-vans is engaged in delivering orders. One man interested in the meat trade states that, the ** is going to he a regular spring-clean-ing in the butchery business throughout the dominion.

The following paragraph appeared in the Auckland Star recently: “That there is plenty of money about for investment in Auckland is evident by the increased business done on the Stock Exchange latterly. A gentleman remarked to a reporter that there must have been a change for the better in Auckland financially, as he had experienced considerable difficulty in placing money at call w'ith business firms in the city. Advice irom Dunedin is also to the effect that finance seems easier, and more money is offering at a reasonable rate of interest. For mortgages, a good deal of money is stated to be available now at 6 per cent, in the south.” Referring to the above, Mr W. F. Sligo states that it is quite true there has been a good deed of activity in joint stock companies shares of late, one of the reasons being that gilt-edged securities have touched high prices, and investors are tempted to buy the better class of investments. Anticipation of a reduction in companies tax has also induced business in this direction. There are other reasons, one of which is that investors are a little shy of mortgages while the operation of the moratorium is in force, and to investors in industrial and joint stock companies shares there is always the hope of an alteration in the incidence of taxation. Making a few comparisons taken haphazard, per cent. 1933 bonds or stock taxable, at today’s prices (£lOl lbs), show on investment a shade over 5| per cent., and postals would show about the same at £9B, whereas some of the bank shares are showing an equal return free of tax, and some of the better class of industrial shares are showing from 1 to 2 per cent, better. Westport Coal, for instance, at 40s, shows a return of per cent.

Although large numbers of people will travel from Australia next year to inspect the British Empire Exhibition from April to October, it is not expected that there will be any appreciable reduction of steamer fares, at least as applied to “oneclass” accommodation, such as is provided by the commonwealth Covernment liners (says the Melbourne J F). It is pointed out that a return passage, Melbourne to London, can be obtained for £66, and the total time occupied in sea travelling is about 12 weeks. During these 84 days the passenger is being transported, provisioned, and accommodated with living quarters and services for a payment which works out at about 15s a day, and in view of the cost of running the vessels and procuring all the necessary services, it is thought unlikely that fares will be reduced. The same argument does not apply with such force to accommodation on other vessels, for which much higher passenger fares are charged. There are only a few first-class cabins on the vessels of the commonwealth line.

A Press Association message from Wellington says that the present system of education with tho matriculation examination as a University entrance was referred to at the secondary schools’ conference, when the following remit was brought forward on behalf of Wellington and Nelson: “That this association again strongly confirms the principle of accrediting in lieu of matriculation examination.” Mr T. Renner (Wellington) said that in many respects the matriculation examination was unsatisfactory to school teachers. The Department had supported ’ho accrediting system, hut - the University Senate was so conservative that little progress had been made. The accrediting system would have a beneficial effect on the growth of secondary schools. The remit was carried. A Press Association message from Wellington states that the theft of American and Canadian money to the value of £l9, the property of Captain Augustus Weewetzer. of the American schooner Forest Home, resulted in William Wilson, the first irate of the vessel, being sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, to bo placed ci> board the vfissel before she sails. Bookmakers are doing a lot of harm in our small community, said Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., the other day, in the course of a decision in a betting case at the Auckland Police Court. “The country is verminous with these parasites,” he said. "One does not know whether to pity or despise the fools who are victimised, by them. The worst feature of this vampirism is the number of young sillies who think themselves smart in betting with them. Fines sometimes encourage wrongdoing. In offences like sly grog selling, keeping brothels, or gaming houses fines only stimulate to greater exertions in get-

ting enough money to pay them. In future unless in very exceptional cases imprisonment w’ithcut the option would be imposed where possible.”

