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Otago Witness, Issue 3742, 1 December 1925, Page 3

To improve the physique of prisoners undergoing open-air and other stimulating treatment at Borstal institutions, a system of physical drill has been instituted. Like the Y.M.C.A, certain prison establishments in New Zealand are now equipped with gymnastic apparatus in order, if possible, to assist the reformative process. Sir James Parr (Minister of Justice) told an Evening Post reporter that under the direction of experienced instructors, the inmates at Invercargill and Waikeria are showing wonderful improvement in physical demeanour, and, as they attained a greater degree of physioal fitness their whole bearing and general outlook noticeably improve. The libraries at the institution are now well stocked with suitable books, and inmates can choose their reading matter from a wide variety of works. The library is drawn- upon to a considerable extent by the inmates, who take an active part in the weekly debates held in the schoolroom. These debates, which have proved a great success, are held under the chairmanship of the head master, and the subjects chosen are, of course, non-political in character. The inmates display a keen interest and an enthusiasm which would do credit to an outside debating society. “The time is not far distant when there will be a signpost on every by-road in the country,” remarked Mr W. C. Green, chairman of the Egmont County Council, during a discussion on the question of indicating county boundaries by signposts. He regretted (says the New Plymouth News) that the financial position of the council would not permit of all the roads being indicated by signposts at present, but he would strongly support the proposal when finance permitted. When travelling north he had appreciated having the side road 3 indicated by signposts. Cr Sinclair considered that the council should at once replaoe the signposts at the F.ltham road corner, whore it is essential that a signpost should be placed. It was resolved to erect a poet there, giving the mileage from Eltham, Hawcra, and New Plymouth. Reference was made to the fact that a previous 9ign had been destroyed but it was considered that as a reward of £lO had been offered for the apprehension of the deliquent or deliquents on the last occasion there would be no trouble on that score.

That the commercial firms of Germany are prepared to abase their country’s national dignity in the dust in their endeavour to extend their business operation is demonstrated by a trade publication, “The German Printer,” which has been received by a Hawke’s Bay paper. -The cover, which is printed in colour, depicts the Union Jack flying mast high above the German flag. To fly one country’s flag above another is regarded in international etiquette as a serious insult to that country whose flag is placed lower, but the German merchants apparently consider that an insult self-administered may be good for the pocket.

“You have to face some form of increase in motor taxation,” 9aid Lieutenant-colonel Symonds when lecturing at'the Palmerston North Citizens’ Luncheon Club recently, “but do not let it go on motor spirit.” The speaker stated (reports the Manawatu Standard) that the latter tax had been tried in England, but it was not successful, and in the end the authorities were convinced that the horse-power tax was the best one of all. The motor spirit tax looked all right at first glance, but when one got down to bedrock it would be found that it was not so wonderful. “Anyhow,” added the speaker, “the price of motor spirit is quite high enough.” “A good many of the toys on the market this Christmas will be of German make.” said the manager of a Dunedin importing firm to a reporter lost week. “The toys from Germany will mostly be mechanical. Large quantities of toys arc also coming from the Continent and from Czeeho-Slo-vakin. In addition, the Americans are sending out a number of toy engines and sixlh like. For the higher class of goods, though, the English makers still hold their own.” The manager said that the Germans, \>y their low costs were fast coming back to the New Zealand market.

The trustees of the Otago Art Gallery have purchased four pictures from the gallery at the Exhibition. The lato Mr Peter Sineaton left £IO,OOO to the Art Society, and the interest on this sum is used for the purchase of works by British artists. 'I he four paintings obtained from the Exhibition show are “Outskirts of the Wood,”

on oil painting by O. Pitman, R.0.T.; “The Sussex Common,” an oil painting by H. H. La Thanguo, lt.A.; “The Golden Porch,” an oil painting by Terrick Williams, A.R.A., V.P.R.; and “General Wade’s Bridge,” a water colour by A. P. Thomson, R.Si.W.

