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Otago Witness, Issue 3611, 29 May 1923, Page 3

Registration of Ford Motors, Dunedin (Ltd. 1 , has just been effected, (he company’s place of business being the garage lately owned by T. E. Shiel and Co. (Ltd.), in Hope street. The company, which holds the Ford agency for Dunedin territory, is exclusively engaged in handling Ford cars, Fordson tractors, and accessories and repairs. It is at present negotiating for the purchase of the Newmarket Hotel property and adjoining premises, which .will give it an additional quarter-acre of space for its operations. The Westport correspondent of (ho Christchurch Press says that the following bequests have been made under the will of the late James Powell:—Presbyterian Church. £1000: Duller Hospital. £3500; Sailors’ Rest, £1000; Library. £1000: Jubilee Institute for the Blind, Auckland, and Prisoners’ Aid Society, Dunedin, £3000; Veterans’ Home, Wellington, £3000; tion Army, £4000: Dr Barnardo’s Homes, 0-3000; St Andrew’s Orphanage, Nelson. £IOOO. The usual monthly meeting of the committee of the Presbyterian Social Service Association was held last week, the Rev. W. Saunders presiding in the absence of Dr Cameron. The secretary reported that Ross Home was full to capacity, with 21 men and 27 women. There was 50 boys at Glendining Home and 30 girls at Nisbet Home, and 13 boys and girls boarded out. The Works Committee reported as to improvements required at the various homes, these matters to have attention in due course as funds became available. The Finance Committee reported a slight improvement in the financial position, although the liabilities of the association, including the bank overdraft, still stood at about £3OCO. The following special donations were reported: A Sympathiser, £100; Messrs M'Skiwming (Benliar), £SO; Anonymous, £3O; Anonymous, £3O; Mr A. Black, £5. The financial position of the association was considered. It was pointed out that while the expenditure was constant and increasing, the revenue was largely voluntary and spasmodic. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee with a view to formulating a scheme whereby a more regular and definite income might be assured. A Press Association telegram from Wellington says (that the Union Steam Ship Company has bought the coastal steamer Opihi from Messrs Reece and Co., of Christchurch. She was formerly the Norwegian barque Lilia, and was built in 1886. There is a crying demand in America and England for Netv Zealand rugs, yet to buy one in New Zealand is hard enougn. remarked a speaker at the meeting held on Wednesday to discuss the establishment of woollen mills at Masterton. “New Zealand can manufacture letter rugs than ever we sec at Home, yet nobody can ever give a reason for the" difference,” stated another sneaker, according to the Wairarapa Ago. His opinion was that the climatic conditions in New Zealand were more suited than at Home, this being an important factor iu the manufacture of woollen goods. 't he nationalisation of the bacon industry was strongly emphasised at last week's session of the Dominion Dairy Farmers’ Conference, and Mr T. J. Small asked delegates present to note his words when he prophesied that in two or three years time the bacon industry would be running side by side with the dairying industry (wires our Palmerston North correspondent). Tn the course of a lengthy survey of the position he showed how private enterprise was creeping in, and was now directing the farmer what he had to receive for his produce. There was only one solution, and that was the nationalisation of the industry. It was eventually resolved that in view of the unsatisfactory state of the bacon industry the Dominion Executive be instructed to make strenuous efforts to have the industry established on a national cooperative basis.

During the week an Otago and Southland canto for secondary schoolgirls was held at Warrington under & auspices of the New Zealand Student Christian Movement. Seven similar camps have been held in various parts of Otago during the past 10 years, and the last three have been at this favourite seaside resort. Twentyone girls, from three Otago schools and two Southland ones, were present. Mrs Hector Maclean was camp mother, while Mi es Constance Grant, of Napier, was chief officer. The weather was excellent, and the days, with their full and varied programme of fun and recreation and quiet and serious thought, passed all too quickly. A part of each evening was spent in making scrap-fcooks, dolls, and other toys for the Dunedin orphanages:

In the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court, a young man named Douglas Lionel Gray, a postal employee u t Fielding, pleaded guilty to a charge of the theft of £7O 2s, money belonging to the Postal Depart’ ment (says a Press Association wire from Palmerston North). He was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. It was stated in evidence that the money had all been repaid. A Press Association telegram from Hawera says the Hospital Board has authorised its architects to proceed with the preparation of plans for a new hospital, in anticipation of the money being raised. The hospital will cost about £BO,OOO. The Ivoard has decided to increase the staff, and has appointed a full-time house surgeon.

