ANSWER TO A CORRESPONDENT.

Southland Times, Issue 19170, 14 February 1924, Page 4

ANSWER TO A CORRESPONDENT.

“Englishman”—Your complaint may be justified, but your argument is unre.ison-able.-—Ed S.T.

The Dominion Meteorologist last night telegraphed the following forecast: Present indications are for moderate to strong northwest to south-west winds, with weather changeable and showery, especially on all western coasts. Barometer rising everywhere soon. A Wellington Press Association message states that cables just received from America advise a still further advance in petrol costs. The Chief Postmaster advises that Australian mails, ex Makura and Maheno at Auckland, are due to arrive here by the first and second expresses to-day. During the thunderstorm on Tuesday evening lightning struck an electric wire on the Power Board’s line at Riverton. The lightning ran along the wire causing damage to the insulators, with the result that "the residents were without light from 6.15 until 8.30 p.m. Riverton presented an animated appearance yesterday. In addition to the Riverton Athletic Society’s annual sports, the South School had its annual picnic at the popular Western District seaside resort, while the employees of several Invercargill business houses were present on a similar mission. The weather was fine and warm, helping to make the various gatherings a great success.

If the political future holds any cares for him, Mr Massey does not show it, telegraphs the Christchurch correspondent of the Southland Times. He will not even discuss the Liberal Party’s assertion that “Reform is a spent force.” The mention of it by an interviewer yesterday drew a loud laugh from him. “Why should I say anything about it?” he asked. “If they like to amuse themselves in that way, why let them!”

Mr M. Hawkins, Inspector of Prisons, stated yesterday that the Prison authorities were greatly indebted to the members of the Black family for the excellent musical programme they had provided for the inmates of the local Borstal Institute on Monday night. Although only requested on Saturday to give the concert on the following Monday, Miss Black had willingly consented and had arranged a programme which was greatly enjoyed by all present.

In conversation with a Times reporter yesterday Mr C. E. Matthews, ControllerGeneral of Prisons, who recently returned from a visit to Australia, stated that he had come back to New Zealand better satisfied than ever with what was being done in this country in the way of prison reform. There was nothing in Australia to compare, not only Avith the Invercargill Borstal Institution, but with any of the country prisons in New Zealand. A prison farm, consisting of 100 acres, had been established about 30 miles from Sydney and another in Victoria, but the Borstal Institution here was beyond comparison with anything that had been attempted on the other side.

A Dunedin Press Association telegram states that at the Police Court to-day, Janies Richard McGrath was charged with having at Tahakopa procured a noxious thing, namely a box of pills, knowing ihe same was to be unlawfully used to procure an abortion. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. William Michael Wilkinson was charged with having supplied the box of pills to McGrath, knowing the same was to be used for an unlawful purpose. Accused reserved his defence and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was fixed for accused in £2OO, and two sureties of £lOO each.

An American gallinule (Poryphphio Martinitus) of gorgeous metallic blue plumage, brought to Auckland by the Westmeath, is the most brilliantly coloured bird that has ever graced the deck of the steamer (says the Star). Its arrival was rather impromptu, as the vessel was two days out from Panama and fully 300 miles from the nearest land, when the gallinule, a frequenter of the big rivers of Central America, was found one morning on the boat deck, having apparently sought refuge during the night. Though an attempt was made to keep the bird alive it died the same night, and was preserved by the ship’s doctor for cabinet use.

Whilst harvesting operations were taking place on Mr C. Lucas’s farm at Clydesdale on Monday afternoon a young man, James Mclntosh, who was driving one of the binders, had his leg cut to the bone by the knives of the machine. Mr Lucas, who was also driving a binder, stopped to clear some crop. Mclntosh, with his binder close up behind, stopped also and got off. When Mr Lucas mounted and re-started his binder the horses of the other binder started Also, and Mclntosh was caught in front of the knives, which cut into his leg to the bone before the .horses could be stopped. The sufferer was taken to Balclutha before being removed to hospital.

Under the will of the late C. G. V. Leijon, of Dunedin, who died on January 3, substantial bequests are made to local charitable institutions. Legacies of £5OO each are given to the .Convalescent Homes conducted by the Patients’ and Prisoners’ Aid Society, the Victoria Jubilee Convalescent Fund, the Ross Home at Caversham, the Benevolent Institution and Salvation Army Rescue Home. The residue of tfie estate after the payment of sundry personal bequests and legacies, is directed to be divided equally between the Salvation Army Rescue Home and the Ross Home at Cavereham and the Benevolent Home and Patients’ and Prisoners’ Aid Society. The estate is being sworn for probate at £19,000 and the residuary estate, it is estimated, will be somewhere in the vicinity of £6,000, so that residuary legatees will each receive a sum running well into four figures. —Press Association.

At the annual meeting of the Crown Brewery Co., Ltd., held at Christchurch, it was decided to wind up voluntarily the premises, plants, and stocks having been purchased by the New Zealand Breweries, Ltd. Messrs Alfred and George Louisson, the directors, were appointed liquidators, a recommendation in the annual report being adopted that it should be arranged for repayment immediately to shareholders of a substantial sum per share. The report (which was adopted) recommended the following distribution of £17,909, the profit on the year’s trading:—Payment of dividend at 10 per cent, per annum, which would absorb £8,640; payment of a bonus of 2j per cent., absorbing £2,160; and the carrying forward of the balance, £7,109. It was announced that upon the company going into voluntary liquidation it was the intention of the Hon. Chas. Louisson (chairman of directors) to retire from active participation in the company’s affairs. Mr Louisson had held the position of managing director since September, 1877. That time the company, with a nominal capital of £lO,OOO, was practically insolvent. The capital issued is £86,400, and the reserve fund is £148351 19s. The freehold property is set down at £11,942.

