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Otago Witness, Issue 3743, 8 December 1925, Page 52

‘The Cawthron Institute has now accumulated further evidence to show that flesh collapse in appies is almost certainly identical with internal breakdown, which is known in America and Australia, as well is in England,” state Messrs N. M'Clelland and L. W. Tiller, of the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, in a preliminary report on the subject. “While it may never be possible to prove the absolute identity of nonj-fungal and non-bacterial disease in New Zealand with a similar disease in England, the writers’ experiments this year show that collapse is more prevalent at low temperatures (32deg to 34deg F.) even when the humidity is low (less than 60 per cent) than at higher temperatures; at approximately the same temperature (about 34deg F.), however, with a high humidity there was even more flesh collapse. The temperature required for freedom from internal breakdown is probably about 40deg F., but it must be remembered that at the higher temperature fungal activity is greater and losses from ‘rots’ greatly increase, also the vital processes of the apple are quickened and the commercial storage life shortened. The question now arises as to what it is beet to do. to raise the temperature high enough to avoid internal breakdown, and have increased losses from ‘rots,’ or to slightly raise the temperature (above 34deg F.) keeping the humidity reasonably low, and have a small amount of internal breakdown without large losses from fungal diseases. This matter must be left to the cool store proprietors and fruit growers to decide for themselves.”

Referring to the statement that ballot papers marked with a cross against the name of the candidate had been rejected as informal in the recount for Lyttelton, a returning officer who has had many years’ experience, stated that when it came to a close contest every vote was scrutinised with groat care (says the Lyttelton Times). In an ordinary case, where there was u good margin of votes, ballot papers with a cross against the name of a candidate might be admitted, though this was not the correct way to vote. In a close con test like that for the Lyttelton seat, how ever, he thought that if, as wa3 stated, the megistrate had refused to admit ballot papers marked with a cross he had done quite right and that no court in the world wculd upset his decision. To illustrate hew narrowly votes are scrutinised in the case of a close contest, the returning officer said that in connection with the petition to upset the Oamaru election three years ago the court ruled as informal a voting paper in which a line was drawn through the name of Lee but not quite through it, tho final “e” being left untouched. There was no line through the name of the other candidate, Macpherson. The court held that neither name was properly struck out, and that therefore the vote was informal.

No one has been quite able to convince himself and at the same time any number of others how the big octopus killed in Te Aro Baths last bathing season managed to get in (says the Evening Post). An examination of the bath walls disclosed no opening of any -size except the main outlet, which was guarded by a grid of parallel iron holes, spaced about two inches, and it seems almost impossible that so big an octopus could squeeze through such a grid. There are other theories, one that it entered as a youngster and grew to age and ugliness in hiding beneath the platforms; another, that it climbed over the comparatively low northern wall in search of a change of water. None of the explanations is really satisfactory, but to make sure that tho iron grid over the outlet at any rate shall admit no more of the same kind a sheet of perforated metal has been bolted outside the bare. Octopi are seldom seen in Wellington Harbour, and it was rather remarkable that a record one, certainly a record of recent years, should have been found just wheje it was least welcome. Only two applications have been received for the Post Office Savings Bank letters of credit, which have become available, but it is certain that this very definite convenience will be fully appreciated by Christmas holiday-makers (says an exchange). Tho innovation provides that immediately on application at chief post offices, or by return mail in the case of branch office applications, persons may withdraw a sum up to the amount authorised and secure a letter of credit available at any and every other office in New Zealand. The advantages of the scheme specially apply to visitors 4o the Exhibition, who intend visiting the Lakes or other parts of the district. The amount of, say, £2O, may be drawn at Dunedin, £lO at Invercargill, and £lO at Queenstown, etc. Any surplus remaining on the letter of credit may be credited on returning to the office of application. Like the daylight Main Trunk express, the scheme is not’ expected to be fully availed of until the holiday season. Tlie letter of credit safeguards the passenger to the extent that, if it be lost, the finder must iirqiersonate the owner to cash it.

The Women’s Clubs of New Zealand opened their second annual conference at the Otago Women’s Club rooms on Friday, when tne following delegates attended: Pioneer Club (Wellington)—Miss Kane (president) and Lady Luke; Canterbury, Mrs Holland; Lyceum (Auckland), Mrs Parkes and Miss Murray; Lyceum (Wellington), Mrs D. C. Bates; Southland, Mrs W. T. Hazlett and Mrs Gilmour; Timaru, Mrs Paterson; Whangarei, Madam Edith Brainsby; Gisborne, Mrs Stoneham; Wanganui, Mrs Crawford; Hawke’s Bay and Hastings, Miss Spencer; Otago, Lady Ferguson and Mrs T. O. Ross; Waimato, Mrs and Miss d’Auvergne. The conference decided to form a federation of olubs, and those represented at the meeting joined. Matters concerning affiliation, elections, and conferenoe rules were discussed. Lady Ferguson was elected president for 1027.

