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Otago Witness, Issue 3854, 24 January 1928, Page 47

The policy of the Railways Department of instituting suburban motor bus services is justified succinctly in an editorial article appearing in the current number of the Railway Magazine, in discussing the prospects of the year, ahead. “The operation of railway buses,” it says, “ is the feature in the present railway policy which has given rise to most discussion. This is a suburban matter, and the fashion in regard to suburban travelling has changed. When the fashion changes every progressive shop or warehouse changes its stock to suit the new demand, and the department has just as much justification for offering buses for the conveyance of passengers when suburban trains go out of fashion as a dealer in woollen stockings has to change to silk when these become the rage. Any interference with his freedom to vary methods to suit modern demands would not be tolerated as between one private business and another. There is equally no justification for limiting the State’s freedom under similar conditions. With these and other problems to be faced in the year ahead there is- no likelihood of any slackening in the tension at which the driving force of the department is now maintained, and there are strong indications that the pendulum of public patronage is now swinging strongly in favour of the State’s own transportation services.”

The film of Maori- life, the largest kincma undertaking yet embarked upon by the Government Publicity Department, is now in the photographic laboratory in Wellington being developed and printed. The picture is to be between 4000 ft and 5000 ft in length, and for it the three camera men whom Mr W. H. Messenger, Government publicity officer, took to Rotorua with him just before Christmas “ shot ” 15,'OOOft of film. Most of this was taken in two days, 60 Maoris being engaged for that period. The remainder was “shot” during the,three or four days following when only the' Maori principals of the picture were retained. The film will be assembled and titled within the next couple of weeks, and is expected to bo ready for release in a month’s time.

Norfolk Island and its romantic atmosphere have captured the ’ imagination of Mr and Mrs F. J. Tattle, of Christchurch (says an exchange).- So delighted were they with the island and its climate that Mr Tattle decided jo buy a property on the spot. Mr 1 attle was for eight years general manager of Dominion Motors in Christchurch, but he broke down in health, and went for a trip to Norfolk Island.’ Noyv both ho and his wife are convinced that Norfolk is the most wonderful island in the world Mr Tattle has acquired a property of 10 acres on which there are 1300 banana palms, half of them bearing fruit. Part of the property is in different varieties of oranges and passion D'ud. .He also proposes to grow large quantities of early beans, peas, and tomatoes for the Sydney and Auckland markets. The soil is so rich that three acres will return a good living,” said Mr Tattle. Mrs Tattle, who has been singing the praises of the island ever since she first went there, said that this year there have been extraordinarily large numbers of tourists from Australia. Every accommodation house is full, and many of the residents have taken in boarders for the holiday season. Mr Tattle is building his own house, which is being taken to the island in sections. H e will return to Norfolk Island by the next trip of the Hinemoa. A striking example of the way in -which members of the farming community flock to the assistance of one of their number who happens to be in trouble was given at Meanee, Hawke’s Bay, recently, -when a haystack became ignited, seriously endangering the owner’s house and five other stacks surrounding it. Within a short time after the discovery of the outbreak many farmers and workers from surroundingproperties assembled and were fighting the flames. The fact that the house and tho other stacks were saved was greatly due to the bright idea of one farmer, who brought his tractor. The fire-fighter placed a chain round the blazing stacks and connected it with the tractor. After many efforts half of the burning mass was removed to a safer quarter, and another like procedure succeeded in placing the fire at a safe distance from the danger zone.

The Commissioner of Taxes draws attention of taxpayers to the notification appearing in this issue that the due date of payment of the income tax is on Thursday, February 9, 1928. Additional tax will accrue if the tax is not paid on or before March 1, 1928. The demands will be posted from the office of the Commissioner of Taxes on or about January 31, 1928. Demands must be presented with all payments, and if a demand lias not been received the commissioner should be communicated with.

Tho Albany Street School site was advanced another stage last week, when representatives of the Harbour Board and Education Board held a conference with the Works Committee of the City Council, with respect to reading and sewerage. There are some difficulties in the way, but it is hoped, as a result of the conference, that these will be entirely overcome.

