ANSWER TO A CORRESPONDENT.

Southland Times, Issue 18928, 30 April 1923, Page 4

ANSWER TO A CORRESPONDENT.

“F.”—Your letter is unsigned. An Auckland message says that the police on Saturday seized a quantity of opium in Grey street, but made no arrests—Press Association. The figures for the official recount in connection with the Combined Boroughs election for a member of the Power Board are: —A. W. Rodger, 1354; W. Hinchey, 1128; informal, 29. The majority for Mr Rodger is 226.

A man was arrested in Tay street on Saturday afternoon for drunkenness. He was found asleep in the Victoria Hall and on being rudely awakened made his way to Tay street, where he was promptly taken into custody.

A feature of the Wellington municipal elections was the success of what is known as the “Citizens’ Ticket. Thirteen of 15 Councillors were returned on this, all Hospital Board members but one Labour man, and all Harbour Board members.—Press Association.

It was decided at the Bay of Islands Acclimatisation Society’s annual meeting, held at Kawakawa (says the Northern Advocate) to approach* the Minister of Internal Affairs to have the protection removed from kingfishers, one of the prettiest of native birds, owing to depredations among young trout fry.

The Bluff W.E.A. Dramatic Class met on Saturday afternoon in the Bandroom and the Literature Class in the evening. The literature study dealt with “Poems of Today” (second series), and introduced writers like James Welsh, W. H. Davies, Ralph Hodgson, Alice Meynell, Thomas Hardy and others. The discussion was good, and it was decided to deal with humour and humorous writers next Saturday evening.

“A Socialist is a democrat with his heart cut out, and a Bolshevik is a Socialist with his brains blown out,” declared Dr Oliver at the Gisborne Opera-house recently (sjjte the Poverty Bay Herald). “I declare without hesitation to the people of New Zealand that if people of that breed do not like the British Flag of this dominion, then they should have the decency to get on a. cattle boat and get out. A breed like that is worth nothing to your nation.”

A belief in the future of the Thames goldfields was expressed by the Hon. A. M. Myers at the Thames Old Boys’ reunion. Mr Myers said he believed that more gold would yet come out of the Thames than had ever been got, but owing to the exigencies of the times the gold-bearing area had not been exploited in recent years. He hoped to be able to associate himself with the movement for the development of the field by assisting in the formation of a company in London with the object of giving the area a more thorough test than it had so far received. This statement was received with appreciation and enthusiasm by those present.

While engaged a few days ago in removing the pipes used in connection with the dredging operations at the Wbangarei town wharf basin, some Harbour Board employees found a half-grown tuatara lizard alive (states the Northern Advocate). How the reptile got there is a matter for conjecture, as it has always been considered that the tuatara has become extinct on the mainland owing to the depredations of wild pigs. The most feasible solution is that the lizard was brought to the town wharf by visiting yachtsmen from the Chickens, and had been liberated by them. It is worthy of note that it is quite illegal to capture tuatara, and that the offence is punishable by a heavy fine.

The following amounts have been received to the Poppy Day collection:— Stewart Island £2 10s; Lumsden £5; Tuatapere £9 13s; Mrs Scandrett 10s (additional) ; Plunket Society 13s (additional); Girl Scouts £6 15s 9d (additional) ; Red Cross Society Is (additional); Lome Farm £2; Mrs D. M. Greig assisted by Misses Blanche Wilson, H. McCurdy and J. Steele, £9 13s; Mrs Williams, Wallacetown, £3 3s; Girls’ High School £1 4s; Makarewa £3 9s; Donations of £1 each toward the R.S.A. Poppy Fund have been received from the Waikiwi School and the Woodend Presbyterian Church. The total amount subscribed to the Poppy Day collection is £3lB 14s 4d.

