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Evening Star, Issue 23697, 3 October 1940, Page 8

“ My' father has told me that when he first went to the Duustan, in Contra! Otago, in the early ’sixties, one could lose a bullock among the tussocks,” said Dr F. W. Hilgendorf, in an address to the Canterbury branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand last evening. “ You could hardly lose a mouse there now, because the tussocks nro so email. The probable explanation of the change is that the tussocks of the early days were just able to survive in spite of the dryness of the climate, but when fires and sheep and rabbits came to aid the drought, tho equilibrium, unstable at’best, was overset and tho tussocks disappeared.” Dr Hilgendorf produced a full-grown specimen of the tussock that is now dominant on tile Raggedy Hills near Alexandra. “ Yon sec,” ho said. “it is about the size of a button mushroom, nnd would have some difficulty in hiding a bullock,” The Christchurch Metropolitan Licensing Authority curly this year granted some relaxation of tbo rule providing for a weekly holiday toy taxidrivers. The authority made a variation for Grand National and Carnival Weeks, but refused to grant the sain'c dispensation for Christmas, New Year, and Easter. Tho taxi interests Appealed against tills decision to the Minister of Transport (the Hon. R. Semple), whose decision was announced yesterday. The M inistor not only disallows the appeal, but directs that the dispensation granted by the Authority for tho Grand National and carnival periods bo revoked. “ The ‘ one day off in seven ’ rule is in the interests of public safety,” states the Minister’s decision. “It is for the purpose of protecting the public from the obvious dangers of over-tired taxi-drivers. It may bo modified whore necessary or desirable in tho public, interest; Tho fundamental criterion in this appeal is therefore tho public safety. If the rule is considered necessary in tlie interest of public safety during normal times, it seems to me that as a general proposition it must be even more necessary during exceptionally busy periods.’’—'Christchurch ‘ Press.’

A defective grate in a house at Frederick street required tho services of the City Fire Brigade at 7.5 last night. There was no damage to the dwelling. A chimney fire at Forbury road was extinguished at 12.17 this afternoon. Tho proposal for the laying out of a holiday resort at the Waipori dam is mentioned in tho annual report of the City Council. The site is higher above sea level than Queenstown, and only a little over 40 miles hv road from Dunedin. as comivired with 188 miles to Queenstown. The proposal was adopted, and a survey is being made of the area to enable it to be planned to best advantage. It is hoped in the years to come, once a township is established, that this may heroine one of the popular luviltli resorts of Otago.

A number of students of the University of Otago, including medical and dental students, have, as a result of the recent ballot, been called up for Territorial training. Tho degree examination for these students is to take place in November, and, if they are unable to sit this examination, they will lose the benefit of their year's work. Such students are recommended to forward particulars of their cases to tho registrar of the University, so that if good reason is shown an application may be made to the Man Power Committee for their Territorial training to be postponed until the degree examinations are completed.

Tho importance of furnishing an adequate set of facts when applications are made for interpretations of industrial awards was emphasised by Mr Justice Tyndall in delivering a decision in the Arbitration Court on an application by the inspector of awards in Auckland concerning a clause in the carpenters and joiners’ award. The inspector sought an interpretation of tho conditions and remuneration of men employed in “ wet places.” In declining to answer the question, the court was of opinion the facts submitted wore inadequately stated. The court desired to impress upon all interested parties the importance of submitting an adequate set of facts agreed upon by both sides.

A fairly popular practice during the Great War, tne dressing of children in uniforms of naval or military design, appears to be becoming fashionable with parents again, states tlie * New Zealand lie raid.’ Several young children have been seen in tho city clad in this manner recently, and one small boy who attended the ceremonial parade of the First Battalion, Auckland iiegiin ut, at Epsom, attracted much attention in a smart outfit resembling that worn by members of tho battalion’s motor cycle platoon.