The problem of perpetuating the rimu forests of the Dominion by practical and economical methods is being investigated by Messrs C. E. Foweraker and F. E. Hutchinson of the Canterbury College School of Forestry, who are at present conducting research inquiries on the West Coast. They state that the regeneration of the rimu forests by replanting is out of the question on the score of cost but there are great hopes for regeneration by systematic logging over the areas just felled. The lumber would not be burnt but the growth allowed to spring up over it. Thus the seeds 'would fall from ' the cut branches of the old trees and the young trees would not be damaged. Hitherto much damage has been done by fire , destroying the young growth over the felled areas. There is ample evidence in wet gullies on the West Coast which have been left unscathed by the fire that usually follows felling that the . young , rimu does sprout from seed and grow up through the undergrowth. The investigators are trying to discover the rate of growth under different conditions of logging and fire protection, and also the amount of seed which germinates, and the most , suitable conditions under which it does so. This is the method which gives most hope for the regeneration of our native rimu forests, and the method has been used in American forests with gratifying results.

“It was no good fighting. The Government had all the guns, and I was only a lone woman,’’ said Mrs H. Eccles, just before she left for New Zealand (says tho Sydney Sun). For 18 months Mrs Eccles refused to move from her home in tho bridge resumption area at North Sydney, despite numerous notices from the Government. She was not satisfied with the Government’s compensation terms. Finally, while she was absent from her home one day in October last, the sherriff had her furniture removed into the street. When she returned, her house—the last one left in the area —had been partially demolished. ,“I had to accept the terms then,” said Mrs Eccles, who disclaimed fighting out of defiance or malice, but only for what she considered her due, is the wife of a grazier living near Christchurch. She came to Sydney to save her house. ’

Men who were engaged m the work of finding relief for the unemployed in Wellington are of tho opinion that the position will be worse than ever next winter if measures are not taken to cope- with it now. The official figures at present are 400, but it. is stated that actually twico that number are out of work. Vocational workshops ara suggested as one method of absorbing a section of those not fitted for ordinary labour. These have been found effective by the Rod Cross Society in many cases.

In 1927 .tho total sunshine in Nelson as recorded by the Cawthron Institute (says a Press Association telegram) amounted to 2569 hours 23 minutes.

On Sunday afternoon two bathers in the St. Clair surf had a narrow escape from what might easily have assumed the proportions of a tragedy. A young man, whose name is unknown, and a young woman named Kitty Street, were bathing and were noticed to be in difficulties about 150 yards from the shore. They had not kept within the bathing zone marked by the flags, and it is probable that the strong undertow which set in with the turn of the tide carried them out. As soon as their plight was noticed, life-lines were procured and the girl was assisted ashore by other bathers. Shortly afterwards she was none the worse of her experience. A line was also taken to the man, who was brought ashore in a semi-conscious condition. He recovered, however, after artificial respiration had been applied. The prompt action on the part of the members of the St. Clair Life-Saving Club, who went to the rescue of the two young people, is to be highly commended. The 12th Battery returned from camp at Matarae by special train on Saturday afternoon. The following are forthcoming camps : —llth Battalion, February 1 to February 7; 14th Battery, February 8 to February 15; Ist Battalion, February 25 to March 2; Otago Mounted Rifles, March 20 to March 27.

The Reserves Committee will report to the meeting of the City Council to-mor-row that approval has been given for the supply of 10 seats 7ft long, church Style, and one reading desk in figured red for the crematorium chapel.

Serious damage has been done in some parts of the Nelson district through motorists and others leaving roadside fires, which they have lit to boil the billy, before making sure that all is safe (reports the Nelson Mail). In one instance a settler lost 150 acres of grass, and in another part of the district two huts, together with a collection of tools, were destroyed, obviously from roadside fires which had not been extinguished. In some parts large areas of forest as well as private property are endangered by such carelessness.

