CURRENT TOPICS.

Southland Times, Issue 16786, 15 July 1911, Page 5

CURRENT TOPICS.

SUEZ CANAL DUES. It was announced the other day that, commencing on January 1 next, the Suez Canal dues will be reduced by another 50 centimes per ton. The concession will, of course, be welcome to the shipping trade. To judge, however, from the speech of Mr John Latta at the annual meeting of the Nitrate Producers’ Steamship Co., tramp owners are not altogether pleased with the administration of the Suez Canal Co., whatever the feelings of the liner companies. Mr Latta’s steamships are of the shelter deck type, and he claims that they are in consequence more seaworthy than well-deck vessels. He finds, however, that if his boats were entirely engaged in carrying dead-weight cargoes from India through the Suez Canal they would incur dues approximately £9OOO per annum in excess of those which well-deck steamers, carrying the same quantities and earning the same freight, would incur. Mr Latta goes so far as to describe the Suez Canal as a “blockade,” and suggests that the Americans will levy nominal dues when the Panama Canal is completed, in order to draw away its trade. It is to be remembered, however, that the United States has sunk a huge sum in Panama, and that a vast proportion of the dues which it levies will be paid by foreign shipping, because the American mercantile marine is so small. Moreover, there had already been a talk of giving American shipping preferential treatment. Nevertheless, it is quite conceivable that, even if the United States regards the Panama Canal as a purely business proposition, the new waterway may in various trades prove a rival to the old. Mr Uatta’s proposal that a now company should be formed to buy out the existing Suez Canal Company. and put the canal on a “living and thriving basis,” seems, however, to show that in his view the Egyptian waterway will not be precisely eclipsed by the Panama enterprise. MAMMOTH ATLANTIC LINEBS. Months ago it was indicated that the Hamburg - American Line would not be content with a singe 50,000 - ton ship. Now comes the intimation that the vessel which is building at Hamburg will be followed by the construction at Stettin of another equally huge liner. In taking this step the German Company will only be following the precedent of the Lusitania and the Mauretania, and of the Olympic and Titanic. A single ship of a special character is more or less of an anchronism from a steamship company’s point of view. The present announcement is. however, of particular interest, because it suggests that the battle of size has begun in earnest. The first Hamburg - American leviathan, it is intended, shall be 5000 tons bigger than the Olympic. The Canard Company, whose Aquitania is shortly to be put in hand on the Clyde, are credited with a desire to go a little better. At all events the Cunard Company have taken elaborate precautions to keep the exact size of their new boat to themselves. The implication is that they mean to have the biggest ship in the world. The Hamburg - American, of course, may reply by making its second big steamer a little bigger than the Aquitania, and the Cunard may produce something still larger when the time comes to give the Aquitania a sister ship. The vista of a keen contest is clearly opened up. A little while ago the competition was chiefly in the matter of speed. It is so no longer. The Olympic makes no attempt to outvie the swift Cunarders. The HamburgAmerican Company has officially repudiated the statement that it is making a bid for the blue riband of the Atlantic. A speed of somewhere about twenty-two knots, rather than the twenty-five or twenty-six of the Mauretania, will distinguish the leviathans of the future. Even the Cunard Company will be content with the more economical rata in the case of the Aquitania. GRADED PASSENGER PARES. Under the rules of the North Atlantic passenger conference each steamer is graded. That is to say, a minimum fare for first and second cabin passengers is fixed, presumably with full regard to the character of the ship and the quality of the accommodation. In the case of the Olympic the minimum first-cabin fare is put at £25 10s, as compared with £25 in the rase of the Lusitania and the Mauretania. The second-cabin minimum is identical in each case, namely, £l2 10s. Heretofore the highest minimum firstcahin fare on any White Star liner has been £22 10s. This Is in the case of the Adriatic, so that there is a jump of £3 in that of the Olympic. It seems to represent a modest Increment for the privilege of travelling by a steamer almost twice tiie size of the Adriatic, but for obvious reasons the minimum fares on the leviathan must be kept within reasonable bounds.

