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Otago Witness, Issue 3772, 29 June 1926, Page 3

When Mrs M. E. Smyth, of Glen Eden, Auckland, was married in April, 1922, she was unaware that her husband, Maurice James Walkington Smyth, was an habitual criminal (says the Auckland Star). fAs the law does not recognise this as sufficient reason for a divorce, she petitioned Parliament last year for a private Bill to dissolve the marriage, but owing to infor malities the petition could not be dealt with. This session she is agai petitioning Parliament, and as she has no means, she has been provided bv friends, according to the petition, with sufficient money to enable her to approach the highest court in the land. Mrs Sinyth states that a month after their marriage her husband was arrested an a '•harge or arson, and -vas sentenced to five years’ hard labour and declared an habitual criminal, and that she has since ascertained that he was a criminal well known to the police under a number rf aliases. When she married Smyth she was quite unaware of his criminal rocord and believed him to be a respectable citizen. He was of very good address arid of gentlemanly appearance, and represented himself as possessing means. He also said he held strong religious views, and that he was a member of the Plymouth Brethren. Sho visited him in gaol, being still unaware of his record, but discontinued her visits owing to his conduct. He told her that he would insist on resuming the marriage relation after his release from gaol, and that he would never allow her to obtain a divorce. The election of a member of the University Council by teachers in public schools was completed last week. The candidates were Mr T. R. Fleming, Mr J. A. Moore, and Mr G. T. Palmer. Ttie number of votes cast is as follows:—Mr Moore 129, Mr Fleming 160, and Mr Palmer 78, whilst 21 voting papers were informal A “Pioneer” three manual and pedal reed organ, which was ordered early last year the Anderson’s Bay Presbyterian Church from John Holt, Harborne, England, has now come to hand. The organ will be opened with a recital by Dr J. 0. Bradshaw, of Christchurch, early in July. The cost of the instrument, electric blower, and carved wall screen amounts to over £BOO, and this has practically all b*Xin already raised by direct giving by members and friends of the church, so that it is expected that this fine instrument will bo opened quite free of debt.

At a meeting of the directors of the Exhibition Company on Thursday the chairman (Mr Sutherland Ross) reported that the contract for the demolition of the buildings had not been signed, but arrangements were being finalise’, and the contractors expected to start the work at a very early date.

Comment on the condition? governing the departure of oars from the parking area in Crawford street was made by Mr 11. W. Bundle, S.M., in the Police Court last week. At present cars standing in this area face in either direction, with the result that a driver leaving is at liberty to go backwards or forwards. It follows that, *n these circumstances, drivers of vehicles proceeding along Crawford street have to be wary on approaching this area as it is difficult to determine when a car is coming out into the thoroughfare. Equally difficult is the position in which the driver of the parked car is placed, as the onus is on him to keep a lookout in all directions. During Police Court proceedings, a driver who left the parking area and came into collision with a motor cycle approaching from the southern end of Crawford street was charged with negligent driving, but owing to the fact that no rule had been laid down to govern how he should leave, and in which direction he should drive from the parking area, the case was dismissed. Mr Bundle then made the suggestion that it would be helpful to all motorists if a by-law were framed which would make it imperative that they should, when standing in the parking area, have their cars facing in the same direction and at an anje. On driving out they could then, of course, conform with the. usual traffic rules. “Don’t work too hard and don’t work too fast,” was the advice given to immigrants by Mrs Jones-Neilson at the opening of the newly-formed club last weel. She stated that an immigrant who had recently obtained employment on the Dunedin wharf was told by the men at the end of his first week there that he was working too hard, and that if he continue*! to do so he would probably have a case dropped on him.

