FLAX RESEARCH

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 118, 16 February 1928, Page 13

FLAX RESEARCH

A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research decided at its last meeting that a comprehensive programme of flax research be drawn up and forwarded to the various flaxmillers with a suggestion that the latter make contributions towards the research, either direct, or, preferably, by approving of a small export duty per bale.

Who says Dunedin is unknown in the big outer world? A prominent local music warehouse lias just received an order for a steel guitar outfit from a gentleman (Mr. Scippo) in Ascension Island, which is situated 800 miles north of St. Helena. British postal notes to the value of £5 10s. were enclosed with the order, which goer, forward, via London (says tiie “Star”). Mr. Scippo may have had some previous connection with Dunedin, or he may get newspapers sent him from New Zealand. The fact remains, however, that he knows this particular firm, and has confidence in it and in Dunedin to the extent of sending the money with the order. "Health detectives” watch over the Loudon docks, inspecting every alien and every cargo which would enter. In tne last twelve months these officials, comprising doctors and inspectors examined nearly 21.0C0 aliens in 763 ships. Motoring on a race-track is most dangerous at a speed of I’ortv-fivc nines an hour. A medical witness in a recent inquest in Englund raid that when accidents happened at ninety miles an hour motorists usually escaped with bruises only.

Ono of the principal reasons attributed by a Hamilton stock dealer for the rise in beef was the increased price ruling for hides (states an exchange). He said the price of hides had risen from 6<l. to 13d. per lb., and in consequence an increase of 3s. a cwt. was being offered in New Zealand for live beet, compared with the price ruling a year ago. The dry weather was also creating a shortage of stock owing to the rapidly-diminishing supply of feed.

Society reformers sometimes complain that the "sacred rights of property” receive more attention than human rights. Apparently that is so sometimes. In .Dunedin tho old post office building is being demolished and a notice has been posted up warning motorists against parking their cars in the vicinity on account of the danger of tho wall collapsing (says tho “Star”). But there is no warning to pedestrians who use the footpath immediately below the wall.

Every citizen of Montpellier. France, claims that be is entitled to call himself a baron. In 1537 (he Baron do Caravelte. who lived in Montpellier, bequeathed his title and estates to the city. Hence, it is argued, every child born in the city may adopt the title.