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Southland Times, Issue 17833, 12 July 1918, Page 4

The mails for the United Kingdom, which left New Zealand on 19th May, 19X8, have arrived at their destination. The 44th Reinforcement draft will concentrate at the Drill Hall at 11 a.m. on Monday, and will proceed by the afternoon express for the Featherstone Military Camp. The Military Affairs Committee have received from the Eltham County Patriotic Society a donation of £SOO for the erection of a Church Army Hut. The hut will be known as the Eltham County Hut. In the Magistrate’s Court yesterday judgment by default was given in. the following undefended cases—Martin and Co, v. T. Bailey for £2 (costs 9/-), Meredith and Fraser v. James Greig for SJj .7/10 (costs 8/-), Southland Building Investment .Society and Bank of Deposit v. Angus McLeod for £2O 10/4 (costs £1 12/9). The Fire Brigade was called out about 10 o’clock yesterday morning to a residence in Tweed street. A quantity of fat, which was being rendered, fell into the fire and the mantelpiece became ignited. The use of the chemical extinguisher was sufficient to put the fire out and little damage resulted. The Anzac Buffet, situated in Victoria street, London, is a favourite rendezvous for colonial soldiers on leave. It will be remembered that it was. for funds for this buffet that Miss Ada Reeve made appeals throughout the dominion. The donations towards the running of the buffet published in the annual report of the Australian Natives’ Association (London Branch) total £21,933 6/7. The largest contribution is that of £14,000, “collected in Australia and New Zealand by Miss Ada Reeve.” Some tittle-tattle of a sensational character relating to war matters has again been current ia the city, this week (says the Auckland Herald). Persons who have helped in circulating such idle rumours evidently are not aware that their action renders them liable to severe punishment under the War Regulations. A regulation gazetted cn July 19, 1915, prescribes that “no person shall publish or cause or permit to be pufilished . . . any false reports relative to the present war and likely to cause alarm.” The term publish means “to make known either to i ndividuals or the public at large.” The penalty for any breach of the War Regulations may be a fine not exceeding £IOO or imprisonment up to a maximum of 12 months.

The secretary reported to yesterday’s meeting of the H. and C.A;/.Board that: Mrs Heaton, of Mabel Bush, who had been appointed District Nurse at Stewart Island had not been able so far to take up her duties, but would probably go over this week. An announcement in reference to the coal trouble was made by Mr R. Semple, coal miners’ agent, at a meeting held in Wellington on Sunday night, under the auspices of the Labour party. He said that if the matter in dispute were not settled within the next day or two it was intended to call a public meeting in Wellington, in order to lay the case for the miners before the people. "We are not going to take a slap in the face lying down,’’ remarked Mr Semple, who added that representatives of the men from the various mining districts would show that the miners were not receiving fair treatment.

The maintenance account for the Anzac Buffet from Ist April, 1917, to March, 1918, amounted to £23,224 1/8. Meat and fish cost £2202 16/3, bread and cake £1257 16/11, groceries only £837 7/11, milk £360 9/10, coals and lighting £lB7 8/6. Well over 10,000 loaves, 23,41 Olbs of cake, 2808 lbs of sugar, and 13,981 quarts of milk were consumed during the period, besides quantities of other commodities. During the past 52 weeks a total of 300,863 meals were served at an average cpst each of 3.95 pence (sic).

In the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., gave reserved judgment in the case in which E. Tall (master mariner) claimed £3O 11/3 for freightage on timber short paid, dockings, oil, etc., from Wm. Bird (timber merchant).. Defendant had counter-claimed £25 for upkeep of the Water Lily, repairs, etc. The Magistrate said that he had estimated the charges made in his own way. Tall would be given judgment for £32 7/6 less the. Magisterial estimate of the amount due to the defendant (£ll 14/-), and costs (£1 14/-).

