NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Southland Times, Issue 19457, 22 January 1925, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

In view of the discussion which has occurred at irregular intervals into the “drift to Canterbury,” of Southland lamb, it is rather interesting and arresting to learn that at the Addington sales yesterday Southland lamb topped the market. This serves in a large measure to dispose of the fatuous assertion that the Southland is inferior to the Canterbury product, under which name it is frequently exported and sold. Whilst it is gratifying to know that local lamb can not only hold its own, but at times exceed the price for “prime Canterbury,” it is decidedly disconcerting to find “the drift” northward continuing unabated. The incident should revivify the efforts of these who are desirous of keeping the best quality of stock for treatment in Southland so that the province shall derive full benefit from the excellence of its own product.

The above reference to the proven quality of Southland lamb stimulates a further related subject of interest. Indeed, it is appropriate—even essential—to dissipitate the idea that this province is not suited for wheat-growing on a profitable scale in many parts. It is asserted on good authority that Southland wheat provides a flour that makes the best bread in this Dominion. The development of wheat growing here would not have been emphasised some years ago, but the remarkable climatic change manifested in the past few seasons, may make for serious consideration of this cereal culture now, especially in view of the needs of New Zealand. The Government has given pronounced hints and subsidy encouragement with official assurances of continuation, and the increased production of wheat-growing in Southland may prove a factor in the agricultural development of this rich and resourceful province. The matter is worth the attention of thoughtful farmers.

Will the Herriot Government fall on the religious issue? Has the Radical-Socialist Party, figuratively speaking, bitten off more than it can chew? These questions, which are revived by this morning’s cable news, have, as the Paris correspondent of the New York Tribune, writes, come to the fore following the official declaration of Mr Herriot that his Government insists on breaking off diplomatic relations between Paris and the Holy See. It may definitely be said that no trouble threatens the Herriot Ministry from the foreign policy of the Premier. Trouble does threaten from his attitude toward the Roman Catholic Church. In addition to M. Herriot’s announcement of his intention to send the Vatican envoy at Paris back to Rome and recall the French Ambassador to the Pope, he has further declared that as soon as possible he will introduce new laws for Alsace-Lorraine, rooting up the authority that the Church has enjoyed in the .provinces for many centuries. That announcement brought down on him a violent fire of attack from a powerful section of the French Press, and it may be said that a campaign is now in full flower with the sole purpose of killing off M. Herriot politically before he has had an opportunity to put his religious programme into effect

The Government Meteorologist wired last night, the following forecast: “Indications are for variable strong winds, southwesterly to northwesterly ruling. The weather will be unsettled and cloudy, with rain probable generally, and barometer unsteady with a falling tendency.”

There is no trace yet, reports a Press Association wire from Oam aru, of Frank Graveson, secretary of the Dunedin Hotel Workers’ Union, who has been missing for a week.

Approxiniately 100 non-commissioned cadets from Southland, accompanied by officers and instructors, have proceeded to Burnham, where they will be encamped for military training until January 31.

At the Wellington Police Court yesterday, Robert. Campbell, aged twenty-seven, a labourer, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering the Lower Hutt railway station and stealing the safe and contents, valued at £BO. He was committed for sentence.

t The Wellington-bound express from Napier collided with a motor driven by Mr L. Symon, of Remuera, Auckland, yesterday afternoon, at a level crossing at Otaki. Mr Symon was practically unhurt, having a remarkable escape. The car was pulled on to the cattle-stops where, fortunately enough, there, was room for both it and the train. —Press Association.

A telegram from Murchison states that at a representative meeting of local bodies last night, it was decided to draw the attention of the Minister of Public Works and Mr R. P. Hudson, M.P. for the district, to the obsolete and slow methods in forming the railway line from Glenhope to Murchison. In view of the Minister’s statement regarding the opening of the line to Kawatiri in June, the meeting urged a more vigorous policy in completing the section.

In Glasgow, these days, it is possible to be shaved and have one’s hair cut not only by a real live member of Parliament, but by an ex-Minister of the Crown to boot. For Mr James Stewart, Socialist M.P. for St. Rollox, and Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health in the late Government, has, in the interval before the opening of Parliament, returned to his barber’s shop in Queen street, Glasgow, and during busy spells dons the white apron and arms himself with razor or scissors in order to help his staff through the rush. Mr Stewart is “mum” on politics when the apron is on.

An Auckland Press Association telegram states that John Bailey, aged sixty-five, died in the hospital yesterday. He was admitted to the institution on December .27 suffering from head injuries. Robert Wiffen is at present on remand on a charge of assaulting deceased on the date of his admission to the hospital. An inquest was opened this afternoon.

