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Southland Times, Issue 18835, 31 May 1920, Page 4

The International Postal Conference is to be held in Madrid in November next, and it is likely that New Zealand will be represented.

When the Willesden (London) magistrate refused to grant an eviction order against hj tenant, the landlady retorted; “Very well, I shall turn the gnunaphone on all day.”

The Hawera Borough Council has written to various public bodies throughout New Zealand asking for the endorsement of an appeal to the Government to take the duty of 6d per pair and 15 per cent, ad valorem off children’s boots and shoes.

A peculiar accident happened near Morven recently. While a lad named Vernon Buckingham was riding along the road hi» pony shied and threw him off, hurting his back. When the lad caught the pony he found that its front leg had been broken, which necessitated the animal being shot.

Under a regulation recently gazetted it is not lawful for any • person to leave the dominion with gold or silver in his or her possession, without the permission of the Minister of Finance. The only people exempt from this' embargo' are Chinese, who are allowed to take out not more than £5 with them in gold.

The hunger for land of all classes, stated the president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce recently, seemed still to remain unsatisfied, and there was no Sign up to the present of any fall in values. Statistics recently issued by the Government showed that the total value of land in the dominion had increased, between 1910 and 1919, by one hundred and sixty-seven million pounds sloriing. By far the largest portion of the increase was accounted for in (he North Island," only forty-six millions being assigned to the South- Island.

Speaking of prices in lines handled by Ashburton grocers, a local business man stilted that high prices were, in his opinion, attributable, not to the retailer, who was blamed by the public, but to the action of the wholesale merchant. Recently he was offered a line of dinner plates by the representative of a New Zealand warehouse at 22s 6d per dozen. He refused to do business on a basis which which he considered preposterous, and-his judgment was confirmed by the arrival a short time ago of a consignment of the same kind of article, which cost him 8s 6d per dozen to land in Ashburton. The goods were imported direct and not through the medium of New Zealand wholesalers.

It has always been the custom of one of (he picture' houses in Napier to refuse Natives entrance to the dress circle. One night recen’ly a little incident occurred which caused some unpleasantness. A young man, of rather dark complexion, who had with him a young lady, purchased tickets for the stalls, but, finding that those seats were all taken up, apiplied for tickets for the dress circle. He received a rude shock when told that it was the custom not to allow Natives to enter the dress circle. The young man protested strongly against such action, and it was some time before the person in charge could be convinced that the young man w r as not of Maori extraction, and he was eventually allowed into the sacred circle.

The force of Wednesday night’s gale was well exemplified in the condition of a new open trapshed recently erected in Humber street (lays the Oamaru Mail), Its open side was towards the wind, and it was lifted bodily and placed in a flatrened-out comiition in another yard. The wind came in great gusts and was followed by heavy rain which found all defects in roof plumbing. Although it was a very wild night in the back country, Kurow reports no damage to buildings, and apart from a generous coating of snow on the hills, little harm appears to have been done, save to badly-built stacks, the greatest force of the gale having been evidently , ent upon the coast..

In connection with the alleged extravagance caused through the burning of tarpaulins, the Railway Department states that it was impossible to sell such tarpaulins on account of the difficulty of distinguishing them from stolen ones. The matter was mentioned to the Prime Minister at Christchurch recently. Mr Massey said the complaint was not new. The same thing had been going on for 20 years to his knowledge. He had to admit that, as Minister of Railways, iie had not had time to look into the question, but he would do so. “I know,” he continued, “that on many occasions in the harvest and hay seasons I should have been very glad to have had the use of these turnaulms myself in the days that have gone by.”

| The treatment of prisoners and New Zea- ; hum's prison system generally were the sub- ' ject of remarks by Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, when addressing the grand jury in ; the Supreme Court at Wanganui. Referring to the recommendation by the Auckland Grand Jury that flogging should be administered to those guilty of sexual offences, Sir Robert Stout said he considered flogging | a brutalising method and only suitable for ■ brutal types. The responsibility did not ! rest with judges, but on the juries, who j should be careful in the administration of I justice and see that feelings of mercy did ! not’ influence them to acquit where the evij deuce was clear. If they sternly but hum- | auely carried out their duties crime would 1 cuamie in their oistrict. Jurymen had to see j that the law was carefully and humanely : administered, as thereby crime would de- ’ dine. If it were possible to get the people to realise that the prison was an ethical I hospital, then wouid they realise the task be- ' fore them in trying to reduce crime.