The closing of the long-established George street firm of Mollisons is an event of more than passing interest to those who can look back on its long history. The decision has been reached to dispose of the stock immediately and to offer the premises for sale or to let as from July 1. The business was started by Messrs Alexander, James, and James Fawns Mollison as an offshoot of tlie firm of Mollison, Duthie, Co., which had been founded in 1879 by Messrs A. and J. Mollison in conjunction with Mr John Duthie. In 1900 the present substantial building was erected on the site formerly occupied by the old White Horse Hotel A Press Association telegram from Ashburton says that a well known farmer predicts that much less wheat will be sown during the coming season owing to the late harvest and wet weather interfering with the preparation of the ground. The George street business of Messrs Laidlaw and Gray has been sold to Mr Vernon Smith, of Invercargill, who will take possession at the end of June. Mr Robert Laidiaw formerly a partner, has relinquished his connection with the firm, and is now residing in Auckland. Mr John Gray, the remaining partner, has sold the branch with the intention of oonfining his business to the Rattray street warehouse. The George street branch was established before the war. The Canterbury District Committee of the Returned Soldiers’ Association has embarked upon a scheme to assist soldier settlers to improve their dairy herds by enabling them to obtain the services of purebred dairy bulls on very easy terms (wires our Christchurch correspondent). The scheme originated with General Sir Andrew Ruses', himself a farmer who takes a great interest in the welfare of soldier settlers. In connection with the scheme a circular has been sent out to all soldier settlers in Canterbury and Westland, stating that, the R.S.A. has recently been interesting itself in t-he questioit of purebred stock for soldier settlers. So far efforts have been successful, and we are now able to advise that a number of purebred dairy bulls are available through the R.S.A. on the following terms: —£l on application, £4 on allotment, delivery to take place before the end of July, 1.923. The settler is to have the use of the bull for three seasons, after which it reverts to the association, which will either sell it outright to the user, if he so desires, or arrange for it to be sold by auction. The money raised is to go to fori* a fund out of which to subsidise local bfill clubs on soldier settlements. The following breeds of purebred bulls are available at present —briesians, Jersey, Ayrshire, and milking Shorthorn. A Wellington Press Association message states that an important decision was given by the Chief Justice yesterday in the matter of the originating summons brought before him last week with the object of securing a decision as to whether certain regulations under “The Government Railways Act, 1908,” were ultra vires. The decision mainly affected the issue as to whether promotion in the railway service was to be based primarily on seniority or whether ability and stability were to be allowed to discount seniority. His Honor held that, the regulations were good in law, and point*.l out that there was no more reason fo’f seniority ruling in the service than there was for it ruling in other occupations. At a special meeting of the Oamaru Borough Council, held yesterday evening, the estimates for the current year were reconsidered, when it was unanimously decided to make a further reduction in the rates of threepence in the £ (says a. Press Association message). Added to the reductions proposed a fortnight ago this makes a reduction in rates of nearly ninepenoe in the £ for the current year. The sound condition of the borough finances, makes this substantial reduction practicable. A Christchurch Press Association message states that Frank Smith, a newsvendor, aged 70 years, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called on for obtaining a pension certificate by means of a false statement. The police gave evidence that Smith failed to declare £l5O in the savings bark, and had declared his earnings at 30s a week. He obtained a pension for 10 months, when it was stopped, and he had since refunded £lB wrongfully obtained and had paid £lB penalty to the department. The magistrate said that the penalties provided by the Act were heavy, but he was loath to send the man to gaol. There is one phase of crime here that is especially disquieting—offences by women (writes our Sydney correspondent). Shoplifting is surprisingly prevalent, not only in the big city emporiums, but also in the suburban drapery establishments. Indeed so numerous have cases of this kind become that the courts are now sending often lers to gaol, instead of punishing them with a fine. The woman housebreaker, however, is a novelty in criminal circles. And, by a coincidence, on the day pretty Eileen Eyans (24) was sentenced in Melbourne to three years’ imprisonment, public attention was also focussed on Louisa Muller, on whom a sentence of 18 months’ imprisonment was passed. These two women criminals trod widely different paths to the dock. Blue-eyed Eileen plundered suburban houses, while Louisa, by clever climbing and divesting herself of her corsets, dropped through the roof of a oity warehouse. Eileen knocked at suburban doors, and once she assured herself of the absence of the owner, broke the glass panels, and turned the handle. Found guilty of eight charges of housebreaking, and having eight prior convictions, Eileen was also given the dreaded indeterminate sentence. She heard her fate without flinching. Mr W. W. Samson, RegistrV <?f the Supreme Court, acting in the absence of the judge, adjudicated Thomas M‘Kay, farmer, of Luggate, a bankrupt on Tuesday morning. Mr W. L. Moore appeared for the petitioning creditor, the D.I.C. Similar applications in respect to Joseph Stephens (Dunedin) and Alexander Frame (Oamaru) were ordered to stand over until June 1.