Hon J. G. Coates (Minister of Railways) announced yesterday that arrangements have been made, commencing on Monday next 18th inst., for all goods between the East and West Coasts to be charged on continuous mileage at gazetted rates at present in operation, plus percentages.

The Bluff Borough Council’s proposal to borrow £5,000 for the purpose of renewing the existing electrical installation was put before the ratepayers yesterday, and carried by a large majority, though many of those entitled to vote failed to exercise their right. In all 215 votes were recorded, 192 being registered in favour of the proposal and only 12 against it, giving a majority of 180. Eleven ballot papers were for various reasons rejected as informal.

A public meeting was held at Dunedin last night, having been convened by the Dunedin Nurserymen’s Council to hear an address by the Dominion president (Mr T. D. Lennie). Matters of general interest were dealt with, the establishment of an Institute of Horticulture being advocated. The State competition in the sale of trees was opposed while the reinstatement of a fruit inspector in .Invercargill was regarded as necessary. Hon. C. E. Statham, Messrs T. K. Sidey and G. Munro, M’s.P., and Mr D. Tannock spoke in sympathy with the views expressed.

“It seems utterly futile to be making orders in excess of the amount that a respondent can reasonably keep up the payments on,” said the Magistrate (Mr Geo. Cruickshank) at the Invercargill Courthouse yesterday when a claim for maintenance was made by Mary Wakefield against James George Wakefield. It was shown that complainant had a family of six young children as well as herself to maintain. Respondent, who did not appear, advised per medium of a solicitor’s letter, that he was prepared to contribute the sum of £2 5s per week, but His Worship said more than likely he would get into errears before long. He accordingly made an order for the payment of £8 13s 4d per month.

The annual meeting of the Mataura Do main Board was held on Tuesday, the Mayor, Mr C. D. McConnell, presiding. The annual report stated that, the grounds were lighted with three 100 c.p. electric lights, and that the Mataura Tennis Club is to set down another court. The statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ended December 31, 1924, was presented as follows:—balance 1922 £1 18/7, electric light £2O, rents £29 5/-, sale hay £3 10/-, refund Thorn £lO 16/7, total £65 10/2. Expenditure: electric light £5O, caretaker £2, extra labour £3 8/-, legal expenses £1 1/-, secretary £2 2/-, bank charge 10/-, insurance 18/-, bank balance £5 11/2, total £65 10/2. There are assets amounting to £155, and liabilities are nil. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. A hairbreadth escape from death was the astounding experience of a youth on the Papakura suburban train on Friday morning (relates the Auckland Star). As the train pulled in to the Auckland station he projected himself feet foremost through the first window of the rear carriage while the vehicle was still in motion. He landed on the platform, but the impetus of the train caused him to lose his balance and pulled him down head foremost on to the permanent way, where to the horror of the temporarily paralysed onlookers all that could be seen this side of the rails was a pair of legs. Closer observation revealed that the rear wheels of the bogie car had stoped a mater of inches away and the youth crawled out unhurt and hurried off, his only injury being the loss of his lunch, which slipped from his grasp in the fall. There’s great activity amongst the Millinery at Thomson and Beat ties End of Season Sale. Every hat has orders to go— Untrimmed Shapes at. 2/6. Ready-to-wears at 3/11. Trimmed Hats at 12/6. Surely a great opportunity. Take advantage of it. (Advt.) Big Fact. —The people of Southland do their full share of tea-drinking. Rava Tea from the Rava Tea Gardens is first favourite. Price 2/8 per lb, or 51b packets for 12/6; 101 b packets for 25/-, at BAXTER'S. (Advt.) You will enjoy Rava Tea from the Rava Tea Gardens —the most popular beverage in Southland—2/8 per lb; 2d reduction for 51b and 101 b packets.—At Baxter’s.— (Advt.) Tennis Racquets at end-of-season prices. Hyndman’s, Dee street, have a few choice quality Racquets on hand that are now being offered at Bargain Prces. Early application will be advantageous to tennis players.— (Advt.) RELIEF FROM MORNING SICKNESS. Expectant mothers can usually gain relief from morning sickness by taking a wineglass of Kruse’s Fluid Magnesia. As delicious as it is gentle and effective. 1/6 everywhere. Cheaper than imported brands because no duty rates to pay.—(Advt.) “Good-bye—thou Wintiy blast.” '-Anon. Although Summer is with Us agtin we must still guard against possible risk of colds and coughs. It always pays to have Baxter’s Lung Preserver handy in case of emergency. “Baxter’s” has a knack of nipping colds and bronchial complaints right in the bud. It is a rich, penetrative specific, and every dose does good. Also reliable tonic. All chemists and stores. Generous-sized bottle 2/6. or family size 4/6.—(Advt.) We are fully stocked with the latest productions in watches and jewellery. Our full range of ladies’ wristlet and pocket watches from 14/- to £l4, cannot be surpassed, each watch being guaranteed. Gent’s watches in metal cases from 9/6 to £3 10/-; silver £2 10/- to £9; gold £4 10/- to £3O. Buy your watch from the practical watchmaker, T. M. Rankin, Tay street, Invercargill. —Advt.