Some of the reasons why education boards desire to retain the right to exercise preference in regard to married and unmarried teachers, and in regard to men teachers and women teachers, for certain positions, were plainly put in the affidavit of the Director of Education (Mr J. Caughley), filed in the originating summons heard in the Supreme Court in Wellington (states the Post). “Of 319. wor en teachers who left the Training l College in 1915-14, only 137 were still! teaching in 1923, whereas of 126 men who left the Training College over the samo period, 34 were lost through war service, leaving 92 effective men teachers, of whom 71 were still teaching in 1925. Tin’s means that after 10 years, 70 per cent, c f trained men teachers remain in the service, while only 43 per cent, of the women remain.” The affidavit shows the position even more clearly in regard to the greater proportion of long-service men teachers when longer periods are considered.

to an item in the forty-first annual report of the Auckland Sailors’ Home, the shipwrecked crews of 4) vessels have been received at the institution since 1894, during which vear the steamer Wairarnpa was wrecked on the Great Barrier under exceptionally tragic circumstances (reports the Auckland Star). During recent years the crews of the following illfated vessels have found accommodation at the home:—Wimmera, Inverness. Cecilia Sudden, Helen B. Sterling, Wiltshire, Mesna, Karii, and Manaia. Speaking at the annual meeting, the President (the Rev. E. C. Budd) said that it was a proud boast of the home that the management was always willing to accommodate shipwrecked mariners reaching Auckland. On the arrival of the relief steamer from the Manaia wreck motor cars had been waiting on the wharf to take members of the shipwrecked crew to the home. A matter which will engage the attention of Sir Joseph Ward this session is the .need for a direct and regular steadier service between Bluff and Melbourne. “I think every efforts should be made to get such a service,” he told a representative of the Dominion, “and I will certainly bring the matter un in the Hous as soon, as a suitable opportunity arises.” He added that he thought there should be a weekly direct service from Melbourne to all ports between Lyttolton and Bluff, Ho thought the lack of such a service was having an undesirable effect on the development of the whole of the South Island, particularly as regarded trade and immigration. “Of course,” he said, “one cannot expect the steamer - companies to run llieir services at a loss, b‘i4 I think t!'»at a vital matter like this, the Government should be prepared to grant a subsidy if it proves necessary. At all events, it 19 my intention to urge such a course upon them.”

The Dunedin Returned Soldiers* Association takes a serious view of r ' present unemployment position. At a meeting of the executive last week Mr A. M'Hutchon (chairman of the Unemployment Committee) reported that the city engineer had been able to engage 14 men, two had been placed with the Domain Board, and 15 had been given employment through the Poppy Day proceeds. To the committee’s knowledge between. 20 and 30 men were still unemployed. The executive endorsed the suggestion of the Deputy Mayor to the Government that the demolition of the old post office should be proceeded with immediately# The St. Kilda Council was granted £SO from the Poppy Day funds. The executive decided to do all it possibly could to relieve the cases of distress which had come under its notice.

The somewhat curious fact that the Otago Trades and Labour Council has unconsciously assisted to increase unemployment by using foreign timber in the interior of the new Trades and Labour Hall in Dunedin was revealed to a reporter last week nt Invercargill. A prominent sawmill worker was recently visiting Dunedin, and while there he was shown over the hall by some of the enthusiastic members of the council, and after admiring t.ho place he asked why foreign timber had been used on the job. '*You have & number of sawmillers out of work in the province,” he said, “and, instead of stipulating tliat nothing but New Zealand timber should be used, you have aggravated the present position. You should have insisted on nothing but the product of the New Zealand workers whenever possible.” The officials pleaded ignorance ot the various kinds of timber, but •bat did not excuse them in the eyes of the aggrieved sawmiller.

The infectious diseases cases irt i Dunedin and Fever Hospitals for the week ended at midday on June 21 are as follow: Diphtheria—discharged 1, remaining 8; scarlet fever—remaining 3. Totals: Discharged 1, remaining 11. At a meeting of the General Labourers’ Union, held last week, it was decided to make no unemployment demonstrations in the streets of the city. It was decided that a citizens’ committee should be set up, and that a meeting should be held in tjie Trades Hall this week, to which all unemployed persons should be irvited.