The movement recently started, with strong influence behind it, including that of Dr Kater, president of the Graziers Association of New South Wales, for the establishment of woollen mills in various country centres, in addition to those in the metropolis has received such encouraging support that the erection of the first country mil! is to be proceeded with immediately (writes our Sydney correspondent). The object is to establish factories at the seat of production and to raise the necessary capital amongst the primary producers themselves. The whole scheme will involve millions of capital, but it will be carried out in definite stages, one centre being thoroughly organised and established before, the next is started upon. The town and the district of Wagga, in the south of New South Wales, was ohosen for the first experiment, the Riverina Woollen Milks Cot «fc-uiy being floated. At a meeting this week it was announced that the 13,530 unissued shares which had been offered to the present shareholders had been over-subscribed, and on the strength of this the directors adopted a resolution authorising the preparation of specifications for buildings on the basis of a plan recently submitted. This was done with a view to calling for tenders forthwith for the erection of the mill buildings at Wagga. A further resolution authorised

the calling for tenders in Sydney and Melbourne for machinery in accordance with a specification already approved. The intention is to instal 12 looms and the necessary finishing machinery for the production of blankets and flannels. Such products of the mill are easiest of manufacture, and an assured market is waiting. Later other machinery for the production of high-class fabrics will be added. A W airoa Press Association telegram says that Francis Martin Ayre, formerly stock auctioneer at Messrs Dalgety and Co.’s Wairoa branch, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday with forging two documents in connection with an alleged bogus deal. After lengthy evidence, lasting until 11 p.m., accused was committed for trial at the Napier Supreme Court on both charges, bail being allowed accused in his own recognisances of £SOO and two sureties of £250 each. In the Auckland Police Court last week Herbert Brierly, tobacconist and hairdresser, was fined £2O and costs for keeping a common gaming house (says a Press Association message). Leniency was shown because ncoused went to the war before he was 18 years old and helped to maintain his mother.

A Press Association wire from Christchurch (hat the Gasworks Employees Union has passed the following motion in connection with banned literature : “We ' utterly condemn the attempt of the power, that 1)1' to decide what we will read. Y\ e stigmatise the censorship of working class j literature as an insult to our intelligence, and an attack on our class; and we pledge ourselves, individually and collectively, to work for its abolition.’’ In January last a member of dominionbred sheep were sold at Buenos Aires (Argentina). These sheep (all rams) were over and above those required by Mr E. St. C. Haydon for his own use and had all been bought by him when in New Zealand last year. They were offered on what was considered rather a weak market, and made the following prices (12g Argentine dollars being equivalent to the £ sterling):—Three Romney Marsh rams bought by Mr Haydon from Messrs Murray Bros (Clydevale, Otago), made SOOOdol, 950d01, and lGOOdol. One bred by Mr W. K. Morton sold at 550d0i, and three bred by Mr J. A. Mitchell (Longbum) at 900dol, 403d01, and 4£odol. Seven Romneys made 7100dol, averaging 1014dol. Lincolns bred by Messrs W. Perry and Sons, Masterton; ram, first prize and reserve champion at Christchueh and Hawke’s Bay shows, ISOOdol; ram, first prizo at Manawatu and Carterton shows, 2050dol; ram, first prize at Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay shows, 1500dol; ram, 6O0dol; rarn, lamb, I200dol; three rams, 400dol; bred by the Canterbury Seed Co., I .tel., rams at 400doi, sJodol, and 550d01. The total for 13 Lincoln rams and ram lambs was 11,450d01, averaging HBldtol. The New Zealand Corriedales were not too well known to those estancieros attending the sale, and made relatively low prices. Two bred by Mr C. H. Ensor (White Rock, Canterbury), made SOOdol and one bred by Messrs R. and J. Reid (Darfield) realised 450d01, averaging 4’ 2dol. The sheep attracted considerable attention, and South Americans may be expected to be heard of again in the near future. In the City Police Court on Wednesday Abraham Alfred Lind appeared on remand on a charge of having committed rape on Deo. 19, 1922. Sergeant Dunlop, who appeared for the prosecution, said the police were net prepared to go on with the case yet, and he asked for a remand till May 30. Mr J. B. Callan, who represented the accused, said he did not oppose the remand, but he hoped that the police would soon be able to go on with the case. The application for a remand was granted, and bail was allowed as before —accused m his own recognisance of £4OO, and two sureties of £2OO each. “Students of the Teachers’ College and teachers are hereby notified that the Minister has decided that in future marriage will not be accepted by the department as a reason for waiving the conditions of the bond into which they entered in undergoing training at the Teachers ’College.” This notice, signed by the Director of Education, appeared recently in the New South Wales Educational Gazette (writes our Sydney correspondent). It represents a step taken to meet the position created by the acute shortage of teachers in this State. Incidentally, it will make for prospective lady teachers a more difficult task of choosing a vocation. Teaching as a calling attracted many girls for the reason that it offers good remuneration, short hours, and liberal holidays. Then again they were at liberty to remain teachers as long as it suited their convenience. Immediately “the right man ’ came along the trainee or teacher could sever connection with the department, and, without any expense to herself or her bondman, waive the conditions of the bond into which she entered before undergoing her training. The new regulation might, at first sight, be regarded as harsh and unjust. But there are a number of factors to be taken into consideration. Chief of these is the fact that in order thoroughly to train a teacher for service in the schools a considerable sum of money is expended, and it is merely demanding a fair deal in the interests of the paying public that there should be some return for the money thus expended. They may still marry, of course. What the department wants is that, irrespective o F *' they will give their services as teacher*

