TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Southland Times, Issue 19459, 26 January 1925, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The continued illness of Mr Massey is giving rise to interesting speculations in many quarters, the latest being from the Auckland Herald which avers that the Premier’s health is such as to cause his friends anxiety. Some improvement in his condition is reported, but under the most favourable circumstances, it will be some time, so our contemporary asserts, before he is able to undertake heavy duties again. This condition of affairs is giving rise to considerable speculation in the Reform Party as to who their next leader will be. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart would, in the ordinary course of events, be the next Prime Minister on the Reform side if his health permitted. His great ability, his long Parliamentary experience, and his unfailing tact, are attributes that would make for his success were he called upon to take additional responsibilities. Under the circumstances, great interest attaches to his proposed trip to America, and to the hopes of permanent and substantial

improvement in his health under treatment from medical experts. There is a strong rumour about that this trip was suggested to Mr Stewart by. certain members of the Party who are very anxious over the uncertainties of the present position.

The well-known English publishing house of Longman has just completed the second century of an honourable career. It was founded in 1724 by Thomas Longman, who took over the business established in Paternoster Row by William Taylor, the death of Taylor being the occasion of the transfer. Taylor is famous as the publisher of a book which has probably gone through more editions than any other volume dating back to the 18th century. It bore on the title page the following inscription: ‘‘The Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner, who lived Eight and Twenty years, all alone in an uninhabitated Island on the Coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oronoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, wherein all the men perished but himself. With an Account of how he was at last as strangely delivered by Pyrates. Written by Himself. London. Printed by W. Taylor at The Ship in Paternoster Row. MDCCXIX.” In Shadows of the Old Booksellers, Charles Knight wrote fifty years ago: “The dynasty of Longman of Paternoster Row seems to have endured for almost as many generations as the House of Brunswick. The surname is to be found in the same title pages as the names of Jacob Tonson, and Thomas Osborne, and the baptismal name, of Thomas has descended in the firm as regularly as that of the four Georges.” The first Thomas Longman was succeeded by his nephew, who was associated in the project of Johnson’s Dictionary. Two members of the family of the sixth generation—R. G. Longman and William Longman—became partners in the firm in 1906.

Referring to the question of consultations among the Governments of the Empire, in an address to the Overseas League, Mr L. S. Amery, Secretary of State for the Colonies, said that whenever statesmen of the Empire had been able to meet at one table, there had been no difficulty in conducting the common affairs of the Empire on a common policy, yet independently and freely by each Government and by each Parliament. ‘The difficulty lies in the intervals between these meetings and in the geographical conditions, which are by no means easy to surmount. The moment we are separated the difficulty begins.” Mr Amery suggested that if sacrifices of time and convenience are to be made, they should not be on one side only. “If we are to expect Ministers from overseas to come to London and consult with us, Ministers at Home should be likewise prepared to go overseas and consult the Governments with whom they have to deal,” he said. “That applies particularly to the Colonial Secretary, a Minister whose primary function it is to act as liaison officer with the great dominions. If he is to fulfil that function most effectively he cannot fulfil it in London alone, waiting for others to come and consult him. It should be a natural part of his duty, however difficult it may be, to find the time whenever he might be wanted, to go and consult with any Government of our dominions that would like to invite him to consult with them. I put that simply as one of the natural consequences of our partnership as equal nations. We need to get into closer touch with each other right through the Empire. We must lay the foundations by that closer contact, and unless the foundations are truly laid no amount of superstructure will save the Empire from downfall.”