A luncheon was tendered to Lady Marjorie Dalrymple, who is in Dunedin on a Girl Guides mission, by the Dunedin Rotary Club on Thursday. Lady Fergu&on (president of the local branch of the Guide move incut) and Miss Reynolds (District Commissioner) were the other guests at the function which took place in the Somerset Lounge. In the course of a short speech, the president, Rotarian Marshall Mac donald, said that the Rotary Clubs in the Dominion had devoted most of their energies iii the past to the Boy Scout movement, but everything would now be done to foster the Girl Guides’ movement. '1 he aims and objects of both movements were similar to the Rotary ideals, which were of service, loyalty, and duty. In her reply, Lady Mar. jorie Dalrymple outlined the aims of the Guide movement, which strove to help the girls to fit themselves for greater hel|»fulness and service in their homes and to their country. She said that there were 500,000 Girl Guides throughout the world. The movement in New Zealand was in its infancy, the Guides numbering about 3000. Here, a Rotary song book, signed by all present, was handed to the guest, who was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for her uddress.

The Union Company’s large freighter Waihemo, which was held up at Lyttelton on Wednesday owing to the crew’s objection to sail with the chief steward, arrived at Dunedin on Frid iy evening. The vessel came from Vancouver and San Francisco, via Wellington and Lyttelton, and is carrying a heavy cargo. The freight includes general Canadian and American merchandise, case oil, and most important of all, a large quantity of Californian dried fruits for the Christmas market. The Waihemo also carries a quantity of oil fuel for the passenger steamer Marama, liow being converted to an oil-burner at Port Chalmers.

A reduction of one penny per lb is announced in the price of butter. The reduction took effect as from Wednesday morning. A message from Auckland states: “The Butter Factories' Local Marketing Association has resolved to reduce the price of butter by Id per lb to: Superfine—Wholesale Is 83d, retail Is lOd; first grade. Is and Is 9d ; second grade. Is 6gd and Is Bd. A Christchurch message reports that in that city the representatives of the dairy factories state no reduction is proposed in the price of butter, which is below that ruling in Auckland and Dunedin, the net wholesale price being Is 7d per lb. A remarkable escape from death ia reported from Opotiki. In company with a number of friends, Mr G. W. Wild, an instructor under the Department, of Agriculture, ascended .a steep hill at Ohiwa to obtain a view over the harbour. The party came to a difficult place, which one woman got over safely. Mr Wild, however, missed his footing, and fell a sheer drop of about 30ft, then twice over further drops, landing eventually .about 200 ft away. One of his companions Lurried away and got help, and secured the services of Messrs Burton and Burnett, who hastened to tho spot. Mr Wild was found unconscious and with great difficulty taken to the car, 400 yards .away. He was taken at once to the Opotiki Hospital, where it was found that one of his legs was broken above the knee. There were also severe abrasions to his bead and body. Mr Wild is considered to have had a miraculous escape from being killed in the first fall.

The Labour Party (says the Christchurch Star) is concerned about the attitude of the license and no-license voters towards it at the last election. A meeting was held in the Christchurch Trades Hall to discuss the subject, and the following report was supplied:—“A special committee of the Canterbury Labour Representation Committee, including members of Parliament, is at present engaged in collecting evidence regarding authoritative statement that, have been made to the effect that financial and othor support was provided at the recent election for the Reform Party and against the Labour Party by one of the parties on the licensing issue. The attitude of both parties on the licensing question towards the Labour Party is being inquired into.”

The average person has little conception of the work involved in converting a coalburning ship into an oil-burner. Such an undertaking requires the services of experts to work out the structural alterations necessary, and the skill of. engineers and mechanics to install' the lengths of piping, oil fuel tanks, and other fittings. The Port Chalmers Marine Repair Works is now concentrating all its energies in converting the Union Company’s passenger steamer Marama to an oil-burner. Other overhaul work has been put aside for the time being, as the Marama is required for the intercolonial service at the earliest possible date. The work is being pushed forward as quickly as possible, but it will be several weeks yet before the vessel will be ready for sea.

As a result of the recent earthquake, mariners were within an ace of losing the services of the Cape Campbell light (states the Blenheim correspondent of the Lyttelton Times). The experience of the keeper who was on duty serves to illustrate the severity of the disturbance. The lighthouse, which is a 90ft steel tower, mounted on a solid base of 70 tons of concrete, was swung from the perpendicular by the force of the earthquake, until it was leaning over considerably. This interfered with the supply of gas to the lantern house, and the light faded to a sickly yellow and was on the point of being extinguished when the tower resumed its normal position. The keeper is a seaman, and he had never felt an earthquake before. A gang of miners driving a tunnel through the rook at Benopai, on the hydro-eleotrio works, also had a startling experience. When thev were working at a distance of about 125 ft from the entranoe a loud rumbling and the heaving of the rook led the men to believe that the" tunnel had collapsed, and that they were in danger of being entombed. With one accord they downed tools and made a rush for the open air. Whitefaced and ahaking, they had been out of the tunnel fen* some minutes before they realised that their terrible experience was due to. the earthquake, which ebook the whole district.

1 ainters, who are the onlv working men now engaged at the Balclutha Hospital, have received orders to finish up on Saturday next Three extra men have been put to expedite the work, and overtime ia being uorked, the men starting at 7 a.n, Fie h r 8 ti " 530 a,HI 6 P">- The f oust ruction Company will hand th .° lK “P" al *0 the board on Monday, Ihvenber 4, and thereafter the work of equipping the buildings will proceed umW e direction of the recently-appointed medi<al superintendent (Dr Biggs).