Those who Wish to travel cle luxe will have plenty of scope on the Olympic. There are ‘•parlour" suites, consisting of two bed-rooms. sitting - rooms, and private bath and toilet, to say nothing of a wardrobe-room, which one. Iwo. or three passengers can have at £250, £250, or £450, according to the season. Them figures, it may lie noted, correspond closely with the prices charged by the Canard Company for their “regal” suites. Again, rooms on the Olympic fitted with private bath and toilet can lie had for one passenger at from £7O to £2OO, according to tho season, or at from £SO to £2lO for the use of two. Needles-! to say the o figures relate to the choicest locations on the promenade and upper docks. Tho number of “parlour” suites in the Olympic is a pretty clear proof that this type of accommodation meets the views of a wealthy class of traveller. .

The demand for labour continues good, althou there is a considerable number of unskilled men who are being employed only intermittently. Artisans are kept very busy, and so far the present winter has been one of the best that has been experienced in Southland. Seasonable fruit is in good supply locally, including Fiji oranges and bananas, of whic there are fui’ supplies, imported pears and apples, lemons, Adelaide oranges, passion fnlit, prunes, and mandarins. There has been a decided shortage in the local fish supply during the week, the weather not being favourable. However, at present, there is a limited supply of fresh blue cod and groper on hand, and there are plenty of frozen groper, blue cod, and flounders to be had, also smoked blue cod. Oysters and mutton-birds may be obtained In plenty. The Invercargill Cycling Club, in reply to a movement to close the Waikiwl cycling path to cyclists, has informed the County Council that it Is not in favour of this step being taken. The Club points out that the privilege of establishing the track cost the club £3O, tliat the traffic on the North Road is particularly heavy, and that the installation of the tram service, will further compress the traffic. The County Council has decided to take no action in the matter. The Hibernian Band will play a programme of music In front of Mr Cliiaroni’s Art Depot this evening, when the prizes for their Aft Union will be on view. A concert in connection with the Methodist Young Ladles’ Guild, Bluff, was held on Wednesday evening. The chair was taken by Mr G. R. George. The audience was a large one and the programme of music evidently appreciated. Rev. B. Dudley, in moving a resolution of thanks,, complimented the guild on their enterprise, and promised another equally good concert in a month’s time. An action for slander lias been set down for the next session of the Supreme Court at Masterton, one resident of that town claiming £2OO damages from another resident in connection with an accusation concerning sly grog. At the Police Court at Auckland, .Alfred Hadden was further remanded on a charge of theft from the wharf stores. Detective Marsack, speaking 'on the question of bail, asked that it should be heavy as the present charge would probably develop something greater, involving charges against other people. Ball was fixed In two sureties of £75 each, accused being required to report daily to the police. At the last meeting of the Lumsden Oddfellows Lodge a vote of sympathy with Mi’s A. Challis, of Parawa, in her late sad bereavement was passed in silence, the members standing. It will bo remembered that the death of Mr Challis took place suddenly on Sunday. 2nd inst, when he appeared to be in the best of health.—Own Correspondent. A Wanganui telegram states that particulars of a cowardly assault were ventilated in the Police Court there yesterday, Jas. Kennedy and J. Gunn being sentenced to two months’ imprisonment each. It appears that a man named Vincent went into a local hotel and displayed a £SO note in the presence of accused, who followed him to the back premises of another hotel, where they set upon him, knocking him down and kicking him, causing severe Injuries to liis face. He was left senseless, and subsequently picked up. He had, however, deposited-.the-note with the hotelkeeper before going to the back premises.

