The opening ceremony in connection with the South Otago Freezing Company's works was performed yesterday, Mr A. S. Malcolm, M.P., officiating. Among those present were also Mr Jas. Allen, M.P., and Mr D. Stewart (Mayor of Balclutha). The history of the inception of the company may be briefly outlined as follows: The first public meeting in connection with the proposal to form such a company was held in Balclutha on May 27, 1910, when Mr Weymouth, of the Canterbury Meat Freezing Company, was present, and delivered an address, the outcome of which was that it was decided to go on with the formation of the company, which was duly registered on August 19, 1910, the subscribed capital being 5,000, in 5 shares.
The first statutory meeting was held on September 27 of the same year, when 5,332 5 shares were held. Messrs Jas. Smith (chairman), Jas. Begg, John Begg, Wm. Marshall, John Duthie, J. E. Thompson, and J. R. Mitchell were appointed directors. On consideration being given to the question of a site, it was resolved to erect the works at the Hermitage, but difficulties arose with the Railway Department in regard to a siding as an outcome of which the works were erected at Finegand, about a mile and a quarter from Balclutha, on the Catlins branch railway. The contract for the buildings was in July, 1911, Mr F. W. Lyders being the successful tenderer. The works were opened for trial purposes last month, and work has proceeded every day since. The total cost of the works is estimated to be about 43,000.
• A clever and pointed definition of a Royal Commission was given by Mr W. D. Stewart at a gathering of High School old boys. He remarked that he would have to avoid displaying his ignorance of the subject of education lest he should be summoned before the Royal Commission on Education; and he added by way of information, that a Royal Commission was a body that collected the consolidated ignorance of the community at the expense of the consolidated revenue, and then published it in a bulky volume, which nobody read but everybody had to pay for. The sally was received with roars of laughter.
• Mr Marconi predicts that the day of "wireless" is only just dawning. He believes that soon a message will be sent all the way round the world without relaying. Most messages from Great Britain to America, he says, will go by wireless at a comparatively early date. The Marconi Company has won its action in America against the United Wireless Telegraph Company and Clyde Steamship Company, and in consequence takes over 500 ship installations and 70 land stations. - ODT, 14.6.1912
