Women’s branch formed

A well-attended meeting of women interested in the Labour movement was held in the Labour Party’s rooms last evening. Mr F. Jones (president of the Otago Labour Representation Committee) gave a short address, stressing the importance and the responsibility the granting of the franchise had placed on the shoulders of women. He was convinced that it became the duty of every woman to take a greater interest and a more active part in politics. Mrs Schlonback also addressed the meeting, relating some of her experiences and activities in the Labour movement in Brisbane, and urged the necessity of women, if they wished for more and fuller social progress and a betterment in the conditions of the people  generally, to form a branch of their own. The women then formed themselves into a branch of the New Zealand Labour Party.

Lupins on the march

Whether or not the "lupins" at the Ocean Beach are at ordinary times a desirable resort or whether the byword commonly associated with them is deserved is not the question under consideration at the moment. That is a matter for individual decision. But at the present time a visit to this locality will repay anyone with a love for the beautiful. Dunedin is very fortunate in possessing a number of picturesque resorts within easy distance of the city, but to their loss quite a number of citizens never avail themselves of the opportunity of visiting these places. Many of them are unacquainted with the beautiful walk or drive to be obtained in going round our Town Belt which encircles the city. The view to be obtained and the pretty native bush are assets of which any city should be proud, and great credit is due to the early pioneers for their foresight in leaving us this heritage. But to get back to the "lupins." It is remarkable how this plant has spread within recent years until it now covers a very large area, extending along the walk or drive towards Tomahawk. The plants are now in full flower, and present a very picturesque sight with their wealth of yellow blooms interspersed occasionally with a white one to add additional attractiveness. The strong, sweet aroma arising from this display is also very pleasant, and altogether the scene is one which should not be missed even by our most prosaic citizens. In the cool of the summer evening or at any time one can spare a visit to this locality at the present time is well worth while.

Trawlers land fewer fish

The fishing fleet which leaves Otago harbour early every morning — weather conditions permitting — has not had such a run of luck for the past 12 months. During the past month (October) there were 582 fewer cases of fish landed at Port Chalmers than during the preceding October. This great shortage for October was observable, though to a lesser extent, during other months, the total shortage for the year amounting to 1126 cases. With regard to soles, the returns are said to be yet considerably below normal, three to four cases per day being the usual quantity instead of over a dozen cases per trawler. For flat fish the oil trawlers are doing almost as well as the larger steam trawlers, but the latter are doing better in round fish. Fishermen do not seem to be unanimous as to the probable cause of the reduced returns, but the heavy seas last winter violently disturbed the sea floor. — ODT 22.11.1923