Some anxiety was felt by the friends of Mr J. H. Tattersfield and party who went down the estuary on Wednesday to test a new launch, but happily there was no real cause for it. When near the mouth of the New River the launch ran into a sandbank and remained fast. All the efforts of the party to dislodge the launch from its unfortunate predicament failed, and they had to settle down to a night under the stars. Early the following morning at high water the launch was refloated and without further mishap the party arrived safely at the jetty none the worse for their night in the open.

An extraordinary accident occurred on the Woo Ist on (Christchurch) tramway line on Monday afternoon. All the elements oi a double fatality were present, but, fortunately, neither of the participants was injured. It appears that a woman was sitting in the open portion of the car when in some unaccountable manner the child (between three and four years old) she was carrying fell out, the car at the time going at a fairly high speed. The woman, almost immediately, and while the car was still travelling at the same speed, got off the car to get the child. Both escaped without hurt.

The immediate improvement which has been effected in the health of troops in New Zealand military training camps was referred to by Sir James Allen in an address at a public meeting at Helensville on Tuesday night. Sir James said that the camps were now probably the healthiest places in New Zealand. He had just received a return of the men admitted to the camp hospital at Featherston during the last week; and that return, although it was in the middle of winter, when serious illness might be expected among the men, comprised only 20 cases. Similar conditions prevailed at Trent ham.

Land aggregation was stated by Mr R. E. Hornblow, at a deputation to the ActingPrime Minister, to haye been brought about in the district beyond the terminus of the Kaihu railway through want of communication with the outer world. Small settlers, he said, had been obliged to sell their holdings ,which had been bought up by theis wealthy neighbours. Sir James Allen asked that specific instances should be supplied to the Minister of Lands, who, he said, was most anxious to stop aggregation. If it were going on, he added, the Government would not put up with it. . Mr Hornblow undertook to furnish particulars. In civil life frequent warnings have been given of the danger to health resulting from expectoration in public places, and by-laws have been made forbidding the habit. Yet it continues. Apparently some civilians have carried the practice to camp with them, but under the strict medical supervision obtaining with the soldier communities the same freedom to spread disease and cause annoyance will not be permitted. A paragraph in Trentham routine orders is brief and to the point: “Attention is called to the fact that spittoons 'are provided and the disgusting habit of indiscriminate expectoration is to cease. All officers are directed to immediately check this breach of orders on every occasion.”

The high price of benzine, owing to the war, makes the question of securing a cheaper motor spirit one of considerable importance. In the year book of the Auckland Automobile Association for 1918, appears an interesting article on “Industrial Alcohol.” This spirit can, it is stated, be made from fallen fruit, grain, beet, molasses, potatoes, rice, turnips, etc., the cost of distillation being small. In the United States distillers get Is lOd per gallon, and it is estimated the cost of production is lid per gallon. One advantage of wood alcohol is that it dissolves in water, whereas other motor swrits float on the surface. It is pointed out, on the other hand, that the heating power of alcohol is less than that of gasolene. Wood alcohol can be made from sawdust, scrap wood, shavings, stubble, straw, chaff, corn cobs, etc., the sulphuric acid problem being the key to the economical production of both this and industrial alcohol.

