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Evening Star, Issue 19791, 15 February 1928, Page 6

A Wellington Press Association message states that the long spell of dry weather broke locally this morning, rain falling about 4. o’clock and continuing, but it was not heavy. The sky is still overcast, with a very light drizzle. Walter Hedley Huthnanco, a clerk, aged nineteen years, pleaded guilty in the Wellington Police Court to-day to stealing £95 while in the employ of the Bank of New Zealand, £76 of which had been repaid. He was committed to the Supremo Court, for sentence.—Press Association telegram.

The dry spell experienced since the end of December was broken early this morning by heavy rain, which still continues and apparently extends over a wide area of North Taranaki. The town water supply and electric light and power were causing anxiety, which is now removed, while the dairy iarmers will bo greatly relieved, the milk production having fallen seriously during tho last week or two.—New Plymouth Press Association telegram.

A conference of the parties in the Westfield freezing works dispute took place this morning, but proved abortive. —Auckland Press Association telegram.

Two motoring practices, the one dangerous and the other objectionable, were referred to by Mr A. E. Ansell at last evening’s meeting of the Otago Motor Club, in the first place, the chairman drew attention to the careless habit some motorists had formed of lighting fires by the roadside. In this connection he emphasised the fact that, because of the danger entailed, the motorists’ obligations to the settlers of the various districts must be observed. He also drew attention to the practice of car owners who had suffered punctures placing stones behind their wheels to chock them, and thou leaving these obstacles to be a source of annoyance and even danger to others. They should always be removed from tho road, for in the case of motor cyclists running into then the results were almost fatal. A cable message yesterday quoting the opinion of Sir William Arbuthnot Lane, tho well-known British surgeon, that motoring is the cause of a uew form of cancer of tho lungs is not regarded very seriously by a local medical man (wires our Christchurch correspondent). Sir William, ho said, is one of those men who have the knack of expressing themselves picturesquely, and who represents good copy from a newspaper point of view. He has made a great reputation ns a surgeon, but, generally speaking, the medical profession does not take him seriously on matters outside of surgery. He added that it was a well-known fact that people who worked among tar were liable to cancer, but in all his experience, which extended over thirty years, he came across only one or two cases of cancer of the lungs, which could be said to be a very rare disease. As for the opinion that roads which were dressed with tar caused cancel of the lungs, he did not agree with it. One had only to remember thpt such roads had been in existence in Christchurch for a long time, and with the population of the city as big as it was it was unlikely that tho presence of tho disease would remain undetected were there anything in tho theory. In dealing with matters connected with tho recent visit of the Main Highways Board to Dunedin and the conference with local bodies which resulted, Mr A. E. Ansell, at the meeting of the Otago Motor Club last evening, stated that the club had put up a very good case for assistance in the way of improving the roads of Otago. There was good reason to believe, he said, that they were the worst in New Zealand, although the members of the Highways Board thought they were better than they had been led to believe. However, if the local bodies would act honorably and endeavor to do their share of financing, the board would no doubt do all it could to help the Otago roads. In paying‘a compliment to those who had been responsible for the upkeep of tho Central Otago roads, Mr Ansell made special reference to those in tho Tapanui and Lawrence districts. However, ho denounced the Maniototo-Waihemo road as being an absolute disgrace. Mr H. Halliday put in a good word for those of the Lakes district. The Prime Minister of New South Wales (Mr Bavin), who left for Sydney yesterday, said he was much struck by the evidence of progress and especially with the closer settlement that was taking place. The appearance of the country districts was gratifying, in view of the period of drought. He had noticed with much interest the increasing number of Australian visitors at the tourist resorts, and commented favorably on the work of the Tourist Department.—Wellington Press Association telegram Motor cycles which made the night hideous with the noise of their exhausts were referred to at the Motor Club last night by Mr S. F. M'lnnes, who considered that < something should be done to stop noisy machines from travelling on the road. Tho trouble to a large extent was that before cycles were sold by the agents a piece of mechanism called the “baffle” was often removed, and this had a marked effect on the machines’ behaviour as regards noise. It was not right to Have cyclists pulled up for making a disturbance when it was no fault of their own. Some local body should take the matter up and see that every motor cycle which was sold had something welded up in the silencer so that nothing could be removed. The point of fixing the silencers, which was regarded as being important, was noted.

