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Evening Star, Issue 19784, 7 February 1928, Page 6

The Port Chalmers gas supply wars again the subject of discussion at last night’s meeting of the borough council. The quality and quantity of the supply were referred to, the former in more critical terms. Jn regard to the capacity of the works, it was stated that an expert from Wellington had reported that the plant was capable of producing double the present output at the cost of the. additional coal required. It appeared from the discussion that the quality of the gas produced was not always satisfactory, it being declared to be at times acutely “smelly” and not calculated to attract new consumers.

January was a record month for Peninsula motor traffic, which is still being maintained wonderfully well. The good weather has attracted crowds to all the bays, but particular' attention is being centred on Harrington Point. The Peninsula round trip is as popular as ever, and the improvements which have been made to the road, particularly the cutting away of bad corners, has improved the trip very considerably.

An echo of the Great War was heard at the Mosgiel Borough Council meeting last night, when a communication was read from one of the Government departments, and accompanying this were the late Thomas Sanderson Wingfield’s war medals, as follows: —One British far medal, one Victory medal, and a certificate which recorded Jus services with the New Zealand Expedi* tionary Force. The council was asked to take care of these, as no relatives were known. It was decided to have tho certificate framed and the medals attached to it.

Asked what he thought of the dominion from an agricultural point of view. Sir Alexander Spence, of Dundee. told an Auckland ‘ Star ’ reporter that lie was agreeably surprised to sec such fine crops growing in Canterbury and Otago. The wheat crops were good, and looked well even on the lighter lands. There were, however, many, many acres both in the South as well as tho North Island that should bo under cultivation. It was such a pity to see land that could and should be producing lying idle. Land values here seemed _to be altogether too high in his opinion. Settlors with small capital should be attracted here, but the men New Zealand wanted were just the kind England and Scotland did not want to lose The visitor did not think that the North Island lands he had seen would develop agriculturally in comparison with the South. It is not difficult to imagine that at this time of the year Roxburgh and the surrounding districts offer considerable attractions to city dwellers, and the Peninsula Motor Service’s special weekend excursion, arranged as an experiment last Saturday, is reported to have been a great success, and one that is likely to be repeated during tho present weather spell. Sixteen excursionists left Dunedin early on Saturday afternoon and arrived at Roxburgh in time for dinner. The party spent Sunday there, returning to Dunedin on Sunday night. The orchards were a great attraction, and Messrs Waighth Brothers allowed the visitors the free run of their orchard, a courtesy which was much appreciated.

Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., presided over a brief sitting of the .Police Court, tliis morning, when a, man whoso name was suppressed was charged with stealing a number of sheets and hooks of printed music, of a total value nf £2B 15s. Detective Beer said that ho had received advice from the Commissioner of Police to withdraw the proceedings. The Magistrate accordingly discharged the accused. Taramjki Oilfields report: Waiapu No. 2; Well depth 5,1 70ft in shale, Bfin diameter, casing to 3,152 ft. Gisborne No. 1: Well waiting for cement to set. Gisborne No. 2: Well construction works in progress.—Gisborne Press Association telegram

The City and South Dunedin Eire Brigades .were summoned to a blaze in cue of the tramway department's sheds hi the Anderson’s Bay road at 9.20 last evening. On the arrival of the brigades it-was found that the lire had originated among some empty cases, but although it had a firm hold little damage was done. It is believed that the outbreak was caused by a spark from a gas pumping engine which had been working in the vicinity. Representations having been made as to the impropriety of St. Clair residents in going scantily clothed from their homes to the beach for surfing, a ‘ Star ’ man was told off to observe and report generally. He saw nothing to give offence in the dress or the behaviour of the surfers wdio disrobe at their homes. Nor does he agree with the persons who profess to bo shocked by the sun-drying on the beach. His observations, extending over a week of the hottest weather, lead to the opinion that here and there one or two of the thousands who idle on the beach might be a bit more careful about their attitudes in sprawling and stretching, but that to make this a general charge against surfers, or to admit that the costumes are offensively meagre, would he exceedingly unfair. A new fashion in bathing costumes now prevails. The great demand is for those of tlie Palm Beach type. Properly adjusted and worn, they could be used in the streets or at a fancy-dress ball. Tlie Harbor Board’s working party at tlie Heads has started to cut the tunnel for putting in the explosive which is to blast out a further supply of stone for the mole construction. The first blast there yielded about 60,000 yards of material that came up to the engineer’s calculation as to quantity and quality. Something like luOjOOO yards more will be needed, and this means not merely a second blast, but a third, and probably a fourth in duo time. The present operations and others that are to follow are not to be regarded as in any sense the remedying of a disappointment. They are in pursuance of an export and measured scheme that is working out satisfactorily.

Measuring the year, as most persons do, into four equal seasons, and taking the longest day as midsummer, autumn commenced yesterday. Another kindred observation is that “ Sideytimc ” now has less than four weeks to run.

Though the pulling down process at the old Post Office has been in progress for several weeks, the City Council has not yet removed the telephone boxes, one on each side of the building, which are used by the taxi men in Water street and by the hansom cab drivers in Liverpool street. Pieces ot bricks and mortar have fallen down several times close to the boxes, and it is hardly fair to ask the drivers, who pay a yearly rental for the telephone, to endanger themselves in using them

With regard to the unwholesome smell coming from the Kaikorai Stream in the neighborhood of Green Island, Dr J. H. Crawshaw, the district health officer, stated this morning that some eight or nine months ago the Health Department had held a conference with the Drainage Board, the Green Island Borough Council, and the Taieri County Council, the areas represented by the latter two bodies being the most greatly concerned in the matter at issue. Unfortunately, nothing came of the conference because it was found that many residents of the district had riparian rights, and if something had been done those people could have claimed legal compensation. This fact blocked further procedure for the time being. AVhat the department had done was to expedite matters by getting into touch with all people who had riparian rights and endeavoring to persuade them to forego these rights. Dr Crawshaw said that with this object in view he had sent out _ letters about six mouths ago, and replies had been received of which from 85 per cent, to 90 per cent, wore in the affirmative. It was only this morning that he had received four answers. As soon as the people concerned would forego thejr riparian rights the authorities could go ahead with the work of cleaning the stream. The ways and means of doing so were already settled, and a conference would be held immediately.

Peter Paul Riska, for being m a state of intoxication in charge of a motor car, was fined £25 at Wanganui, and his license was cancelled till May, 1930, this being a second offence, bydney J. Taylor, on a similar charge, ■was fined £25, and his license cancelled till May, 1929.—Press Association.

Port Chalmers.—l. Watson’s summer clearing sale general drapery, furnishings, clothing, boots, and shoes now proceeding.— [Advt.l • . For spectacles that soothe the eyes consult W. V. Sturmer, D. 5.0.1., G.A.0.C., 2 Octagon. Our business a exclusively optical. [Advt.] The Dominion Building Society notifies that the second, annual mooting will be held on Monday, 27th July. A ballot will be held the same evening for £12,000. Intending members are invited to make early applies.-, tion for Shares and qualify for group 28 ballot.

Williamson’s, Hie quality jewellers, for diamond rings. Thirty years’ practical experience is at your service. Next Bristol Piano Co.—[Advt.] All Second-hand High School and Technical Books for this term, perfect order and cheap. Hugo stock. If you prefer new, we have them. We are throwing out Attache Cases and Brief Bags. Prices down to zero.' Lowest prices for finest Stationery as usual. Telephone 13-258.—Ncwbold’s, 275 George stret—[Advt.]