During the month of June 72 cases of infectious diseases were notified as follows: —Scarlet fever 15, diphtheria 55, tuberculosis 1, erysipelas 1. These were distributed over the following districts; Southland Cty. 32 (diphtheria 29), Invercargill 27 (diphtheria 20), Wyndham 2 (diphtheria 1), Lumsden 1 (diphtheria 1), Gore 1, Queenstown 3, Lake County 1, Wallace County 4 (diphtheria 4), Otautau 1. Five deaths occurred from tuberculosis during the month. In addition to the above-mentioned clinical cases of diphtheria 42 carriers were discovered as the result of contact swabbing. It is interesting to note that in several instances known carriers have themselves developed the actual disease after perhaps two or three weeks. Diphtheria incidence appears to be somewhat lessening, and had it not been for two localised outbreaks at Fortification and Seaward Downs, the number of cases for the month would have been considerably lower. A number of cases of scarlet fever occurred in Queenstown and district some little time ago, but none have been notified since early in June. Prompt removal to hospital of all the most recent of the cases probably prevented further spread. In yesterday’s issue we published a paragraph taken from an article in United Empire, the journal of the Royal Colonial Institute, by Mr E. H. Cunningham Craig, in which that authority, referring to oil shales of New Zealand, said; “ The percentage of sulphur in the crude oil has apparently been one of the chief difficulties to be overcome.” We understand that the difficulty has been completely overcome as regards the Orepuki shale. There is sulphur in the Orepuki shale, but the quantity is not abnormal, and satisfactory methods of dealing with it have been discovered and proved. The sulphur in the Orepuki shale now presents no difficulty whatever. A Southland Times reporter was informed yesterday that the sulphur trouble is not peculiar to shale oils. It was met with in some of the Texas oil wells, but was successfully overcome there also. Mr Cunningham Craig in his article said: “It is anticipated that a solution of the problem will be achieved eventually and will render available as a source of oil great quantities of material that have at present to remain unexploited.” It is satisfactory to know that the solution has already been found, that the Orepuki shale deposits are now available and that exploitation is only a matter of capital and enSeiDrise»

A conference between members of the Town Council and the Southland League was held on Fire Brigade matters last night. The Press were not present. A man employed in one of the local picture theatres was arrested yesterday on a charge of stealing, by failing to account for. over £l2. He will come before the Court this morning. The Mayor of Auckland (Mr Gunson), replying to the statement by a Wimmera passenger cabled from Sydney and published yesterday, says it is absolutely incorrect both as concerns the treatment of survivors in the north and at Auckland. The Master, Lorhe Farm Home, desires to thank for donations: Misses Birch and Birss, Mrs A. C; Miller, and Mrs T. M. Macdonald, who kindly, secured free passes for the children to attend a matinee at the Theatre on Saturday, the 29th, and Messrs Todd and Wilson for the use of their motor.

They draw the colour line in Feilding (says a North Island paper). The Fisk Jubilee Singers, after having arranged for accommodation at a certain house, were rejected when they presented themselves, the landlady telling them, “You had better try to find accommodation elsewhere; I do not accommodate coloured people.” A rowing club is to be another activity of the N.Z.EF. in England this summer. By arrangement with the West End Rowing Club the N.Z. Headquarters Strfl will utilise that club’s boatebed at Hammersmith, paying a moderate fee for hiring of boats as they are taken out. It is mors than likely that a New Zealand crew will be found competing in any rowing matches there may be this summer. It is stated by the Auckland Star that the total amount received by the Wimmera Relief Fund Committee is £1134 15/6, including £IOOO donated by the HuddartParker Company, owners of the lost steamer. At a meeting of the committee it was stated that Auckland’s response to the appeal—a sum of £l34 —was disappointing, and had not been sufficient to relieve the actual distress. Owing to its storage capacity of 200,000 carcases being fully occupied, the Whakatane Freezing Company has had to stop killing. The local settlers have suggested thpt in view of the shortage of shipping space it would be advisable to send sill prime beef away boned, as is done at present with in: ferior grades. It is argued that this would mean a saving in shipping space of from 25 to 30 per cent., while it is also urged that the retention of the bones in New Zealand is greatly needed for the manufacture of manures and for meat extract purposes. The Matron of the Southland Hospital desires to thank the following for donations to the Southland Hospital during the month—Dipton Red Cross Society, Waikiwi lied Cross Society, Invercargill Red Cross Society, Miss Thomson, Miss N. Thomson, J. E. Taylor, Mrs Brass, Junior CJS. Society, Wesley Church, St. John’s Church, Mrs Jobson, Mrs BickneU, Mrs Murray-Menzies (Dipton), Mrs Fawcett, Mrs Barlow, Mrs Nicholson, Mrs Brodrick, Mrs Beaton, Mrs Haszard (weekly donation), Mrs Frawley, Mrs Patrice, Federal Tea-rooms, Mrs Todd, Mrs E. McLean, Mrs W. McLean, Mrs Wright, Mrs Todd (donation of books for the’Nurses’ Home Library).

