The Oatgo Witness

Otago Witness, Issue 3953, 17 December 1929, Page 3

The Oatgo Witness

No. 3953— Estab. 1851.

DUNEDIN, N.Z.: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1929.

(The Otago Witness is registered at the General Post Office, London, as transmissible through the post in the United Kingdom at the newspaper rate of postage.)

| PRICE NINEPENCE.

If a person were asked where in Dunedin accurately recording scales were kept, he might be expected to say that one place at least would be the parcels department of the local post office. He would be wrong. A Dunedin storekeeper who desired to forward a Christmas cake to his brother in New South Wales knew that the maximum weight for a parcel to be forwarded to Australia is 111 b, and he therefore took every precaution to see that this weight was not exceeded. But, be was rather surprise-! when he put his parcel across the countv • at the Post Office on Tuesday to be told that it weighed 111 b 4oz, and could not be accepted. He strongly questioned the accuracy of this weight, and the parcel was placed on another scale on the same counter, when it was said to register 111 b 2oz. Further weighing recorded the weight as 111 b 3oz. The storekeeper still remonstrated, and the parcel was then taken away to be tried as the last resort, as it were. It was then found to weigh exactly 111 b and was accepted. The Post Office officials were likewise surprised to learn how inaccurate the two scales in the parcels department were, seeing that the scales are periodically tested. It will interest the general public to learn that from 400 to 500 parcels are dealt with daily in this department. The storekeeper had to pay 5s 8d for delivery of the 111 b parcel, and had he had to send it to Australia through an ordinary delivery company lie would have to pay from £1 to £1 ss. Although the maximum weight for parcels for Australia is 111 b, they are accepted above that weight for England. Had the storekeeper been sending, his parcel to England, and had the first weight recorded by the postal officials been accepted, the weight on which be would have been required to pay 7 would have been 121 b, representing an increase of 2s 6d in carriage as compared with the 111 b weight. It is satisfactory to know that the scales at the parcels department are at once to be tested and re-adjusted.

“ The Exhibition at Newcastle-on-Tyne has been an enormous success,” a lady resident in Newcastle writes to a Dunedin friend. “ I made a point of going when the New Zealand exhibits were shown in the pavilion of the Empire Marketing Board. I was greatly disappointed. The chief exhibits were butter, honey, and apples, sheep in various stages ef dress and undress, also one or two species of swordfish. There appeared to be lots of vacant space, and, to me, it seemed a pity not to have filled it. There must be a thousand and one interesting things that people over here know nothing about.”

Coloured rain fell at Studholme Junction on Wednesday morning, and was collected in a basin by a local resident. The colour was a pale red with a yellowish tinge.

Two Canterbury hotels have changed hands—the Chertsey., near Ashburton, for £20,000, and the I’hccnix, at Papanui, for £25,000.

In extending the season's greetings to the members and the staff of the Education Board at its meeting on Wednesday, the chairman (Mr James Wallace) stated that there was not a happier board than theirs anywhere, and that this was brought about by the respect they all had for each other. He expressed the hope that these happy relations would always continue. Mr J. Mitchell reciprocated the good wishes on behalf of the members. The Wellington College Board of Governors has received a letter from Mr John Gallic, of Kelburn, advising that he had paid to the Public Trustee £lOOO to be invested in the common fund, the amount of interest derived to be paid to the board for the establishment of a college bursary to perpetuate the memory of his two sons, who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War. They were Captain Oscar E. Gallie, D. 5.0., M.C. (R.F.A.) and Captain Victor J. Gallie, M.C., Croix de Guerre (R.F.A.). The donor expressed the wish that the board might be long spared to award the bursary, and his desire was that it might stimulate the recipient to emulate his sons, both old boys of the college, in patriotism and devotion to duty. The gift was gratefullyreceived by the board.

Following upon the investigations made at the Chief Post Office, Auckland, by two departmental inspectors into the allegations of betting by operators during the Takapuna Jockey Club’s meeting on November 30 and December 2, an inquiry is to be held in the Magistrate’s Court this week before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M. The inquiry, which will not be open to the press or the public, is expected to last for several days.

In his annual report covering the operations of the Boys’ High School, which was presented on Wednesday to the Board of Governors, the rector (Mr W. J. Morrell) pointed out that the sixth form of the school last year had contained no boy of more than a year’s standing—a thing which had not happened for at least 40 years —and that it was, therefore, not surprising that none of the school’s eight candidates had gained a University Entrance Scholarship.

On board the auxiliary steamer Britannia, which arrived at Bluff from Cundy, a mutton bird island south of Stewart Island, were Mr E. Stead, Dr Cuthrie, and Major Wilson, all of Christchurch (states the Bluff correspondent of the Southland Times). They have been studying bird life for the past month, and state that they are well pleased with their experiences, birds which have never before been heard of having been found. A landing was made on several other islands by means of a dinghy fitted with an outboard engine. Although the weather was not always fine, they secured some really fine photographs of bird life in general. Mr Stead, who is an enthusiastic naturalist, intends to visit the islands again next spring.