Many houses were seriously threatened by a scrub (ire in the Estuary road, New Brighton, yesterday afternoon. For seven hours volunteer fire fighters were engaged quelling the flames, and they only succeeded after a stiff battle. At one stage a man named Foote was overcome by the smoke and heat, falling unconscious. He was not rescued until his hair and eyebrows had been singed and he had suffered burns to his arm. —Christchurch Press Association telegram.

Five years to-day since the meeting of Dunedin citizens called by Mr J. b. Douglas, at which the Exhibition scheme was launched. The Exhibition is in the grave, but its soul, like John Brown’s, is inarching on. As witness our smartened streets and the hopeful tone about industries and buildings.

Speaking to a reporter last night, Mr \V. Lyon, manager of the Victorian bowling team, who has previously toured New Zealand, said: “We lost both our games at Invercargill. The greens were faster than we are accustomed to, and we were out of practice, but I am not making excuses for defeat. We‘might not have won under other conditions. The Southlanddrs are players. We enjoyed the games very much, and liked the men. Tell your bowling authorities, please, that if it be as stated, that Southland is being neglected in the matter of appointments by visiting teams, those responsible are committing a bowling crime. It was a sincere pleasure to us to, as it were, put Southland on the bowling map. We were told that wo were the first overseas team to have our appointment .there. No bowling team ought to pass Invercargill. The greens are there, and the bowlers are there.”

A voung German named Andreas Endrefs wa's charged with stowing away mi the Tahiti at Papeete, and with landing in New Zealand, being a prohibited immigrant. He appeared on remand to-day, and, speaking through an interpreter, pleaded guilty. He was ordered to be. deported by the iahiti on February 28, when she leaves for ’Frisco via Papeete.—Wellington Press Association telegram.

For using a dangerous machine in the course of his business as a builder, Robert Woodroffe, of To Aroha, was fined £2O. It was stated that the defendant had been repeatedly warned about the machine over a period of years, and he had made no attempt to convert the machine so as to comply with the Act. The department regarded the offence as serious.—Hamilton Press Association telegram.

A motoring enthusiast with a taste for the compilation of statistics found that on Saturday last after tho_ races at Wingatui no fewer than 035 cars went past Lookout Point between the hours of 5.45 p.m. and 6.15 p.m. This total did not include cars travelling from the city.

Unemployment among teachers was discussed by the South Island School Committees’ Association at the annual conference at Christchurch, and the following resolution was carried: —“That this conference deplores the fact that, under the existing system, there is no guarantee of employment for student teachers on the expiration_ of their period of training, and considers it imperative in the interests'of primary education that provision be made for continuity of employment.” In the course of the discussion it was urged that, if the department could not guarantee positions to teachers at the end of their training period, the bond system should ho discontinued. —Press Association.

An Ashburton Press Association telegram states that Daniel M'Erlain, aged twenty-nine, an ox-school teacher in Central Otago, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, and ordered to pay 16s, the value of the damage, on a charge of being found on enclosed premises at night, and committing mischief by destroying cases and straw by lire, the incident occurred at 10.45 last night. Constable Ward saw a blaze in the yards of the shops adjoining the arcade, and on investigating noticed M Erlnin in the act of heaping straw and cases on a fire which accused had lighted. A hose was handy, otherwise the whole block of old buildings might have gone. The police said that accused was not mentally strong.