Although the passenger service between New Zealand and Melbourne has been temporarily suspended owing to the withdrawal of the Manuka to undergo annual survey and overhaul, Dunedin merchants will be catered for ns regards the carriage of load at Sydney and Melbourne this week load at Sydney and Melbourne next week for Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, and Bluff. The Waikouaiti will load general merchandise and produce at Wellington, Lyttelton, Timaru, Dunedin, and Bluff this week for Melbourno and Sydney. About the middle of July the Waikouaiti will load at Australian ports for Bluff, Dunedin, Lyttelton, and Timaru. The Manuka’s overhaul will probably occupy only two or three weeks, and sho should, therefore, take up her former running in the Melbourne service some time in July.

At & meeting of the Dunedin Fire Board last week a letter was read from the Wellington Fire Board asking if the Dunedin body would allow Superintendent A. G. Napier to visit Wellington for the purpose of making a valuation of the plant and equipment at the Wellington fire stations. The request was granted.

While the tank of a motor car was being filled with petrol at the kerbside pump of the Ford Motors (Ltd.), Princes street, at 9.40 p.m. on June 21, a firo occurred that threatened to destroy the machine. The alarm was given, and three motors turned out from the Central Station, as the extent and size of the blaze was uncertain. The fire was extinguished before the arrival of the motors. An interesting bit of Maori tradition appears in a circular issued by the directors of the Taranaki Oilfields, Ltd. (reports the Taranaki Herald). Referring to the numerous escapes of natural gas on the East Coast district the report continues: “One of them furnishes the home of Mr Redey, one mile west of Rotorua, with all the gas he needs to light and heat his house. Another group of gas vents, one mile north-west of Jerusalem, is famous in Maori legencf under the name of ‘Ahi-O-te Atua,’ meaning ‘Fire of the Gods.* This group of gas vents is scattered over several acres and maintained a set steady fires for many years. An invadin tribe mistook it at night for an encampment of a lot of hostile Maoris, but after charging the place decided that spirits had taken the enemy away." The report makes it quite clear these escapes of natural gas would not be seriously considered as indications of oil were it not for ‘he fact that official analysis show they contain “ethane,” which is in part a vapour of benzine, and an indication of the presence of oil in the rocks. That the musical people of Dunedin view with satisfaction the prospect of the erection of a Town Hll in Dunedin was very evident last week at a lecture given bv Mr E. D. Tayler. the newly-appointed Director of Music in the Schools. In introducing the lecturer, Dr Galway said that for many years the city, and particularly those citizens engaged in giving concerts, organising civic meetings, receptions, and demonstrations had laboured under a severe handicap. Some of them were beginning to despair of any improvement. Then, like some moden Aladdin with his magic lamp, the town clerk submitted a proposal, so clearly reasoned, and so ably yet simply explained, that the Town Hll seemed to them to be very near indeed. The project was one that commanded their hearty support, and it seemed only fitting that they should publicly express their appreciation and thanks. Honolulu, with its scores of nationalities living together as an American community, will fittingly observe Independence Day this year in an elaborate celebration. The main feature of the festivities will be the presentation of a parade-pageant symbolising 150 years of Hawaiian and American history. Organisations composed of the various Oriental and Occidental peoples will join with the National Service units in presenting the great spectacle. One of the largest and most significant real estate deals in the history of Honolulu took place recently as part of the land activity which has featured business in Hawaii since the beginning of the year. The deal is a transfer of approximately 37 acres of the Ala Moana section of Waikiki Beach, the greater part of which is swamp land, to the Dillingham interests. According to the purchasers, the dredging of a canal for drainage purposes will commence at once, in an effort to make the section one of the most attractive residential sections of the city. The project is the result of the present Waikiki Beach becoming too restricted, due to ever-increasing property values. When completed the new work will enlarge the beach area many times, and develop one of Hawaii’s most popular and favoured districts, producing a beach frontage of approximately three more miles. Including projected improvements, the total money involved in the transaction is given as over 1,000,000d01.