It has been known for some time that the Dominion Observatory will, sooner or later, have to leave its present unsuitable site in Wellington, and it is very probable that the new base of operations will be somewhere in the South Island. “The search for sites is still going on, so that when we do make a move there will be no mistake about the site,” said Dr Marsden, director of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, when the question was referred to him in Christchurch on Tuesday night. He could say nothing definite yet about the choice of site, but it was quite probable it would be in the South Island. His own idea was that pure astronomy was a study in itself, and that it should be divorced from meteorology and other allied studies. He was also in favour of the new observatorybeing placed under the control of and rqn in conjunction with one of the universitycolleges. Under the new arrangement this would probably be done.

A visit to the South Island is to be paid next month by members of the Main Highways Board. They will arrive in Christchurch from the north on January 12 and, after visiting Akaroa, will proceed to South Canterbury, Oamaru, and Dunedin, returning northwards on the 23rd. The object of the trip is to inspect highways and meet representatives of local bodies with whom highway matters are to be discussed.

Mr P. Moss, of Portobello, owns a cutter nearly 100 years old, and he is wondering whether it is worth while repairing the venerable craft. It is the powder cutter Otago which is used for carrying explosives to various parts of the harbour. Its origin, beyond the fact that it was a ship’s cutter, is unknown to the present owner. About 70 years ago it was the Customs launch and sailed out to meet incoming ships. Afterwards it was owned by the Harbour Board and used for the lifting and laying of moorings for channel buoys. Matthew Dickson acquired it from the Harbour Board about 18 years ago and sold it to the present owner. The cutter was built of oak timber and fastened with copper nails. The nails now require to be renewed below the waterline, and it is doubtful whether the cost of refastening all the bottom planks would be justified in view of the general debility of advanced age.

A decision which may be taken as a precedent was given by Mr Justice Smith in the Children’s Court of Appeal in Auckland on Wednesday. A boy was charged with stealing a substantial sum of money and was convicted on his own alleged admissions. which were unsupported. His Honor upheld the appeal against the boy’s conviction, but ruled that he was sitting as a Children’s Court in the appeal and therefore the circumstances of the case could not be published, the circumstances, according to the boy’s alleged admissions, are of peculiar interest.

The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Viscount Craigavon, and Viscountess Craigavon were given a civic welcome at New Plymouth. In the course of his reply to the speeches of welcome, Lord Craigavon said: “In regard to your dairy exports to the British Isles, no matter how hard the times may be and what temptations may appear on the surface, always maintain the very highest level in the goods you export. I am speaking as a true and loyal friend of yours. Living, as I do, in a position to observe the keen competition that takes place, I say that once you have got hold of the market, as you have, for your splendid goo is, never allow them to deteriorate. Never allow the trade mark to go down.”

As the result of being attacked by a rooster some days ago the 18-months’-old daughter of Mr and Mrs A. J. Riley, of Hawera, died in a private hospital. It has been ascertained that death occurred from infection arising from two small wounds inflicted on the child’s head. The child’s mother, hearing her screaming, reached the yard where the child was playing, and saw a large rooster standing by. The wounds on the child evidently were inflicted by the rooster's beak. No immediate ill-effects were then noticed, but on the following morning unusual symptoms being apparent, medical advice was sought, and the child was removed to the hospital, where, despite care and attention, she died. In view of the medical opinion that, although the injuries were not the proximate cause of death, they were a contributing cause, no inquest is necessary.

Mi- Justice Kennedy has granted probate in the estates of the following deceased persons: —Jane Grant, of Dunedin (Mr A. I. W. Wood) ; Rodger Grealish, of Lewisville, Milton (Mr G. H. Thomson) ; and James M'Donald O’Kane, of South Dunedin (Mr A. G. Neill). His Honor has also granted letters of administration in tlie estate of Rosalind Thomson, late of Tuapeka Mouth (Mr P. Thomson).

According to the Government Statistician, it would appear that a spirit of optimism is pervading the Dominion at the present time. “ The number of marriages recorded for the first nine months of 1929 (8047) shows an increase of 376 over the corresponding period of last year,” he states in the Abstract of Statistics for November. “ The marked recovery in this direction is significant, but more particularly so at the present time, as it reflects, to some extent at least, that psychology of optimism which precedes or accompanies greater activity in business conditions. It should not be overlooked that the first nine months of 1928 were a lean period for marriages, the number recorded being below that for the immediately preceding years.”

Few passengers who leave Auckland by train carry with them such valuable luggage as was taken to Wellington in the limited express last week by Mr N. M'Arthur, secretary of the Wellington Aero Club and a member of tlx? Auckland Aero Club. Shortly before the train drew out (says our special correspondent) a small wooden box containing £4lOO in alluvial gold was placed in a sleeping compartment in the last carriage of the train. In view of the value of the package, a special permit was obtained from the police for the two men who are conveying the gold to carry revolvers in case of emergencies. Following upon the drawing of the Auckland Aero Club’s art union, the gold awarded as prizes was purchased from the various successful ticketholders. It is to be handed over to the Wellington Aero Club, which is shortly to launch an “ aviation art union.”

