Untitled

Otago Witness, Issue 3831, 16 August 1927, Page 3

Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) has given notice to ask the Prime Minister in the House whether there is any possibility of the New Zealand Broadcasting Company paying for its plant out of revenue, as even with the paid-up capital of £6300, plus debentures amounting to £5600, and plus the Government loan of £15,000, making a total of £26,500, the company will bo unable to pay the sum of £45,000, which, on its own figures, is the cost of the plant; and whether, seeing that the Government has only a second mortgage security from the company, subject to a debenture of £5OOO to the Bank of New Zealand, he (tho Prime Minister) considers that the Government is secure in the event of the revenue of the company falling below the optimistic calculation of the two individuals who control the company.

Members of the Wellington School Committees’ Association generally arc in agreement that there should be some scheme of accident insurance for children going to and coming from school. 'l'he question was discussed to some length at the meeting on Monday night, and a motion, to bo sent in the form of a recommendation to the Education Board, was ultimately passed. The matter was brought up by Mr C. 11. Nicholls, who said that the increase in fast traffic on arterial roads made necessary such a system of insurance. Perhaps the parents could pay «, few shillings each year and the Government find the rest. He suggested that the matter be referred to the Education Board, and he moved : “That this meeting of school committees considers that the time has arrived to inaugurate a scheme of accident insurance for pupils going to and coming from school.” The Chairman (Mr A. Parlane) said he thought that, as education was compulsory, there was a liability on the State to make some provision in case of accident. The peoplo had to pay in tho long run, and to havo an insurance scheme was simply to pool tho risk. Mr L. Hennessey said that tho association was asking the board to assume a liability that was not recognised by any employer in New Zealand. What was wanted by al], he thought, was a scheme of national insurance. The motion, on being put to the meeting, was carried, only two or three members dissenting.

The Samoa Times of July 29, dealing editorially with the agitation on the island, states that the actions of the Citizens’ Committee, which was foredoomed to failure, constituted an act of continuing mischief. “ Overweening pride on tho part of one man” (says the Times), “ recklessness of consequences on the part of another, lack of political balance on the part of a third one, and private grievances on the part of a fourth one have been its mainsprings of action. The motives which swayed the remainder of its numbers wo need not discuss, as the remainder are mere followers of the four bell-wethers, two of whom left Samoa while the going was good—which is good for Samoa also.” This opinion i s our own only; but for what it is worth we give it. Any committee which sets at naught the basic principles of proper administration should be made to pay the penalties which attach to such action, and the ringleaders of the committee should bear the brunt of the punishment.”

Regulations under the Rabbit Nuisance Amendment Act, 1920, which were gazetted last week, require (reports our special correspondent at Wellington) owners ot land served with a notice to destroy the animals by laying poison, or fumigating or filling in the burrows. Seven days after receipt of the notice trapping is to cease. Breaches of the regulations aro punishable by a fine up to £lO.

“A moment of economic depression immediately it shows its head, our experience through the years tells us, automatically compels certain eyes to direct themselves towards the salaries of public servants as a possible avenue of pruning expenditure without the groups concerned considering the justice or reason in such a course,’’ says the annual • report cf tho New Zealand Public Service Association. “ The 1921 depression descended upon New Zealand like an avalanche, the political powers were caught in the slide, and the Public Service suffered—to a large extent unjustly—but that is an old sore. To day, tho depression that exists has come upon us gradually, Ministers have had an opportunity of thought and perhaps of investigation, and as a result we do not think that any body of sane men can seriously consider, taking into consideration tho facts. the question of attacking our salaries. Let us state plainly that, though the service finds itself retarded in its action by the present economic conditions, tho living costs justify nothing less than tho return of our two salary cuts; and tho battle for our rights must be continued with unabated vigour.”