A number of men on the Arrowtown irrigation work received notice of dismissal two days prior to Christmas, and since that time the services of other men have been dispensed with on the Roxburgh railway. The Arrowtown work has been closed down pending the arrival of an additional supply 'of pipes, which are expected in March or April, and the Roxburgh railway is nearing completion. On behalf of the men who have been thrown out of work, Mr J. Horn, M.P., has been communicating with the Government, and on Saturday he received the following telegram from Mr Williams, Minister of Public Works; “In further reply to your letter of the 6th inst., the district engineer was authorised recently to find employment for 12 married returned soldiers from Arrowtown irrigation scheme on Hawkdun scheme, and has to-day (Friday) been authorised to place any other deserving married men from Arrow scheme and Roxburgh railway up to 18, making 30 in all."

Between Dunedin and Palmerston are some particularly dangerous railway crossings which have been a source of worry and anxiety to motorists for many years. One of the worst of these, and one which has, in the past, been the subject of a good deal of agitation, is that near the Tumai railway station. It has now been decided to do away with this crossing, and the work of replacing it with an overbridge placed about 25 yards on the Dunedin side of the present crossing is well under way. The task is no easy one, as the road has to be built up for a considerable distance to a height of 10ft or 15ft to allow of an easy grade from the bridge which will cross the railway line where it passes through a small cutting. Motorists generally should welcome the removal of this potential danger from the main road to the north.

Strong complaint was made at the meeting of the Waihemo County Council on Saturday of motorists travelling at high speeds; variously estimated at from 40 to 50 miles an hour. The complaint was made during the consideration of the inspector’s report as to tho Dunback Riding, when it was stated that the speeding was particularly bad in the township of Dunback. It was decided to request the Motor Club to erect notice boards at the entrances to Dunback as to the speed to be observed. The names of three delinquents, who had been observed speeding on the roads, were mentioned, and it was decided to caution them, and to inform them that if the caution were disregarded proceedings would be taken. It was strongly emphasised that the methods of motorists were not fair to the ratepayers, nor to the roads.

Two or three of the visiting bowlers will remember their stay in Christchurch because of the operations of thieves (says our special correspondent). Mr W. Fielding, of Wellington, had a wallet containing £l5 and a return boat ticket to Wellington stolen from his coat at the St. Albans green. He left his coat off nearly all day and did not discover his loss till the evening. A player at the Canterbury green lost a wallet containing £3, and another at St. Albans is looking for his watch.

Although a flock of sheep or a mob of cattle are not the things a motorist longs to meet on a road, most drivers have noticed that the animals (or cattle at least) have more road sense than years ago, when the motor was more or less a novelty, and often drift to one side of their own accord when the horn sounds. Now, an exchange makes mention of birds and aeroplane as follows: “ Until quite recently, birds did not take much notice of aeroplanes, but during the last two or three years pilots in some of the great trans-Continental routes have noticed a distinct change the attitude of their feathered rivals of the air. This is especially the case where the journey involves the passage of a considerable desert area. Those airmen who make regular flights over the arid regions on the way to the Western States, in the interior of Australia, and on the route from Europe to India report that the number of birds taking free rides on the plane is constantly increasing. Most of the species which do this are of a migratory habit, and, at certain seasons of the year, the birdpassengers are more numeous than at others. Quite often as many as a dozen to 20 birds will be riding on one plane.” One wonders how long it will be before the greyhound and whippet realise that they can never plant their teeth in the electric hare.

