September 1912

Whaling Up-to-date

Is Dundee being left behind in the whaling industry? The question is raised by the modern methods of whaling adopted by Norwegians. By running the business on the most scientific methods they are making great profits, while in Dundee whaling has not been paying for a long time.One Norwegian company has a fleet of six vessels. Four of these are steam trawlers built of steel, and the other two as mother ships, and are, in fact, floating factories. The larger of the two factory ships is the steamer Rakiura, a vessel of 6000 tons dead weight, and the other is the barque Prince George, of 3000 tons dead weight.

The trawlers are all specially fitted for whaling. On the bow they carry a bomb gun, firing a ponderous harpoon. Once the whale has been caught, powerful steam winches perform all the heavy work which in old-fashioned whalers falls to the men on board, subsequently the whale is handed over to one of other of the factory ships, where it is cut up and the oil extracted.

The Norwegians do not fish for the sperm whale. Their quest is the hump backed whale, the sperm whale now-a-days is so scare that it is unprofitable to hunt. The humpback whale produces comparatively little bone, but scientific methods have made its pursuit a profitable speculation for the Norwegians.

The fleet is operating in New Zealand waters, and in the first fortnight 15 whales were captured. The humpback whale runs about 45 feet in length and weighs a matter of some 70 tons. He usually yields about five tons of oil of varying grades, and his value may be put down at £70 or £80.

On the six ships of the firm 160 men are employed. Each trawler (or whaler) carries 13 men, and on one factory ship there are 84 men and on the other 30. Two of the trawlers have a speed of 12 knots, and the other can do 10 knots.

These facts are sufficient to show that the Norwegians have adopted methods far in advance of Dundee’s, and it behoves those responsible for the local industry to look to it that the leeway which has already been lost is soon recovered.

Entertainments

Her Majesty’s Theatre
Monday, Sept, 30th, for 6 nights
Mr William Greets Company
In the great play
“The Sign of the Cross”
Full company of 60. Full choir.
Special scenery and effects
Box office (messrs Paterson) 10 to 5. Tel.795.

H.P.

Simply say H.P.
And give your grocer
6d. and you will have
A large bottle of the
Delicious
H.P. Sauce.

Given Free

A charming crochet supplement is being given away with the current issue of “My Weekly”. If you want to make a tricky and cosy sporting cap for yourself of a warm scarf be sure to get a copy. Then every girl who owns a bottom drawer will be delighted with the nightdress case and bush and comb bag to match, and all other dainty trifles illustrated. Order now. The crochet supplement always goes like wild-fire.

Drunks on Dundee Tram Cars

Policemen, railway officials and tramway car conductors may find that it is difficult to decide whether a man is drunk or merely joyful, but passengers in railway carriages or on tramway cars promptly decide that many of the men who are passed as merely joyful are drunk, and that they are a danger to decent folks.

The old-time rule on our railways seemed to be that if a passenger managed to stumble along a platform and succeeded in getting into the carriage he was sober, and that, therefore, all passengers had to bear with the annoyance that the “sober” passenger might cause. Now, however, the railway officials are becoming more careful, and intoxicated persons are not crushed into carriages beside women and children.

On the tramway cars, however, the old railway rule still seems to hold good. If a would be passenger is capable of clutching hold on the railings of the stairway and of getting footing on the car he is presumed to be fit to travel, and the others must endure the maudlin or ugly utterances of the passenger who is supposed to be sober.

On late hour cars the intoxicated person seems to be regarded as a nuisance to be put up with. He may despoil the car floor, be irritating to other passengers by becoming very sick, but he is the man in possession. The rest clear away from the neighbourhood, but the “sober” man sits tight in more ways than one. The car conductors are not altogether blameworthy in permitting intoxicated persons on board. If trained policemen cannot tell whether a man is drunk or getting on towards being drunk, it is hardly expected that a car conductor in the midst of a rush can check every passenger. It may be that youthful conductors are not inclined to invite trouble by attempting to prevent burly and quarrelsome men from boarding the cars. Some effort however should be made to put an end to the nuisance.

When the tramway system was worked by a Company the police devoted special attention to the cars at various starting-places. Overcrowding was prevented and the presence of policemen helped the conductors in checking crushing and also barring intoxicated persons. Recent complaints prove that drunken people are menacing the regular patrons. The Convener and Manager must make arrangements with the police authorities to aid the conductors in preventing undesirables from forcing their way into the cars. Their reminders concerning rules which in practice are unworkable are of no use. Conductors, have not been selected for “chucking out” service, and no conductor should be call upon to fight with drunken men.

The men, women and children who make regular use of the cars are entitled to full protection, and if the police authorities are not prepared to give prompt and effective support to conductors the Tramway Committee may have to provide tramway policemen to take duty at all the starting-places.

Canada

For the latest information and for fares to all stations apply to:-
James A. Anderson & Co.,
29, Panmure Street, Dundee.
All particulars free on application.
Parties now being formed.
Call early to avoid disappointment.

Houses, Lodgings &c, To Let, Dundee

Dairy premises, with ground at American Muir, Downfield. Apply 18 American Muir Road, Downfield, Dundee.

Comedy at The King’s

The “Cat and the Cherub” tops the bill at the ever popular King’s Theatre next week. It is a drama of Chinatown, San Francisco, and the management, with their usual desire to keep the house in the forefront and to give their patrons something extra good for their money, have secured the first production in vaudeville of this famous one-act play. It is presented by a first-class company; the costumes and effect are specially imported from China. This turn alone is sufficient to draw crowded houses, but there are others to attract and amuse, and the programme should prove a merry one. The Two Britons, musical athletes, will thrill audiences with their surprising feats of skill and strength. Jimmy Danvers and Eva Rosslyn in their vocal piano absurdity, “A Pantomime Boy” will set the laughter rolling. Then the eccentricities of Ryan and Hall and the screaming skit entitled “On Blackpool Pier” by Bert Bryne, are of the tickling order, something that should not be missed by those who like to be enlivened into a hearty laughter; and who doesn’t? Evelyn Taylor, a chorus comedienne is another attraction sure to please. Wild, Willie and West, the bounding navvies, comedy acrobats, complete the bill of fare which should throng the King’s every time throughout the week.

Apprentices Restart

In accordance with the decision come to at a mass meeting in the Tivoli Picture House last week, the engineering and shipwright apprentices, who were on strike all returned to work on Monday morning. Much more enthusiasm was evinced in the restart than during the strike.

Baked Milk Toast

Trim the crust from some slices of bread cut of medium thickness and toast the bread lightly on both sides, and then butter thinly. Lay the slices in a pudding dish in which it is to be served, sprinkling each slice with a little salt, and pour over as much milk as the dish will hold. If there is hurry the milk may be heated before being used, but if not cold milk will answer. Cover the dish, set it in oven and bake it for 20 minutes. Uncover it and brown lightly on top.