The case of the young woman Ellen Briggs, who had pleaded guilty to a charge of wilfully exposing her child in a manner likely to cause injury to its health, was before Mr Riddell, S.M., at Wellington yesterday. The accused is not yet 21 years of age, and is employed as a domestic servant at Taihape. She has been motherless since she was nine years old. The child (ten months old) was left near the entrance to the Home of Compassion, the mother hiding near by till the baby was found and taken inside. It was stated that she had found a difficulty in getting a home for it, and as the father would not help, the mother, in desperation, acted as she did. The Magistrate said that it would be a wrong principle to extend leniency to persons who abandoned little children. lie sentenced the accused to 21 days’ imprisonment. The first of a series of after-church meetings arranged by the W.C.T.U. in connection with the Women’s Crusade will be held in the First Church immediately after the evening service to-mor-row, and other similar meetings will be held in other town churches on other Sunday evenings. The purpose of these meetings is to stimulate interest in the movement which is now going on to increase by many thousands the numbers pledged to help the Xo-liccn-e cause at the forthcoming polls. (Several of Invercargill’s ladies have undertaken to secure each 250 pledges, each signatory in turn undertaking to get further pledges. If the movement becomes general and enthusiastic it should result in a very greatly increased No-liccnse vote. The Public Works Committee of the Town Council reported on Thursday night that, in view of the urgent need of metal for the streets, the Mayor had been authorised to procure 200 tons of 2 y 2 in. broken metal from Logan’s Point. This metal is being obtained to fill immediate requirements for street maintenance. The tramway construction work is being held up in the meantime until the metal supply which has been recently arranged for comes to hand from Bluff and from the Corporation quarry at Greenhills. When these two contracts are under way the supply of metal will be sufficient both for tramway and for street-requirements during the next twelve months. Cyclists and others who have occasion to travel over the roads of Southland, and who have experienced the topographical difficulties caused by a network of roads in a flat country, will appreciate the suggestion put before the County Council yesterday by a correspondent who wrote:—"ln the interests of ratepayers and of the travelling public, 1 wish to bring before your notice a little thing (a small item as regards expense) which may for years have escaped your notice, but which will greatly add to the comfort of the general public, viz., the erecting of fingerposts at the junctions of the roads.” He urged that, although it might be said that a person With a tongue in his head could not lose hiilisclf, it was not always convenient to wait for half an hour or so to be directed. Tito Council instructed the clerk to reply that fingerposts were being erected at all important junctions. ”1 have an ambition to see New Zealand supplying the cheapest electrical power in the world,” declares Mr Parry, who has just arrived to assume control of the State’s hj ydro-eloctric schemes. “I don’t see why it should not be, judging by what 1 have read of your natural advantages. Probably the Dominion, by reason of cheap power, will be able to compete against the world in the production of such things as nitrates. Industry knows no country—it goes where conditions are most economical. I have seen industries moved off from England to Norway and, back again because of some little thing occurring to alter tiie balance of production. The question of transport to the world’s markets is a big one for New Zealand, and that is where it would probably put carbide of calcium out of tite question as a product of New Zealand electrical power schemes, the restrictions on its carriage being very severe. 1 think you ought, by electrical power, to seek to encourage the country’s natural industry, agriculture, and that can be done in many ways, notably by irrigation works depending on pumps for lifting the water. The remarkable ease with which electrical power is transmitted gives it great value for those things.’’

Great precautions are being taken to guard the £2,000,000 worth of diamonds which are on view in the South African building at the Festival of Empire. The casket containing the gems consists of stool wails three inches thick, into which are let three glass windows protected by wire-netting. At night time the collection is placed in a large steel safe, over which an armed guard has care. • The Corinthic now at Wellington has just completed her first voyage to New Zealand with wireless equipment, and during the passage the instrument bad plenty of work to do, no fewer than eight Homeward-bound steamers being communicated with between Plymouth and Cape Town. Cape Town was “picked up” two days before arrival, and communication was established with Wellington the day before the Corinthic reached that port.

Weather permitting, the Garrison Band will repeat the Coronation programme in the Hospital grounds on Sunday afternoon, commencing at 3 o’clock, for the benefit of the Nursing Staff and inmates of the Hospital. The annual ball which the Garrison Band hold every year, will take place in the Victoria Hall on the Sth August. An energetic committee of ladies and bandsmen has it in hand, and intends that this year’s ball shall eclipse all others. Tickets can now be had from the committee and bandsmen.

The Town Council has decided to invite tenders for 200 circular and upright signs in enamelled iron and stamped zinc, for stopping places on the tramway lines. It was announced at Thursday’s meeting of the Council that the signs would bear the words, “Cars Stop Here.” It was not suggested that there was any immediate necessity for such signs in Dee street. The Executive Council of the New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute has been meeting in Dunedin this week, and expects to conclude its deliberations this evening. Matters of importance affecting the clerical division of the service have been comprehensively discussed and dealt with. The proceedings have not been open to the Press. —Press Association. The Appeal Court at Wellington was occupied all day yesterday hearing the motor cab case from Dunedin. The argument was of an intricate and highly technical character, and at the conclusion of the sitting was still unfinished. The Court adjourned till Monday morhing.—Press Association.