Last week’s cables recorded the increasing ravages being wrought by the dingo, or wild dog of Australia, it being mentioned that unless an organised war of extermination was quickly undertaken, the wool industry was bound to suffer much more seriously than at present. Of course, it has to be remembered that the vastness of the great island-continent gives the wild dog every possible chance and he is assisted by the increase in the flocks. A strong dingo will kill up to one hundred sheep in a night. The dingoes sometimes work in packs and muster the sheep, while one will break in and seize a victim. It is usual for the dingo to slay its prey, to tear the flank open and eat the kidneys only, if there are plenty of sheep to be had. The dingo does not bark, but he howls dismally at night, and dogs at long intervals will answer each other with ceaseless iteration all through the long vigils. If the dingo lives in the country where native bears are plentiful the chorus is unbelievable. The kaola cries like a human baby and the dingo like the lost soul you sometimes read about. All local bodies in dingo country give scalp money for dingoes, and many station owners will award comparatively large sums for single specimens known to be expert sheep slayers. Most of the dingoes are not purebred. Sheep dogs get away, and crossing with the dingo, produce a brainy strain which learns to do without barking and has a penchant for young mutton. Sheep dogs, which have no dingo strain, are just as wicked as dingoes, when they return to the bush. Kangaroo dogs, particularly those of the lurcher breed, love to tear their relative, the dingo, to pieces. Dingoes are not often caught in dog traps. Any experienced dingo sniffs at a trap, laughs, and runs away to kill sheep.

A deck hand named Angus Stewart was arrested at Bluff on Saturday morning, on a vessel in port and was charged at the Police Court, before Mr E. Nichol J.P., with the theft of a watch valued at £l2 10/-, at Wellington. Accused was remanded to appear at Wellington this morning.

Amongst Ikis mail about the end of February the Right Hon. Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister of England, will find a letter from Christchurch, says the Press. It is a letter from the Trades Hall lecturing him upon his Singapore policy.

During the past month there has been a noteworthy absence of Police prosecutions for drunkenness during week-ends. In the past, the Police Court on Monday has almost invariably been occupied with the punishing of one or more sorry looking revellers, but in the New Year the number has considerably diminished. The Police records again show a clean sheet this morning.

In striking contrast to the weather conditions prevailing last Wednesday, when the Bluff Harbour Board’s tug had a very rough trip across to Stewart Island, the passengers who left Bluff on Saturday afternoon, experienced a very calm passage over, the Island being reached at 3.50 p.m. The Theresa Ward commenced the return journey to town at 6 p.m. and the hundred odd visitors returning from a very pleasant holiday had a crossing free from all discom fort, as the sea was exceptionally smooth.

The annual outing of the Invercargill Corporation Employees was held at Colac Bay on Saturday, perfect weather favouring the picnicers, who numbered about 400. The Railway Department’s new excursion to Colac and Orepuki was taken advantage of and the train left Invercargill at 9.38 in the morning loaded with passengers bound for the Bay. After an enjoyable day on the beach, during which an impromptu sports gathering was organised the holiday-makers returned in the evening.

Two sharks, approximately ten feet in length, caused some excitement among bathers at Orakei Point, Auckland Harbour, on Sunday. The sharks came in so close to the rocks as to allow one to be struck with a stick. They readily snapped at baited lines thrown out (slates the Star). The spectators were at the time watching the rescue of the crew of an open sailing boat which had capsized in Hobson Bay a few hundred yards away, but the sharks were evidently more interested in the fish bait which was being thrown to them.

On the Sarita subdivision of the Cromwell Development Company’s property about 300 acres of barley, wheat, and oats have just been harvested. Though the ground was only sown as a cover crop for lucerne and grasses, the results have far surpassed anticipations, proving that the land under proper handling will produce heavy cereal crops of excellent quality. That this is the first time this part of the land has been tried for crops with such good results is more than encouraging. It seems now proved beyond a doubt that close settlement on small areas under irrigation and intensive cultivation is a sound proposition, and wellwishers of the district may confidently anticipate seeing in a few years a great number of ideal farms scattered over the flats.

Five storekeeers in Masterton were charged at the Masterton PoEce Court recently with unlawfully selfing lysol without being registered under the Poisons Act. Constable Phillips said that on November 29 he visited the shops of the five defendants and purchased lysol. He asked the storekeepers if they were registered, and they said they were not, and did not know they haff to be. Sergeant Sweeney said it was a case of ignorance, and the storekeepers were quite frank about the whole thing. He produced the Gazette, declaring lysol to be a poison. The magistrate said each defendant was liable to a penalty of £5, but as the police were satisfied the defendants acted in ignorance, he would inflict a penalty of £1 and 7/- costs in each case.

