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Otago Witness, Issue 3763, 27 April 1926, Page 3

The insecurity of the positions of some returned soldier members of the civil service who are classed under what was described a® “the obnoxious term u per manent casuals” was discussed at the annual meeting of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association last week. Mr A. C. Laing (a vice-president) said that some of these men had been employed as casual bands for five or six yeare, and there was no prospect of their positions being made permanent. The retrenchment at the Hillside Workshops had brought the matter to a head. In one of the Australian States, and. he believed, in England, returned soldier civil sr-vants were permanent employees. The association would try to obtain for ex-service men security of tenure ns regards their positions. He hoped that the executive would put the question before the Prime Minister. The President (Mr E. J. Anderson) said that the position was unfair. What the Government meant by the term “permanent casual” he did not know. He would do his best to have the word “casual” cut out. Ho gave his assurance that the matter would be brought before Mr Coates. The Works Committee of the University Council reported to the meeting of the council on Tuesday that it had considered tenders for plastering at the new Medical School. The lowest tenders wero: Plastering of walls, etc., Watson and Sons, £6327; fibrous plastering, Wardrop and Co., £3905. The committeo had resolved that the Education Department be asked to authorise the acceptance of these two tenders.—The report was adopted.

At a recent meeting of the Masterton branch of the ta.mers’ l nion, a member, Mr A. Evans, referred to the treatment of boys on farms, and expressed the opinion that if it were wanted to make good settlers of immigrant boys they should be well treated. Ibis was followed by a letter to the branch bv the Hon. E. Newman, who wanted to know whether Mr Evans wan referring to Flock House boys. At the next regular meeting of the branch, which was held on the 19th, Mr Evans sain that he had quoted only two cases, one at Danno virke. which was a Flock House boy as had been admitted at the coroner’s inquest concerning the boy’s death, and the other case he knew of personally. The latter, who was not a Flock House bov, had been employed on a farm on the East Coast, and had been left for weeks hv himself, with not a living soul within eight miles of him, Mr Evans contended that a systematic inspection was necessary to see that all the hoys working on farms were well cared for. Mr C. C Jackson, the provincial president, said that inciuiries were being made into the Dannevirke case, and stepe were being taken to prevent a recurrence. thought Mr Evans was quite right in bringing the cases before the public, whether they were Flock-House hovs or not. for if the- wanted to make good farmers and good settlers of any lads they had to be sure that they were receiving proper treatment.

There have been several striking instance** lately by the unifying power of the International Federation of University Women, which has grown with great rapidity since its formation in 1919. In order to join the federation, which allows only one national ' deration f- n each country to join up with it. the two great rival groups in America, the Northern and Southern Associations, linked up into one American Association of University Women. At Christiania in 1924 the Irish Federation was admitted. • This meant that the university women from the North and South of Ireland had decided to set aside their national difficulties in order to be able to join the International Federation. In Czecho-Slovakia the German women (who were resident in parts that belonged to Germany before the Republic w- formed) wished to form a separate federation, but have now decided to join in with t.ie Czech women. A similar thing will probably hapoen to the Ukrainian graduate women resident in several countries, who are at present anxious to join as a Ukrainian group. They will probably he induced to join up with the federation of the country in which thev live. At the Christiania Conference a German woman graduate present reported that the German women had been unable so far to form a federation, but she was sure that one would be formed in time to apply for admission to the International Federation, at the n.::t conference, which is to be held at Amsterdam in July. 1926. At this conference Rumania, and probably others, will he admitted. China is interested, and is endeavouring to form a federation.

