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Southland Times, Issue 19280, 26 June 1924, Page 4

The Dominion meteorologist reports as follows: Present indications are for west to south-west winds, strong to gale, with changeable weather generally and heavy showers probable, particularly in all western and southern districts. Snow may be expected on the higher levels. He barometer is unsteady, with a rising tendency. The Chief Postmaster advises that mails from Vancouver, ex Niagara, are due in Invercargill to-night. Telegraphic communication with Half Moon Bay, Dog Island and Omani was interrupted for a short time yesterday morning. “There are too many young fellows of to-day in the grandstand at football matches,” remarked Mr H. Treseder, a noted Southland footballer of the early days, at the Invercargill Club jubilee last night.

Although the electoral roll, in connection with the Borough proposal to raise a loan for road purposes, closes on July 1, many of those eligible to vote have not yet taken steps to see that their names axe on the roll.

The Superintendent of the Invercargill Fire Brigade (Mr F. Simpson) has received a cheque for £2s 2s from the Trustees in the Estate of the late J. T. Thomson in recognition of the Brigade’s services at the recent fires at Lyons’ Art Gallery and the Albion Theatre.

During last month, reports a Press Association telegram, there were 710 attendances at the venereal disease department of the Christchurch General Hospital, representing 148 patients, 27 of whom were new cases.

An Auckland Press Association telegram states that the Dairy Conference resolved to recommend the Department of Agriculture to raise the minimum grading points of butter and cheese from 88 to 90 for first grade.

The police received advice yesterday that a single man named Fleming, 70 years of age, had been found dead in his hut at Lillburn, beyond Tuatapere. Deceased lived alone, and death had evidently occurred some days previous to the discovery of his body.

The circumstances surrounding the death of James Morton Niven, who was found dead at his home at Birchwood on Monday last, were inquired into at an inquest held before Mr W. G. A. McGregor, Acting Coroner, at Nightcaps yesterday afternoon when a verdict was returned that deceased committed suicide whilst temporarily of an unsound mind.

A Press Association message states that a man named Edward James Wright, aged 50 employed in a local auction room, scratched one of his fingers a fortnight ago. Bloodpoisoning set in, and the finger was removed, but the patient developed acute mania and died. At the inquest a verdict was returned that death was due to syncope, hastened by exhaustion and acute mania.

As a consequence of the rains during the past few days the Oreti River is in flood, all the low-lying land in the vicinity of the Iron Bridge being inundated. Yesterday afternoon about two feet of water covered the main Riverton road for some distance on either side of the bridge, and motorists, with the exception of the happy owners of high-slung “Lizzies,” were forced to enlist the services of an obliging “Johnny on the Spot” and his horse and trap, who towed them through with pleasure—at ten shillings per car. Truly .it is an ill wind that blows nobody any' good, and the canny “ferry man” must have prayed for yet more rain as he reckoned up the spoils at the close of the day.

The fortnightly meeting of the Marist Debating Club was held in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms on Tuesday evening, when Mr C. Davis presided over a good attendance of members. The subject for study was the book of words for the forthcoming Competitions. A number of members gave elocutionary items, apart from the book studies, their efforts being well received. Two critics appointed by the meeting gave some useful criticism on the subjects chosen by the various speakers. Several members expressed the hope that the club would be strongly represented at the Competitions and it was decided to devote next meeting night to a further study of elocution. Messrs C. Francis, J. Toomey, J. Ward and H. McFeely were selected to represent the Club in a debate with the Invercargill WJE.A. on July 4.

Indicative of the interest being manifested in the approaching Festival of the Competitions Society the Executive have to acknowledge with thanks several additional special prizes—each offered without solicitation. The specials are: Trophy value one guinea, Scotch Song, gentlemen (own selection), and the same for Scotch Song, ladies (own selection). Donors, Messrs Mackay & Aitchison. First prise of one guinea, second half a guinea, for Humorous Recitation (boys and girls under 10), and the same for English Verse (own selection), boys and girte under 12 (donor anonymous). Similar prizes for High Schools and Technical College Girls for Recitation, “The Seasons” (Ethel Martyr), and for the boys of these institutionc, “The Sorceress” (Shaun O’Sullivan). Copies of these poems will be available at secretary’s office on

Advice has been received by the secretary of the Waipiata Sanatorium Committee (Mr T. Pryde) that the Committee’s recent request to the Hon. the Minister for a period grant of £5OOO towards capital expenditure has been considlwd by Cabinet and that provision has been made for its inclusion on this year’s Estimates.

A Press Association wire from Palmerston North states that a single man named Charles Lowe Fenton, aged 44 years, was killed last evening by being struck by a car driven by Mr T. Avery, as deceased, who was leading a bicycle, stepped from behind a taxi rank. Fenton expired on the way to the hospital.