“We have had a tremendous number of visitors to the library,” stated Mr W. B. M‘Ewan, librarian at the Dunedin Public Library last week. He said that many of the visitors who were in Dunedin for the Exhibition had expressed nothing but appreciation of the arrangements at the library. Particular interest has been shown in the unique collection of New Zealand books, number over 6000 volumes. Yesterday Mr M‘Ewan showed two parties from the North Island round the 'New Zealand section. The section includes a fine collection of early printed books and manuscripts. Referring to this collection, Mr M‘Ewan remarked: “Some of the visitors say that the collection should be on show at the Exhibition, but I want the people to come to the library to see it.” The observation buses which have recently made their appearance in Dunedin are proving a conspicuous success. A visitor from Auckland was very enthusiastio over the ride to Highcliff. “It is wonderful,” he declared. “I thought that the Auckland observation buses could show something, but as scenery is concerned Dunedin is far ahead of them.” He further indicated that he was taking on every tourist trip available, “and,” he added, “if they are as cheap and as good as the one I went this morning I will be perfectly satisfied with the value received.” New Zealanders have so long been accustomed to seeing Pinus radiata (commonly known as Pinus insignis in the Dominion) growing in their country that it is excusable if by some this tree is regarded as an indigenous species (says a circular issued by the New Zealand Forest Service). From Cape Reinga, in the extreme north, to the Bluff, in the southernmost part, thriving specimens may be seen. Large numbers must have been planted in the early days of colonisation for shelter purposes, its extremely rapid growth giving it preference over other species. When a layman speaks of “pine” he almost invariably means Pinu9 radiata, or, if lie gives it a scientific name, he refers to it as “Pinus insignis,” a name which will probably never be entirely dropped in favour of # the correct one. It is therefore intended to establish “Insignis pine” us the common name of this species. No other imported tree has adapted itself so well. Here it makes rapid growth, is almost free from disease, and has becom2 established as one of the most successful tree introductions into New Zealand. At this time it appears unlikely that reliable information could be secured upon the dale and exact manner in which the first introduction was made, but existing plantations bear evidence that from 40 to 55 years ago large numbers must have been planted. It is probable that earlier-planted specimens having demonstrated the extraordinarily rapid growth of this species led to the more extensive planting, the result. 3 of which are now seen from one end of New Zealand to the other. Two valuable Auckland freehold properties were offered for sale by public auction recently on instructions from the trustees of the estate of the late Alfred Porter, of Auckland. Both properties failed to reach the reserve placed upon them, and were consequently passed in. The principal property was a block with frontages to 49ft 6in, both to Queen and High street, the depth being slightly over 185 ft. This property is .almost opposite Wyndham Btrcet. and until recently the ironmongery business of Messrs E. Porter and Co. was carried on there. In offering the property the auctioneer remarked, that he was cutting out the buildings on the property, as they were not of much value. Bidding opened at £50.000, and progressed in £SOOO, bids to £65,000, *when interest slackened. Bids of £2500 wore then accepted, and two offers carried the figure to £70,000. There £IOOO bids brought the final offer to £72,000. at which figure the property was passed in. The price per foot on the £72,000 bid is £1454.

A deputation from dental students waited on tho University Council at its on Tuesday to voice the disabilities the studonts were working under at the old school, and to ask that the completion of the new school should be expedited ns much as possible. The deputation was heard in committee. At the conclusion of the statements by tho members of the deputation the Chancellor (Mr T. K. Sidoy, M.P.) said the council hoped to have the new Dental School ready for the «fudents when they commenced their work at the beginning of tho new year. The council would certainly do all in its power to have tho school completed by then.

“There are more geologists working in Poverty Bay at the present time than have ever been concentrated in any one part of New ZenJand before,” declared Mr Chester Washburn, in the course of a brief interiew at Gisborne. Mr Washburn, who is one of the foremost geologists in the United States, has arried to tako charge of operations in connection with the search for oil in Poverty Bay. The company has amalgamated with the Taranaki syndicate, and the joint resources of the two organisations will be utilised in the district. From the manner In which the detailed survey work is being carried out it is apparent that the company means business. The geological stalf engaged under Mr Washburn comprises Messrs W. ('. Miller, Colo, Pyfe, and M’Phorson. The two last are Now Zealandtrained men. Mr Whitney, another American geologist, will be coming to Poverty Bay again in the near future, and will be engaged in (he detailed survey. Dr Clapp, who was responsile for the initial report which resulted in the company’s work in the district, has returned to America. Speaking of the prospects of discovering oil in payablo quant:lies, Mr Washburn was noncommittal, but ho said that the company (loped to put down the first beforo the tnd of the summer.

During the short time the Exhibition has been open a considerable amount of lost property which has been picked up within the buildings and in the grounds has been handed over to the custody of the police to whom application should be made for its return.

A marked increase ip solar activity i 9 reported by Mr G. V. Hudson, of Karori, Wellington. Mr Hudson states: “A very extensive group of sunspots is now visible near the eastern limb of the* sun, and is favourably placed for observation during the early part of this week. There has been great solar activity for some time past, and the sun’s disc has not been clear of sunspots since August 17.” Considerable prominence has been given of late to theories that the weather is very closely connected with the activity of the sun, the latest idea being that a period of low activity with few sunspots is followed at an interval by a fall in the temperature of the earth’s oceans, which in turn causes poor summers and severe winters. Similarly it is contended by the holders of these theories that increased solar activity with many sunspots is a forerunner of better weather conditions all round, but at precisely at what interval after the sunspots the bettor weatheT may be expected, is a point on which the rival experts are far from agreeing.