At the Land Office yesterday two town sections In Riverton, and three suburban sections, of Vi -aero each, were offered for sale by auction. The upset price of the Riverton sections was £5 each, and of the suburban sections at Waimatuku was £1 each. Sales were made as follows;—Section 15, block 35, Riverton, to J. A. B. Walker at the upset price; section 17, block 15, Riverton, to John Harrison at £7; section 2, block 3, Wainiatuku, to Benjamin Ward at £1 ss; and sections 8 and 21, Waimatuku, to Thomas Daly at the upset price. The grazing- lease (from year to year) of 25' acres in Clifden Township w’as sold to Robert Sutherland at a rental of £lO, per annum. The upset rental was £5. The manager of Fullers’ Pictures at: Timaru has been convicted and ordered to pay costs and solicitor’s fee for, overcrowding the theatre on the King’s Birthday. The Magistrate remarked that in licensing such buildings the number allowed each section should be stated and not a single total. The circle might be dangerously overcrowded within the limit of the license. For some time past (says a Masterton telegram) dissatisfaction has been expressed at the fact of no Resident Magistrate being stationed here. The other day in Carterton a deputation brought the matter before the Hon. T. Mackenzie, who promised to look into the matter, and said that, as a general rule, a man should reside where he earns his living, but public opinion here very strongly favours the compulsory residence of the Magistrate. At present the Magistrate (Mr Reed) lives at Wellington. In fairness to him it must be said that the experience of the local solicitors is that he keeps the lists clearer of cases than most of his predecessors did, and in spite of the fact that the work has largely increased, cases have never piled up. Many of the new buildings of the town are assuming shape and are already beginning to add to the impressiveness of our streets. Of these the ones that catch the eye are those at the corner of Tay and Conon Sts., the Y.M.C.A. in Tay Street, Stroud’s buildings in Kelvin St., Strang's in Ksk St. and the new Government buildings at the rear of the Post-office. The demolition of St. John’s Anglican Church is being pushed forward with haste. After to-day there will be little left of the old building which has so well served its purpose as a place of public worship. The iron and sound timber are being put aside and will be put up to auction, while the remainder of the timber is being carted away for firewood. The white-pine borer has been very much In evidence during all these years and lias riddled the building to such an extent as to imperil its stability. Says a Palmerston North telegram:— Joseph Nathan and Co., of Palmerston North, to-day (Friday) received an order for two tons of their glaxo dried milk from Doctor Mawson for his Antarctic expedition, the milk being similar to that which Sir Ernest Shackleton used and thought so highly of. The firm makes this new product at Bunnythorpe, close to Palmerston, and Dr Mawson wrote that it. With pemmican will be the sole food of the expedition during the final dash for the Pole, and that no other form of milk will be taken on board. The milk is to meet Dr Mawson's ship at Hobart in November, and the manufacture will be at once undertaken, milk of specially high fat contents being used so as to generate warmth in the consumers.