An interesting point ns _ regards tho right of way ut street intersections came up for discussion at last evening’s meeting of the Otago Motor Club. Mr H. Halliday suggested that the secretary should write to the town clerk asking him_ to draw the attention of tramway officials and others to tho fact that motorists had tho right of the road when turning corners at busy intersections. From a personal experience ho had found that the tram drivers were not aware of this, lor there semed to be a determination among them to go right ahead. Motorists must take precedence at such intersections. Mr Ansel 1 recalled a discussion on the subject which had taken place with Mr Lewin. It seemed there was a loophole whereby trams wore exempt from this rule of the road. However, Mr Lewin would look into tho matter with tho tramways manager, and he was quite sure the trouble would be averted. It was felt that the council would assist in every way to overcome tho difficulty. It was resolved that a letter be sent' to the council regarding the matter.

Greatly impressed by the beauties of New Zealand, and particularly its sporting attractions, Lord Grimthorpe, who, with Lady Grimthorpe, has completed a month’s holiday in the North Island, left Auckland by the Aoraugi for Vancouver. Before he sailed ho sent a letter to a number of the nmst influential newspapers in Groat Britain, in which he paid a glowing tribute to the deep-sea fishing to be enjoyed in New Zealand.—Press Association.-

Probate was granted yesterday by His Honor Mr Justice Sim in the estates of Alfred Langford, Anderson's Bay (Mr H. E. Barrowclough); Agnes Kirk, Dunedin (Mr J. 11. M. Lemon); Grace White, Waikouaiti (Mr E. J. Smith); Arthur Bray, Waikouaiti (Mr W. R. Brugh); Martha Martin, Waikouaiti (Mr C. L. A. Rolfe) j Duncan M'Laren, Palmerston (Mr Rolfe); Joseph Biggins, Mosgiel (Mr G. Gallaway); Jane O’Connor, Dunedin (Mr G. Gallaway); Joseph Edward Evans, Dunedin (Mr E. Aslin); and Janet Armstrong, Roslyn (Mr E. A. Duncan). In the course of an editorial on daylight saving the Auckland ‘ Herald ’ suggests that a plebiscite be taken on its continuance or otherwise at the General Election, the issue to bo put to a vote side by side with the others then submitted. With this in mind, the election should be fixed early in November, and statutory provision made, in the event of a favorable vote, for summer time to commence the first Sunday after the declaration of the poll.—Auckland correspondent.

During the night (states a Blenheim Association message) beneficial rain fell throughout Marlborough, breaking the three months’ drought. Over 80 points were recorded in three hours. The weather is still overcast, with slight showers, and the farmers are overjoyed. The damage from motor traffic which threatens the crowds of school children who are released from schools in busy areas at .midday was referred to at the monthly meeting of the Otago Motor Club last night. Mr A’nsell stated that in Timaru the schools closed at ten minutes to twelve, and he would like to throw out a suggestion that, with a view to the adoption of a similar time-table, the local associations should approach the Education Board. Mr H. Halliday said that the Normal School had done this for the past five years. It was an especially sound idea for schools on the main streets. Finally, it was resolved that the suggestion for schools to close at ten to twelve in the forenoon be forwarded to the Headmasters’ Association.

The matter of arranging for the next motoring jaunt for the orphans of Dunedin was discussed at last evening’s meeting of the Otago Motor Club. “ Every year wo undertake the pleasant task of taking all the orphans in and around Dunedin for a motor ride and picnic,” said the chairman (Mr A. E. Ansell), “and this year the date has been fixed for February 25 at Wingatui.” He made an appeal to motorists for their support on the big day. A number of cam were needed, and the members did not want any of the orphans to be left at home.

Messrs Fuller and Hayward have let the contract for the construction of the new Majestic Picture Theatre in Willis street, Wellington, on the site of the present Empress Theatre. The contract price is in the vicinity of £175,000. The new theatre, which will have seating accommodation for 2,500 people, will be opened on December 15.—Press Association.

Following on the decision of the Gisborne Harbor Board to curtail its works, Mr Campbell, the engineer to the board, has resigned.—Press Association.