The Dargaville Times reports that ther-» was some excitement at the conclusion of the ladies’ double-handed saw at the RaupuMapu sports. One of the pair who were runners-up went to congratulate the winners on their victory, and for her trouble received a fair amount of abuse. A committeeman, who tried to pour oil on 1 the troubled waters, also came off second best, and for his trouble received a smart smack in the face from the younger member of the winning pair. It appears that the have been the runners-up in past years to the pair who came second this year, and were out to retrieve their past defeats, but in the moment of victory so far forgot themselves as to fail to appreciate the chivalrous action of their opponents in offering congratulations. The question was raised by several people on Saturday as to whether the action of the Returning Officer for South Invercargill was correct in deciding the Mayoral electicn by lot in consequence of the two candidates having an equal number of votes. It was contended that the result should have been determined by the Returning Officer exercising a casting vote as is done in many other cases, but such does not apply with regard to municipal elections. The original section 27 of the Local Elections and Polls Act, 1908, was repealed by section 13 of the Amending Act in 1913, but the particular clause concerned, section 10, sub-section 2, was allowed to stand, and reads as follows:—“Where there is an equality of votes between candidates and the addition of a vote would entitle any of these candidates to be declared elected, the Returning Officr shall determine by lot which candidate shall be elected.” The introduction into New Zealand of wood-boring pests was discussed at a meeting of the Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association some days ago, when the following resolution was passed:—“This Federation strongly supports the endeavours of the State Forest Service to prevent the entry of foreign insects into New Zealand.” It was decided to send a copy of the resolution to the Forestry Department, and also to the Ministers of Forests and Customs. Several instances have come under the notice of the Forestry Department and of the Sawmillers’ Association of the manner in which the borer enters the Dominion. Not long ago thejstpacking of a consignment of nursery stock from Japan was found to contain small apple-tree twigs harbouring borers of a species peculiar to that country. In another case imported Japanese oak was found to be practically riddled by these pests. More recently examination of a shipment of Australian hardwood disclosed the fact that a yellowish grub was working havoc beneath the bark and in the sap of the timber. The depredations of insects in the larch forests in Maine, U.S.A., are causing some concern in that State, and examination of the trees affected has shown that they are being attacked by a comparatively new insect in that region.

At the annual meeting of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association, the chairman, the Rev. W. Walker, stated that the Association had continued to justify its position, both to members and the country generally. The R.S.A. movement was a big one, and one of the chief problems of to-day was that of prevailing cn the Government to accept responsibility of the treatment of men who had broken down in health as the result of war service. Despite the certificates of medical men, the utmost difficulty had been experienced in getting the Defence Department to care for these men. However, the Association had been fighting this attitude and would continue to do so until it had succeeded. He instanced the case of a returned man, whose illness had resulted from war disabilities and who was new in Sunnyside, as a result of the procrastination in the matter of proper treatment. He stressed the urgency of members’ continued support for the Association, and said it was cnly a powerful body which could claim the attention of the Government, and secure redress for cases where neglect had been shown. Then he said there were the relations of those who had fallen. These people must net be forgotten, and if the Association failed in seeing that they were properly cared for, it would have failed. In all, he stated, the local Association had a splendid record, and was in the proud position of having the largest membership in New Zealand.

That the proposed quinnat salmon fishing and tinning will develop into a huge industry in the South Island, was the impression gained by a Gisbornite who has just returned from a visit there (states the Poverty Bay Herald). Even now different fish shops in and around Christchurch are advertising to sell quinnat salmon on commission.

With a view of ascertaining if there are prospects of extensive fruit trade in South America, a deputation comprising some of the largest fruitgrowers waited on Mr A. Gilbert, of Stoke, to ascertain if he would represent the fruitgrowers of Nelson by making a trip to South America with a view of obtaining cash sales f.o.b. New Zealand ports. The deputation stressed the point that it was urgently necessary for them to put their business on a more satisfactory footing for next season. Mr Gilbert promised to favourably consider the matter.