At the Juvenile Court yesterday morning a bright faced, intelligent looking boy appeared in answer to a charge of cruelty to a horse. It appears that a country resident came to town last Sunday and left his trap and horse in an Esk street section. The boy came along, and, taking possession, drove several of his boy friends about the country by way of Mill road and Kcw. After returning home he told his mother that a stable proprietor had lent him the turnout. Although he was instructed by his mother to return the horse and trap next day, he, again, went out driving and kept the horse moving all that day. The horse was then placed in a section at the rear of the King’s Hall, the trap being left in the road. Constable Bonner had, in the meantime, been making inquiries, and brought the youthful Jehu to book with the result that he was committed to the Industrial School by the Magistrate, Mr G. Cruickshank. The Magistrate was occupied all day yesterday with the case in which John Thomson, sawmiller, of Orepuki, sought to recover from I. W. Raymond and Co. the sum of £143 15s 4d for work alleged to have been done and services alleged to have been rendered on behalf and at the request of the defendants. Mr W. Macalister appeared for defendants and Mr J. S. Neave for the plaintiff. After listening to lengthy argument, His Worship (Mr G. Cruicksank, S.M.) reserved his decision. It is understood that instructions have been given for the preparation of plana for a gun-shed for the “ C ” Battery, embracing an area of 100 x SO. The proposed building will be of such dimensions as to easily accommodate the new guns arriving shortly, besides providing for space for GO sets of harness. In addition there will be a H-stall stable, a lecture room, and a cottage in which 12 men will be permanently stationed. The harness arid the guns are now on the ship and should soon arrive. The 18pounders will not be checked at the AVellington Head Office, but Will be forwarded direct from the port of landing; therefore, if the Home boat conies direct to Bluff, the “ C ” Battery will have its guns before any other battery in the Dominion. Mr T. F. Martin, counsel for the New Zealand Counties Association, has given an opinion that where cattle have been seized by a ranger under the Impounding Act, 1908, section 17, for being at large on roads, and are released before reaching the nearest pound, the full driving fees are payable. The Amended Act, 1008, section 2 requires that "the charges for leading or driving cattle to the nearest pound” shall he payable. Mr Martin thinks that had the Legislature meant the charges for only the distance traversed they would scarcely have used the above expression. For Children’s Hacking Cough at night. Woods’ Great Peppermlst Cure, Is 80, 3s 80.

Several owners and occupiers of land in West Plains, using Moore’s Road as a thoroughfare have again, drawn Ihe attention of the County Council to the dangerous cutting at the West Plains railway crossing, to the extraordinarily: high and narrow formation of the road for about fifteen chains on the western side of the railway, and to the tall plantation on the north side that obscures the view of the railway.— The Council has referred the matter to their engineer for report as to the best means of malting the road safe for traffic.

The Bluff Press reports that the Norwegian syndicate, which recently inspected the various whaling areas in New Zealand waters, has completed its investigations and formed itself into a Limited Liability Company, carrying the name of tire New Zealand Whaling Company, Ltd. Captain Hasle, who made investigations on behalf of Christian Nielson and Co., of Larvick, Norway, has written Mr E. Wiig (Norwegian vice-Consul for Bluff) stating that on the 2Lst June he cabled his principals to go on with the formation of the Company, with a capital of £50,000. On the the 23rd, less than two days later, he received the following reply from Larvick: "Full capital of New Zealand, Whaling Company, Ltd., subscribed in two days. £SOOO reserved for New Zealand shareholders. Everything in order. Neilson.” Chatting to a reporter Mr Wiig expressed his satisfaction at the progress that is being made in getting the industry under way. The speed with which the formation of a Company has been carried out was a revelation and ah indication of what whaling experts thought of the possibilities of an industry in New Zealand Waters. There was no reason Why the fleet of Christian Nielson and Co. should not be in New Zealand waters by November of this year.

