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Otago Witness, Issue 3830, 9 August 1927, Page 3

Ten stowaways arrived in Auckland on Thursday by the Port Hunter (says our Auckland correspondent). Apparently a new and inexpensive method of reaching New Zealand has been devised by young men from the Homeland. The stowaways , are active young fellows, who seem to think that there will be no difficulty in obtaining work in the Dominion. If enthusiasm counts for anything they will not be out of work for long. Not until the Port Hunter was two or three days on her journey from Liverpool to Panama Canal were the stowaways discovered. It w’as a record cargo of its kind. They received a little lecture, and then the captain put them to work on the vessel until she arrived in Auckland. The stowaways are now m Auckland looking for work. They were not prosecuted and they are quite happy in their new surroundings.

“ Stono that has been quarried bv the county has been taken from the "roadside quarry on Moir’s road without permission,” stated a clause in the inspector’s report presented at the meeting of the Bruce County Council on Tuesday. Cr King stated that he understood that the mctaT, amounting to about 20 yards, had been, carried into Balclutha. A newly metalled road had been cut up while the metal as being carted away. “We don't know who took it,” said Cr Sheat, “ but other people io, and they will not tell us.” It was decided that if the people who took the metal did not pay for it the matter would be put in the hands of the police. Mr Justice Sim has granted probate ; n the estates of the undermentioned deceased persons:—Frederick William Godwin, late of Oamaru, retired from business (Mr I. L. Hjorring), and James M'Connell, late of Broad Bay, storekeeper’s assistant (Mr F. B. Adams). Letters of administration have been granted in the estates of Marion Florence Barday, late of Kelso (Mt W. B. Naylor).

Many old boys of Marlborough College will remember Mr A. C. von Better, who is now residing in the Argentine (remarks the Express). At the annual meeting of the College Old Boys’ Association a very interesting letter was read from Mr von Rotter, in which he gave some particulars regarding the huge sheep station or estancia on which he is working. This property is the Estancia Leleque, Leleque. lerritoro del C'hubut, Argentina, and it> comprises 110 leagues of land, carries 90;COO sheep, DOCO . cattle, and 2000 horses and mules. The writer remarked that many Australians worked on the estancia. which could be understood when he said that the most successful breed was the Australian merino, although further south and on tho coast Corriedales were in fair demand.

At the last meeting of the Maniototo r armors’ Union the following resolution "as passed, and will be submitted to the next meeting of the Maniototo County Council “That this meeting is strongly of the opinion that before any money is raised in the way of a loan either by the Hospital Board or the County Council a vote of the ratepayers should first, be taken.”

Writing on July 1, our London correspondent mentions that, under the heading “Beauty and Business in New Zealand,” Empire Production and Export, the organ of the British Empire Producers’ Organisation, has the following interesting reference to New Zealand-.— “The Publicity Office of the New Zealand Government has a n unblemished record for the resthetio excellence of its work, and a little book of illustrations recently issued by it entitled ‘New Zealand: Paradiso of tho Pacific,' sets the seal on this reputation. The process work is, for its purpose, beyond praise, and any person with means and time at his disposal who reads the little volume and does not immediately reach for the telephone and a steamship company is possessed of very high powers of resistance indeed.”

Mr Hay Halkett sat in camera at the Marylebone Police Court (says our London correspondent writing on July 1), and took evidence in support of a charge against a man under arrest at Wellington, in connection with the alleged theft of a mail bag, containing registered packages to tho value of over £IO,COO, whilst in transit on the Great Western Railway from Caruiu to London. Mr Gallaher conducted the case for tho Postmaster-general. Twenty-seven witnesses were examined Their evidence will bo forwarded t o New Zealand, and it will bo for magistrates there to decide if it is sufficient to justify them extraditing the man under the Fugitive Offenders Act.

| When the Duke and Duchess of York i were being made the recipients of an address of welcome at Parliament buildings on their recent visit to New Zealand and were listening to the Imperial sentiments contained in the address, few people were aware that the patriotically draped dais was constructed of foreign timber. The fact, however, became apparent t o Mr F. F. Hoddy, member for Rotorua, when the dais was being dismantled, and no turned his vigilance to account in the House of Representatives on Wednesday to impress on the Stores Control Board the desirability of making Imperial sentiment 'on Imperial reality. Surely, he asked, New ■ Zealand'' timber of sufficient quality and size could have been obtained for the construction of the dais? I A cock pheasant was observed passing through a Palmerston, garden at the beginning of this week. Old residents s.iy it is many years ago since pheasants were seen in the district. | It it understood (says the Southland Times; that tenders are shortly to be called, by the Tourist Department for the erection ■ of a hostel for tourists at, Milford Sound. The building will probably be ready for i occupation by next April,

At a meeting of the Otago Harbour Board on Wednesday afternoon it was decided to accept the tender of an Aust-ra-lion company to lend the board £50,000 at per cent. This is the first instalment of the £350,000 loan which the board has authority to borrow in connection with the construction of the new dredge and harbour improvements.