The Canterbury Land Board had before it at its monthly meeting a petition from discharged soldiers suffering from tuberculosis, asking that they should receive preferential treatment in Connection with the ballot for the Waitohi Peaks Settlement. This is pastoral land, portion of which is 13 miles from the Hawarden railway station. The petition set forth the disabilities under which the petitioners suffer, and asked the Board that in dealing with the Waitohi Peaks Settlement, which from its altitude the petitioners were advised by medical practitioners was eminently suitable for settlement by T.B. men, the Board should allocate some of the sections for ballot amongst T.B. men only. After a good deal of consideration, the Board decided that the ballot for sections 8, 9 and 10 should be restricted to T.B. men experienced in sheep fanning.

The Sheffield Independent refers to Sir James Allen tis a man who "knows his work; and adds: “We want more of the build of Sir James to take responsibilities at Home, ’and in colonial and foreign Helds, in order that Britain’s flag may float us proudly as ever.”

On Friday night the express train from Christchurch arrived in Invercargill about half an hour behind the schedule time and the express from Dunedin on Saturday was about twenty minutes lute in "arriving. The delay on Friday is attributed to the exceptionally bad weather all along the line and on Saturday the delay was caused by' a slight mishap to the engine "at Balclutha.

The entries received for the competitions to be held under the auspices of the Otago Centre of the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand, which will take place in Dunedin during Show Week, total 815. This number is understood (says the Otago Daily Times') to be a world’s record, the best known previous total being 600, which was received by the Cowall Society, in Scotland, some years ago.

The decision of the Government to put a stop to non-essential building until the houses available more nearly meet requirements has caused the Minister for Finance to receive inquiries as to whether instructions apply to various buildings of which particulars afle given. The Minister, in reply, has explained the restrictions and has exercised hia power of prohibition where required to do so in the interests of the public.

A collision between a motor car driven by Mr Thomas Hamilton, Winton, and an unknown motor cyclist occurred in Dee street on Saturday morning. The motor car end the cycle were travelling along Dee street in opposite directions and the collision happened when the ear was about to turn into Leet street. The cycle was badly dam aged but the injuries to the cyclist are not known. He was not admitted to the Southland Hospital, but the police have the number of his motor cycle and in this way will be able to obtain this information.

“I make the suggestion to sports clubs that they should refuse to play members who do not discharge their obligations under the *• cfence Act,” said Mr V. G. Day, S.M.,'during the hearing of a case against a defaulting Territorial at the Magistrate’s Court. “Certain cricket clubs did this during' the war," and I know of several social clubs which refused to admit men who failed to join up with the colours. One man was actually blackballed from the principal club in Timaru for not joining ■ up. It would help the au'horities considerably if all sports clubs declined to permit men to play who fail to do their drill.”

The limber used in the erection of stands and decorations for the Fringe’s visit was sold rt auction at the show grounds by Messrs Bray Bros, on Saturday morning. The shortage of timber and perhaps not a a little sentiment helped to make the bidding brisk and the timber realised much more than the reserve figures placed on it by the Corporation. For one large stand £9 was paid while the Prince's stand in the Drill Hall found a purchaser at £5 10s, Other stands were sold at £4 10s, £4 10s and £ 2 ss, while a Jot of odd timber brought £3 ss. A quantity of rope and other fittings were also sold arid brought good prices the total amount realised being in the vicinity of £6O.

That returned soldiers are grateful to those who sent parcels to them at the front was shown by the fact that several large pieces of bacon were sent to a lady in Dev■onport by a returned man who had taken up a piece of land in the backblocks of the King Country. The donor asked that they might be distributed among a few of those ladies who he mentioned had taken an active part in patriotic work. In a footnote he added that is was the first bacon he bad ever cured, and its quality had exceeded his expectations, so he hoped it might prove a useful gift, in these days of high prices, to a few of those who helped the “diggers” in their dark day's when they needed help. —Auckland Star. ...

Recently the Minister for Education was asked to establish a class for backward children at Napier. Writing to Mr J. V. Brown, M.P., the Hon. C. J. Parr says;—-“I have to state that such a class would be considered only in connection with a general development of policy in this matter which the department is hot yet prepared to institute, one of the chief obstacles being the lack of suitable teachers. Later, when cir cumstnnccs are mope favourable, due consideration will be given to the provision of the necessary appropriation for the purpose. In 'the meantime, sanction in any particular case except in connection with a training college must be declined.”