The total births registered for the urban areas of the Dominion in May last amounted to 1006, as against 987 in April—an increase of 19. The deaths in May were 454, an increase of 35, as compared with the previous month. Of the total deaths males contributed 246, females 208. Sixty-three the deaths were of children under five years of age, being 13.83 per cent, of the whole number. Fifty of these were under one year of age.

“I would ask your Worship to decide one way or the other to-day because I do not wish to come into Court again,” was the plea made by one of the parties appearing in a separate case heard before Mr G. Cruickshank, 8.M., at the Invercargill Courthouse yesterday. “Since I was last here,’ continued the petitioner, “my husband has been drinking almost continuously and as a result he became so muddled that he mixed up the boots he was repairing in th’e course of his business.”

The heavy rain of the past few days has caused anxiety in some quarters re garding the possibilities of a flood in the Mataura River. Reports from upcountry yesterday, however, showed that there was no immediate cause for alarm. Waikaia reports that the river there has gone down 18 inches since last night and is still falling. The weather there is showery. At Garston the river was two feet above normal and was falling. The weather was showery and snow had fallen on the high country. The Oreti River is reported to be very high at Lumsden.

‘lt is to be hoped that this prosecution will draw attention to the fact that motorists are not allowed to take their cars along the cycle track in Victoria Avenue,” said Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., at the Courthouse yesterday when two young men were charged with this offence. Defendants contended that being from a country centre they had no knowledge that motor traffic was prohibited along the thoroughfare in question, nor did they see any notice to that effect at the entrance gates to the Park The Borough Inspector, however, averred that a notice was posted up to that effect. Hte Worship said that under the circumstances he would merely record a conviction and order each defendant to pay Court costs. Excepting in the matter of prices there has been a return practically to pre-war conditions as far as the property market in Christchurch is concerned (states the Star). The boom which developed at the close of the war is no longer apparent, and business is being conducted under normal conditions. xXccording to a Christchurch land agent, there has not been the same degree of activity in regard to the sale of sections since the State Advances closed down on applications. A few sections are being sold, but the absence of Government money is being noticed in this particular respect. As far as houses are concerned, the cessation of State advances had not made much difference up to the present, although it is possible that it will result in a bigger demand later on for ready-built houses.

The fire that occurred on the Union Company’s coal hulk Wai-iti, at Lyttelton recently, marked another event in the vessel’s chequered career. About fifteen years ago the Wai-iti was one of the smartest traders in the inter-Colonial run, but she came to grief in a manner without precedent in New Zealand’s martime history. The Wai-iti was lying at Dargaville wharf in Kaipara Harbour, and the captain, in order to berth at another wharf about, a mile •further down the river, decided to cast off and drift on the top of the ebb tide. The Wai-iti nearly reached her destination, but grounded on a bank. Then, as the tide fell, <he vessel gradually toppled over. The Wai-iti finally turned bottom upwards, the masts snapping off as she took the final plunge. The strange mishap was witnessed by hundreds of spectators, who had the unique experience of seeing a shipwreck on a calm summer’s day. It was many months before the hull was turned over, and hundreds of tons of mud were pumped from the holds. Owing to the heavy cost of refitting, it was decided that the Wai-iti should end her days as a coal hulk, and her last voyage from Kaipaxa to Lyttelton, was made at the end of a tow rope.

Recently the Borough Motor Inspector and an assistant Inspector set a “trap” for motorists on the North Road, with the result that one of the “bag” appeared be fore the Magistrate’s Court yesterday on a charge of travelling along the North Road at a greater speed than 15 miles per hour. Evidence was given by the Inspectors that the motorist concerned had travelled over the measured distance of a furlong in 15 seconds which would work out at the rate of 30 miles per hour. “It seems incredible to me” added the motorist concerned, “that I should have been travelling at that speed, because my car cannot do more than 35 miles per hour at the best of times and on the day in question I am certain I was not doing anything like that, speed. How ever I do not doubt you at all; as an Inspector you have your duties to perform and someone, has to be caught. The Magistrate asked if there was any danger to the public at the time, and receiving an answer from the Inspector in the negative. His Worship imposed a fine of £2 and costs.

Mr Frank Lopdell, M.A., will continue his interesting study of “Social History” under W.E.A. auspices at the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, Tay Street, this (Thursday) evening at 7.30 o’clock as usual. Those interested are invited to attend. (advt.).