One of the most fascinating problems of the Northland lies in the story of die great vanished kauri forests which have at different periods clothed this country. During the recent tour of the north undertaken by the Government publicity officer, Mr A. H. Messenger, and Colonel Allen Bell, the opportunity was taken of paying a visit to the Waipuna Kauri Gum Company’s works at Lake Ohia. where the engineer in charge (Mr Hamer) disclosed me interesting facts which had come under his notice during digging operations. At n considerable depth in the drai-'nl bed of the l ike they came across the prostrate trunks of countless kauri .riants all lying on direction, a*» though overthrown b. some great convulsion of Nature. Above the fallen forest was a deposit of nine inches or more of sandstone, representing a considerable period of time, and above this lav the overthrown trunks of a second kauri forest covered in turn by some four feet o. earth. Crowning this deposit were the fallen trunks of a vanished rata forest of consideraUe age, and above this a two foot layer of earth was crown bv the present croD of manuka scrub. A curious feature of ear successive layer of prostrate trunks lie 9 in the evidence that they , ~**re thro’ down at one period, and not destroyed by fire, gum and leaves being found in a "ood state of preservation among the forest debris. As each of the vanished forests mint have been growing for thousands of years, the successive crop?; of trees indicated provide some idea of thr great age of New Zealand, while the sandstone over the last b-1 one of these informative layers tells of the land being first above and then below the sea.

An exatnple of the h’pful spirit which characterises many furmers ir the Ashburton County is at r.osor.t in evidence at Lowcliffe (reports the Guardian). While Lieutenant l*. A. Turner is confined to his bod as a result of injuries received in the recent aeroplane smash at Papanui. the work on his farm in the district is not permitted to fall behind. During the past f-w days a band of willing neighbours has been busily engaged with teams ploughing and surfaceworking a poddock on his holding, in preparation for the drilling of oats which must be sown in season.

With xcgaru to those unregistered denlist* who asked for a further chance to qualify by examination, and who were the •übjeot of a statement by the Prime Minis ter last session, the flight Hon. J. G. Coates jdow ttScm that a commission wiTI Vo set up to consider ihs matter. The commission ■wiil sit in time to enable its Teport to become a l»a*i» of legislation net session if this is inquired.

A few years ago prospecting and boring operations carried out oi. the low coastal ranges near Point Elizabeth resulted in the proving of an Bft coal seam over a workable area estimated at 400 acres, the quantity of the coal in the proved area being estimated at about 4.800,000 ton® It was thon decided to establish a colliery on the •pot named the Janies colliery, and in 1922 production was commenced. Trial samples of the coal from thi- colliery have upon test shown that it is a first class household coal, and since the commencement of opera, tions approximately 100,000 tons have been produced, mainly to meet the demand for household requirements. A block of this coal was sent to tb" Wembley Exhibition £or display in the New Zealar ’ Pavilion, and the British Empire Exhibition directors have seen fit to award a medal to the exhibit, together with a decorative certificate. The medal, which w of handsome design, together with the certificate, were recently received by the department.

With the dual object of disposing of cull cattle at profitable prices and of ensuring that cull cows will not find their way back into dairy herds the farmers of the Auroa district have followed the lead of the Wairarapa farmers in conducting cull cattle drives (says the Wanganui Herald). The first drive was completed one day last week when 83 cattle were collected and despatched to the Patea Freezing Works. In view of the probable adoption of the scheme by the numerous branches of the Farmers’ Union throughout South Taranaki, or by the central executive, considerable interest is being evinced as to the results of the Auroa drive.

The fear that the North Canterbury Hospital Board is not accomplishing what it set out to do in the checking of venereal discaso was expressed by Mr F. Horrell at the annual meeting of the board on Monday morning (says the Lyttelton Times). Mr Horrell drew attention to a clause in the report of the department which stated that there were 60new patients. Mr W. G. Roberts said that she was triad to see that the numbers were increasing. It meant that the publio vbb realising that treatment was available. The Rev. Clyde Carr said that notification was practically compulsory. In reply to a question, ti.e Chairman (Mr H. J. Otley) said that there was r.o charge for patients, but that it might have to be considered.