The following letter, signed by the Secretary of the New Zealand National Council of Women, has been forwarded to the chairman of the Ashburton Hospital Bosrd,: — “Dear Sir, —The attention of this Council having been called to reports of your speech at a sitting of your Hospital Board, at which sterilisation of degenerates was discussed, I am instructed to write you cn the subject. My Council is profoundly shocked at the statement attributed to you in the report. We feel satisfied you could not have realised how harmful to the moral standard of the country such a view of the marriage state must be, otherwise you would not have expressed yourself in such terms. As women working for the welfare cf women and children in this country, we feel it our duty to send you our most emphatic protest against this view of marriage. No State can hope to become great which degrades its women in any way, and such a doctrine as the one advocated by you -must lower the whole conception of the relation of the sexes and do untold harm to the rising generation.—Press Association. A glorious array of bargains can always be secured at the Progressive Stores—H. & J. SMITH, LTD.—(Advt.) Have you seen the wonderful Corset bargains that THOMSON <fc BEATTIE, LTD, are offering? Sports Corsets are 4/11 pair; short top, long over hip Corsete are 6/pair; while the Reduso Corset you are usually asked 29/6 for may be had in some sizes at 19/6 pair. Suspenders that are usually 1/6 are offered at 1/- pair. Order by post if out of town.—(Advt.) Your mirror will reflect “perfection” at every angle when you make LEWIS’S your shopping centre. Huge shipment of Men’s and Boys’ Warm Tweed, stockinette, freeze and “featherlite” Overcoats, ex sj». Dorset frem London, must be seen to be admired. Boys’, sizes 0 to 13, prices 29/6 to 45/6, according to size; Youths’, 47/6 to 52/6; Men’s, 65/- to 130/-. “Featherlite” Tweed Overcoats, in heather, lovat, dark grey, brown, etc., in the latest single-breasted swing-back style, extra smart and comfortable, sizes 3 to 7, Bgns; “Waldort” Tweed Overcoats, very tonny, 7gns; 28in to 54in Tan Light Oilskin Coats in boys’, youths’ and men’s, 21/6 to 39/6; Men’s Riding Pattern Oil Coats, 45/-; Cycling Capes, only 18/6. We want your trade to get what we want—we give what you want. For quality, value, variety and service make LEWIS’S, LTD, your Shopping Centre. Established 61 years.—(Advt.) At McNeil and Clark’s economy campaign there is showing some wonderful values in boys’ tweed overcoats. They are just landed direct from England by the s.s. Dorset and in fitting and make are just the thing for Southland, while the prices are lower than has been the case for years. See these goods at McNeil and Clarks’.— (Advt). Wheat.—Superior line of good fowl wheat to hand. Clean and sound, 18/6 per bag delivered, at Baxter's.—(Advt). There’s nothing brings the sparkle of pleasure and excitement to a boy’s eyes like the gift of a Football. Hyndman’s supply the kind all boys from 5 to 75 like best. Three special lines in solid hide leather at 7/6, 8/6 and 10/6 will be found to stand plenty of “boot.” Postage 6d per ball. Hyndman’s, football specialists. MASSEUR PRAISES Q-TOL. A well known Masseur of Government Sanatorium experience constantly uses Q-tol in conjunction with his electrical treatment. Excellent for tired muscles. 2/-.—(advt). Undoubted Values. —The Children’s Department of the Progressive Stores is now to the fore with a most varied stock of Maids’, Misses’ and Children’s apparel. The prices have been cut to a very fine point, and we can state without fear of contradiction, that the best values are to be obtained at SMITHS’ Big Stores. Make a point of seeing these: Maids’ and Misses’ Wool Dresses, size 16 to 45in, at 6/11, 7/6, 13/6 to 45/-. Smart Serge Coat Frocks, smartly trimmed braidings, size 33 to 45in, 39/6 to 52/6. Children’s Dresses m serviceable Colonial Flannel Tweeds, 16 to 45in, from 7/11 to 29/6. Velveteen Dressen, newest styles, 13/6 to 39/6. New season’s Tweed Coats at 12/6, 13/6, 15/6, 19/6 to 85/-. Navy Tweed and Covert Coata, for school and college wear, 29/6 to 95/-. Infanta’ Cream and Coloured Teddy Coata at 13/6, 14/6, 16/6 to 18/6. See Children’s and Maids’ Millinery Tables at 2/6, 6/11, 7/11, 9/6 to 32/6. Children’s Vests, at 1/-, 1/3, 1/6, 1/11, 2/6 to 5/6. Children’s Heavy Flannelette Nightdresses, size 24 to 54in, at 3/11, 4/6, 4/11, 5/6 to 6/11. Sleeping Suits at 3/11 to 6/11. Wool and Fleecy-lined Knickers, all sizes. See Children’s and Maids’ Showrooms at H. & J. SMITH, LTD., Progressive Stores, Tay and Kelvin streets, Invercargill; and Main street, Gore.— (Advt.) “Better than bullion —good health.”— Markley. During winter, don’t run the risk of catching colds, coughs, or influenza—use Baxter’s Lung Preserver. “Baxter’s” haa rich warming, dependable properties. Never fails to give speedy relief, even in most chronic bronchial, chest and throat troubles. In addition, Baxters Lung Preserver is a fine tonic. Enriches the blood—fortifies the system against prevailing ailments. Always keep “Baxter’s” handy; 2/6 large bottle, at chemists and stores, (advt.) THE BUSINESS THAT PROSPERS. Is ore wherein everything is conducted with maximum efficiency and minimum expense. Our Furniture Removal Staff is composed of expert packers who work expeditiously saving your time and money. Try us and see the difference.—THE NEW ZEALAND EXPRESS CO.. LTD.—(advt). That sleep-spoiling cough can be stopped by “NAZOL.” Take some drops on sugar. Pentrating and soothing. 60 doses Is 6d.