‘‘While I do not think the reported slump in prices in England is going to affect the price of foodstuffs here, I do think that another very' important factor in this direction is likely to enter in the question before very long,” said a leading wholesale merchant yesterday. “I refer to the possible opening-up of trade with Russia and the exchange of goods with Great Britain. Vast areas will be brought into production again, I believe that Russian wheat, butter, and cheese are going to stabilise the world mar-* kets as nothing else could, and that in five years’ time Russia will be the determining factor in the prices paid in England for New Zealand butter and cheese.”

Although the scarcity of houses is still pronounced, inquiries made go to show that there is much less property changing hands (telegraphs our Christchurch correspondent). Naturally the fact that further applications for grants under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act are being entertained by the Government has had its effect on the property market, but even apart from this land agents say that the demand for the purchase of both house and farm property has eased considerably. “There is not now the frenzied buying that there’ has been, and values are becoming more stable,” said one man. He added that he had found that a certain percentage of those who had acquired homes recently at high prices were evidently finding it a struggle to keep up their payments of principal and interest. In a number of such instances the properties are back on the market for re-sale.

Aviation as a business in civil life in peace time does not offer very bright prospects according to Flight-Lieutenant Clarence Umbers who has just returned from England after long experience in the Air Force. He considers that aviation is not possible as a recreation except to the very wealthy. Anyone could buy in England numbers of machines at £IOO but when it came to running them he would find it cost a small fortune. The result was that thousands of good war machines were going to waste. Air services were mostly a “washout,” the London-Paris one being the only successful example. Airships were out of the question on account of their cost. Hangars were a third as expensive as the airship and five hundred men were needed to land the R34 which had since been sold to America. Lieutenant Umbers lelt for Duncuin on the Monowai last night to take up ids work on the city tramways there once more.

The high price of land in certain parts of (he North Island was the subject of comment by Mr J. Brodie, provincial president of the Farmers’ Union. In certain districts in Auckland and in Taranaki, he said, prkes ranging from £10t) to £250 an acre had been paid for areas of from 30 to 60 acres. These prices were held by many would-be advisers of the fanners to be dangerous and likely to lead to disaster. The whole question, however, resolved itself into what the land would produce. He recently bad submitted to him two well-authenticated returns from land within 30 miles of Auckland. In one case a gross return of £IOOO was made from 10 acres, and in the other a gross return of £l4O an acre was obtained. These figures appear to justify amply the highest price quoted for land. It was also beyond dispute that Taranaki farmers with highlymiproved dairy herds and good land had obtained gross returns of from £l7 to £27 an acre. Such results tended to show what could be done on small holdings by intense cultivation.

' In pursuance of the campaign launched at the ladies’ meeting at Dunedin on Thursday night, volunteers stationed themselves at the Strand, H. 8., Stock Exchange, Mollison’s, and the corner of High street on Friday to receive signatures to the pledge promising- to practise rigid economy and to refrain from buying luxuries until the cost of everyday necessities is reduced. Their courage in facing a somewhat thankless task in bitter weather was, the Otago Daily Times was informed, well rewarded, the pledge being widely signed by ladles of all classes and ages.

The police in London are mystified (says a London correspondent, writing on March 30) in connection with the finding of a man wilh a serious injury to his throat lying on a rubbish heap outside No instrument likely to have caused the injuries was found. The man, who was well dressed and appeared about 70 years of age, recovered sufficiently after removal to hospital to give his name as Daniel Downes. He said he was from New Zealand and had been staying at an hotel at Upper Norwood. He said he had no relations in Great Britain and he threw no light on the manner in which he received his injury.

At a meting of the Gore branch of the Gore-Hedgehope Railway League on Friday, says the Ensign, petition forms were distributed to members praying the Government to take the necessary steps to have the railway constructed. It was decided tj> ask the members of the Borough Council to take charge of the petitions and obtain signatures thereto. A letter was received from the Gore Chamber of Commerce appointing Messrs E. A. Pigeon and A. H. Aitken as its representatives on the committee. Mr Thomas Taylor was appointed canvasser amongst the business firms to obtain donations towards the expenses in connection with the movement.

