ANSWER TO A CORRESPONDENT.

Southland Times, Issue 19173, 18 February 1924, Page 4

ANSWER TO A CORRESPONDENT.

“Curious.”—The point which you mention was not dealt with. We referred to the remarks actually made.

A first offender for drunkenness, who had spent the night in the lock-up, was convicted and discharged by Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday morning. An Auckland Press Association telegram states that police and Customs officers on Saturday searched lockers in the waterside workers’ shed on Central Wharf and seized a quantity of goods, including shoes, shawls, tea and whisky. They are still investigating with a view to taking Court proceedings.

On Wednesday night the visiting members of Parliament will be entertained by the people of Winton and district in the Winton Public School Hall.

Colonel H. D. O. Ward, who was A.D.C. to Lord Ranfurly, formerly Governor of New Zealand, from 1897 to 1899, has been promoted to the rank of Major-General. During the war he was mentioned a number of times in despatches, the first occasion being in February, 1915. Major-General Ward was one of those entitled to the 1914 ’Star.

The Diamond Jubilee of the Parks and High Street Schools, Dunedin, was celebrated on Saturday by a historical meeting and a roll call in the morning and an exhibition of school relics in the afternoon, reports a Press Association telegram from Dunedin. In the evening a dinner was held and was attended by several hundreds. On Saturday afternoon, Hon. W. F. Massey unveiled at the High Street School, a memorial tablet to cx-pupils who fell in the Great War.

At the Bluff Police Court on Saturday before Dr. Torrance. J.P., Martin McLean, fireman on s.s. Kawatiri, charged with being drunk and using obscene language, pleaded guilty to both charges. He was convicted and fined £3 for using obscene language and convicted and discharged for being drunk. Francis John Tann.er, a trimmer on s.s. Port Sydney, charged with having obstructed the police in the discharge of their duty, also pleaded guilty, and was convicted and fined 10/-.

In referring to the report and balancesheet presented at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Southland Frozen Meat and Produce Export Company, Limited, cn Saturday, Hon. A. F. Hawke stated that the directors deserved the thanks of every shareholder in the Company. Only about five companies of that nature in the Dominion had come through the year with a credit balance and there were only three which had done so well as the Southland Company. Referring to the question of grading, Mr Hawke stated that, if New Zealand wished to retain its position on the Home market, it was absolutely necessary that the present standard of grading should be maintained.

At 4.45 o’clock on Saturday afternoon, states a Press Association telegram from Wellington, a fire’ broke out on the top floor of Hannah’s new boot factory in Leeds Street. The Fire Brigade quickly appeared on the scene, however, and by a quarter past five the outbreak was completely suppressed. Mr Hannah subsequently stated that the factory and contents were insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company for some £70,000 to £§0,000; he could not state from memory the exact amount. The damage done was very small in comparison to the insurance. The origin Is unknown but is believed to be due to a lighted cigarette butt being swept up with scraps of leather on the top floor and which were not carried outside as they should have been. A large crowd congregated. As the Brigade had run a hose across Manners Street-, tram traffic there was held up and had to be diverted to Cuba Street.

Mr C. Larson, assistant apiary instructor for Southland, has just completed a systematic tour of. inspection of apiaries in the section allotted to him. During bis round he had on many occasions to order owners to clean up hives affected with foulbrood. While he met with many who took a great interest in their hives, he came across several who simply tossed bees into a box and left them to do for themselves. Thus foulbrood held sway, and these colonies proved a menace to other apiaries. An order to “clean up” was the result, and instructions for the McEvoy system were supplied. Then a second inspection followed, to make sure the work was properly carried out. Mr Larson reports that a fine grade of honey will be secured this season, and that a good crop is assured. From his own apiary at Myross he expects to take at least three tons.

Mr J. C. Neil, assistant mycologist, of the Agricultural Department, who is travelling through the Dominion making investigations on cereal diseases in the crops, spent a couple of days in the Riversdale district. The object of his tour is to gather information for the purpose of carrying out experiments that will lead to the exterminating of fungi diseases. Mr Neil told an Ensign representative that the Waimea district was remarkably free from fungi diseases, and he was disappointed to a certain extent as he failed to find what he termed “stinking smut,” which he particularly wanted for experimental purposes. Mr Neil went across to Messrs McKay brothers’ place at Otama, where he saw the best crop of oats he had observed on his travels. It would produce over 60 bushels to the acre, and was entirely free from disease. A very fine crop of wheat was also observed on the same property. After looking around the McKays’ farm, it was not surprising to see the results achieved by these well-known farmers. It was quite apparent that sound practical methods were employed with excellent results. Mr Neil said the crops in the district, like other places, varied. He also visited the Waimea flat towards Ardlussa. Mr Neil is now at Winton and will spend next week in that district.

Mr Massey was tendered a civic reception at Dunedin on Friday night, reports a Press Association telegram, in the presence of a large and enthusiastic gathering, over which the Mayor presided. The president of the Chamber of Commerce emphasised the great work Mr Massey had done. In the course of a speech lasting one hour, the Prime Minister dealt with questions already covered by speeches in the north. Referring to the stoppage of expenditure on the Sjngapore base, be said he hoped the work would be allowed to proceed. He recalled that Lord Jelficoe, in a report on naval defence of the Empire, emphasised the desirability of this measure and that Lord Beatty was a staunch supporter. He was prepared to take those opinions against the rest of the Empire if necessary. He saw the matter was going to be referred to the dominions by the British Ministry — those were Australia and New Zealand. So far as the latter was concerned it had shown practical approval by voting £lOO,000 towards the initial cost last session and he did not know if that was all that would be asked for. Speaking of the naval review he witnessed, he declared that the navy was just as necessary and just as able to defend the Empire as ever before in history. The Prime Minister offered as a solution of the peace of the world an agreement between Britain and America so that international disputes could be referred to a court of English-speaking peoples. The Picnic Committee of the Storemen’s Union desires to draw the attention of members and all interested that their picnic will be held at Bluff on Wednesday next when it is hoped to see a good attendance. The arrangements are well in hand and everything looks promising for a successful function. (Advt.) Every day advice—drink Baxter’s Choice Rava Tea. most popular, 2/8 per lb; reduction of 2d per lb in 51b and 101 b packets. (Advt.) This is the last week of Thomson and Beattie's End of Season Sale. The bargains include many lines which are practically gifts at the prices. Costumes at 39/6. Frocks at 10/6. Model Hats at 10/6. Foulard Jumpers at 3/6. Coats at 30/-. See them early. Sale prices for cash only. (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 &>/-, at BAXTER’S. (Advt.) “Good-bye—thou Wintry 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.)