At a gathering in one of the leading King Country towns where there were a large number of boys present who were leaving the primary school, a visiting educationist asked all the boys who had passed the sixth standard and who were going to follow out farming to hold up their right hand. Four boys held up their hands, and then, when a show of hands was asked for those who were going to follow other pursuits, no less than 23 hands were held up. Inquiring further why so many boys were not willing to go in for farming, the chief reason given was that there was too much work at farming. Some amusement was caused by one outspoken boy saying that the people who lived in the city had the best of it, and could go to good concerts and picture shows.

The members of the “H.M.S. Pinafore” amateur opera company have decided to form an Invercargill Amateur Operatic Society, and at the last rehearsal of the forthcoming production a meeting was held for the appointment of office-bearers. The following have been appointed :—Patron His Worship the Mayor (Mr Andrew Bain), President Mr J. J. W. Pollard, Vice-Presi-dents Messrs R. A. Anderson, W. Quinn and C. H. Hobbs, Committee, Mrs J. D. Campbell, Misses T. Pryde and Duff, and Messrs A. F. Grenfel, W. Drummond and P. Barlow ; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr J. Hamilton; Musical Director. Mrs J. Prentice, Auditor Mr A. 11. Courtiss; Scenic Artist, Mr R. Nash. The subscription was fixed at 5/- for gentlemen and 2/6 for ladies. There were 45 members enrolled and after the production at present under way is staged on March 11, 12, 13, it is the intention of the new Society to produce at least one, if not two productions each year.

Settlers on the Ninety Mile Beach, who may discover a large iron boat stranded on the shore, need not go to the trouble of acquainting the police or marine authorities with the fact, says the Timaru Herald. The boat is not the remaining traces of some wrecked vessel, nor has it been washed overboard from some passing steamer. Some thirty or forty years ago, when it was added to the surf-boat service at Timaru. it was a very up-to-date craft of its kind, and for many years did good service in lightering merchandise from the ships in the roadstead to the beach. With the advent of the harbour, its services for that work were no longer required, but in the meantime it has been of considerable use in the service of the Harbour Board, in latter years being utilised as a mooring boat for the dredge. It has now been found that it has outlived its period of usefulness, so on Tuesday of this week, it was towed out to the Ninety Mile Beach, and allowed to drift ashore. It was stated that the old surf-boat rode the breakers in splendid style, and took the beach as in days of old without shipping a drop of water.

The General Synod of the Church of England Province of New Zealand, which met in Dunedin on the last occasion eighteen years ago, will meet there again next month. Proceedings of the General Synod, which assembles once in three years in turn in the various diocesan centres of the Dominion, will open on February 5, an opening service taking place in the cathedral on the evening of February 4. There will be ten to twelve sitting days of the Synod, which will take place in the Allen Hall, kindly put at the disposal of the Synod by the University authorities. It will be presided over by the Archbishop, Dr JuEus, of Christchurch, and will be attended by the Bishops of Auckland, Waiapu, Wellington, Nelson, and Dunedin, and by the missionary bishops of Melanesia and Polynesia. The representation of the personnel of the Synod is three clergy and four laity from each of the dioceses of the Dominion, and two*clerical and two lay representatives from each of the missionary dioceses. One of the most important matters to be dealt with by the Synod will be the election of a new Primate and Archbishop in place of Dr Julius, who has resigned from the position.

A sensational incident took place in a field at Greytown recently while Messrs Gray Bros, were engaged baling hay. The king bolt of the traction engine slipped, and before the engine could be shut down there was a general scatter of broken machinery, pieces of a flywheel being picked up 75yds away. One employee was struck on the arm by fling debris and had to receive medical attention.

In the course of the wool sale at Napier last week one of the auctioneers submitted the clip of Brownlie Bros., Puketitiri. He remarked humorously that this wool, from the flock of the famous All Blacks, deserved a specially good price. There was much laughter from the buyers’ benches, and one buyer retorted: “Oh, Jimmy Mill is my favourite.” Whether the Rugby achievements of the Brownlies influenced the buyers or not, the fact remains that their wool brought a very satisfactory price.