The advantages of electricity did not appeal to the Auckland Education Board when the chairman of the Newton Central School Committee produced to them a bill of £29 received by the school committee for two months’ supply of electricity for the school. “It’s all very nice and cheap to put in electric light and heat fittings in schools,” commented Mr A. Burns, “but I’m afraid it’s too easy to switch on the light and radiator, and the cost of the supply mounts up without being observed.” Mr King remarked that it has been the experience in America, and also in New Zealand, that electricity supply was expensive at schools, probably because the ease of its use induced extravagance. TTie chairman of the Newton Central School Committee was advised to have the use of the electric supply stopped, as no school committee could be expected to finance so expensive a supply a 9 that indicated by the bill in question.

Interesting impressions of the development of New Zealand, chiefly in the rural areas, during the last 20 years were given at Auckland by Dr J. A. Gilruth after the conclusion of his tour of the Dominion. l>r Gilruth said it was 17 years since he had been in New Zealand, except for a flying call when he w r as a through passenger to or from America. The present visit, extending over nearly two months, had afforded him an opportunity of visiting places in both Islands, with which he had been familiar between 20 and 30 year& ago. The line of development that was most strikingly manifested, Dr Gilruth considered, was the tendency toward increased comfort and provision of modern facilities in the rural areas. He referred particularly to the supply of electricity to country districts which had revolutionised both working and living conditions in many localities (states the New' Zealand Herald). Realising that this service was being progressively developed, one could imagine what the future held for a country so well endowed naturally for providing power of this description. Additional comfort in working and living conditions meant much to country people and should help to solve the difficulty of the drift to the cities. A warning was issued to hospital boards by the Director-General of Health (Dr T. H. A. Valintine) during his visit to the South Island to conserve their funds as far as their application to building in rural districts is concerned. “During my trip,” remarked Dr Valintine to an Evening Post reporter, on his return to Wellington from a fortnight’s tour, “I found it necessary to advise the various boards to be very careful of their expenditure, espeqjally with regard to the proposals to erect hospitals in outlying districts, and, in 9ome instances, very thinly populated districts. Although the department is very keen on the establishment of maternity hospitals in country districts, it is not so sure that the interests of the public are best served by the conversion, in some instances, of these maternity hospitals. These representations were generally agreed to by the hospital boards concerned. On the whole, the trip wag interesting, and confirms the department’s opinion as to the necessity of visiting the boards as often as possible.” Dr Valintine will commence a tour of the Auckland district.

His Honor Mr Justice Hosking has been appointed a Royal Commission to inquire into certain claims made by the Woolston Tanneries (Ltd.) in regard to severe losses said to have been suffered as a result of the alleged harsh administration of the regulations dealing with the control of hides and skins during the war (reports our Wellington correspondent). This matter has been before parliamentary committees on one or two occasions, and it was finally recommended by the M to Z Petitions Committee that the company’9 claim should be investigated by a judge of the Supreme Court. Mr L. M. Isitt recently stated in the House of Representatives that the company was agreeable to its petition for redress being heard by a judge. It is expected that the commission will sit early in the new year.

A woman passenger violently rang the bell as a St. Clair car swung round Cargill’s corner on the way to its destination. “Yes, ma'am, what is it?” Coked the condoctor, politely. “I thought this was a St. Kilda car,” said the woman. “I want to go to St. Kilda? The car had St. Kilda marked on it.” “Oh, no,” replied the conductor, “it has the St. Clair sign.” The woman refused to believe that the conductor was correct, and he took her round to the back of the car and showed her “St. Clair” plainly marked. Undefeated and undismayed, and determined to have the last word, the woman dazed the conductor by indignantly answering as she walked away, “Oh, well, this is not the car I got into I”

It is instructive to notice (says the Melbourne Argus) how far Tasmania has benefited by the revenue which it collects from Tattersall’s sweeps. An official return issued by the State Treasury discloses that Tattereall paid to the State and Federal Treasury up to the end of the financial year of 1922-23, £1,797,231 to the Tasmanian Government, and £514,279 to the Federal Government. The initial payment in 1903 amounted to £27,138, and in 1923 the same total was £201,875, while at tlio same time £110,919 was handed to the Federal Government. Fully 9 per cent, of the whole consolidated revenue was represented in 1923 by the contributions of Tattorsall’s to the revenue. A computation made a little while ago went to show that out of the then average cost of a sweep ticket of 6s 3d, 2s 9d was collected in various ways, either in the form of taxation, postage, or commissions, so that the balance left towards prizes was 3s 6d. Tho Tasmanian Treasurer in his last Budget papers provided a return which showed that from lottery tickets alone in 1923-24 and 1924-25 the State received stamp duties of £227,500. Seeing the financial plight of Tasmania it cannot afford under existing conditions to deprive itself of the revenue now flowing to it from Tattersall’s sweeps.