At Burnside stockyards on Wednesday stock agents, auctioneers, master butchers, and farmers received a small deputation from the Commercial Travellers’ “ Big Day ” Executive in respect to its annual movement to obtain money for tho poor and needy. Mr Sinton (president of tho Master Butchers’ Association) introduced tho Mayor of Dunedin (Mr W. B. Taverner) and those accompanying him. His Worship, in thanking those present for receiving the deputation, referred to what the commercial travellers had dono in previous years for “ Big Day.” Mr Lindsay Miller also spoke, making reference to the good support given by tha stock and station agents, master butchery and farmers during the past six years. H® said that it was only bv meeting them in a body as was now bet.ng done that tha thanks of the travellers could be thoroughly worded. The upshot of the meeting was that the collection list was well fillet), and this was left in the hands of Mr Sinton,

“My attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no regulation or Act in New Zealand which makes it necessary for any article of foreign manufacture to be marked or branded with tho country of origin such as is necessary in England under tho Merchandise Marks Act. It is considered that purchasers of goods or articles might give greater preference to New Zealand-made goods if, in all cases, the foreign-made article were clearly distinguishable.” Thus read a letter from Mr A. Seed, secretary of the Dominion Sawmillers’ Federation, which the Wellington Industrial Association received on Tuesday. “ Some of the German goods coming into the country have labels printed in English and a small special label attached to show their origin,” stated one member. .“ It is the easiest thing in the world for the shopkeepers to tear off those labels.” The Chairman said ho thought that it was' necessary to mark foreign goods which came into New Zealand. On the suggestion of the chairman, it was decided to instruct the secretary to collect information on the point.

The fortieth annual meeting of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held on Friday evening in the Somerset Lounge of the Savoy. The night was not inviting for a stroll outside, but a very large number of members attended the gathering and enjoyed not only the speeches of the president (Mr H. C. Campbell) and the vicepresident (Mr James Taylor), but also the comfortable surroundings under which the meeting was held, and the vocal and elocutionary items with which the addresses were interspersed. Mr James Taylor is the president for the ensuing year, and Mr E. A. Rosevear the vice-president.

The third time is said to be the lucky time, but it was the unlucky time for a cat in a Princes street home a few days ago (says tho Auckland Star). A ypung woman found a revolver in a drawer, one that her brother had brought home from the war. Playfully she pointed it at her head and pulled the trigger. Next she pointed it at her mother, and the click of the trigger was the only result. The family ent was an interested spectator and the next target, but to the astonishment of the young woman there was a sharp report and a lifeless cat. It was fortunate for both mother and daughter that two chambers of the revolver experimented with were unloaded.

The administration of justice in Samoa is not without its humorous side, although it is possible that tho humour is offset by tho effect of the incidents upon the native mind. Tho Samoa Times, the organ of the Administration, records in its issue of July 15 that “W. H. Woodward was charged with insulting behaviour calculated to create a breach of the peace,” and that he was fined £3 by Judge M’Carthy. The Samoa Times in its issue of July 29, records that “ Tamaseu T.” was charged with “having attempted to undermine tho authority of native officials.” lie was sent to gaol for six months by “ his Honor the Chief Judge, Mr W. H. Woodward.”

A novel journey from Auckland to Cairo, travel to be made by air whenever possible, is contemplated by an Auckland lady, who has asked Messrs Thomas Cook and Son to arrange the trip for her. An itinerary whick. has been mapped (reports our special correspondent at Auckland) suggests tho first stage of the journey should lie made from Auckland to Fremantle by steamer. There is a regular air service from Fremantle to Derby on the west coast of Australia, and the traveller will fly over this route. From Derby a steamer will carry the traveller to India, and the journey from Karachi across the Persian Gulf, via Baghdad and Jerusalem to Cairo, will be made by air. It is proposed' to return to New Zealand by the same route and using the same moans of transport. The air service from Karachi to Cairo is maintained by the Imperial Airways, Ltd. At present the service from Karachi to Basra in the Persian Gulf is not operating on account of a dispute between the company and the Persian Government, but it is expected to be settled shortly.