A Press Association telegram from Wellington says that at a social gathering held in his honour at Petone last week Mr P. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), replying to remarks made about resolutions appearing in the press about the Prime Minister’s attendance at Imperial Conferences, said that before every session you will notice throughout New Zealand outbursts of propaganda through the Reform pi-ess that the Leader of the English Conservatives has just given the Leader of the New Zealand Conservatives a testimonial in order to make New Zealanders believe that Mr Massey was the only fit representative for the conference. The Wellingt A -naniber of commerce, and the Waira.. - *.pa Chamber had each passed resolution'* moved by Reform’s righthand supporters, aiding this propaganda. Those w'ho remember Lord Milner’s wonderful eulogy of our Prime Minister some time ago were impressed somewhat till we read practically the same eulogy from the Conservative Prime Minister of Canada. “I want the electors of my constituency,” said Mr Wilford, “to see the value of these made-to-order resolutions, and weigh them accordingly, and remember how resolutions against the Opposition were suggested by a circular by Mr Ernest A. James, Reform’s secretary in the days gone by. They have not changed.” An affray at the Grosvenor Hotel on March 3 last was revived in the Supreme Court yesterday (says a Pi’css Association telegram from Christchurch). Last week John Stack, a barman at the hotel, was fined £lO for assaulting Thomas Reynolds, a gas expert, by striking him in the eye. The eye was severely injured, and had to be removed. Reynolds now brought a civil action against Stack, claiming £IOOO damages. Mr Justice Adams said that Stack admitted that the blow was struck in anger, and there could be no defence to the general action. The jury gave a verdict for plaintiff for £3OO damages. Clutha County's £I2,’JOO Uidge loan has been carried by well over the three-fifths majority required. The final figures, which are now available, were:—For the loan, 936'; against, 314; informal, 24. Total votes cast, 1274. The only one of the 47 polling places that gave an actual majority against the proposal was Merino Downs, the voting being 34 against and 10 for. In Owalca the polling w>as 141 for, 48 against, with 11 informal; while at Owoka Valley the voting was 26 for and 23 against. At Toiro the voting was fairly even, being 28 for and 23 against. A Press Association message from Wellington says that a Gazette Extraordinary dated Tuesday, May 15, further prorogues Parliament until June 5 next.

The Government has decided that no more applications for advances under the Soldier Settlement Act will* be received at present. The Acting- Minister of Lands (Sir Francis Bell) said that the funds which the Government had set aside for the purpose had been exhausted, and many of the applications already in hand could not be granted (says a Press Association message from Wellington). Consequently it had been decided that no more applications would be received. It was also intended that new legislation should be introduced next session, though he was not in a position to indicate what line would be taken. Asked as to the work of the soldiers’ inquiry boards, Sir Francis stated that all the reports should be received before the end of the month. Until the final report had been received the Government could not decide what it would do to relieve the present position. It might be that a very large sum of money was involved, the extent of which could not be ascertained until all the information gathered by the boards was consolidated. At any rate legislation would be necessary, and the question would have to be dealt with during next session of Parliament. At the meeting of the Otago Hospital Board on Thursday morning it was decided that the levy tor the year be fixed at £35,0C0 ; which is £IO,OOO less than was the case last year. The farmers of Central Otago have complained that under the wheat control scheme they have been placed at a great disadvantage with regard to f.o.b. prices. It is now hoped, however, that as a result of correspondence which has taken place between Mr .T Horn, M.P., and the president of the Farmers’ Union on the matter, they will receive from the board the full value for their wheat It was mentioned in a report of the attendance officer of the Education Board on Thursday that proceedings are being taken against a parent in tne Oamaru district, who, for no valid reason, persists in making his two young children (nine years six months and seven years eight months respectively) walk three and a-balf miles to one school, when he is living about a mile from another school. “Apart from the irregularity of the attendance of the children under such conditions, it is absolutely cruel to compel children of this age to walk seven miles every day to school,” stated the report. *