Medical men in Melbourne have sounded a note of warning in regard to “carriers" of diphtheria. A report in the Argus gives credit for the efficiency of the anti-toxin treatment, but indicates haw the remedy may help in spreading the disease. Convalescents in infectious hospitals may be* discharged after only two throat swabs have revealed the disappearance of the diphtheriagerm; but a throat negative to-day may be positive to-morrow. It may happen that the germ has hidden in one of the many snug recesses of the throat, and, while not causing a fresh attack on the patient, is there ready for the infection of another person by contact. Thus to the number of ordinary “carriers” who bear the germ without being attacked themselves are added many still infective convalescents. “Antitoxin is doing what it was intended to do —cure cases,” said a medical officer, “but, while saving lives, it increases the number of carriers.”

The Amreican Food Controller, Mr H. Hoover, recently made a statement on the food situation of the Allies, in which he said that the average number of people standing in queues for rations in London alone had decreased from 223,232 a day in the latter part of February to 2865 a day two months later; and it decreased still further later. This was due not only to more ample supplies, but still more to the organisation of the system for which the late Lord Rhondda was responsible. “If food conditions have correspondingly improved throughout Great Britain,” fjgys the Springfield Republican in a comment on Mr Hoover’s statement “the worst crisis of tbs present year seems to have been passed safely. America’s share in relieving the scarcity in the Allied countries abroad has been something to be proud of, although the comparative abundance here has been such that America has been obliged to undergo no real privations. Through voluntary food conservation this country in April was able to send abroad meat products over eight times the amount sent in the same month of 1914 and over twice the amount sent in April of last year.” Rather an unusual double-barrelled appeal was before the first Auckland Military Service Board, when a dissertation on a phase of the fishing industry was provided. Charles Mansfield, Northcote (Mr Dickson), appealed for exemption to the First Auckland Military Service Board on the ground of public interest, he being a shearer for four months in the year and a hand-line and net fisherman for the other eight months. Appellant said he sheared 200 sheep a day in the Hawke’s Bay district in season, when his total tally generally averaged thirteen to fourteen thousand. He had been shearing for 22 years. The Board agreed that appellant was a bona fide shearer. The evidence showed that the shortage of fish was partly due to the shortage of fishermen. There were 422 members in the union when inaugurated three years ago, and there were now 120 members. About 74 had gone to the front. The other 220 had gone out of the industry owing to the insufficiency of inducement to remain in it. The trawling had helped to break the line fishermen out. Counsel was about to call a city councillor to testify to the scarcity of fish when the Board said it thought this unnecessary. Appellant was a shearer, and enough evidence had 'been brought to show that out of the shearing season he was essentially and usefully engaged. For that reason the appeal would be adjourned sine die. Stocks of wheat in Canterbury are nearing their end, and very little is offering (says the Dunedin Star). Shortly there will be none to be bought there except odd lines of seed wheat left over by farmers. All the Southern wheat is now out of the farmers’ hands, except probably 4000 or 5000 bags in Central Otago. None of the Dunedin millers hold heavy stocks. Unless a supply soon reaches us from Australia some of our mills will have to run short time or shut down for lack of a mixture. They may have wheat, but it is necessary to have such varieties as will serve for mixing, otherwise the flour would not be of the quality made in districts where a good mixture can be had, and our trade would suffer. Some of the Otago millers have been bringing the position before the Government, but so far there is no information as to what the Government are doing in the matter of importing. It is pointed out that, whilst there is no word of bringing over wheat for milling, space could be found on one recently-arrived vessel for 4500 sacks of barley for brewing. The millers in the South are willing to pay ordinary rates of freight if the Government will import wheat from Australia, but it is necessary that the import duty be taken off, otherwise this wheat could not be manufactured except at a loss. This is a simple proposition. According to the Government regulations the price of wheat increases by Id per bushel per month, and it is now 6/OJ, as compared with 5/11 in April, whilst the price of flour is fixed at £ls 10/-. So, with a fixed price for flour, and an advancing price for wheat, and the manufacturing margin already slight, it is only a matter of a little while when under such conditions the manufacturing must cease to pay. That is the view of the case put forward by the milling trade, and it -is the. argument for removal ofrthe import duty.

