ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Southland Times, Issue 21578, 16 December 1931, Page 4

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

“Electricity.”—Four, exclusive of Chinese laundries.

“Hot Air.”—No official records appear to exist, but an approximate estimate is 173,000,000 gallons.

The tramway revenue for November was £1503 6/2 as compared with £l6BB 12/5 for November, 1930, and £1795 3/10 for November, 1929.

The Dominion Meteorologist last night issued the following information: An intensive and complex depression still covers the Tasman Sea and New Zealand. A moderate anti-cyclone is now moving on to south-eastern Australia. Winds moderate to strong northerly, of gale force in places. A southerly change is likely to set in during to-morrow in the far south and later extend northwards. Seas in New Zealand waters heavy north of East Cape. Elsewhere rough. In the eastern Tasman strong northerly, later backing to southerly winds. Seas rough to heavy. Weather unsettled and cloudy with fairly general rain and some further scattered heavy falls. Thunder in places. Warm temperatures but cool change is due after from twentyfour to thirty-six hours.

Yesterday a swarm of bees settled on a loaded railway truck at Bluff and were an object of interest to passers-by. An enterprising citizen set up a box close to the swarm, and it was believed that he would make a capture of the bees last night.

At last night’s meeting of the City Council attention was drawn by Councillor Robertson to the untidy state _of vacant sections in the city. He said it behoved owners to cut the grass and keep the sections reasonably neat. “A square inch in the Press might have the desired effect,” said his Worship.

Christmas greetings were exchanged at the meeting of the City Council last evening, his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller) wishing councillors and members of the staff the compliments of the season, his good wishes being reciprocated by the deputy-Mayor (Councillor Brodrick) on behalf of the councillors and by the Town Clerk (Mr C. L. Grange) on behalf of the staff.

At a sitting of the Gore Magistrate’s Court on Monday, before Mr 11. J. Dixon, S.M., D. Lilburn, farmer, Gore, claimed £7 15/- from P. McErlain, fanner, Evans Flat, alleged to be due for service by the stallion John Dillon to a mare belonging to the defendant. After hearing evidence the Magistrate held that the plaintiff, Lilburn, had not proved his claim, and nonsuited him, costs being given for the defendant for £2 6/-.

The result of the weight-guessing competition at the Southland A. and P. Summer Show was announced yesterday, the correct weight of the fat bullock being 7311 b. The winner, Mr W. Marshall, of Waianiwa; placed the weight at 7301 b. The second place was occupied by competitors who placed the weight at 7371 b and 7251 b. Messrs Wylie and Prince, of Invercargill, and W. Templeton, Wyndham, gave the former weight, while Mr L. Dawson, Mossburn, gave the weight, as 7251 b.

An unusual incident occurred in the Supreme Court at Auckland on Thursday, when a compensation claim was being heard by Mr Justice Smith and two assessors. Counsel concluded their addresses to the Court about 12.40 p.m., and the Court then rose. Owing to a misunderstanding counsel, Court officials, the parties to the dispute and others present were under the impression that the Judge was reaching a decision with the assessors and remained in the Court building until after 1.40, when it was found that the Judge and the assessors had long left for lunch and the Court had been adjourned until after the luncheon interval.

The Invercargill Garden Club’s Summer Show will be held in Everybody’s, Tay street, on Friday. The present season has been a favourable one for roses and the Queen of Flowers will be seen in perfection. The ever popular sweet pea and the latest varieties of the greatly improved lupin will be seen in abundance. The club caters for all summer flowers, while the decorative section will be stronger than ever. All lovers of flowers should make a special point of seeing the attractive display. At. 8.45 in the evening a meeting will be held to consider the formation of a Southland branch of the National Rose Society of New Zealand. All rose enthusiasts are urged to attend.

The monthly meeting of the Invercargill branch ol the Dunedin Wholesale Storemen’s Union, was held in the Labour Hall on Saturday evening. The president, Mr 11. W. Barrett, presided over a large attendance of members. After the usual business of the evening was transacted, the annual smoke concert was held, the following toasts being honoured: “Storemen's and Packers’ Union” (proposed by Mr Robertson and replied to by Mr IL Sheehan) ; “Late Secretary, Mr Gillies” (Mr W. Young—Mr D. Harris) ; “Officers of the Union” (Mr A. McKay—Messrs 11. W. Barrett and D. Harris) ; “The Casuals” (Mr M. Sheehan—Mr W. Smith) ; “The Steward” (Mr 11. W. Barrett Mr M. Small). The following members contributed elocutionary and vocal items during the evening: Messrs G. Neilson, W. Young, 11. W. Barrett, W. Smith, A. Coufing and G. Mcntaplay.