Mr Justice Sim, sitting in Chambers in the Supreme Court, Wellington, has granted piobate in connection with the following deceased estates: —Jane Robb Irvine, Roslyn (Mr J. M. Paterson); Ada Sargieon, Goodwood (Mr John Wilkinson); Isabella Graham, Arrowtown (Mr John Wilkinson); Joseph Moines, Dunedin (Mr A. C. Hanlon); Betsy Dunbar, Timaru, (Mr W. A. Grave). Letters of administration were granted in connection with the following estate®:— Elizabeth Jane M'Gaw, Dunedin (Mr E. Aslin); and Jessie Margaret Wilson (Mr E. (Mr J. R. Lemon). As a rule one expects to find a foundation stone close to mother earth, and thus surprise was expressed by some persons at a ceremony heK at Takapu: a when they discovered that the foundation stone of the new Grammar School was perched on the summit of a brick column, about 15ft in the ai-. this, by the way, being the level of the first floor of the proposed building (says the Auckland Star). “What’s the chimney for?’ inquired an elderly lady who arrived early on the scene, and on being informed that the foundation stone was at the top she appeared more puzzled than ever. “It looks rather like the top of a chimney,” said Professor Thomas, chairman of the Board of Governors, during his address, and he hastened to add: “But it will be Ml right when it is completed.” At the last meeting of the Dunedin City Council the town clerk reported that 20 tenders had been received for the erection of buildings for stores, etc., at the city gasworks. Mr Lewin said this large number of tenders reflected the state of the building trade at the present time. The building surveyor’s estimate wa s £SOOO, and the tenders ranged from £5275 (the lowest) to £7661. This, to his mind, was very close tendering. The lowest tender, that of Messr s O’Sullivan and Baillone, was accepted, the price being £5275. Storie9 of the late Richard Seddon’s virility and rapidity of decision are plentiful, but the occasion recalled by Mr W. H. Field, M.P., at the gathering in honour of Rifleman L. A. Caldwell, champion rifle shot, is a striking nstance of the posthumous effect of the influence of New Zealand's great Premier on the destinies of men and the country (6ays the Evening Post). Some 25 years ago, Master Gunner Richardson had a difference of opinion with the Defence authorities, and was dissatisfied with hi 3 osition that he went the length of putting hi 9 luggage or< a steamer with the intention of returning to England. He was regarded as the most valuable man in the Dominion for -;s work, and a number of volunteer enthusiasts c lied on Mr Field, and registered a bitter complaint that such an invaluable expert N eing allowed to leave the country. Mr Field placed the matter before Mr Seddon, who at once intervened, with the result that Master Gunner Richardson iinained in New Zealand, to do a wonderful amoun. of good work here before he rendered immensely valuable service during the war as Majorgeneral Richardson; and eventually he be. came Sir George Richardson, the “best Administrator Samoa could have found. ” An interesting and valuable addition to the historic pictures in the collection of the Otago Early Settlers’ Association has recently come to hand from Sydney. This is a large coloured painting of Dunedin and the Harbour made by the late Mr D. Henderson in 1865. The picture is the gift of the artist’s daughter, Mrs Drinkwater, of Sydney, and bears the following inscription:—“Presented to perpetuate the memory of David Henderson, who arrived in Dunedin in 1860, and was a resident for many years, this picture being his work and taken from High street i. 1865.” Examination shows that the picture was taken from a spot on the southern side of High street between Maitland street and William street. It shows many well known buildings of thoso days, including the Exhibition buildings still in use the main hospital block and the second First Church in Dowling street on t! e site afterwards occupied by the Alhambra Theatre. Bell Hill, half cut away, is clearly shown, and running far out into the harbour are the series of whaves or jetties then in useJetty street wharf, the tongue wharf, Rattray street wharf, and Sti rt street jetty. The waters of Pelichet Bay to-day form an interesting feature of the picture. Another coloured painting, rich in historic associations, has also just come to the Early Settlers’ Association from Sydney. It is a faithful picture of First Church manse, where it was first ereete ’ near the corner of Jetty and Princes streets on the spot where John Edmond’s buildings now stand. The material for this house was brought out from Scotland in the Philip Laing, and it was erected immediately after the ship’s arrival in 1848. The picture has been presented to the Early Settlers’ Association by Mr J. E. Elies, of Sydney, a son of Captain Elies, who brought out the Philip Laing to New Zealand. On June 20, 1848, Captain Elies was married in this First Church manse to Clementina, the eldest daughter of the Rev. Dr Burns. Another relio which the association I*9 very glad to have acquired is the origin'’ parallel ruler which Captain Elies used on his charts when navigating the Philip Laing to New Zealand. Empire Day will be celebrated on Thursday, June 3, in conjunction with the anniversary of the birthday of the King, and will be observed as a public holiday in the Government offices throughout the Dominion. At a meeting of the Wanganui Education Board (telegraphs our own correspondent) a letter was received fro.n the Owhango branch < ' the Young Citizens’ League, stating that a request was to be made to the Minister of Justice that that branch of the league regarded the “publication of the sordid details of crimes as being an inducement to further crime, and asked that some censorship should be exercised over the press in this respect.’* The Education Board was asked to support the proposal, and it decided to do so. Three member* voted against the resolution, one of them stating that the letter was “a show of precocious purity," and asking that his vote should be recorded against the motion.