Speaking to a Post reporter on Tuesday Mr C. Grayndler, secretary of the Shearers’ Federation, stated that some of the sheepowners were becoming alarmed at a threatened shortage of shearers for the next season. Usually, at this time of the year, sufficient applications have been received to fill all vacancies, but not so now. In many instances owners have received no applications at all, and they are beginning to wonder whether there will be enough men to go round. Only to-day Mr Grayndler received a letter from the manager of a big station in, the Wairarapa who has a four-stand shed and 20,000 sheep, asking that exemption from military duty should be applied for on behalf of the shearer —the only one—who has so far applied for work this year. Sheepowners, it is stated, are regarding the future with some anxiety. A meeting was held last night to form a Money Club on the lines of similar institutions conducted in Christchurch and Dunedin. Mr H. Stokes, who was one of the founders of the Dunedin Club, presided. The purpose of these institutions is mainly to assist the workingman in providing for the “rainy day” under profitable conditions, and to assist those in need of small loans repayable under easy conditions, and advanced on all classes of security. It has been found that such clubs serve a useful purpose in the community, and success is anticipated for the Invercargill Mutual Money Club, LtcL, the title under which the local association has been registered. The following officers were elected;— President, Mr J. A. Jackson; Trustees, Messrs T. D. Lennie, and D. Scandrett; Solicitor, Mr Hall-Jones; Secretary, Mr F. H. HalL In connection with the orthopaedic treatment so essential in the case of many returned soldiers, massage necessarily plays an important part, and as the supply of masseurs is limited the Defence Department is looking to the Otago University and the Otago District Hospital to assist in reducing the shortage (says the Dunedin Times). Accordingly applications are invited by the Director-General of Medical Service?, Defence Headquarters, Wellington, up to and including to-day, from young men and women desirous of studying massage. Written applications must be accompanied by medical certificate and recent testimonials. Presumably, applications will be received from two classes. One of these will be private pupils who are prepared to pay the ordinary premium of £57 for an 18 months’ course of training, the first six months of which will be at the Otago University. These students must have passed the Sixth Standard, and' be in good health; and preference is given to matriculated students. The present students are well-educated (they include two or more graduates), being about on a par with the medical students. The other class of applicants will be from men belonging to the New Zealand Army Medical Corps who have been classed C2, and are under 45 years of age. These must be willing to sign an agreement to serve under the Defence’Department for at least three years. Presumably their expenses will be met by the department, and they will receive the ordinary military pay. The six months’ preliminary course will in each case be undergone at the University, and the remaining 12 months at one of the tour main hospitals or at Rotorua, as may be arranged by the department. The winners of the Red Cross weight of sheep-guessing competition on Saturday, July 6, 1918, were—Mr A. Cummerfield, Princess Hotel; Mrs W. Handyside; Mr E, Officer, Lome; Mr N. Weir, c/o Undrill and Co.; 72Jlbs. !Jr2sl Groceries. —If you are interested in the economical buying of Groceries for spot cash,. BAXTER’S popular prices will interest you. See advertisement on Page 1. Small profits, quick returns. —(Advt.) “STICKING IT OUT.” The war is a test of endurance. To “stick it out,” it is incumbent upon soldiers and civilians alike to keep fit and strong. This is best achieved by taking a course of WILSON’S MALT EXTRACT. Being the concentrated essence of the finest Malted Barley, it is tee most nutritious food tonic imaginable. Moreover, the diastase in it enables one to assimilate other foods properly, nnr! to get every particle of nourishment out of them. Thus it is strength-producing, flesh-forming, unsurpassed for anyone who needs building up. Try taking at mealtimes a spoonful of this great extract, and see if it’s not the best tonic food you ever tasted. Prepared also with Cod Liver OiL Chemists and Stores. The Paddy Hat is the popular and most durable Hat for children’s wear. See them at THOMSON & BEATTIE’S in a great variety qf shades in Velvet, Plush and Gaberdine with wide and narrow brims. Prices 3/11, 4/6 to 6/6. —(Advt.) “ Facts alone are wanted in life.”—! Dickens. It is facts alone that prove the worth of BAXTERS LUNG PRESERVER. For 53 years it has been ministering aid whenever needed. Thousands testify to its efficacy. A sore throat or chronic cough cannot long withstand Baxter’s curative qualities. It relieves with first dose. A short course of Baxter’s, and all trouble is gone. Equally effective for colds, influenza and bronchial affections. Large bottle, 2/-. All chemist# and stores. Insist on getting genuine NAZOL—it’s worth while. No cold is NAZOL-proof—■ and no cough or cold remedy is so moneysaving as genuine NAZOL. The general public have not been slow to recognise the many advantages now being offered by Messrs PRICE & BULLEID, LtcL, of securing good parcels of apparel and general drapery at prices which must rnmn very considerable savings. Messrs Price & Bulleid, Ltd., following their usual custom at sale time, are offering goods in all Departments at particularly keen prices, considering the extreme position of the textile market to-day. Buyers would be well advised to secure their present and future requirements, while prices are so very much in their favour. —(Advt.) ECONOMIC LADIES’ OUTFITTERS’ New Address: Briscoe’s Buildings (next George Munro, jeweller).—(Advt.) SEPTIC THROAT. Throat irritation should not be neglected. Dislodge the germs and heal inflammation by using Fluenzol as directed. 1/6 and 2/6, Doctors 'Z. the North Maud are recommpnHir- the gargling and sniffing up o { Fluenzol to check the spread of Diphtheria. Tweed Hats, Lounge Hats, Motor Caps, Felt Hats, latest styles, finest selection in Southland. UNDRILL’S, opp. Post Office.—* (Advt.),