Included in the report of the . baths superintendent to the ’City Council last evening was the following reference to the attendances: “I beg to report that the attendances for November have shown an increase in single admissions of 181 adults and 306 children over last, year’s corresponding month. Concession tickets have also sold well, having doubled in the case of adults and an increase of 41 in children’s. A slight increase was made in season tickets, 48 being the total sold. To show to what an extent the weather makes in the attendances at the baths, I quote the following weekly returns: From November 14 to 20, £32 8/10, and from 21st to 27th, £ll 2/7, a difference of £2l 6/3. As the returns show an increase (not including extras) of £l4 9/- over November, 1930, this must have been considerably increased but for the bad spell of weather during the last half of month.”

The Library Committee reported to tho City Council last evening that it had received a report Irom the librarian that Mr A. G. Butchers, of Wellington, had advised that certain volumes left by him at the library could be retained by the library and placed in the New Zealand collection. Mr Butchers stated that nowhere in New Zealand had he found such a complete collection of periodicals and papers as were available in the public room in the Invercargill Library. He asked for a list of the publications to which the library subscribed. The committee recommended that Mr Butchers be thanked for his gift and that the information asked for be forwarded to him. The committee also reported having received a letter from the executors of the estate of the late R. E. A. Land, Toronto, covering the donation of a copy of “Fifty years in the Malta Order” by the late Mr Land. The committee recommended that the letter be received and that the executors be thanked for the gift.

A brief discussion arose when the following clause in the Works Committee’s report came before the City Council last evening: “Having received a report from the city engineer that the owners of trees which had caused blockages of storm water drains in Venus street and Pomona road had been requested to deal with the spreading roots, but had taken no action to date. Trouble from a similar cause had also been experienced in Kelvin road. Recommend that the owners of the properties concerned .in Venus street, Pomona road and Kelvin road be notified in accordance with section 205 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920, to remove the roots, failing which that the work be done by the council at the occupiers’ expense.” The Mayor questioned the wisdom of the recommendation. For a very long time, he said, no action had been taken by the council in such matters, and it seemed hardly fair to penalize a few owners when probably all over the town there were offenders. An amendment was moved by Councillor Robertson that the council bear the cost of the work. This amendment was lost and a further amendment that the clause be referred back to the Works Committee was carried.

In the proficiency examination result*, published yesterday, the name of Mary M. Fordyce was inadvertently omitted from the list of pupils of the South School who gained proficiency certificates.

The necessity for care when using sodium chlorate for destroying weeds is emphasized by the painful experience which befel a young man, Mr Bert. Gasson, at Oropi, near Tauranga, on Wednesday. He was engaged during the day in spraying weeds on his father’s farm with sodium chlorate, and at milking time was attending to a fire for heating water when his clothes suddenly caught fire as a result of the spraying material upon them. He threw himself under a water tap and escaped with a badly-burned leg.

During her stay’ in England the Federal Line steamer Cumberland, which arrived at Port Chalmers on Sunday, was fitted with a Bauer-Wach turbine. This has increased the vessel’s steaming power by about a knot and has reduced the consumption of fuel. The Bauer-Wach is a turbine geared to each propeller shaft to utilize the exhaust steam from the low pressure cylinders. A similar installation has been fitted on the company’s steamers Hertford and Huntingdon and also on a number of the Commonwealth and Dominion Line steamers.

“I just wish to state that last year £lOO or more was spent by the council on paying the expenses of heads of departments going to conferences. In the present economic condition of the country I think the council should consider whether it approves of this expenditure,” said his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller) at the City Council meeting last evening when clauses dealing with the attendance of officers at coming conferences were before the council. The council decided to pay’ the expenses of the superintendent of reserves and the city engineer at conferences in Christchurch and Wellington respectively.

Mr A. 11. W. Lowry, manager of the Ohinewairua station, situated near the half-way’ peg on the Taihape-Napier road, reports that 660 two and three-year wethers have disappeared from two of the paddocks on the station boundary. The Tai-hape-Napier road is the only proper outlet for sheep, although a flock could be taken across country in a general northerly direction, to emerge in the vicinity of Lake Taupo. So far, no clue has been obtained as to where the sheep have gone. When the station began operations a few years back a similar disappearance occurred. Mr Lowry is a younger brother of Mr T. C. Lowry, the New Zealand cricket captain.

