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Evening Star, Issue 19797, 22 February 1928, Page 4

The Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates) and the Minister of Public Works (Mr K. S. Williams) will probably pay a visit to Dunedin next week, but the exact date of their arrival is not yet known. Their most. important business will bo the investigation of the complaints of the set tlers in Central Otago with respect to irrigation.

The matriculation examination will in future be known as the university entrance examination, so soon its the amendment of the Statute receives the formal consent of the Government. This decision was reached to-day at a meeting; of the University Council. Certain irregularities in the degree examination in contracts were discussed in commitce. it was resolved that candidates who in that examination reached the lowest mark accepted bo passed.— Press Association,

The development of St. Kilda beach for bathing purposes interested the executive of the Dunedin Ratepayers’ Association, which met last night. The secretary intimated that a letter had been received from the Domain Hoard suggesting that the committee should take the matter up. The beach was considered to be very sate, but the local borough council could not supply dressing accommodation. it was regarded as certain that bathers would pay something for the security of their clothing. Mr Sincock reminded the meeting that a public meeting at which this affair would be discussed was to be held at St. Kilda to-night. Strictly speaking, the subject should be confined to the City Council, the St. Kilda Council, and the Domain Board. Mr A. E. Anscll considered that they should let those concerned know that the association was interested and would do all it could to help them along. It was resolved that Air H. Hallidav and the secretary attend the meeting if possible.

The fact that the Mornington cable cars were still running on iho wrong side of the road was criticised last evening by members of the executive of the Dunedin Jlatepayers’ Association. As an instance of the likelihood of accidents arising from this state of affairs, Mr J. T. Cooper said that one day a lady motorist was driving along Manse street immediately behind a lorry carrying a number ofHoug pipes. On entering High street tiie latter had to pull up suddenly', because of the Mornington car coming rapidly dowm on the wrong side of the road. The lady, of course, also stopped suddenly, but she was nob quick enough to prevent her car running on to the piping sticking out from the lorry in front. The piping went clean through the radiator of her car, and water gushed out in all directions. Mr Ansoll said that this matter had been brought up several times. Two years ago it was stated that the tramway authorities wore ready to change oyer. After some discussion it was decided to write to the City Council asking why tho change had not been made.

’The St. Kilda Beach Improvement Association is calling a meeting of citizens to-night at the St. Kilda Town Hall, tho object should commend itself to all. The Domain Board, under the guidance of Mr J. H. Hancock, has done splendid work on the foreshore of the beach, but something more is wanted to make the beach attractive. To-night’s meeting should be well attended.

Pot shots by larrikins at electric light globes in Jubilee Park have been carried out with such devastating results that the matter has been brought to the notice ot the Dunedin Ratepayers’ Association. At the committee meeting last night the secretary stated tiiat the suggestion had been put forward that the electric light department should he asked to put guards over the globes. Mr R. Duncan contended, however, that guards affected the light, and created a certain amount of shade. “ Which way will we lose the most light? ” asked Mr T. Steelman. “When there is a shade or when the whole globe is broken?” Mr Sincock said that boys wore often blamed for these misdeeds, but the fact was that sometimes a certain class of hoodlums wore to blame, and on one occasion a gang broke eleven lamps one after the other, lie understood that there was a reward of £5 for anyone who gave information which led to the wrongdoers’ apprehension. Mr Henderson, the electric power and lighting engineer, had stated that the cost of guards would be fairly high, and as a result of the distributed rays there would be Joss of light. Ho suggested that a watch should be kept. Finally, it was decided that a letter be sent to the City Council drawing attention to (lie pathways in flic park, and asking that special efforts be made to preserve the globes. The residents of Mosgiel and the, surrounding district are very jubilant over the success of the local band at the Christchurch competitions. The mayor presided over a large meeting last night, when arrangements were made to tender the hand a welcome home to-night—both at the railway station, and at the. local hall. The Taieri Highland Pipe Rand will assist in the welcome, and representative men will make welcome speeches. The hand will be entertained at dinner in Dunedin on the arrival of the express tins afternoon, prior to resuming their journey fo Mosgiel at 7.15 o clock. A conference of secretaries and executive officers of tho electric power boards and supply authorities’ association ivas opened toMay. The delegates were welcomed bv the mayor (Mr Troup). Mr Nash, M.P., presided, and said that the boards had shown wisdom in making haste slowly. It was fortunate that they had not embarked upon an advertising campaign, us they now had not the current to supply. A shortage at Mangahoc had upset all calculations, and must necessarily make the returns of some of the boards go down.—Meliington Press Association telegram.

The Wanganui executive of the Farmers’ Union confirmed the resolution of last year to stand by the Inilay Freezing Works and man the board if there was any further trouble with the butchers .—Press Association telegram. It is announced that Mr Trevor Stringer, station director of IYA, has been relieved of his duties. Mr S. Havden, formerly in charge, is taking over from him within a month. The station has lost its two chief officials, engineer and director. —Auckland Association message.;

Government permit was received by wire yesterday afternoon by the director of the Cawthron Institute (Professor T. H. Easterfield) for the liberation of the larvae of cinnabar moths, which have been bred in noxious weeds. Dr Tillyard, Mr David Miller (Government Entomologist), and Mr Tonnair (Field Entomologist under the Marketing Board’s scheme) were summoned, and a number of the larvae were removed from the insectary to a patch of ragwort planted in the grounds of the institute. First a catterpillar was formally placed on a ragwort plant by Dr Tillyard, who has been in charge of the scheme. The remaining larvae were liberated by other members of the party. It was interesting to notice the eagerness with which the caterpillar attacked the ragwort. Observations in insectary have shown that though the tyria larvae feed greedily upon ragwort, they show an aversion to all other plants upon which they have been placed with the sole exception of groundsel, for which, however, they show a limited appetite. The only permit issued by the Government is not a general one, and it is unlikely that larvae can be distributed to farmers during the present season. Nelson Prress Association telegram.

