TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21429, 25 June 1931, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

"The whole maritime world lies under a deep obligation to generations of British naval officers who, often under great hardships, and always out of the limelight, have enriched the world with great folios of charts which combine the highest product of technical skill and mathematical precision with the love of beauty of the true artist,” the naval correspondent of the Morning Post wrote recently. “Many a landsman must have marvelled at the myriads of ‘soundings’ that cover the canvas. Each ‘sounding’ has, in the past, involved a great labour in lowering and raising a lead-line to depths varying from one fathom to five miles. Each sounding has been ‘fixed’ by observations of the heavenly bodies and is generally _ accurate within a few hundred yards of its exact position. To Langevin, the French inventor, marine surveyors owe a great debt. No longer need the lead-line be raised and lowered by hand, or mechanically by Lord Kelvin’s deep-sea sounding machine. Soundings can now be accurately obtained by echo off the bottom, the echo being mechanically, timed and converted into soundings. The delicacy of the instrument can be appreciated when it is realized that the time needed for the reception of an echo in three fathoms is a hundred-and-fortieth part of a second, the speed of sound in water being 5000 ft a second.”

A scheme for meeting the needs of persons of limited means by providing accommodation for paying patients was announced at the 75th anniversary- dinner of the West London Hospital. Prince Arthur of Connaught, who presided, said the scheme, when completed, would prove an inestimable benefit to that large body of most deserving people who were embraced within the term “the middle class.” For the past six years the hospital had provided accommodation in private rooms for 26 middle-class patients. That experience had shown that there was a very real demand for this kind of accommodation, provided that the charges (including fees for specialists’ services) could be kept down to a moderate level, and it had been decided by the board that an additional block of 74 private rooms should be provided for mid-dle-class patients, bringing the accommodation for those patients up to 100 beds. A flat rate scheme of weekly charges had been adopted, with a minimum of £7 7/a week. That payment would 1 entitle the patient to board, accommodation, nursing and treatment by the members of the honorary medical and surgical staff (including operations of any nature), X-ray treatment, massage, etc. These private beds would be entirely self-supporting and any surplus derived from patients who were able to pay more than the minimum scale would be devoted to the upkeep of the general wards.

The Dominion Meteorologist last night issued the following “information: An intense cyclone is still located to the eastwards, but is moving away gradually. A moderate anti-cyclone is advancing over the Tasman Sea while another depression is situated over southeastern Australia. Winds southwesterly, still strong to gale force but soon decreasing. Seas in New Zealand waters heavy south of East Cape elsewhere rough. In the eastern Tasman Sea moderate to strong southerly winds, later be’coming variable and tending northerly. Seas moderate. Weather fair in western and southern districts of the South Island, elsewhere squally and changeable with scattered showers, but improving to-morrow. Cold temperatures with many inland frosts.

A Christchurch Press message states that no trace has yet been found of Charles S. Insley, a student at Canterbury College, who disappeared from Rolleston House on Thursday last, though an exhaustive search has been made by the police.

A ten-roomed two-storied unoccupied wooden residence at Burke’s, the property of Mrs Andrew Johnston, a widow, was gutted early yesterday morning, states a Dunedin Press Association message. The locality is outside the fire area and the flames had full play. >

“That’s the trouble with you fellows, you do not know at just what speed you are travelling.”—Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., to a motor-cyclist in the Traffic Court at Christchurch. The offender had been timed at 32 miles per hour along Victoria street, between Durham and Kilmore streets. He was fined £2' and costs.

Planting operations at the Pebbley Hills are being steadily carried on, from between 30 to 35 acres being planted out daily. Weather conditions have been none too favourable recently and rain has interfered with the progress of the work. Over 40 men are employed at present, and since the representations to that effect have been made to the Government, no relief workers other than men from Southland have been engaged in the planting.