The President of the Riverton branch of the Murihiku League (Mr E. J. Stevens), arrived back in Invercargill by last night’s express after attending the big Maori gathering and Native Land Court sitting at the Maori settlement in Canterbury, near Kaiapoi. Mr Stevens stated to a Times reporter that he was a member of the Southland delegation which went north for the purpose of endeavouring to have the claims of Southland natives heard at Invercargill. Although there was nothing definite yet, he was almost sure that they would get the Court at Invercargill, the Judge having stated that he would hold a sitting at Invercargill and Dunedin if there were sufficient applications to warrant it.

A close season for rabbits; Not in New Zealand, however. This (to us colonials) strange law exists in the land of strange laws —the United States of America. A Dunedin resident (Dr Falconer) who recently returned from that country tells of the opening of the rabbit shooting in Ohio. The season usually lasts about three weeks, and on this first day large numbers of sportsmen turned out with gun and bag. At the end of the day the doctor saw two huntsmen returning to town proudly holding up that all might ' see and admire—two ordinary-sized rabbits I Of the Cincinati shooters who went forth that morning four returned wounded by their fellowshooters. This is another familiar phase of 8 American life—the casualty list whenever casualties are at all possible.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon before Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., a juvenile offender was found guilty of indecent assault on a little girl. Sentence was deferred till Friday.

It is probable that the change-over in Auckland from the manual telephone system to the automatic will take place either on Sunday, February 1, or a week later. This will be the largest change-over ever attempted in New Zealand. •

According to a telegram from Oam aru, a young man named Andrew Metcalfe (22), has been missing from his home for two days. His bicycle was found on the breakwater and fears are entertained for his safety. The police are dragging the harbour.

The coastal steamer Kotare arrived at Invercargill yesterday from Bluff, with winches, cables and other movable fittings of the wreck of the Konini, where she has been engaged for some days in salvage work.

An unusual find was made in the Bartholomew Road metal pit in Levin recently (says the Chronicle), when a small bone tiki was uncovered at a depth of about eight feet. This specimen of old Maori art was very well preserved, and is stated to have been carved from human bone. It was adorned with pawa shell eyes.

There is more rust on oats this year, in the Ellesmere district at least (says the Christchurch Press), than there has been for the past 20 years. When cutting Gartons, Duns or Danish, the binder is often obscured by the cloud of rust raised by the shaking of the straw, and the driver soon becomes the colour of a Red Indian.

The contractor for the excavation work on the Waimatuku stream is making good progress, and the big channel diverting the lower reaches of the river will soon be completed. When this work is finished, it is proposed to convert the plant on the lines of the usual steam shovel, which will allow more rapid excavation of the lighter work ahead.

The hospitality of the people of Bluff Is a household word among the crews of the overseas steamers which call at the port, and a return to Bluff is always looked upon with keen anticipation by them. Last night Barber’s Hall was crowded with a happy throng of dancers, when members of the Foveaux Club entertained the officers of the Shaw Savill liner Corinthic, which has been in port for some days. A most enjoyable evening was spent, and tomorrow night the captain and officers will give a return dance.

The constable on Dee street duty late on Tuesday evening made the discovery that the window of Mr H. P. Campbell’s jeweller’s shop had been broken with a small pebble. Mr Campbell was communicated with, and after an examination it was discovered that several articles of value were missing, although the thief had evidently been disturbed, as valuables within easy reach were untouched. The police hold the opinion that the action was not premeditated, as the window was broken at a spot several feet from the ground, making the removal of goods difficult.

“I do not think it is desirable at the present time to make any comments regarding the decisions of the Fallen Soldiers’ War Memorial Committee to inscribe the names of all soldiers who fell overseas on the memorial,” said a member of the local branch of the Returned Soldiers Association to a Times reporter yesterday. “It is more than probable that the matter may be referred to at the next meeting of the Committee to be held within the next week or two but meanwhile I feel certain that it is not the desire of any member to express an opinion one way or the other.”

It is announced that Mr Mason (Chairman of the Railways Board) and Mr Angus (District Engineer) are shortly leaving on a tour of distant countries to gain further information about the working of railways. Their tour is to be a very comprehensive one. They will visit Australia, South Africa, Italy, Germany, France and England, and will return via Canada and the United States of America. Two other officers of the Department, a civil engineer and a traffic officer, will be appointed to make a tour over the railways of the United States of America, Canada and Great Britain. Their duties on these tours have been carefully mapped out, and they will submit progress reports as they proceed, and final reports at the end of their tour. It is fully anticipated that the information gathered on these tours will be of great value to New Zealand.