The possibility of Bluff harbour being used as a base for seaplanes and flying boats has been suggested to the civil aviation authorities, and Public Works Department. A letter was received by the harbour board from the enginoer-in-chicf of the Public Works Department, Mr John Wood, in reply to a suggestion from the board that the harbour facilities as an alighting area should be considered. “ I have to advise that the department has had in mind for some time the possibilities of Bluff harbour for the establishment of a seaplane or flying-boat base,” stated the letter. “Up to date, the need for further investigation has not developed because of the satisfactory service which is obtained from land planes and for various other reasons. However, your report has been road with interest, and the information contained in it has been recorded, as it will he of value if the necessity for it arises.”

The printing of the nominal'roll of the first echelon of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force has now been put in hand, according to advice received by the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council. It was also stated that the preparation of the roll for the second echelon was receiving attention, and that the -defence authorities hoped to have it ready for printing in the near future. It was stated that these rolls would he of great use to patriotic councils throughout New Zealand, as they would provide much information useful in carrying out various classes of patriotic work. In these rolls the names of the members of the forces are set out regiment by regiment in alphabetical order, and in each case the rank, registration number, next of kin, and the place of enlistment of the soldier is given.

“ All remittances to members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force overseas are limited to an aggregate of £2O (New Zealand currency) p er annum.” said Mr Holland in the House when giving notice of intention to ask the Minister of Finance whether he would make provision to enable relatives and friends of New Zealand soldiers serving overseas to send to men substantially larger remittances from the Dominion than allowed, thus placing them on a more favourable comparative basis with Australian soldiers. Mr Holland said that with the limit imposed on remittances, the aggregate amount allowed to be forwarded in a year worked out at less than Is a day sterling, whereas the Australian soldiets could receive from Australia up to £IOO sterling every three months, and more if necesasry.—Parliamentary Importer.

The Otago Medical School is unlikely to have a New Zealand competitor. This assurance was given by Mr Armstrong, Minister of Health’. He answered Mr Osborne (Onehunga), who called attention to the limitation of students at Otago Medical School, adding, “ will the' Minister, in view of the pressing need for more doctors, consider establishing a medical school in Auckland, where ample clinical material is available for the efficient training of the Dominion’s medical practitioners? ” The Minister _ replied : The Department of Health is of opinion that, at the present time, the Medical School. Dunedin, is training sufficient graduates to meet the immediate medical requirements of the Dominion. As the necessity arises, the establishment of a second school will he fully considered.—Parliamentary Reporter. If members were interested in what tho war was going to cost, Mr Nash told the House yesterday, they could hnd tlie cost overseas if they multiplied tho number of men overseas by £7 5s a week. However, that only provided tho necessary material to pay for the men, and in addition there might be £7OO or £I,OOO per man for capital equipment, like guns, tanks, etcetera. Referring to New Zealand’s share in the Canadian Empire air training scheme, Mr Nash said this would be met by loan from Britain, but the goods required for homo defence in Now Zealand would all be charged against the Dominion. It was probable, be said, that the total expenditure for this year would bo nearer £40,000,000 than £37,soo,ooo.—Press Association. *

The market for fat cattle at the Burnside sale yesterday aliened at last week’s rates, but over the latter part of the .sale there was a slight tinning especially for cows ami heifers. Extra prime heavy bullocks made to £25 17s (id; prime, £2l 2s (id to £2.'! 12s (id; medium. £l7 17s 6d to £l9 7s (id; light, £Ui 2s Gd to £IG 7s Gd; extra prime cows and heifers to £lB 7s Gd; prime, £l2 17s Gd to £ls 17s Gd; medium, £ll 7s Gd to £l2 17s Gd; light, £9 12s Gd to £lO 7s Gd; unfinished to £7 17s Gd. The fat sheep sale opened at last week’s rates, but there was soon an advance in prices of Is Gd to 2s for all grades. The market was a keen one throughout. Extra prime heavy wethers brought 60s to 545; prime. 45s to 48s Cd; medium, 40s to 42s Gd; light, 35s to 375; extra prime heavy owes to 48s Cd; prime. 42s to 445; medium. 37s to 40s Gd; light, 32s to 35s Gd; unfinished to 28s.