The Old Timers’ Concert party which has functioned for several years paid a visit on Monday' evening to their colleague, Mr T J. Anthony. A very' pleasant evening was si>ent, with old-time songs, duets and stories. Messrs J. Kissel and J. L. McG. Watson, the organizers of the party, kept things going with true old-time zeal. Those present were: Mr J. Kissel, Mr J. L. McG. Watson, Mr E. W. Wright, Mr H. Anthony’, Mr W. Jenkinson, Mrs Macpherson, Mrs Patton and Miss Jenkinson. Mrs Rilstone acted as accompanist. During the evening a presentation was made to Miss Hoffman, who had been accompanist during the season for the Old Timers’ Concert Party.

Exhibitors, in tho majority, seem to favour holding the Royal Show alternately at Christchurch and Palmerston North, according to Mr M. E. Lyons, secretary of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, when commenting on the suggestion made" on these fines at a recent meeting of the Manawatu A. and P. Association. The members of that society generally favour the adoption of the plan, and it will be brought under the notice of the Royal Agricultural Society. Mr Lyons said that the configuration of the Dominion was against a Royal Show meeting with success if held outside these two centres. It was not possible to get good representation at Auckland, for example, owing to the long haulage for exhibitors. He added that members' of the Royal Agricultural Society were mostly’ in favour, of adopting the scheme. The only centre which was likely to enter a protest was Auckland, which would feel a little put out, as the next Royal Show is scheduled to be held there.

Gift fur the most important member of the family BABY! Bootees, shoes, bibs, feeders, Coatees, Dresses, Bonnets and rompers at Miss Noble's, The Baby Shop, Doe St.—Advt.

New Windows going in. Wo must have Room. Big) Genuine Sale now on at Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Dee St.—Advt.

Gift Suggestions: Initial Handkerchiefs 1/-; Parisian Ties 2/6; Mazon Shirts 9/6; Fancy Socks 2/6; Boy’s’ Shirts 1/11; Boys’ Hose, all sizes 2/6. Also Big Reductions off all Men’s and Boys’ Suits at Carter’s 'Xmas Suit Sale. (Advt.)

“Old Bleach” guaranteed fadeless coloured linens as gay as spring Howers. By a new process invented by the “Old Bleach” research chemists perfect penetration of the fabric by the super-fast dyes of tho vat series has for the first time been obtained. This new process removes all the faults of imperfect penetration and in addition imparts an additional bloom, softness and beauty to the linen. Y’ou can buy coloured Old Bleach linen at Thomson and Beattie Ltd. in 36 inch width at 5/11 per yard. Cream and Oyster 4/6 yard.—Advt.

The best gift of all A CAMERA FOR XALAS GIVES LASTING PLEASURE; MAKES A HOLIDAY WORTH WHILE. Stewart’s have, cameras from 7/6 upwards and every camera stocked is guaranteed reliable. Select your model now from STEWART’S PHARMACY, Dee street.—• Advt.

Between now and Christmas the Ladies of Southland are to have the opportunity to buy Hosiery at half the price of what it would cost direct from the manufacturer to-day, the reason for this being that wo are giving up stocking Hosiery and have decided to make a clearance quickly. Today’s price for this Hose throughout New Zealand is 5/11 and 6/11 pair, and our Quick Clearance Price is 2/9 pair. Only at The Mutual Fur Co., Tay street. (Advt.)

Here are Gift Books At Attractive Prices: Dr. Waddell’s charming volumes of essays, ‘The Fiddles of God,” and “Memories And Hopes” 3/6 for 2/9; popular 2/6 Novels for 2/-, 6 for 10/6; HUNDREDS of 6/- NOVELS for 3/6; Anatole France’s Novels 3/6 for 2/9; Everyday Essays (Crawley) 4/6 for 3/-; Oscar Wilde’s Plays 3/6 for 2/9; Solve the present problem by giving books purchased at the N.Z. BOOK DEPOTS GREAT RECONSTRUCTION SALE—Advt.

Where variety and value go hand in hand—is at BROWN’S, The Chemist. We have the finest selection of Cameras for presentation purposes. We are always the earliest with the latest models and our prices are the lowest for the best quality goods. We have not the right to succeed unless we are of real service to our customers, and in purchasing a camera from BROWN’S. The Chemist, you get the service of a real camera expert who shows you how to use it, giving you a practical demonstration if requested. Call, and see our selection before purchasing elsewhere. Our stock is so great that we are sure we can please you. GEORGE H. BROWN, Chemist-Optician, 125 Dee St, where the good Camera Gifts are. —AdvU MISSING A GOOD JOKE. Many a good joke has failed to “go over” at the Talkies—because of someone coughing. Coughing at the theatre is like static on a radio, except that it can be cured. A dose or two of “Baxter’s” will end a cough by removing the cause of irritation in throat or chest. “Baxter’s” has fixed millions of coughs and cold over sixty years. It will fix yours. Get a bottle today. 1/6, 2/6. and 4/6. at all. chemirtsf and storesAdvU