Applications were received from three deputations representing respectively the Council of Churches, the Dunedin Presbytery, and the Anglican communion, who wished to place before the council their views on the subject.
The Mayor intimated that he had arranged for one speaker from each of the three bodies mentioned.
A deputation from the Kaikorai Band wished to be heard after the other deputations had withdrawn.
The members of the three former deputations, to the number of about 25, took their stand round the council table. The majority of them were clergymen of the various Protestant denominations.
The Rev. I. K. M'Intyre, representing the Presbytery, asked if the council could see its way to hear Father Coffey, who, owing to a misapprehension as to the date of the council meeting, had not made the necessary arrangements to be heard. The request was unanimously agreed to.
After the church representatives had made their submissions, the Mayor, in accordance with notice, moved:-''That the resolution passed by the council on April 18, 1915, granting the application from the Kaikorai Band for permission to give a sacred and patriotic concert in His Majesty's Theatre on the evening of Sunday, April 25, in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund, and a few additional Sunday evening performances during the winter months in His Majesty's Theatre and the Wakari Hall respectively, be rescinded.''
He said he moved this in consequence of a deputation that had waited upon him. They had heard the deputations, which had stated the case as it appeared to them, and it was not necessary for him to add anything. The motion was passed.
The phenomenal rise in the price of butter has led to a great reduction in the sale of that important article of food (says the New Zealand Herald).
''It is an acknowledged fact in commercial life,'' declared a leading retailer last week, ''that when the price of a commodity exceeds a certain figure, its sale diminishes. That is precisely what has happened to butter. As you know, the sales of large quantities to Australia put up the price to 1s 5d, and now it is 1s 6d per lb.
The people begrudged paying 1s 5d, and sales fell off, but since the extra 1d was put on large sections have ceased to purchase it, while many people have reduced their orders.
The working classes simply cannot buy it, and many of the poorer people are buying roast beef dripping from the restaurants at 6d per lb.
It is only at a time like this, when prices are so high, that people in such a prosperous country as New Zealand turn to dripping, but I can tell you that the position is very different in the Old Country.
The demand for the first-class roast beef dripping is so keen that people have to await their turn to be supplied.
One effect of the present position is that our sales of cheap jams and golden syrup have greatly increased.''
When questioned in regard to the possibility of using margarine, the grocer stated that, unfortunately, there was none in New Zealand.
A margarine company did start operations here, but it was not accorded sufficient patronage.
Margarine is preferred in England, where it often fetches the same price as butter, but the people here would not look at it.
Had the company been in operation at the present time, it would have ''reaped a harvest''. - ODT, 27.4.1915.