“Shellback” writes in the Auckland Star: “Old memories are recalled by recent reference to the loss of the steamer

Tauranga as the outcome of collision with the schooner Enterprise. I knew the master of the Enterprise, the late Dick Miller, personally, and- I once got him to talk about the disaster. The collision occurred abreast of Sail Rock on a bright moonlight nig\t with a light breeze and a calm sea. The dog mentioned in the story swam ashore to the Waipu Beach. The late Captain Miller was lost overboard from the schooner Ivanhoe in 1895, when on a voyage. I think, from Rarotonga to Auckland.”

The annual departmental reports were presented to the City Council by the town clerk (Mr G. A. Lewin) last night. Or Clark said he did not think these reports should be received without anything being said about them. Tho council used to set a special night apart for a discussion as to tho policy to be adopted by the council, but for the last two years that procedure had been dropped. Ho thought the council should resume tho practice of holding a special meeting so that members would get an opportunity of discussing the broad principles underlying the management of the various branches of the corporation’s work. The Mayor (Mr W. B. Taverner) said he thought tho suggestion by Cr Clark was a good one. He thought they should have a special meeting, and he saw no reason why a date should not bo fixed at that meeting. On the motion of Cr Campbell, seconded by Cr Hayward, ti was decided to consider the reports at a special meeting on August 31. Charged with stealing, at Hamilton, a motor tyre, rim, and tube, valued at £5, the property of the Maoriland Motors, Thomas Turnbull and Robert Prydo Turnbull appeared before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., in the Police Court on Wednesday. Earlier in the week in the Supremo Court each of th© accused was ordered to ba detained for reformative purposes for a period not exceeding three years, the charge being one of theft. The accused were remanded to appear on August 17 at Hamilton, where, Chief Detective Cameron stated, a charge of forgery will also be preferred against them.

From time to time the Southland League receives inquiries from the most unlikely quarters regarding the possibilities of settlement in the southern province of New Zealand. The receipt of the following letter from the directors of the National Traffic College, London, which is selfexplanatory, is a further instance of the efficiency of their overseas distribution of literature. The letter reads;. “Your literature describing the agricultural and pastoral possibilities of Southland has been perused with considerable interest. One of our functions consists of ascertaining and disseminating facts respecting the possibilities in all parts of the world for trained transport men. We should, therefore, be very grateful for any information you can afford us as to tho welcome likely to bo accorded to competent British railway, road transport, and port officials, who with practical and theoretical training are anxious to take up transport posts or develop transport services in your provinces. Such men would probably bo in possession of the degrees of the Institute of Transport and would be live men and in no sense bound by old customs. It will be a groat pleasure to receive and make known all such comments as you care to furnish.”

A departmental inquiry was held in Wellington into the cause of the derailment of a goods train several weeks ago close to Purakanui. This showed to the satisfaction of tile investigating officers that tho speed of tho train was not excessive; that the Westinghouse brakes, which had been tested at the last stopping place (Waitati), were in good order; and that the train was properly handled by tho driver. However, as the result of evidence which was furnished, the technical officers of the department made a

scries of tests which have eliminated tho factors of an unsafe track or faulty rolling stock. They did not, however, disclose beyond a possibility of doubt the cause of the accident. Although the work of culling deer in

he back country of Canterbury has been

proceeding actively for some time, they appear to be as numerous as ever (says the Christchurch Star). The work is being carried out under the auspices of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society in conjunction with the Ashburton Society. Mr C. W. Hervey, secretary of the North Canterbury Society, informed a reporter on Tuesday morning that two men had been engaged on tho work of culling in tho Rakaia forest for the past month. They had been favoured with an exceptional spell of fine weather, having experienced only two wet days, and they

had secured 322 head of deer. The society provided the me.r with ammunition and allowed them 4s a head for the deer they killed. It received a rebate from tho Government of Is a head. Tho two men expected to be engaged on the work for several months yet. Last year, in addition to tho deer shot by stalkers, the society paid a bonus to cullers on 1527 head of deer destroyed. Members of the Wellington . School Com-

