Trouble brewing in Turkey

Troops march up the main street of British-controlled Pera, part of the the European quarter of...
Troops march up the main street of British-controlled Pera, part of the the European quarter of Constantinople (now known as Istanbul). — Otago Witness, 21.11.1922
Unforeseen circumstances prevented the signing of a protocol defining the neutral zone between Greece and Turkey at Chataldja, but the Greek and Allied commanders have reached an agreement under which the Greeks will withdraw six miles from the present demarcation line, and the bulk of the Greek troops will be withdrawn beyond the Rodosto-Midia line.

The failure of the London Conference has created anxiety in Turkish circles, as they fear unfavourable consequences of the further postponement of the Near East settlement.

Propaganda saves timber

The State Forest Service report states that the forest revenue for the year which ended last March was £51,000, the largest amount since the year 1912, and that in the face of a steadily shrinking domestic and export timber market. This sale revenue, which is 263 percent greater than that of the year 1920, was largely due to the introduction of a progressive timber sales policy, increased exploitation and the supervision and closer control over royalties, return timber, trespass, and theft. In the prevention of forest fires on and contiguous to the public forests, definite results were obtained through the operation of fire patrolmen, by educational propaganda and by the development of the settlers’ and farmers’ co-operation. Tho forest fire season, from October to April, was, fortunately, a wet one. The records showed the actual destruction of 5200 acres of woodland, valued at £4010.

Animal welfare Bill progresses

The cruelty of destroying for sport tame animals and birds was stressed by the Hon G.M. Thomson in moving the second reading of the Animals Protection and Game Amendment Bill. The Bill, Mr Thomson explained, sought to prohibit the shooting of live pigeons from traps. This was a survival of a barbarous sport, like bull-baiting, badger-baiting, cock fights, and putting rats and terriers into pits. Such sports merely reflected the leanings of primitive man, who delighted in torturing animals. The Hon H.E. Collins, while not opposing the Bill, said there appeared to be no more cruelty in shooting pigeons or sparrows from traps than in wringing a fowl’s neck. The Hon G.J. Garland supported the Bill. Wild game, he said, had a much better chance for their lives than tame birds penned in boxes and suddenly released. Sir William Fraser opposed the Bill. The cruelty of shooting at birds from traps was less than in open shooting. This looked like the first step towards preventing all sport. The Bill was read a second time, and the third leading was set down for the next sitting.

Waiata for visiting soprano

"Some of the dances were most interesting, while the singing included some old Maori chants that very few people have heard," said Miss Rosina Buckman in referring to the welcome given her by the Maoris at Whakarewarewa. "Among the singers was a young girl of 14, who possessed one of the sweetest natural voices I have ever heard. She was quite untrained, but sang with wonderfully good technique, while the quality of her voice was beautiful." At the conclusion of the concert Miss Buckman sang a number of songs for the Maoris, who showed signs of great delight. — ODT, 19.8.1922