Philatelists are precluded entirely from sending postage stamps overseas", according to advice received from a Government authority by a Dunedin dealer, Permission previously given to scud stamps to* tbe TTiited Kingdom has now been withdrawn, lie slates.

What’s in a name—or in a number? The article which appeared itr last Saturday’s issue of the ‘ Star,’ in which it was explained how, under a certain system of numerology, the numbers attached to the name Hitler totalled 666—the Number of the Beast—has moved a correspondent to point out that under still another system the name Hitler comes out at 36, which, reduced to a single digit, is 9. And here is the character of those who choose to express destructively the vibrations of that numeral: “They rise destructively to gain their own ends and for their own self-satisfaction tho power which they have over those around them, by taking advantage of people’s confidence in business, love or friendship. They play upon the emotions of their own and other’s compositions like a harpist upon his instrument, expressing in anger, violent blasting passion, and personal love, and arousing at will these emotions in others. In this expression they use the power of dramatic speech and emotional expression destructively, and know how to wound by their words us no other vibration does, biting in their sarcasm, aggravating*aud passionate. This is the most destructive expression, even according to universal standards, for, in this vibration, homes aro laid desolate, hearts broken, trust betrayed and the individual’s life surrounded with dead ashes of memory and physical waste of disease.” Not a bad portrait of Adolf the Abominable as we know him.

Thieves last night broke into the premises of the Dunedin lee Cream Company, ,iu Ward street, and carried tho safe from tho office to the ice chamber. There they broke it open. When the discovery was made this morning, it was found that a small sum of money was missing. Investigations are proceeding. His Honour Mr Justice Kennedy’ has granted probate in the following estates:—John Gibson Grant, Oamaru, grocer; Elizabeth Forrester, Oamaru, married woman; Catherine Lane, Oamaru, widow; Kobina Symington, Oamaru, spinster; Mary Blair, Dunedin, widow; F.lizabcth Fraser, Dunedin, widow; Catherine M’Calmnn, Tahatika, spinster; Robert M'Gowan Laverty, Dunedin, taxi proprietor; Mary Darling Miller Galloway, Dunedin, spinster; Laura Adelaide Henrietta Saxton, Dunedin, married woman; Mary Ann Collins, Alexandra, married woman;- George Mumford Griffiths, Dunedin, labourer; Janet Marr, St, Leonards, married woman. Letters of administration have been granted in the estates of George Alfred Lord, Dunedin, retired engineer, Jemima M'Millan. Dunedin, widow. According to the annual report of the City Council, the method of disposal of fish refuse at Lawyer’s Head proved to bo unsatisfactory. Quantities of refuse were buried with insufficient covering, creating smell which was easily noticeable from the public road. Warnings issued to the two carriers concerned failed to effect any improvement, and it was found necessary to erect a fence across the entrance to prevent access to the site. Some of the fishmongers, finding themselves without a place of disposal for refuse, asked for such a place to bo provided. Arrangements wore subsequently made with the Ocean Beach Domain Board for fish refuse to be buried, on certain conditions, at the sandhills tip site.

Receipts from the letting of the Town Hall and the Concert Chamber during the year ended March 31, amounted to £3.371 Is 4d (an advance of £G2 Is 4d on the previous year), and the expenditure was £2,259 17s (a decrease of £247 3s). Tbe surplus for the year was £l,lll 4s 4d, as compared with £BO2 for 1938-39. and £956 for 1937-38.

Maerocarpa which had grown up from a hedge during the past 27 years was cut to provide timber for rebuilding tho fernery in the Botanic Gardens (states the" annual report of the superintendent of reserves). Many of the trees cut into Gin x- Gin, 20ft long, and other long lengths of clean timber were easily obtained.

The annual spring show of the Taiori Horticultural .Society will be held on Saturday at Mosgicl. Entries will be received at the Britannia Cafe Ibis evening. On .Saturday evening a demonstration will be given. * How to Prepare a Seed Box.’ Proceeds will go to tbe local Red Cross fund.