A collection of Moriori relics has been presented to the Christchurch Museum oy Mr Noel Cox. The articles were collected in the Chatham Islands, the last stronghold of the Morions, and comprise a carved piece of pumice, which is considered to represent a god or some special figure, a broken dish, also carved from pumice, stone adzes and some shell ornaments.

Tramcars, the Auckland City Council, and even the Auckland public, came in for some sweeping criticism at a meeting in Auckland on Friday which was addressed by advocates of unrestricted omnibus transport. ” New Zealanders are longsuffering and Aucklanders the worst of the lot,” said Mr A. Hall Skelton, in referring to what he described as a “ star chamber purchase of an almost bankrupt tramway service.” The speaker continued: ‘‘Yon could kick an Aucklander from one end of his town to the other, and he would pick himself up and raise his hat to you.” The gathering of about 200 concurred with a readiness which suggested that the Auckland citizen is not averse to criticism of himself whether it be merited or not.

The losses of sheep in the Mackenzie County this winter, owing to the heavy falls of snow, arc not. going to be so severe as was earlier anticipated. A runholder informed a Timaru Herald reporter to this effect on Monday. There is now comparatively little snow below the 3000 feet level and there is some ‘’black” country on every run. ' N

According to the Government Statistician’s report for thd month of July it cost £1 12s 21d on the average to purchase what could be purchased for £1 in July, 1914 —an increase of 61 per cent. The Ashburton War Memorial Committee has accepted the tender of Messrs P. Graham and Sons, Christchurch, for £3370 for the erection of a? combined borough and county war memorial ’ column. Nine tenders were received—Christchurch (six), Dunedin, Auckland and Blenheim (one each).

A recent activity of the Gas Department of the City Corporation has caused residents of the south-end to open their eyes in wonder, for it has taken the form of the laying of a pipe line through the Oval. Men are at present engage in laying a 9-inch high pressure main from the northern end of Park Terrace to Maitland street. The pipes through which compressed gas will be forced will supply the whole of Kaikorai, part of Roslyn, and extend as far as the Balmacewan golf links. Similar lines have been laid to supply North-East Valley and Maori Hill-

Local certificates of naturalisation were granted to 148 persons during the year, including seven Samoans (says the annual report of the Internal Affairs Department, which was presented to Parliament on Tuesday). In addition certificates were issued to one person previously naturalised and to two persons concerning whose nationality a doubt had existed.

In the Budget which was presented in the House of Representatives last week by the Minister of Finance (Mr AV. Downio Stewart) a paragraph dealing with frec-of-income-tax securities says: The conversion scheme inaugurated in September, 1922. by which the public were afforded an opportunity of converting frec-of-tax securities into inscribed stock (not free of tax) has been availed of to the extent of £3.157.570. This sum, together with renewals not free of tax and redemptions from time to time amounting to £10.849.236, has accounted for a total reduction of £14,006,806, leaving the tax-free securities outstanding at March 31, 1927, at £37,726,599.

A neat reference to Home Rule for Scotland was maue by Mr T. Bloodworth at the welcome given by the New Zealand Alliance to the Rev. James Barr, M.P., on his arrival in Auckland last week. A Bill introduced by Mr Barr, seeking to onfer on Scotland a single House of Representatives of 148 members, was talked out in the House of Commons last May. “ I look with great favour on the movement for Scottish Home Rule,” Mr Bloodworth said, “but whether Scotsmen are yet fit fo" Home Rule (loud laughter)—well, Mr Fowlds and the guest can discuss that during the week-end.” He added he was anxious for Scottish Home Rule so that his own p-Oi cnuntiy might at last have' a chance. He was an Englishman,— (Laughter.)

Replying t o a question by Mr AV E. Parry (Auckland Central) about the wages overdue to the Kaitangata miners, the Minister of Labour stated in the House of

Representatives on AVednesday that the arrears of wages due to the miners were paid by the receiver for the debenture holders last April. Prior to that the Government decided to amend the existing law eo as to prevent a similar case arising in the future. Recently there was landed in New Plymouth for the first time since Central Otago has been a fruit-growing district a consignment of Sturmers from Miller’s Flat. The apples are particularly firm, excellent in colour, good average size, and of exceptionally fine flavour (says the Taranaki Herald). Our northern contemporary adds that Central Otago, from its geographical position and its subjection to extremes of heat and cold, has always been noted for its strawberries, apricots and other fruits, and it is interesting to note the contrast between the fruit from this district and the North Island. The consignees expect to have regular supplies for the remainder of tho season, so long as transit charges, which are exceptionally high in comparison with other districts, do not increase the price too much. Next year some of the earlier varieties will bo looked forward to with much interest. A man who writes charming little stories of the Maoris for children, discussing tho art of the written word, said it is more difficult to be simple than it is to bo involved (says the ” Alan About Town” in the Auckland Star). He mentioned that Sir George Grey never used a word of four syllables if three would express his meaning, and never a word of three if two would do as well. “ I wish,” said he, “a parson I know had been a scholar of Sir George. In a bit of professional blame he was casting forth from the pulpit, he said, “ I am astounded, perplexed and astonished at the labyrinthine sinuousities of this man’s tortuous mind.’ It explained to me why people often stay away from church. The liberal use of tongue twisters may be good athletic exercise, but it’s weary work reading or listening to this form of endurance.”