The monthly meeting of the Taieri branch of the Otago Expansion League was held last week. The president (Mr T. Miller) occupied the chair. The Prime Minister’s reply to the council’s request for increased railway facilities was fully discussed. The question of a motor bus service to the borough was also deJt with, it being felt that with the closing of the Exhibition the time was opportune for approaching some the many bus roprietors for a service. The financial aspect had been gone into carefully by the committee, and it was felt 'vat sufficient progress had been made to warrant better travelling facilities in the near future. Members were gratified to learn from the Postmastergeneral that Mosgiel was to have a stampvending machine installed. The easy-going Maori is not one to trouble over the lesser things of life, and a census officer had this made known to him recently (states the Taumeranui Press). He approached the house of a Native, and, after making hi presence known, was met at the door by the boss of the house. The officer told him that he required the filling in of the census paper, and 1 > handed a copy to th 6 Maori. It was in I native language, and upon seeing this, the recipient handed it back with a grunt. “Give mo a pakeha one,” he said. The request was complied with and the Maori began to read it, the questions being explained by the officer. All was plain until they reached the part set aside where one hns to account for the number of children in the family. The Maori’s face took on a perplexed expression; he remained deep in thought for a while. Looking into the face of the census officer, at last he said, “But I don’t know how many children I’ve got. I haven’t seen them all.’*

Another valuable gift lias been, made to the Dunedin Art Gallery in the shape of the fine landscape, “Midsummer, Day,” by George Clausen, R.A., which is to be seen on the walls of the Exhibition Gallery. The generous donor is a local citizen who prefers that his identity should not be disclosed. Reference was made at the annual meeting of the Chrstchurch Builders’ Association the other evening to the fact that there are a large number of young builders in that city “too inexperienced to carry on.” Mr W.’ H. Winsor said that a suggestion had been made that a committee -should be appointed, consisting of two representatives from the Timber Merchants’ Association, two from the Hardware Merchants' Association, and two from the 3uilders’ Association. T.he representatives of the Builders’ Association could state whether any particular job was being priced a fair price or not. The matter, he said, was one that should engage the attention of the Builders’ Association ns much work is being done much too cheaply. The Education Sub-committee of the Navy League has selected the following subjecta for this year’s school essay competition—for seniors, “The Interest of New Zealand in the Maintenance of British Naval Strength”; for juniors, “Nelson’s Life as a Sailor, and its Lessens for Us To-day." It is thy intention of the league to present the prizes gained at a publio meeting to be held on next Trafalgar Day. At a meeting of the Dominion Council of Too H, held in Auckland on Thursday last, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes was warmly welcomed and initiated as vice-president. The delegates represented the Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch group*.