A Hastings motorist returning from Napier last week found that his progress was barred by a strange-looking animal having a “feed” in the middle of the road. At first it was thought that the obstruction was a big black cat, or dog, but the animal did not make a move until the car was only a few feet distant. It was then seen that it was a black opossum. For several yards the opossum ran in front of the car lights, and then suddenly dived to the side of the road, where it sought safety by climbing a telegraph pole. The sight of the rare black figure at the top of this high post was a striking one.

Rain at last! Many a Southland farmer must have rejoiced yesterday morning when he awoke to find the raid he had prayed for, streaming down upon thirsty paddocks, and turnip fields. The welcome downpour commenced in the early hours of ihe morning, and the only pity of it was that it did not last longer than a few hours. Men on the land complain that growth is practically at a standstill, and that the ground is parched. There are some who state they have never experienced a drier season in Southland. All are eagerly looking forward to three or four days solid rain.

The Kawarau Goldmining Company has received cabled advice from England to the effect that five of the ten gates will be ready at the works on February 14, and the other five on February 24, whilst the gearing will be ready shortly afterwards. It will be remembered that the company was disappointed a week or two ago by the information that the built-in parte had not been shipped as prepared, but were all coming out together, this meaning delay in the concrete work at Frankton Falls. The news now to hand about the gates is gratifying in that it shows that the final shipment of gates will be well up to contract time; therefore the delay in the work as a whole will not be so great as was anticipated.

Some comment regarding the seamen’s strike in Australia was made by Mr R. A. Wright, M.P. (Mayor of Wellington), on his return from a visit to Sydney and Melmourne. The general opinion in Australia said Mr Wright, was that the trouble had been deliberately engineered. There was a different trouble at almost every port. For instance, at Fremantle the seamen wanted to be put on English articles, and in Melbourne the demand of the Moeraki men had been to be placed on Australian articles. The difficulty was to know exactly what the seamen did want. One shipping man had told him that the men made a serious demand that ham and eggs and cream should be included in their mess rations.

Have the trout of the Canterbury rivers changed their habits, asks the Christchurch Sun ? Mr C. Clark suggested that they had at Wednesday evening’s meeting of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, and considered that fresh ova should be secured from England to counteract the tendency to change. Mr Clark stated that when fishing was first begun in the Rakaia river trout could be caught far up the stream, whereas now it was useless to go more than a mile and a half from the mouth of the river, except for a brief part of the season. He suggested that when Mr Edgar Stead was in England he should try to procure fresh over. Another member supported Mr Clark in his contention that the trout were becoming more and more fishes with sea habits.

Suitable subjects who are willing to give their blood for transfusion in emergency cases are not always available, and to overcome this difficulty the Auckland Hospital authorities are seeking the names of those who would be willing to volunteer when required. In moat instances (says a correspondent), the relatives or friends of patients are quite willing to give their blood if it will have any effect in saving life. Often, however, these people are not available when required or else their blood is not suitable. Some patients, on the other hand, come into the hospital practically friendless, and have no one who would act as a “donor.” It is to meet such cases as these that the hospital authorities are seeking to have a Est of persons on any of whom a call may be made. It is anticipated that as a result of the appeal there will be a sufficient Est of people who are ready to be called on when wanted. An appeal was made on Thursday, and one man answered the same day. A test of his blood showed that he was a suitable “donor,” and his blood was used on Friday in an emergency case. Remuneration is offered to those whose blood is taken, though in some cases volunteers are willing to act as “donors” without any payment.

Lennie’s Removal Notice.—Messrs Thomas Bros., who have taken over Lennie’s seed and florist business, wish to notify the public that they are removing to larger and more up-to-date premises in Briscoe’s Buildings, Dee street, and by keeping only the best kinds of seeds, plants, aU florist and garden requisites they hope to be able to meet the demand of every garden enthusiast in Southland. (Everything for the garden). (Advt.)