An unusual gathering of Maoris took place at the Temuka Courthouse on Thursday afternoon (reports our correspondent) when what is known in Native Land Court circles as “an assembled meeting ’’ was held to discuss the sale of a valuable block of land situated south of the Waitaki River. Mr A. M. Booth presided, as act-ing-judge, and various owners were represented by solicitors, Mr J. Johnson acting on behalf of the Native Land Purchase Board. The court room was crowded, and as there were several very intricate points of native land law involved, the meeting continued throughout the afternoon. Mr Johnson outlined the Government's proposals to buy the block which is known as Te Punamaru block. Mr E. J. Corcoran said that he had received instructions to say that Mr Ruddenklau had withdrawn from the negotiations. Mr G. P. Wood, who represented Messrs King Bros., the present lessees, said that he was still prepared on their behalf to hold to their previous offer of £6 per acre, provided that they could get a clear and good title to the land. After further discussion by the natives, the owners of the various sectional blocks held separate meetings, and it is understood the terms arrived at were, on the whole, satisfactory to all parties.

“ I think that in the future you will have an enormous number of people from Australia visiting Mount Cook, both for the scenery and the interest that the locality offers,” said Mr Justice Davidson, of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, to a representaive of the Christchurch Press on Wednesday. Mr Justice David? son, Mr J. H. Hammond, K.C., of Sydney, Mrs and Miss Hammond, and Mr Hammond, jun., arrived in Christchurch from Timaru last evening. The party arrived in Auckland and travelled to Napier, Wellington, and then to Mount Cook. “ Rotorua is a wonderful tourist resort,” said Mr Justice Davidson. “ The catering is excellent, and it is most comfortable in every respect. The sights there are, to my mind, unique. However, I liked Mt. Cook even better. The arrangements there were the best that we met anywhere. ' I went for one short walk from the Hermitage to Ball Hut and the icefall. There is an admirable view of the glaciers. . I had not seen it before it struck me as being full of interest. Unfortunately I am not a climber, but the opportunities were unequalled. We were delighted with the Hermitage, it being comfortable in every respect. The greatest courtesy and wonderful attention were given to everybody.

About 10 to 12 years ago, said the Minister of Lands (Mr A. D. M‘Leod), in a policy speech at Waipu last week, a farmer’s party entered into parliamentary conests in Australia as a complete and separate political unit, the result being that in a very short period Socialistic Labour held office in all the six States of the Commonwealth, although at no time did their policy or objective appeal to anything like a majority of the electors. There were not wanting on the political horizon of New Zealand, Mr M'Leod remarked, signs that the same state of affairs could easily arise in this Dominion, unless’the electors did some hard thinking for themselves by studying the official figures which were available to everyone, so that useful questions might be put to political candidates, irrespective of party.

While a case was being conducted in the Magistrate’s Court at Invercargill on Thursday morning, before Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., the plaintiff and the defendant were ordered out of court during the hearing of the evidence of a third witness. Suddenly (says the Southland Times) the courtroom door opened and the defendant made his appearance and signalled to his legal representative, who made it apparent that his client’s presence in the court was not permissible at that stage. Shortly afterwards, however, the plaintiff was seen beckoning to his lawyer from the doorway, and seeing that his signals were ignored, advanced with a look of set determination on his face and whispered in his lawyer’s ear. The. lawyer looked astonished and then passed the information on to his colleague, who rose and stated that there was a possibility of some settlement being reached. The case was then adjourned for a few minutes, the Magistrate remarking, “ It shows what you can do without lawyers.” A settlement was soon arrived at and it was decided that each party should pay its own costs.

The Te Akarana Maori Association will shortly pay honour to Princess Te Puea, who has done so much at her pa at Ngaruawahia for the betterment of the Waikato people. Members of the association propose to pay the chicftainess a visit at her Ngaruawahia home when she shortly returns from a tour of the East Coast districts. Princess Te Puea has been rais ing funds in aid of an orphanage which she maintains and also for the erection of a cottage hospital at Ngaruawahia similar to that which she established at Tuakau. The members of the association resolved on Thursday evening that they would wait upon the princess and ascertain in what way they could assist hen social endeavours on behalf of her people, and at the same time seek her patronage as one of the leading figures of the Waikato. Princess Te Puea has declined all Government assistance in connection with her work. Of a singularly independent frame of mind, she organised concert parties and tours of the North Island, seeking financial support from the Maoris In that way the East Coast tour is reported to have resulted in £5OO being subscribed.