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Otago Witness, Issue 3714, 19 May 1925, Page 43

Owing to the necessity for placing the Otago Witness cn the early trains on Tuesday morning, it was impossible to publish illustrations of Mr Massey’s funeral in this issue, the photographs arriving in Dunedin on Saturday evening. Photographs of the funeral will, however, occupy two pages in next week’s issue, and several photographs of interest incidental to the late Prime Minister’s death will also be published. A comparison of the trade figures at the Port of Otago for the period from January 1 to April 30 last shows that the imports have increased to a marked degree, as compared with the returns for the same period in 1913, and the last pre-war year. Tho imports from oversea for the first four months of this year totalled 43,038 tons, and the imports by inter-colonial and coastal steamers 76,517 tons, as compared with 32.340 and 66,666 tons respectively during the first four months of 1913 The grand totals were 119,555 (in 1925), and 99,006 (in 1913). The exports by oversea vessels from January 1 to April 30 last, totalled 23.737 tons, and by inter-colonial and coastal vessel 39,365 tons, as compared with 18,661 and 38,994 tons respectively from January 1 to April 30. 1913. The grand totals were 54,102 tons (in 1925). and 57.655 tons (in 1913). While the imports showed an increase of nearly 20.000 tons for the first four months of this year, the exports showed a decrease of over 3500 tons. The grand total of imports and exports for the four months this year and for the first four months of 1913 were 173,657 tons and 156.661 tons respectively. The result of those figures Is that extra revenue was collected on 16,996 tons of merchandise. Tho total imports by oversea, inter-colonial, and coastal vessels this year constitute a rocord for tho port, and the total figures for the fir At four months of the present year are also a record for tho port. The following fixtures have been made by the Court of Arbitration Christchurch, May 26; liroymouth, June 10; Wellington, June 16. Tho court will also hold a sitting at Timaru within a week or 10 days from May 26. The date of this sitting will be fixed on May 26 when the court opens at Christchurch. The capping ceremony was held at Canterbury College on Friday. Dr J. 1 light (Deputy Chancellor of tho New Zealand University) presented the diplomas, but his address was lost in the uproar created by undergraduates, and he handed a typed copy of his speech to the reporters.

Referring to the conditions of sale of the commonwealth fleet, the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr S. M. Bruce) said it was provided that the vessels would continue to ply on the present route, that the service would be one acceptable to the Ministry, and that faro ..and freights would not be raised unless with the consent of a body which would bo appointed for the purpose of dealing with these and other matters. There was no stipulation that these vessels were to remain under the Australian flag. Once almost 60 strong, the Commonwealth line is now reduced to 28 vessels, and includes the” five “Bay” passongor liners of 13,850 tons each; the two Dale freighters, of 9670 tons each; and other cargo steamers varying- in size from the Dilgn, of 3308 tons, to the Boorara, of 6763 tons. The moaning of an order that a prisoner shall come up for sentence when called upon was explained by Mr Justice Alpors in the Auckland Supreme Court -when imposing this punishment upon a Chinese offender under the bankruptcy laws. Its offoct, said his Honor, was that if the prisoner got into trouble again—say. by incurring unwarrantable debts, or entering upon speculative business transactions—ho could, on the slightest complaint hy those concerned, be properly brought before the court for sentence upon the present chnrges. The court would not have to wait for him to commit another crime. The moment ho was caught speculating in silk or fruit, he could be sontenoed on the oharge now proved against him. The knowledge of a prisoner that proved charges wore hanging , Over his hood should help to keep him on the straight path of commercial honesty.

Amongst the war trophies held at the Kensington Drill Hall on behalf of the City Council are the mountings of two German machine guns. An application for one of these mountings has been made through the Defence Department by the Milton Borough Council, and, as both sets are not needed, the application has been granted by the Reserves Committee. His Honor Mr Justice Sim has granted probate in connection with the following estates Elizabeth Morrison, James Martin Manchester, John Craig, and Alexander Thompson, all of Dunedin. The old building in Wellington between the Pier Hotel and the existing A.M.P. offices in Customhouse quay, which is at present being demolished to make room for new nine-floored structure for the Australian Mutual Provident Society, has a curious history (says the Dominion). Its period of service was not restricted to Wellington, the building having served the Bank of Austrnlnsia in three countries. It was originally built for the bank' in England, and for a time it served the bank in London. When the time came to pull it down, the material from which it was built was considered so good that it was taken down in sections, and transferred to Hobart, in Tasmania. Later still, it was again taken to pieces, and re-erected in Customhouse quay, where for many years it fronted the harbour opposite the old Queen's Bond. Its timbers hove been found to be still very good in the main, and were there any urgency the old building, through the portals of which bo many million! of pounds have passed, could at a pinch have stood another term of duty.