The sense of smell seems to be more highly developed in some people than in others. This was made plain in tho Magistrate’s Court at Wellington on Friday when the identity of the contents of a number of bottles seized in a “sly grog” raid was questioned (says the Post). Asked by counsel what he thought was in one bottle, Senior Sergeant D. Scott said: “It smells like draught whisky.” Counsel for tho defendant (Mr L. 11. Herd): “I am not an expert in telling the smells of various kinds of whisky.” Senior Sergeant Scott: “Neither am I, although I am a Scotsman.” —(Laughter.) The Magistrate (Mr E. Page, S.M.), smelling the bottle: “ Yes, that’s whisky,” and putting h'.s nose to another: “This looks and smells liko stale beer.” All parties let it go at that.

'* If every Englishman is not setting himself heart and soul to the prevention of war, then he is playing the devil's game,” said Archbishop Julius, preaching at the Fendalton Church. The Archbishop said that unfortunately there were two codes for humanity, one for the private and personal conduct of the individual, and another for international conduct. In the past years of the Empire, for example, many things were tolerated that would not be tolerated now, such as the excessive punishments for trivial crime, and the industrial conditions of a century ago, yet the dear people went to church just the same then. They tolerated, as a whole, I actions and conditions they would not. dream of countenancing as individuals. I “Even now.” he said, “we tolerate as a nation, actions which we would not tolerate as individuals. It is as though a man has one code, and men have another. The man has a code, but let him get on to a governing body or a town council anu he is different. We are often amazed at the sayings and doings of public bodies, when we know the upright mon who belong to them. The man has a conscience, but an institution has none. Is there one code for the Christian and another for the nation? “During the years, I am glad to say,” said the Archbishop, “ there has been a deepening of the spiritual life of the community. All parties, no matter how they may strive against each other, are more willing to co-operate and assist. It is, I think, the birth of a kind of national conscience.” When the football' teams went on to the field at King’s College the other day it was noticed that the referee wore a white jersey—the colours of Wanganui College (says the New Zealand Herald). Early in the game, a Wanganui back, getting into difficulties, sent out a pass to the referee and seemed mystified when the latter showed no inclination to accept it. After half-time the referee appeared in a blue jersey, apparently not wishing to have the ball thrown at him again. It may be of interest to quote the follow Ting from a British authority on the reduction of public expenditure and the means of effecting it, said the Minister of Finance (Mr W. Downie Stewart) in presenting the Budget in the House of Representatives on Tuesday:—“A general reorganisation to effect economy can only be gradual. If carried out by a stroke I of the pen, it may have the opposite effect of imposing still heavier charges on the State. No good object is attained by sudden and expensive reorganisations; the best way of arriving at efficiency in any department of the State, as well as generally throughout the servied, must bo by making progress gradually on certain clear and defined principles towards a better order of things.” In New Zealand, added the Minister, the application of well-defined methods of reorganisation and improvement is in operation, and tho various services are regulated by these methods.

A link with Tut has come to light in Sydney (writes our own correspondent). Mr R. B. Orchard, a former member of the Federal Parliament, and the head of a big Sydney jewellery establishment, had brought under'his notice a few days ago a 22-carat gold signet ring which, for nearly 20 years had lain unnoticed iii the building. It was among a lot ©f old jewellery. Tested, it was found to be of pure gold. Strange Egyptian characters on it, led the firm to send it to the Australian Museum. The expert judgment of the authorities there was that it was a ring which had belonged to Amenophis the fourth, father-in-law of the famous King Tut. As far as Australia is concerned, the ring is regarded as being probably unique. It will probably be sent to Christies, London, where it is likely to command a high price.

The following .were the vital stati=tics for Christchurch for the month of July, those for July, 1926, being in parentheses (reports a Press Association telegram,: Births 208 (193), deaths 157 (235), marriage notices 70 (83). For the seven months, January to July, the figures were: Births 1460 (1466), deaths 718 (761) marc age notices 660 (672).

The annual conference of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association is io be held in Hamilton next February. It is anticipated that about 100 medical men will attend (says the Hamilton correspondent of the Auckland jatar), and many of them will be accompanied ny their wives and families. Ihe conference will be opened on February 22 by Mr J. A. Young (Minister of Health), after a civic reception. Dr Hugh Douglas, president of the South Auckland division and president-elect of the branch, will preside, and at the opening session, to which the press and the public will be admitted, he will read a paper of general interest. The programme for the morning and afternoon sessions has not been finally approved. The members o f the conference will be the guests of the South Auckland division, which has been deterred from inviting the conference to Hamilton hitherto owing to tho lack of adequate accommodation, t hisdifficulty has now been overcome. Om: February 25 the members of the conrer-k cnce will move to Rotorua, where two lays will be spent. On the way to the thermal regions an inspection will be made of the Arapuni hydro-works. At Rotorua there will bo sight-seeing and meetings to discuss rheumatism and arthritis. Simultaneously with the conference at Hamilton tho first meeting will be held of tho newly formed New Zealand Obstrctical Society, which is an offshoot of tho Medical Association.