Community singing, which was started in Wellington to cheer up business men and office workers generally in thoir luncheon hour, promises to lapse into a sort of cheap entertainment for women and children (wires our Wellington correspondent). Many business men who at first regarded the novelty with favour have now tired of it, but apart from that by the time they have had a hurried lunch and have got down to the hall they are apt to get themselves crowded out. The Maoris of the Wairoa (Hawke’s Bay) district are very thorough in all schemes undertaken by them. They are now proposing to erect a Maori vicarage at North Clyde. Five acres of land are available; also about 8000 ft of sawn timber and £3OO in cash. A motor car fund is also being started, so that a car can be provided for the minister in charge to enable him to get about more freely in the large, soattered district. An English paper wanted to know the origin of the phrase “kicking the bucket.” A Queenslander replied: “At the time of the gold fever in California in ’49, and in Australia in ’sl, and immediately afterwards many fortunes were made by lucky miners, while others, blinded by the lure of gold, spent, their all in the quest of it and failed. In blank despair they committed suicide by hanging. The procedure was this: The poor wretch tied a rope to the cross beam of his shanty, or hut, while standing on an upturned bucket or pail. Then he adjusted the other end of the rope round his neck end —when all was ready—kicked the bucket. I believe this to be the correct explanation.” During the past season 17,000- opossums were trapped in the Wellington district (wires our Wellington correspondent), an indication of the extent to which these animals have increased. One hundred and twenty-five licenses were issued to trappers, some of whom made quite a lot of money out of the sale of skins.