At the Dunedin Police Court yesterday, Robert Aspinall McCutcheon, 17 years of age, appeared on remand to answer six charges of theft of postal packets containing goods of a total value of £2 15/2 and money-order and postal notes of a total value of £4 18/6, committed between October 3, 1924, and December 27, 1924, while employed at the Balclutha Post Office as a message boy. The evidence showed that accused belonged to a very respectable family. Accused pleaded guilty to all the charges and was committed for sentence to the Supreme Court, bail being granted in I £5O, with a surety of £5O on condition that I accused report daily to the police. Here is an arithmetical puzzle which is 1 new to me. The explanation, I am told j (says a writer in the London Evening | News), is being widely sought in the city; ■ but worked out, as an algebraical formula it is quite simple. You take the number of your house, double it, add five, multiply the result by 50, add the number of days in the year (365), add your own age, and subtract from the total the number of members of the House of Commons (615). Put a stroke in front of the second figure, counting from the right, and on the left of the stroke there will be the number of your own house and on the right will be your age. The latest criticism of the railway service comes from Bluff. Residents of the port are at present complaining that the trains from Invercargill are arriving considerably after schedule time. For example, it is stated that the train which is listed to leave Invercargill shortly after mid-day, arriving at Bluff at 1.10 p.m., did not put in an appearance at the southern station yesterday until after the town clock had chimed the hour of two. A great deal has been heard lately of the smartening up of the service, but Bluff residents, after the experience of the last week or so, arc beginning to have doubts as to the effecting of any improvement at all in the running of trains. * For a month now the ill-fated steamer Konini has rested quietly on the ridge of rock at Whale Head on which she struck on the fateful morning of December 22, sheltered by the hill from the easterlies that have prevailed. During the last two days, however, the weather has changed, and a heavy westerly yesterday stirred the restless surges of the South Pacific to action, the waves crashing on the rocky shores of Bluff Hill and Ocean Beach with tremendous force. The wreck, exposed to the full force of the heavy gale, received the big waves broadside on, and clouds of flying spray showered the masts, funnel and streaming decks. It was an awe-inspiring sight to see the huge breakers enveloping the hapless vessel, and to a watcher on the beach it seemed as though each wave must assuredly shift her. At times, when an unusually large breaker struck the ship, a shudder would pass through her frame, threatening to dislodge her from her rest-ing-place and hurl her shorewards, but towards evening the wind abated and the seas lessened their vigour, leaving the Konini in the same position as when she was abandoned. The day’s heavy weather seemed to have had no effect, but a week or more of the same pounding breakers and she must certainly feel the terrific strain, and with her back broken, crack up and slide from the rocks into the deeper water and slowly disappear from view beneath the greenish-blue waves that snarl angrily, remorseleasly, round their doomed victun.

Receiving a shock of 1600 volts, Richard Alwin Mitchell, a married linesman aged 28, employed by the New Plymouth Borough Council, was electrocuted yesterday while adjusting an electric transmission line. He had burns on the back and leg, and it is presumed that his damp shirt came into contact with the live wire, the circuit being completed by his leg coming in contact with another live wire. At the inquest formal evidence of identification was taken, and the inquiry adjourned till to-day week.— Press Association.

Greymouth is concerned about the suggested closing of the local railway workshops. The Mayor, in a statement on the subject, said that the consensus of opinion in Greymouth among those competent to express an opinion regarding the Railway Commissioners’ report, was averse to the closing of the railway workshops, owing to the time the haulage of engines to and from the Addington workshops would entail. Their closing-down would mean the removal of a large staff, some of whom had made- their homes at Greymouth.

A loud knocking at the door by which prisoners enter when appearing at the Police Court was heard during a sitting of the Court at Dunedin last week. A constable made haste to ascertain who was responsible for the disturbance. He opened the floor and was somewhat surprised to find an old Chinese looking up at him. In answer to a question the Chinese smiled broadly and said: “Any vegetables to-day?” when told he had come to the wrong door the purveyor of fruit and vegetables allowed his features to relax in a grin and, moving off, said: “Me make big mistake, eh?”

The Commission, comprising Messrs K. M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Invercargill (Chairman), Leonar.l Webb (Surveyor), and G. T. Martin (District Valuer), appointed to hear evidence from ratepayers who object to be included in the proposed extended Otautau River District, will sit al Otautau on Tuesday, February 3. Mr M. Macalistcr will appear for the Board, while Messrs W. S. Hunter, solicitor, Riverton, and M. Mitchell, solicitor, Invercargill, will look after the interests of the objectors. It is probable that evidence for the retention of the district, as originally outlined, will be tendered.