As the result of a Magisterial inquiry declaring the statutory ' half-holiday poll for the Borough of Waipukurau held on May 6 null and void due to misleading wording on the voting paper and other irregularities, a special poll was held yesterday resulting in Wednesday, the present day, polling 545; Saturday, 388; majority, 157. There are 131 declaration votes to come which cannot affect the poll. —Press Association message.

“It is a well-known fact that ladies have no idea of speed when they are in control of a motor car,” stated counsel during the hearing of a traffic case in the Magistrate’s Court at Christchurch. Trials conducted by the Automobile Association had shown that the great difficulty with women drivers was that they were unable to judge whether they were going too fast or too. slow. He thought that a competent woman driver was always exceptionally reliable, however.

There is something in the nature of a small gold rush taking place on the beaches of the Molyneux River in the vicinity of George and Shingle Creeks. The river is said to be lower than it has been for a long time, and with the closing of the Kawarau dam it is anticipated that a fair amount of payable ground will be exposed (says the Oago Daily Times). A fair stretch of the river on both sides has been pegged off and claims are' being acquired by experienced miners and also by unemployed men who have been working on road repair work. The prospectors are very sanguine of making more than average wages out of their venture.

The social workers at the relief depot in Esk street spent a busy day yesterday making up parcels. Last evening men’s wants were supplied. There were not nearly sufficient articles and the supply was soon exhausted. On Saturday children’s and women’s footwear will be distributed, and anyone desiring boots or shoes is asked to call at the depot. There has been a great demand for blankets and the supply has proved to be totally insufficient. For this reason an appeal is made for donations of blankets. It is reported that several householders were not called on during the canvass for articles on Saturday, and a suggestion has been made to hold another drive at some future date.

A Christchurch resident (says the Times) is under some doubt as to the way in which the police enforce the provisions ol the Arms Act. He states that he failed to notify a change of address, after having registered an old revolver, a souvenir, and that he was subsequently visited by the local constable. The point which puzzled him, he said, was that the constable gave him to understand that if he surrendered the weapon and' did not ask for compensation there would be no prosecution. “Is that just one way to gather in all revolvers?” he asked. “Surely the police should prosecute or do nothing.” The police throughout New Zealand (says the paper) enforce the provisions of the Arms Act rigidly. An inquiry drew a denial that there was any definite policy of confiscation. Prosecutions follow almost every breach of the Act, but, as in every other department, occasional individual cases are. treated on their merits.

“The only difference nowadays between farming on cattle-sick land and on ordinary pastures is that the stock on cattlesick country has to be given iron rations at suitable intervals,” said Dr. C. J. Reakes, Director of Agriculture, at Hamilton a few days ago. He said the experiments that had been carried out at the Government’s experimental farm at Mamaku had hitherto been largely in the nature of top-dress-ing the pastures. The department was now to experiment further by harrowing into the soil itself suitable fertilisers containing iron before the land is laid down in pasture. According to Dr. Reakes the stock on the paddocks that have been topdressed regularly during the past 20 years were all healthy. The fertiliser used was superphosphate and basic slag in • equal parts. lie mentioned that, apart from the actual treatment of the land, the administration' of iron preparations such as nitrate of iron and ammonia and very finely powdered carbonate of iron would keep animals on cattle-sick country quite healthy.

A novel suggestion, the carrying out of which ought not only to enhance the interest in the next series of test matches but. become a source of material gain to Australia, is engaging the attention of travel organizations in London. The chief points are the chartering of a vessel at a special fare to carry 500 passengers to Australia in time lo witness the 1932 Melbourne Cup and all five test matches, at which special accommodation might be arranged. Between tests, it is suggested, the visitors may divide into smaller parties, see the various parts of Australia, according to individual taste, engage in sport themselves, and inspect land on which they may feel disposed to settle their sons. Advocates of the scheme say that the allure ment of such events as the test, matches and the Melbourne Cup,, and a long torn in the company of the most desirable type of sportsmen, might easily overcome the Englishmen’s alleged objection to travelling en bloc. It is understood that the Marylebone Cricket Club heartily approves the proposal, on which work must be begun immediately in order to succeed.