A number of tho posts of the old Jetty street wharf—a wliaxf which existed some 70 years ago—were discovered when the excavations were being made for the building which 13 to be erected for the Otago Fruitgrowers’ Association on the site of the demolished Pier Hotel. These posts—of manuka, which are about a foot in diameter— are wonderfully well preserved. The portions, indeed, which were embedded in the pug, which formed the foreshore at that time, can, without exaggeration, be said to be_ as sound as the day when they were driven. The post 3 have been secured by the Early Settlers’ Association, which proposes to make show cases out of the wood. The workmen also discovered a man’s riding boot, the leather of which was perfectly sound, and a brass wiok-clipper—-an instrument evidently used in the days of the pioneers for removing the burned top of the wicks of oil lamps. “The department is sending so many men into the schools that the headmaster some of these days will say to the department, ‘You had better take over the school altogether,’ ” remarked the chairman cf the Education Board (Mr J. Wallace) at the meeting of that body last week. Mr A. E. Lawrence added that the teachers did not know who were coming and who had the right to come. In 1921 the Education Department circularised boards, advising that the concession of a free week-end railway pass to their homes for scholarship pupils receiving the boarding allowance was to be withdrawn. But, according to the Hon. D. T. Fleming, the decision has just been enforced, in some cases at least. Speaking on the subject at last week’s meeting of the Education Board, Mr Fleming said that some parents cf pupils had embarked their sons and daughters on a secondary course, understanding tliat they were to receive the privilege, and he knew of one girl who had received it right up to this month, when she was advised that it v.as to be discontinued. Mr Fleming pointed out that the privilege meant a good deal to parents for the £35 boarding allowance was not sufficient to keep a child, and the saving of the board from Saturday to Monday wa s worth while. On Mr Fleming’s motion it was resolved to ask the department, if it wished to enforce its decision, to withhold the enforcement until the end of the year so that those pupils who had started their secondary education under the old conditions would not be affected in tho middle of the term. The New Zealand Educational Institute was occupied at its morning session in considering the Recess Committee’s report on the Hylton scheme of salaries and grading of primary school teachers (says a Wellington Press Association wire). The report contains a salary scale for certificated teachers, starting at £IBO, and proceeding by annual increments of £lO to £590, with provision in regard to proficiency. ’ The scheme as amended is an attempt to meet the promise made by the Minister that if any better method of allocating the amount a-t present, available for salaries can be suggested he will favourably consider it. Discussion is proceeding.

The Committee of the Otago A. and P. Society has this year added a class for cheese grading, open to bona fide cheese factory managers. The Taieri and Peninsula Milk Supply Company has offered a silver cup, valued at 15 guineas, as first prize, and the Southland Dairy Association have notified the society that they will present the successful competitor with a gold medal. The cheese will be selected and graded by Government officials, and the award made to the competitor whose grading card is nearest to tho points allocated by the Government graders.

The Otago High Schools’ Board has completed the purchase of a site of an acre in Highgate, Roslyn, as a site for a hostel to be associated with the Girls’ High School. It is not likely, however, that the building will be proceeded with for two years yet. A member of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association forwarded to last week's executive meeting a letter suggesting that the New Zealand Government should be asked to consider the advisability of obtaining tho rights of the “Spahlinger” treatment for the cure of tuberculosis cases. He pointed out that a Christchurch doctor who had had considerable experience of y* treatment of tuberculosis cases, including, some months’ study of the “Spahlinger” system, had stated that the Government could purchase the rights of it for £IO,OOO. The minimum cost of treatment of soldier patients in sanatoria was at present £5 19s per week, and if the “Spahlinger” treatment was all that it was claimed to be, the Government would save the purchase price several times in a year. The executive decided to forward the suggestion to the Dominion Conference for favourable consideration. The annual meeting of the Otago Trades and Labour Council was held last week, when the following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year President, Mr P. Neilson; secretary, Mr L. Evans; treasurer, Mr J. Hales; trustees, Messrs Blaikie and Murray; auditors, Messrs Rice and M‘Donnell; Executive Committee —Messrs F. Jones, Campbell, R. Ferguson, and W. Baird. Mr Ferguson, delegate tp the conference, in speaking of the Apprentices’ Bill, said he was in favour of some of the minor clauses being agreed to, and the major clauses, after several modifications, being submitted to the various employers and employees’ organisations for their consideration, the whole to be placed before the House at its next session. The unexplained detachment of a wheel from a car saved a party of motorists from, death at Hororata River on Sunday evening (wires our Christchurch correspondent). But for the accident the car and its occupants would "have plunged 20 feet over a broken bridge into the swirling river below. In pitch darkness the party was making for Mothven, and had to cross the river by a bridge at Gienroy. The approach to the bridge had been washed away, but the motorists were not aware of it. Nothing but a piece of fencing wire, quite invisible at night, and unlighted, barred the way to destruction. The driver was going straight forward, and would have driven on to the bridge without stopping, but when the car was some distance from the death-trap one of the rear wheels came off, and the party was forced to wait until daybreak before continuing. The motorists then discovered the deadly trap which would have claimed them if the wheel had not come off.