The tug Theresa Ward took a large number of holiday-makers from Bluff to Half Moon Bay yesterday morning, including a large party of teachers who are to attend the Summer School there. A heavy sea was running in the Straits, and the small steamer received a severe buffeting on the voyage, much to the discomfiture of many of the passengers, who got drenched to the skin. The westerly wind was stronger about noon, and in consideration of the comfort of the passengers, it was decided to postpone the return trip, in the hope that the sea would moderate. The Theresa Ward will leave Half Moon Bay at 8 o’clock this morning for Bluff.

“We spent some time in New South Wales and Victoria,” remarked Mr M. George, of Wellington, who, with Mrs George returned to Bluff by the Union liner Manuka last night, “but, apart from Sydney’s beautiful harbour and the Blue Mountains, they have little over there, in the scenic line, worthy of mention when compared with the wonderful things we have in New Zealand.” Mr George also made reference to the Australian roads, stating that, although complaints were frequently made about the roads in this country, they were quite equal to, and indeed, superior to most of the highways he travelled over during motor tour of Victoria and New South Wales.

A peculiar incident occurred during the progress of a tennis match at Okato the other day. A budding tennis champion, who had visited the recent tournament at New Plymouth, essayed a new hit of the lob variety, but misjudged it badly, with the result that the ball went over some high trees, apparently into the next section. When he went to retrieve the ball it was nowhere to be seen, but a young bird was struggling on the ground. Following this clue, the enthusiast climbed the tree and discovered the ball safely ensconed in a bird’s nest, into which it had landed in its fall, hurling one of the rightful occupants to the ground.

An unusual sight was witnessed by a party on the large pleasure launch Norana while the craft was cruising outside Otago heads on Saturday afternoon, reports the Otago Daily Times. When off Long Beach, about half-way between Warrington and the Heads, the attention of the Norana’s party was drawn to a whale, which was diving and spouting at close quarters. The whale was estimated to be fully 30ft in length, and had a very broad tail. At the

same time as the whale was sighted the Norana was practically surrounded by large schools of porpoises. It was estimated that there were several hundred of these fish “sporting” within a range of a quarter of a mile. The presence of the whale so close to the shore was probably due to the large quantities of whale feed now to be seen floating off the coast. The story of a diamond engagement ring that was lost and found comes from Timaru. A young lady who visited Caroline Bay to bathe discovered, on leaving the beach, that she had lost the precious token which she had accepted not long before from a happy young man. She was naturally distressed about it, but came to the conclusion that it was “gone for good.” The sequel happened a week later. A little girl was playing on the beach, and letting sand run through her fingers. She was very much surprised when she found that in one of the handfuls there was a diamond ring. She handed it to her mother, who made some inquiries, but was unable to locate the owner. The third act was staged when two other ladies went for a bathe, and one warned the other to put her ring away safely, as her sister had lost her engagement ring while bathing. The news of the find was known to the second lady, and she told her friend to apply in the right quarter. The result was a restored ring and a very joyful recipient. ‘‘Maximum power in every drop”—that’s -BIG TREE” MOTOR SPIRIT. It is doubly distilled and is used everywhere because of its economy. All garages.—Advt. When making your own dresses, use a Butterick Pattern, procurable at Thomson and Beattie’s. Even if you have never made a dress, * you can make one bj r following the Deltor, a wonderful dressmaking guide enclosed with each pattern, which shows you with pictures how to make a dress from start to finish. It also tells you how much material you require, and mentions appropriate materials. (advt.) Good lighting is one of the least expensive of all the comforts of a cheerful home. H. Lincoln, of 137 Clyde street, is specialising in good quality electrical installations at reasonable prices. Phone 1594 for estimate. — (Advt.). Ring Time. —The time when young man’s fancy lightly turns, etc., but his thoughts are occupied also with the pretty ring he saw in our window, marked at a price he was able to pay, and with which the lady was simply delighted. We have many such rings still left, all different in design and price. T. M. Rankin, Jeweller, Tay street. —(.‘_dvtj. The Tea—that is BAXTER’S Choice RAVA —pure, popular, pleasant: a most enjoyable beverage; 2/lb per lb; 51b packets for 13/6. Drink Baxter’s Choice RAVA.—(Advt) “SUMMER BREATHES UPON US.” —Anon. Summer chills often turn to chronic complaints. Be prepared—take Baxter's Lung Preserver. “Baxter's” has won wide fame as a certain antidote for all colds, coughs and other bronchial and throat complaints. Penetrating and dependable, this splendid remedy gets to the root of the most stubborn ailment and banishes it completely. “Baxter’s” is also invaluable as a build-ing-up tonic. You can obtain a generoussized bottle for 2/6 at all chemists and stores; family size 4/6. Get one to-day. —(Advk).