The membership of the Invercargill Male Choir has increased considerable this year and the singers are working enthusiastically in anticipation of their first concert which is to take place about the middle of August. An ambitious programme has been arranged and the practices have been largely attended. In ‘‘The Desert” last year, the choir attained to a high standard of choral singing and the committee has been endeavouring for some time to decide upon' a work which might give the choir a like opportunity of presenting an effort as delightful as was that. Stanford’s “Songs of the Fleet,” which has now been chosen, has never been performed in Invercargill before and, as it comprises various fine solos with choral accompaniment, a treat for local music-lovers is assured. The work, when given by the Dunedin Mai? Choir, was accorded a more than favourable reception so it is confidently anticipated that the Invercargill performance will prove as popular as was the case in the north. The choir also intends including in the programme “By Babylon’s Waves” (a new work to Invercargill), which is in the form of a male choir arrangement of a well-known anthem. In addition,'there will be a dainty male voice setting of “Abide With Me,” which has been arranged for the choir by Brother F. K. Tucker, while three sea shanties and several part songs should also add to the popularity of the programme. The committee has not yet decided on its sqloists, but already several applications have been received from gifted singers in various parts of New Zealand. It is more than probable that later on in the season a combined concert will be given by the choir and the Orchestral Society. Present indications certainly point to this year being one of the most successful in the choir's existence.

Before Mr Harper, S.M., at Gisborne yesterday, Frank Norman Lunken pleaded guilty to the theft on June 16 last of mercery samples valued at £73 from a car outside a hotel, and to breaking and entering and the theft on December 24, 1928, of goods valued at £32. (Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. —Press Association.'

“People had better take warning from thia case, which is the first of its kind brought in Christchurch,” stated Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Traffic Court at Christchurch, when dealing with an offender w'ho proceeded against the automatic traffic signal in Colombo street. “There are stiff a few people who do not take any notice of the signals, and the sooner they realise that the signals must be obeyed the better.

A Rotokauri farmer, John Wilcock, was prosecuted in the Hamilton Magistrate s Court for cruelly ill-treating a mob of sheep. He pleaded not guilty. Constable Aplin said the defendant kept a mob of 90 ewes and lambs in a paddock of from 15 to 20 acres for two months. There was no feed in the paddock. When interviewed, the defendant said he had starved the sheep in order to compel them to eat off the blackberries in the paddock. A Government stock inspector, C. E. McPhee, gave corroborative evidence and said the ewes were in a deplorably emaciated condition. He had never seen sheep sb badly treated in his 25 years’ experience as an inspector. The Magistrate, Mr Wyvern Wilson, said it was clear that the defendant had tried to clear his land by starving his sheep. The animals had been caused unnecessary pain and suffering and had been cruelly illtreated. The defendant was fined £3.