The Phoenix muffler is an ideal throat protector. It is neat arid easily adjusted. They can be had from THOMSON AND BEATTIE in cream, helio and green, at 1/6 each. They are also showing fleecy throw-over mufflers With smart coloured ends at 1/6, 2/6, 3/11 and 4/6 each; these are invaluable to ladies after sharp exercises on the hockey field or skating rink. WHEN IN DOUBT try McDonald’s. We cater for every class and for every age. Bring the children along and we Will fit them with as much care as we would the most, fastidious. Oiir stock of Infants’ Boots and Shoes like our stock for Boys and Girls, is the best selected in Southland. —MCDONALD’S City Boot Palace. AN UNBIASSED OPINION. The handicapper in the recently held New Brighton Beach motor cycle speed events, who Is considered an authority on the capabilities of the various makes of machines entered for this important event, Is probably a little chagrined at the result of these races. Although he and most oth'ers with him reckoned that, in placing the Triumphs behind all other single-cylinder machines (In fact, they were placed on an equality with twincylinder motors of higher power), he had got them on a mark -which would not allow them to beat all other singles so easily as they have usually done. But the best laid plans of mice and men “gang aft agl'ey," as the, Scotch proverb says, and In this Instance very much so, as the Triumphs won first and second places in each race with the exception of the thirty-mile race. In which C. H. Harrison, riding the Triumph, only managed to get up In second place by the time the tvlnnlng post was reached. However, there was consolation for him in the fact that his time was faster than thht of the winner, who was riding a special spiled model of Tourist Trophy ■type. Harrison’s machine was the Standard every-day model Triumph, and his performance was thus one that he can Well be proud of. The enviable reputation of the Triumph has riot been obtained by fluke performances, as it has a list of motor cycle successes to its credit equal to that of all other makes of motor cycles put together. We do not ask you to believe It Is the best motor cycle because we say. so, but we back up what we claim with hundreds of successes gained in reliability, hill climbing, and speed events held In all sorts of conditions In every part of the world, and we can refer you to hundreds of motor cyclists who have had practical experience with this motor, and who proclalin It to be a perfect motor cycle In every sense of the word. Illustrated catalogue sent post free to any address. Wilson, Fraser and Co., Sole Southland Agents, Dee Street. The demand for Dainty Neckwear has been exceptionally good. PRICE AND BULLEID are offering their season's selections at Crowning prices. 6%d each. See their window display. Nothing has been spared to make the clearance a success. In the Embroidery Department they are showing.a lovely lange of Camisole Embroidery,- 7Y Z <3, 9d, 11 y 2 d. Is 3d yard. Exceptional values in Wide Flouncings, New Floral designs, ; 10% d, Is 3d. Ladies’ Hosiery is one of their leading lines. This season’s shipments were very heavy. They have marked down the prices considerably. Two pair Cashmere Seamless Hose. Is 9d. 2s 3d, 2s 9d. Sensational bargains in Their noted Skin Gloves in Tans and Black only 2s 3d pair. Ladies’ 2-dome Tan Nappa Glove very serviceable. Warm Winter Glove, 3s 6d. Fabric Gloves are all laid out on the Bargain Table, 6%d, 9d, lid, Is 3d. Tinsel Belts and Petersham Belts. Suede Leather Belts all marked at Crowning price, GF-d. PRICE AND BULLEID’S for MONSTER SALE BARGAINS.

SYNOPSIS NEW ADVERTISEMENTS On Pago I. Lost—Photos. Wanted —Lady clerk. Flint’s bananas, 30 for Is. See Noble’s list of bargains. To Let—s-roomed house at Bluff. W. A. Ott & Co. have dwelling-house for sale. McDonald and Meek have Gladstone sections for sale. Hibernian Band prizes on view tonight. Tenders invited for Coronation Hall at Dacre. Ornaments and photo frames at Wesney’s. Glove and handkerchief boxes at T. Hide’s. Red Letter Day sacrifices at Price and Bulleid’s to-day. Last Day of men’s mercery sale at Undrill's. W. A. Ott and Co. have good sections on North Road for sale. On Pago a.— Price and Bulleid are making stupendous sacrifices to-day. On Page 3. See the telegram P. H. Vickery received re B.S.A. motor cycle feat. On Pago 4;— Cycle tubes reduced from 4/6 to 1/9 — See Wilson, • Fraser’s advt. Eleven marvellous snips at McGruer, Taylor and Co’s. On Pago 5. Funeral of late Florence Ellen Kallm on Sunday. On Pago B. Skating—King’s Hall. Fuller’s Pictures at 2 and S p.m. Hayward's Pictures at 2 and S p.m. N.Z. Boxing Championships on 25th and 26th. Borough of Invercargill—Notice to trespassers on car shed site. Competitions entries close on 21st. “The Prince and the Beggar Maid” in Theatre on Friday. Women's Crusade meeting in First Church to-morrow. Plunket Hood Go-carts save doctors’ bills —See AYilson, Fraser’s advt. On Page 12. Addition to R. J. Cummlng’s property list. Todd and Co. sell late T. J. Lumsden’s jewellery on 18th inst. McKay Bros. —Entry for to-day’s sale. Todd and Co. —Entry for to-day’s sale. Mitchell and Co. sell Peterson’s horses on 22nd inst. Henderson and Co. sell Mrs Harvey’s cattle on July 19th. Wright, Stephenson and Co. sell Jas. Duffy’s stock and implements on July 25. Stock Agents—Entry for Wallacetown sale. Henderson and Co. sell F. King’s farming stock on July 20th. National Mortgage and Agency Co. offer leases Shand Bros.’ sections at Centre Bush on August 26th.