Your Ladies’ Old Secondhand Bicycles. We are cast) buyers. Apply G. W. WOODS AND CO., Dee street. ’Phone 646. —(Advfc.).

Brilliant Bargains in Ladies’ Coats. A huge stock to select from at these quick sale prices—Ladies’ Tweed Coats, Sale prices 39/6, 49/6, 55/-, 59/6, 72/6, 79/6, 89/6 to 110/-. Tweed Coats with fur collars, Sale prices 75/-, 84/-, 89/6 to 110/-. Covert Coats, Sale prices 65/-, 76/6 to 105/-. Raincoats at these rare bargain prices—l 2/6, 25/-, 35/-, 45/-, 55/-, 72/6 98/6. A big showing of fashionable Costumes to be sold at keen bargain prices, from 35/- to 160/-. Wool-knitted Jerseys, very comfortable for cold days, 25/-, 27/6, 38/6, 42/- to 78/-. Ladies’ Millinery in endless variety. Our huge stock to be sold this week at sensational prices. Call , early. See windows and Showroom for bargains. H. & J. SMITH, LTD., Progressive Store. Phone in all departments. —(Advt.) Eighteenpence spent on NAZOL will keep you free from colds this winter. Takfl on sugar or inhale. Sixty doses 1/6. Get NAZOL to-day.