Strenuous efforts are being embarked upon by Southland lady hockey players in their aim to raise the £2OO which will be required to send a representative team lo Auckland in quest of the K Cup. As the Dominion tournament takes place about the end of August, only some 10 weeks remain in which to procure the necessary expenses. On Friday ■ evening an amusement parlour will be held in a Dee street shop in Newburgh’s Buildings and the players of local clubs are stocking stalls there with cakes, vegetables etc. The public has always generously helped the sport of ladies’ hockey in Invercargill and the players are confident that a like measure of support will attend their appeal this year. During the next few weeks, the various clubs are arranging social evenings, euchre and five hundred evenings and public and private dances, and no stone is being left unturned, both in the country and in the city, to arrange for a team to go north to represent the province. For several seasons now a • Southland eleven has always competed in .the tournament and as this year ladies’ hockey is in a particularly flourishing state, it is hoped to send a strong team north to endeavour to recapture the coveted trophy. Already some £4O is in sight and the clubs are beginning to co-operate so loyally towards the cause that it is confidently anticipated that the money will be available to send the team on tour again this year. THE BIG EVENT. The biggest event of the season will be celebrated in the Victoria Hall on Wednesday, July 1. Fuller announcement later. — Advt. Consult us as to the cheapest method of maintaining your car. ’Phone 421. After hours' motor ambulance ’Phone 191. P. H. Vickery, Ltd., Motor Works, Leet street.— Advt. Hitchon’s Bacon it is grand, The very best in this fair land, And Hitchon’s smallgoods to be sure, Are the best you can procure. —Advt. Ladies, have your Dressmaking done at sale prices. All ladies and Children’s wear made to order. Your own material made up at Miss Noble's, The Baby Shop, Dee street. (Advt.) “The Summit of Perfection” DEWAR’S WHISKY. —Advt. Ladies. —If it is Hosier}’ or Vests yotl are requiring then get them cheaper and far better values at Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Dee street.—Advt. Chilblains cured by using Disperse; knows its work and gently does it; stops the itching at once, 1/6.—Geo. H. Brown, Chemist. —Advt. Big drop in prices. Men's genuine Twist shirts 5/11 quality reduced to 3/6. Also enormous reductions off al! suits and overcoats at Carter's Surplus Stock Sale.—Advt. A GREAT MISSIONARY MARY SLESSOR. A wonderful story of Heroism. Cheap edition, Paper 1/-, Cloth 2/6. (postage 3d extra). N.Z. BOOK DEPOT LTD., Esk Street, Invercargill—Advt. Disperse soothes and relieves the smart, burn and itching»of Chilblains; 1/6.—Geo. H. Brown, Chemist.—Advt.

Buying direct from the world’s best markets the raw skins, and making them up to the requirements of our customers, has helped us to nearly double our turnover each season for the last three seasons, this being now our third season in Invercargill. The buying public are the best judges of value, hence our increased trade. We give you the best that money can buy as cheaply as possible, and what we say it is IT IS, so why take any risk whatever. The Mutual Fur Coy., Tay street. —Advt.

For every home now comes the “Everyman Encyclopedia”—the exact —dependable —thoroughly edited work of the house of Dent, London. The “Everyman” will be complete in 12 Volumes —price £4 10/—it is being issued 2 volumes at a time —7/6 each, and may l>e bought in this easy way. Each volume contains 600,000 words—the paper used in the first edition if delivered in a three-inch ribbon would girdle the earth. The “Everyman” is the ideal popular Encyclopedia and, to us as booksellers, it is remarkable value. See it and order it!—Hyndman’s, Booksellers, Dee street. — Advt. .

Your trip to the city will be enjoyed by more than one in the home if you visit Thomson and Beattie in Tay street and secure three or four pair of their snowy white all wool N.Z. made blankets. The Special Stocktaking prices of these warmthgiving blankets, ranges from 19/6 pair for single bed to 3'2/6 pair for the extra large size double bed. —Advt.

Disperse; a soothing preparation which relieves the irritation of Chilblains; prevents the skin cracking, 1/6.—Geo. H. Brown, Chemist. —Advt. YEAST TABLETS. Composed of pure brewer’s yeast, now obtainable at STEWART’S PHARMACY at greatly reduced prices. 25 tablets 1/3, 50 tablets 2/-, ,100 tablets 3/6. The great value of PURE YEAST has been proved in the treatment of Boils, Pimples, Indigestion, Constipation and Stomach disorders. Anyone can take these tablets ’ with perfect safety. STEWART’S PHARMACY, Dee street. —Advt. “Is there do hope? the sick man said.” ■ —Gay. When you are down in the depths with influenza, or racked, with coughing, don’t despair! Get Baxter’s Lung Preserver. The first dose of this rich, red warming compound soothes and relieves. You know you will soon be well. “Baxter’s” has been famous for 60 years as a prompt and effective remedy for coughs, colds, and influenza, and also for its valuable tonic properties. Economical family size, 4/6. Smaller sizes, 2/6, 1/6. Handy new screw cap. All chemists and stores.—Advt,