The beverage e - body likes—Baxter’s Far-Famed Rava Tea—pure, popular and pleasant, 2/10 per lb.; reduction of 2d per lb in 51b and 10lb packets. Drink Rava. — (Advt.)

The following lines at Thomson and Beattie’s are marked at specially low prices to effect a quick sale. 40-inch Voiles, in Pink and Champagne, 3/6, for 1/; 30-inch Striped, Check and Plain Crepes, at 1/yard; 36-inch special Cambric, in very smart checks, 2/11, for 1/6; 38-inch Tricolo, in stripes and figured, only 2/6 yard ; also Cotton Georgette, in Fawn, Biscuit an Sky, 3/11, for 1/11 yard.— (Advt.)

“Speed limit 12 miles per hour.” “BIG TREE” MOTOR SPIRIT gives much lower speeds in high gear with never a suspicion of engine “knock.” All garages.—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. (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. —(Advt.).

As an illustration of the speed at which some of the New Zealand trains arc run, an incident which occurred last week is of interest. A Maori passenger on the last train from Napier to Waipawa alighted at Te Hauke, and as the train moved out from the station, remembered that he had left a parcel behind him. He rushed across to his home, caught a horse, overtook the train at Opapa, and secured his parcel.

A Hamilton resident who just returned from a trip to Austral. smi in his possession a price list of a cer i n Australian timber merchant, which ppeared in the Sydney Morning Herald (says the Waikato Times). Here New Zealand tonguedand grooved dressed rimu lining is quoted at 9/- per 100 ft, whilst the larger size, namely, 6in by }in, is shown u 15/6 per 100 ft. As the local quotation for both these lines of timber is between 30/- and 36/-, it certainly gives one food for thought when it is considered that our own timber can be shipped to Australia and sold at a price over 100 per cent, cheaper.

That the char-a-banc and motor bus is established on a firm footing in Invercargill, was strikingly demonstrated on Saturday evening, when, after the picture theatres emptied, crowded vehicles were to be seen starting for their outer suburban destinations. Hallenstein’a Corner is now recognised as the permanent city starting point for regular motor passenger services, and from there 6 loaded char-a-bancs set off North, South and East, shortly after 10 p.m. Judging from the rapid strides made in such passenger transport in Invercargill of late, it would seem only a question of time before the tramcars will be faced with a serious rival.

Possession would appear to be even more than nine points of the law in the Sudan, judging by an incident described by the Governor-General Major-General Sir Charles Fergusson, at the New Zealand Club luncheon in Wellington on Wednesday. He related a story of a young Sudanese woman who appealed to the British Administration authorities for a decision in respect to a sore domestic trouble. She explained that she had been married to a man of a certain tribe, but that shortly afterwards a member of another ’tribe who loved her raided the village at dawn and after a desperate conflict bore her away to his camp. She did not mind that, she said, but the man she had married carried out a similar raid and she was carried back again. This, she said, had gone on for six months. She did not care which was her husband, but she wanted it to be settled once and for all, which of the two tribesmen it was to be.

Progress in improving Kapipi Island as a bird sanctuary has been highly satisfactory lately, according to information obtained by a gentleman keenly interested in New Zealand’s native birds. It is estimated that there are now only about a hundred goats left on the island, and if special effort were made now the animals could probably be exterminated. Wild sheep, however, are numerous, and are doing damage. The present time, with skins at a high price, is opportune for an endeavour to rid the bush of these also. They© would then be no serious obstacles to the rapid regeneration of the bush, and, with food supply more assured, it would be found that the birds would thrive exceedingly. Already the numbers are increasing, and the usefulness of the sanctyary might well be extended by introduc/ng birds not now on the island, particularly those in danger of extermination on the mainland. The Advisory Board, this gentleman considered, had done gyod work for Kapiti, but it could do more u. it held regular quarterly meettags and had executive powers. Indeed, it would bq advisable to place all New Zealand sanctuaries under a commission of experts on lird-life and forestry, with inspec* tors (one for each Island) working under them.