The majority of the devices which delighted thousands of visitors at the Exhibition Amusements Park has been dismantled. Sections of the Whip, the Dodge-’em, the Merry-mix-up, and the Caterpillar were carted to the cross wharf last week for shipment by the steamer Katoa to Wellington, where they will bo operated during Winter Show Week. The whole of the devices will subsequently be shipped to Auckland. They will be erected on a large section of land on the Auckland Harbour foreshore, the Bvndicate having secured a lease from the Harbour Board. The devices carried from Dunedin by the Katoa total about 100 tons measurement. It is expected that 1 ihe Scenic Railway, which was the principital attraction at the Amusements Park, will be shipped to Auckland within the next few weeks.

The voyage of the Commonwealth and Dominion Lines steamer Port Pirie across the Pacific, while en route from New York to New Zealand ports, was uneventful, except for an accident that occurred to a member of the ship’s crew 10 days before arrival at Auckland. A donkeyman, while cleaning the inside of a ventilator, fell about 25ft on to the stokehold plates. He was attended to by Dr E. B. Plashki, the ship’s surgeon, but was unable to leave the sick bay. When the Port Pirie arrived at Auckland on June 12 the injured man was removed to the hospital, suffering from internal injuries.

On the * grounds that the present statistical forms to be filled in by factories are too involved and exacting, a Dunedin firm wrote to the Manufacturers’ Association asking that body to make some move in the matter, suggesting that the forms should have to be filled in only once in five years. The letter was discussed last week. The Chairman (Mr T. Somerville) said nothing could he done, as these forms had been sent out *.s a result of agitation on the part of the association. Mr W. E. C. Reid said he had filled in dozens of these forms for firms with little bother. He added that some of the figures published from the enfties in these forms were absolute “bunkum.*'

‘lt is proposed to hold the annual conference of the Power Boards’ Association in Parliament Buildings from July 6 to 9,” stated the report of the Electricity Committee to the ity Council last week (sates the Press). “ This is the h.ve to be filled in only once in five occasion for the discussion of all matters affecting electrical supply authorities throughout the country, and is considered to be of growing importance. The committee decided that the council should be represented by the chairman, manager, and engineer.” The report was adopted.

Much discussion has been common of late on the question whether the age of chivalry is past (says a Canterbury paper). A splendid example of modern manners was witnessed by a Geraldine motorist on a publio road the other day. It was getting late, and semi-darkness veiled the land, when he discovered that n tree had fallen across the road anu had completely blocked it. A good Samaritan, he stopped and warned 40 motorists of the obstruction. Only two of them remembered to say “Thank you,” and many were irritable at being stopped I In his report, which was submitted to the Otago Power Board on Thursday, the Engineer Manager (Mr A. P. Aldridge) stated that a preliminary survey had been made of the proposed hydro-electric station for the supply of power to Naseby, Ranfurly, and the immediately adjacent districts, and that it was proposed to submit to the board a full report of the proposal at its next meeting.

At the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on June 21, before Mr 11. J. Dixon, S.M., & T. Spain, of Earnscleugh Station, was convicted and fined £4 and costs for failing to clear sweetbriar from his land; for a similar offence Miss Drummey, A. Ashworth, J. Kelman, and T. Govan were each convicted and ordered to have the work completed. James M‘Cambridge was fined 10s for exposing for sale sheep affected with lice. At the Cromwell Court, W. H. Spain, for failing to have sweet briar removed from his land, was convicted and ordered to hav* the work completed by August. At the Ophir Court, C. Kelihor and D. Chittock were each convicted and fined £1 10s (with costs 16s), and J. Sullivan £1 (and costs 15s), for exposing for sale sheep affected with lice. Mr Bould (stock inspector) prosecuted on behalf of the Department rf Agriculture. An engine which was shunting a stock train at Burnside at 9.30 on Thursday night failed to negotiate a set of points and left the rails. An hour passed before it could be returned, with the result that a passenger train which left Mosgiel at 9 o’clock was delayed for three-quarters of an hour. At the meeting of the Dunedin Manufactorers’ Association on Tuesday evening the question of daylight saving came up for discussion. Several members spoke at some length on the subject, after which it was decided that the association approved the proposal, and would support any measure in that direction.