Get more for your money. Shop at Wicks’, the New Draper. He sells Flannel 1/9 yard; Tea Towete 1/- each.— (advt.). Cheap living—Members of Parliament have said that the credit system keeps up the cost, of living; Moral—Buy your groceries from Baxter, whose motto is Small Profits and Quick returns. (advt.) A striking bargain line of children's well made, warm tweed coats is being offered by Thomson and Beattie's at from 4/- to 10/- reduction on each coat. These coats will fit girls from 6 to 16 years of age and the prices start at the low price of 10/- and rise gradually to 35/-. This » a great chance for thrifty mothers to secure warm school coats for the family.—(advt.) Having had tliirty years’ exper-ence In the buying and selling of Diamonds, we are in a position to offer you the best value in Invercargill. All gems sold by us are without blemish, of fine brilliancy and latest style cutting. Our stock of gem . rings are well worth inspection. T. M. Rankin, Watchmaker, Jeweller and Op tician, Tay street. (Advt., Wicks’ Cut Prices makes buying easy. Ladies’ AH Wool Hose 2/3; Wool Gloves 1/11; large Wool Scarves 5/11. — (advt.). “My kingdom for a cure.” Anon. Now-a-days the sovereign remedy for coughs and colds is Baxter’s Lung Pre server. Famous for over 50 years as a reliable antidote of all throat, chest and bronchial maladies. There’s welcome relief in each rich, wanning, penetrating dose of “Baxter’s.” Pleasant to take. Ateo an exceltent tonic. Generous-sixed bottle 2/6; family size, 4/6. Chemists and stores. —(advt.). FOOTBALL CLUB COACHES Sam A brims, the popular Petone Coach, endorses ‘Dorrie” Leslie’s high opinion of Q-tol for abrasions, and Fiuenzol for the

Apparently some of the Chinese fruit vendors find it difficult to stand up againat competition in Wanganui (remarks the Herald). One of them, who closed his doors recently, wrote to a creditor to whom be owed upwards of £2O, stating that ho was sorry that he could not pay, but at the present time he did not intend to seek the protection of the Bankruptcy Court. “But that nice, friendly-disposed letter doesn’t pay my account,” remarked the creditor to a reporter.

A Taranaki farmer in search of a new strain for hte pure-bred Jersey herd at a Palmerston sale, remarking upon the average annual revenue per cow, said hte was about £29; but he boasts of a pure-bred Persian cat which has yielded a net revenue for the sale of its progeny equal to that of his best milker—£33 in one season. Some of this (says the Manawatu Daily Times) must be credited to the fact that hte cate live upon Jersey milk, which is the secret of their selling value.

“I like the healthy-minded Press of this country,” said Captain Gipsy Pat Smith at the Wellington Town Hall, “and the absence from its pages of all the sordid details of divorce and murder. The London dailiet simply rush before the public all the sordic details they can find and say, ‘Oh, it must be done because it is what the public demands.’ That is not so,” said Gipsy Pat. “Don’t give the public such uninspiring trash and they will learn to do without it

. . . Newspapers are, or should be, organisers of thought and their influence ui inestimable.”

An incident which was not without its humorous side, occurred at Carlaw Park, Auckland, one Saturday, when two lads about twelve years of age were noticed fighting on the bank under the scoring board. To the cheers of the crowd the lad* were exchanging blows freely, when suddenly a man carrying a baby was noticed approaching the budding pugilists. Aj>parently he was going to put a stop to the contest, but to the surprise of the onlookers, on reaching the lads he sat down un the bank and became intensely interested in the bout!

Toheroa are found only on the beaches on the West Coast of North Auckland (states the Northern Advocate), but Mr W. M. Fraser took some of the bivalves packed in the sand in which they were found across to Whangarei. He took them to the Whangarei Heads to be planted at seemingly suitable places. Mr Fraser is of opinion that the toheroa should thrive if the natural conditions of its habitat exist on the East Coast. Seemingly an important essential is that there should be a seepage as it is in sand under such conditions that they appear to thrive best al Bayley’* coast.

Quite a sensation was caused in the Oamaru Magistrate’s Court on a recent morning amongst those who do not frequent the Court by a complainant in a maintenance case letting out a piercing shriek and collapsing on the floor. The senior sergeant and a constable carried her out, shrieks and moans echoing through the building for some time. As this is a regular habit of this complainant, the Magistrate instructed the police that she was not to appear in Court in future, but that the police should take other proceedings.

If the newest generation of Greymouth natives is destined to remain on the West Coast, the province will share with many other districts in the world the experience of a surplus population of women (remarks the Greymouth Star). There

have been 19 births in the Grey district in three weeks. The first 18 were girte most of them being born at Rewa Hospital. Man has saved his face, however —the nineteenth was a boy who made his appearance at a private house.

If ability in the sphere of art is appreciated in Invercargill, the Municipal Theatre should be packed to overflowing to-morrow night. Professor Newlands comes to our town after brilliantly successful seasons in Wellington and Dunedin and can be depended upon to provoke laughter or the silent tear. No one superior, in the realm of speech, has ever appeared in New Zealand. Book at the Bristol Prices 3/-, 2/- and 1/-, plus tax. Children admitted to 2/- and 1/seats at half price.—(advt.).