In connection with the fresh registration of motor vehicles, there was some misapprehension at last evening’s meeting of the Otago Motor Club, for in some quarters there was an impression that the new licenses were available only during the month of March. It is now explained that motorists can register any time after February 1.

In connection with the .school library scheme, it was reported by the architect (Mr J. Rodger) to this morning’s meeting of the Education Board that bookshelves had been made for Forbury, Anderson’s Bay, Maori Hill. Pino Hill, and Upper Junction Schools. At a meeting of the Education Board this morning the Milburn School Committee reported that during the school vacation about twenty-one window panes had been maliciously broken. The matter has been placed in the hands of the police.

At the Magistrate’s Court, Waipukurau, this morning Horace Radvers Maddaford, formerly assistant clerk in the office of the Patangata County Council, was charged with fraudulently omitting to account for sums totalling £722 16s 7d. Accused was committed for trial at the Supreme Court at Napier, bail being allowed.—Press Association. Tho monthly meeting of the Moray Place School Committee was held on Monday evening last, Mr F. J. O’Neill presiding. It was reported that the school had had a thorough cleaning and disinfecting during the holidays. Roth the bugle and fife and drum bands were making good progress. During the holidays two rooms had been remodelled, and this had made a great improvement to the school. The school still had a vacancy for new pupils, as over fifty had left at the end of tho year and*only thirty new ones had been enrolled to date. Miss Gawn, the new infant mistress, had take up her duties on the reopening of the school. The treasurer reported that the bank balance to date was £B2 5s 3d. The sum of £5 was voted to procure hooks for the library, ft was decided to purchase a sewing machine for the school. An anonymous donor, it was stated, had given a handsome gold medal to the committee for presentation to Reg. Goddes for his splendid performances at the recent championship swimming competitions. Messrs M'Gill and Cooper were appointed the Visiting Committee for the month.

Workmen of the E.P. and L. Department of tho Corporation were yesterday and to-day busily engaged in erecting posts and wires on the St. Clair esplanade in preparation for tho special illuminations which are to be a feature of the carnival to be held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of this week. Rows of colored globes should provide a brilliant spectacle. Preparations are well in hand for the carnival, which, if the weather bo fine, should be one of the most novel attractions ever held in Dunedin. Those who attend will be asked to buy a badge to obtain the “ freedom of the esplanade,” ad there will he stalls for the sale of a variety of articles, and games for young and old alike.

Enteric fever cases have been reported from the Maori pas in Canterbury, but the medical officer of health (Dr Telford) is reticent as to the number of people and tho pas affected. The cases aro believed to be due to impure wptcr supplies. The Maoris who attended the railway picnic at Little River on Sunday were taken in hand by the constable, who marched them back to the pa.—Christchurch Press Association telegram.

For spectacles that soothe the eyes consult W. V. Sturmer, D. 5.0.1., G.A.0.C., 2 Octagon. Our business m exclusively optica). —[Advt.3

Port Chalmers.—l. Watson's summer clearing sale general drapery, furnishings, clothing, boots, and shoes now proceeding.— [Advt.] Spares for Rco, Dori, Ford, Essex Cars and Trucks at Webling’s Oarage, experts all repairs, 77 Castlo street. Buses for Hire. — ’Phones 11-234, 20-919.-[Advt.] The Railway Department advertises in this issue excursion fares in connection with tile Gore races on 22nd and 23rd February.

The grocers’ picnic, which is being held at Waikouaiti on Saturday, the 18th, is the popular picnio of the year. A long and varied programme of sports for young and old, including a baby show, will be carried out. A special Rexona prize is given in tho baby show. There will be lots of toys, sweets, and races for the children.

The Palais de Danse will hold their usual dance in the Embassy Salon, Moray place, to-night.

On account of the continued fine weather the committee of the Dunedin Horticultural Society has decided to bring forward the date of holding tho autumn show to Wednesday, February 22. Intending competitors arc reminded that the entries close on Monday evening next