The Hon. C. J. Parr stated last week 1 flay the Clutha River Board considered the draft of a local Bill, received from ' 1 s Findlay, Hoggard, and Morrison igton). who were also acting for the .. of New Z ealand in the matter. 1 j : tie object of the Bill is to enable the ■ | board to borrow direct on the revenue of ! tile endowments instead of being able only 1 to give a second mortgage as at present. To this end the board proposes to abolish the Clutha River Trustees, who have no administrative or other powers, having apparently been set up when the endowments were originally set, aside and before the River Board was formed. The board decided to insert a clause in the Bill setting forth the intention to borrow up to £13,000 , and to request the solicitors to proceed with the Bill so that it might be dealt with during the coming session of Parliament. In connection with the hospital inquiry ' in rho delay which took place when Miss Phyllis Porter, a member of the J. C. Williamson Pantomime Company, who wag severely burned on the stage, was taken to hospital for admission, th* board held a special meeting on Thursday (says a Press Association wire from Wellington). Ihe board had previously found that there had been delay. The meeting yesterday considered the position of the house sur--1 geon (Dr Baird), who wrote expressing regret for the delay in the matter of admission. He admitted that he did not pay as prompt attention as was desirable. After lengthy consideration the board decided that Eh Baird be retained as house surgeon, provided the medical superintendent or his deputy is satisfied that efficiency of the staff is not being impaired in any way. Four charges of obtaining goods, cash, or board by means of valueless cheques were admitted at the Police Court by George William Sullivan (says a Press Association wire from Auckland). The offences were committed at Auckland, Hamilton, Te Aroha, Tauranga., Napier, and Wellington last month, the amounts totalling about £IOO. In a statement to the police accused said he advertised in Auckland for a nurse girl for a couple touring New Zealand. He engaged one and took her to Te Aroha, where he left her at a hotel. He took another applicant to Tauranga and Rotorua, leaving her at a hotel. Some of the clothing he obtained was for the young girls he had engaged. His reason for engaging the girls was that he knew it would be easier for him to get cheques cashed at hotels, as he was passing them off as his daughters. He was committed for trial. A Press Association message from Wellington says that Mrs —-r. who was acquitted for complicity murder for which her husband is now under sentence of death, has been temporarily liberated. Application for bail was granted by Mr Justice Chapman. Mrs Cooper entered into a- recognisance for £IOOO, and two sureties of a similar amount were forthcoming. Mr L. B. Campbell, district engineer of the Public Works Department, went up the river in the steamer Clutha on Wednesday, in company with members of the Clutha River Roard, for the purpose of investigating the shoaling of the navigable channel at various po'nts between BalcluP'.a and Tuapeka ''tonth. The Government had promised rive £ for £ subsidy up to £IOOO for removing these shoals, provided the work was approved of by the district engineer. The party got as far as Clydevale. the river being too low to enable them to proceed to Tuapeka Mouth. At Clydevale. in discussing the matter with Mr Campbell, the board put forward a proposal that portion of the subsidy should be used in perfecting the gravel pumping gear and equipment, and that the old steamer Clyde should be used as a pumping pontoon. In replying Mr Campbell said it was not usual to apply part of a subsidy to cost of equipment, and all be could say was that, he would consider the matter and make inquiries as to cost. Tt was also decided to have an inspection of the Clyde as to suitability for conducting the gravel pumping operations from. The party returned to Balelutha by motor car. and later on Mr Campbell, in answer to an urgent message, left by car for Dunedin. During the course of an extremely illuminating address before tbe Dunedin Rotary Club at its luncheon on Thursday the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward referred to world problems which are exercising the minds of the leading statesmen and writers of our own nation and also of those of the other great Powers. He pointed out the terrible nature of warfare in the future, drawing a vivid picture of the wholesale destruction of human life by means of deadly gases discharged from huge airships. To prevent this there must, be mutuai and active co-operation amongst the peoples of the world. We who comprised the British Commonwealth of nations were called upon t 0 shoulder a tremendous responsibility in maintaining world-wide peace. It was necessary that we pay special attention to the education of the masses of the people. It was no use trying to drive them. If they properly understood they would be impressed with the need of handing on the glorious heritage which had been bequeathed to them. Sir Joseph’s brief “talk” covered a wide field, reference being made to the present position of almost every nation in the world. He was listened to with wrapt attention throughout, and was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. Acting on the motion of the Government auditor, who has been scrutinising the books of the Wellington branch of the Reparations Department, Detective Nuttall has arrested E. 11. M’Cardle (who for some three years past, has been accountant to the branch) on a charge of the theft of two sums of money— £l3O and £loso— a Government department while in a position of trust (says a Press Association telegram). It is understood that the alleged defalcations extend over a considerable period. M’Cardle was remanded “11 next Wednesday. The police stated that a least 19 charges of forgery were to be preferred. Bail was fixed at £SOO.

The Hon. C. J. Parr stated yesterday (says a Press Association wire from Auckland) (hat (he appointment of four professors of education at salaries of £BSO per annum each would not involve any increased expenditure by the department, as a rearrangement of duties and staff in the training colleges would result in compensating savings. A Press Association wire from Dannevirke says a destructive fire occurred on Thursday afternoon, the Glengariy homestead, situated about three miles from Dannevirke, being totally destroved. It was a wooden building consisting of 22 rooms, a part being old and a considerable portion new. It. is surmised that the fire originated in the region of the hot. water service, and through a lack of fire-fighting facilities nothing could be c one to fight the flames, which consumed the building in a very short space of time, practically nothing being saved. The structure and furniture were the property of Major James Armstrong and were valued at about £BSOO. They were insured approximately for £6500 in the Standard office.