An amazing series of frauds has been perpetrated on a number of implement firms in Christchurch by a young man, about 18 years of age, who has introduced himself to them as being the son of Mr H. E. H. Richards, of Methven. The procedure adopted by the young man has been to call on the firms, usually fairly late in the afternoon, and order implements to be sent to Mr Richards. From one firm he ordered a set of disc harrows, from another a mower and crusher, from another a drill, and from a fourth a couple of implements. After establishing confidence with the representatives of the firms, who naturally have felt pleased at being able to make good sales, the young man has invariably told them a tale that he was short of ready cash, and would be greatly obliged if the firms could advance him a few pounds and debit it to his father’s account. In one case, the sum of £3 was handed to him, and in another instance he was given £2.

The New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers will hold its annual meeting in Dunedin next February. The meeting will probably commence on February 18 in the University Buildings. A large number of subjects will be discussed at the conference, and the delegates will visit various engineering works in progress. These visits should be instructive to municipal and county engineers. The subject matters of the papers to be read and discussed will include: “Economics and Development Studies and Standardisation,” “ Phosphates of Ocean and Naru Islands,” “ North Wairoa Bridge, Dargavillc,” “ Economics of Railway Transportation as Applied to New Construction,” “ Waikaremoana Power Development,” “Wanganui Water Supply,” and “ Civil Aviation.” The delegates who attend the meeting will have an opportunity of inspecting all the most important engineering works in and around Dunedin.

The question of providing compensation for men suffering from diseases arising from contact, in the course of their work, with tar, pitch, bitumen, mineral oils, and other such materials, was discussed at the meeting of the Christchurch Trades and Labour Council. It was decided to communicate with the Minister of Labour (Mr W. A. Veitch), requesting that attention should be given to making such provision by the committee which it is proposed to set up to go into the matter of the Workers’ Compensation Act. Cancer is one of the diseases which would be dealt with under the Act if the proposal were adopted. A recommendation was also made that provision should be made for men who have become partly blind through their work.

Tuesday last was the anniversary of tha United Party taking office. The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) received many congratulatory messages. At the meeting of the Southland Elec-, trie Power Board on Tuesday morning Mr D. J. Heenan brought forward a. suggestion that the general rate be raised in future and the retail price of electricity reduced. He submitted the following points for consideration:—(a) The country district by means of rates and electricity consumption is subscribing handsomely to the board’s funds; (b) the town is very much favoured in the matter of rating through the fact that the rate is levied on the unimproved value and it is not subscribing to the electricity revenue to the same proportion as the country; (c) the board is unable to alter the system of rating in the town, nor can it, owing to a longterm agreement, increase the price of power in Invercargill; (d) the board ia justified in endeavouring to secure a more equitable contribution from thq town; (e) it is contended that the suggestion made above will meet this position and at the same time avoid having to raise an objectionable separate rate on Invercargill. If the board increased the general rate by 50 per cent., Invercargill would pay £3OOO more in rates than at present. It would require a drop of 36 per cent, in the retail price of current to “ set off ” the increased rate from the country. An increase of 60 per cent, in the general rate would bring £3600 additional rates from Invercargill. In this case the retail price of current would have to fall by 40 per cent, to “ set off ” the additional country rates. If the board increased the general rate by 75 per cent, the position would be as follows: —Invercargill would pay £4500 more in rates than at present; the country would pay £40,406 more in rates than now; to “ set off ” this £40,406 the price of retail power in the country would have to drop by 50 per cent.

Are the men who fish for sharks on Sydney beaches rendering a public service? The Mayor of Waverley and the town clerk say “ No,” the idea being that the baits attract sharks to beaches. This view is supported by the New South Wales Shark Menace Committee (says a Sydney paper) but the news that fishermen caught and killed 11 sharks at Maroubra recently cheered up thousands of surf bathers. Nevertheless, a beach inspector clashed with Mr Erie Roberts, a shark fisherman, at Maroubra Beach recently. Late in the afternoon the inspector stopped Mr Roberts from throwing his line into the surf and ordered him off the beach. The official explanation, given by the acting town clerk of Randwick, is that Mr Roberts threw his line in where people were bathing, and his bait provided an unnecessary risk to bathers. Yet during the week Mr Roberts, with two companions, caught 11 sharks off that beach, including two monsters 9ft 6in and lift 6in respectively. Embedded in the jaw of one of them was an iron hook. The part of the hook in the jaw was well preserved, but the end protruding from the shark’s mouth was covered with a bony growth. Shark fishermen have never been looked upon with favour by official bodies, one man said, but they earned the thanks of all surfers. Jle was once prosecuted for burying a shark’s carcass on a beach, but the prosecution was abandoned in face of public opinion.

—lt takes 10 years to grow a Christmas tree of sft to 10ft in height.