The reconstruction of “The Provincial Corner ” is prominent amongst the many important city improvements that Dunedin is now indulging in. The contract, as let by Mr G. J. Barton to Lawrence and Sons, who arc working to plans drawn by Mr AV. IT. Dunning, is for a throe-story building in permanent material on a base strong enough to hereafter carry five storeys. It stretches from the Provincial Hotel in Stafford street to Park Reynolds's establishment in Manse street. The big butchery on the street level is designed to claim the championship of Now Zealand and Australia for size and equipment. Half of the floor above will be occupied for the purposes of Mr Barton’s business; the other half is to consist of offices for letting. The upper floor will consist of seventeen rooms as an addition to the accommodation of the Provincial Hotel. The work is expected to be finished in May. The block will he known as “ Barton’s,” and thereafter that sign will appear on all the shops in the same ownership.

Accompanied by the Mayor (Mr W. E. Taverner) the officers of H.M.S. Laburnum were taken, a junior drive into the country this morning. A number of tiie men were also driven round in a motor bus.

A valuable purpose in the city is being served by the Salvation Array MVm’s Shelter, and there and meals can be obtained at a minimum cost, free beds and meals being provided for the deserving and distressed cases. It is but fourteen months since the Shelter opened its doors of welcome, and some figures supplied by Captain Anderson, manager of the Shelter, to-day afford an illustration of the work being done by the Army authorities at tho Shelter. During that time 25,000 beds and meals have boon supplied, and of that number free beds have been supplied on 960 occasions and 1,350 free meals have been provided in cases of distress. Thirtylive men have been found work, and others have been assisted in their qnest for employment. Many men arrive at the Shelter almost threadbare, and the provision of clothes for those men constitutes a problem which tho Army officers find it difficult to solve without assistance from the generous outside public. Tiie genuine cases of hardship by far outnumber the class comprising tho “sponger” and the “waster.” “Wo have no time for the man who will nob work,” said Captain Anderson, “and this type of man is quickly dealt with though, fortunately, he is rare in Dunedin.” Last winter was a strenuous time at the Shelter, and at the present time only three bods arc unoccupied. Tho prospects are that during the winter tho accommodation will bo taxed to its utmost rapacity, but if it is at all po\ j iblo to help the Army never turns away a deserving case.’ 'The captain mentioned that the Shelter lacked a gramophone, the gift of which would ho very gratefully received by the men.

Within the space of seven hours three fires occured in Dunedin last night. The first call was received at the central station at 8.15 last evening, and was to the Gladstone buildings in Moray Place. A small fire had broken out in one of the bedroofs, but the damage was slight. ■ The Central and South Dunedin Brigades were summoned at 2.13 this morning to Playfair street, Cavorsham, where a hedge had caught fire. There was no damage in this case. At 3.24 the third call came through. This was to a tenroomed wooden building situated at lit) Forth street, and owned by Mrs Paul. The structure, which had been unoccupied for about four months, was badly damaged. Tiie insurances were with the Standard Office for £6OO. Tho cause of the fire is unknown.

At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Brandi of the Empire Press Union, twenty-four members were present, Sir George Fenwick presiding. The report mentioned that wireless Press cables since the advent of the beam system had been reduced to twothirds of tho reduced cable rate; that the New Zealand members of the branch totalled sixty-two, which compared most favorably with other countries ; and that the balance at credit after remitting £llO to the council was £B9. One new member was elected. Sir George Fenwick was re-elected chairman, and tho present committee was also re-elected.—Wellington Press Association telegram.

The first sports body to be prosecuted for a breach of the water restrictions was tho Remucra Lawn Tennis Club, which was fined £1 and costs. Becoming suspicious on account of the good condition of tho lawns, two inspectors hid behind a hedge and saw the caretaker fill up his big roller with water and thou pull the plug out. Tho roller would link! about sixty gallons. Then he left the hoso turned ou with a sackover it. Counsel for tho club said tho caretaker had definite instructions not to use the hose.—Auckland Press Association telegram.

Samuel Evans, aged twenty-nine, a fireman on the Port Bowen, was fined £2. in default seven days’ imprisonment for giving the captain a black eye before the steamer sailed for Opua last evening. He joined at Adelaide, and wished to sign oft at Auckland. The skipper stated that the shipping office was the. only place where Evans could sign off, whereon the fireman struck him. Evans produced a razor and said, “Look hero, I’m going to get you when you’re asleep.”—Auckland Press Association telegram.

The New Zealand University Council opposed the raising of the matriculation standard. The Academic; Board reported that its committee had approved of the resolution of the University Entrance Board that the standard of‘matriculation he raised to a point approximately halfway between the present standard, of matriculation and that of the entrance scholarship. The Academic Board had carried the proposal. The council, following on the recommendation front its Statutes Committee, decided to take no action in the matter. It resolved to refer back to the Entrance Board the whole question of the system of marking for the matriculation' examination.—Christchurch Press Association telegram.-