Can you call to mind the various crises, which arose during the great war? One of the most critical periods was just prior to Mr Lloyd George taking over the reins of Government from Mr Asquith. In truth he took office just in time to avert disaster to Great Britain. Some doubtless thought he bad arrived too late. And how often during the course of the war had he to warn the nation not to be too late in its war effort. >Ve were too late to relieve Antwerp, too late at Gallipoli, and it appeared to many we would be too late to stem the German advance during the dark .days of April, 1918. Thankful, are we not, that the war did finally end in our favour though many were the periods of anxiety. And what of present-day events? Do not let “too late” be said concerning us, and it will be, if we do not shop at the Bible Depot to-day—for this is the last day of the Sale. Address: Athenaeum Buildings, Invercargill.— (Advt.)

Every week new Models, Ready-for-weara and Untrimmed Hats are appearing in the stocks at PRICE & BULLEID’S, LTD. There the styles are smart and attractive and the colours the most recently introduced. The Millinery Section is one that receives the best possible attention in the buying. Every style is right up-to-date. Prices for all Hats are quoted right down at the lowest possible margin of profit. A feature with Messrs PRICE & BULLEID’S, Ltd., Millinery trade is their Made-to-Order Section, where all orders are promptly and efficiently executed at a reasonable charge. (Advt.)

Some clever person has said that the sparkling diamond was once a lujnp of mud. May be! But that’s no reason why we should cherish the mud. Leave it where it belongs—outside. Hyndman’s, Dee street, offer three special lines in Brush Door Mats at 3/11, 5/6, and 6/6 each; posted, 1/- extra.

Make yourself the possessor of a beautiful figure by wearing a Berlei Brassiere, procurable at THOMSON & BEATTIE’S. The uses of a Brassiere are so patent to-day that it is no longer a question of "Do you wear a Brassiere?” but “What Brassiere do you wear?” Ee sure yours is a Berlei —bust sizes 34 to 42. Prices—s/6, 6/11, 7/6 to 21/-. Ask to see them. THE EXHIBITlON—guarantee goes with them.— (Advt.)

Flour cheaper; cost of living reduced— Finest Flour, 251bs 5/6, 501bs 10/6, lOOlbs 20/6, 2001bs 37/-. The lower the price the quicker the sale. Superior Fowl Wheat, 34/- (sacks extra) at BAXTER’S.— (Advt.) Striking value in Blankets, Quilts, Tweeds, Flannel, etc. See splendid display. Blankets in grey for double beds, 49/6. 12 pairs Blankets, white, double bed size, slightly damaged, usual price 57/6, Sale price 49/6. A splendid showing of White Blankets for double beds in best makes, 55/-, 59/0. See big bargain display of Wadded Quilts, sizes 6x4, for single beds, 17/11, 19/6, 25/-; for double beds, size 6x5, bargain prices 29/6, 35/-, to 45/-. Real Down Quilts, in all the newest colourings, smart panels to match, double stitched and ventilated, 45/-, 52/6, 67/6 to 105/-. Also a good showing of White Marcella Quilts, all sizes, 32/6 to 85/-. A big assortment of Colonial and English Tweeds; also Colonial and Doctor Flannel. Inspection invited at H. & J. SMITH, Ltd., Progressive Stores, Invercargill and Gore.— (Advt.)

MASTERS, LTD- were the originators of toe xU per cent, discount to returned soldiers. Other storekeepers have copied ua and we now go ope better. We now invite all discharged soldiers and those waiting discharge to have their military hats reblocked, free of all cost, by the only hatter in Southland. We still give a 10 per cent, reduction to all returned soldiers.—* MASTERS, LTD., Dee street. — (Advt.)

A Special Display of Exclusive Evening Frocks, Silk Dress Skirts and Blouses, now being made at THE “ECONOMIC," Ladies' Outfitters. Prices exceedingly reasonable, (Advt.)

“Chance will not do the work.” (Scott/. —No one can afford to take chances with health. Yet how many during the Winter when coughs and colds are so experiment with preparation after preparation. Take BAXTER'S Lung Preserver immediately and be sure. Mr Baxter did on the experimenting 54 years ago and now you can promptly remedy cough, cold, sore throat, chest and bronchial troubles. Thie sterling specific is quick in its action, permanent in its relief. Get large 2/0 bottle ui-cay from chemist or store.— (Advt.)

HATS for men, youths, ami boys—a fin® shewing of all the popular styles and valu* prices. UNDRILL’S, opp. P.o. (Advt.f