mittees’ Association on a majority vote decided against the introduction of Bible reading in schools (says a Press Association telegram). There was some lively and at times heated discussion, and it was ultimately decided by 12 votes to 8 that the Vigilance Committee which was set up to watch matters of educational interest coming before Parliament should register tho association’s protest before the Religious Exercises-in-Schools’ Bill is dealt with in the House this session. “ I felt just like Rip Van Winkle,” said a hardy veteran in referring to the recent Thames jubilee. He said that he left the Thames in 1872, and on returning there after 55 years he could not find anybody that ho knew in the early days. The veteran said in tho palmy days of the goldfields he had an interest in a claim known as the Ramping Lion, but it proved a very tame lion from a gold production point of view, and tho claim was eventually abandoned. He added that in the early days of the Thames one had to be careful on going about at night, because of the deep stormwater channels, and the fact that miners dug holes in all sorts of unexpected places. “On the way to town we used to carry a lighted candle in a clear bottle,” he said. “ The usual thing was to douse the candle, and then look for another bottle when ready for the return journey. Empty bottles used to be very plentiful those times.”

Interest in the theory of 13-year weather cycles in Australia has been revived by tho present dry season generally (writes our Sydney correspondent). The year 1888, it is pointed out; was exceptionally dry; 13 years later brings one to 1901-2. which were disastrous seasons. The period 191314 witnessed the failure of tho wheat crops, and the present year of grace, another 13-year cycle, is marked by a shortage of rain, which in many parts is causing grave anxiety. One press correspondent recalls the fact that his father used to speak of 1850 as one of the worst years experienced by the then colony. According to the old man the opossums and goannas were too weak, owing to the conditions prevailing, to climb the trees. That year would fit in with tho 13-year cycle. Amongst the matters. that came before the Otago Land Board at its meeting on Wednesday was an application by Messrs Wm. M’Neish, Vernon A. Fenwick, Leslie Hunter Denniston, James Augustus Dougherty, and John Dougherty, for land on the Earnscleugh Station, between Alexandra and Fruitlands. The iand was originally reserved because it was considered for a time that it might be required for the Last Chance irrigation scheme, but it was eventually found that it was not wanted for that purpose. The board has made a special inspection of the area, seeing that the possibility of having to effect an exchange with Mr Spain, the owner of Earnscleugh Station, wan involved. Tho attitude of the board yesterday was that the applications must be advertised before it can come to a decis’on.

Tourists to New Zealand from some of the largo cities of the United States of America, accustomed to high prices for choice cuts of swordfish, have expressed astonishment at the waste of this excellent food in th 6 Dominion (says the Northlander). So far the only use made of the big game fish lies in their supply of sport and their weights for certificates to the captors. However, even if satisfactory cool transport were available for tho sportsman’s trophies, the average New Zealander would need some persuasion to accept this food, which might have to masquerade under another name ‘>cfore it would find favour.

'The monthly meeting of the Otago Land Board, which was concluded on Friday, was attended by Messrs R. S. Galbraith (commissioner of Crown lands), C. J. Inder, J. Smith, G. Livingstone, and T. A. Munro. An application for a transfer of the lease-in-perpetuity over section 52a, Greenfield Settlement, containing 307 acres 2 roods 3 poles, from Richard Stoddart to John Shanks, was approved. Donald and Alex. M‘Millan, the holders of . small grazing run No. 79e at Pukerangi, objected to tho valuation placed on the run for rental purposes upon the renewal of the lease, and notified that they had appointed Mr Archibald Stewart, of Dunedin, to act as their arbitrator to determine the rent for the new term. . Mr James Begg, of Roslyn, was appointed arbitrator for the board.

The Auckland Presbytery, after a keen discussion, rejected by a substantial majority a remit to alter the wording of the Book of Order so as to throw open the office of elder equally to both, sexes.