"Consumption is not hereditary.
"Originally it was thought to be so. The discovery of a tubercle bacillus has altered our views on the subject, however. The occurrence of the disease in families is due only to their greater exposure to infection.
"Certainly there have been very rare cases of tuberculosis discovered in the newly-born, but I have heard of only three authenticated cases. When the inheritance of consumption was denied, the belief arose that a predisposition to the disease was transmitted. I do not believe this to be the case. Statistics do not show it; animal tuberculosis does not show it, and the figures even suggest that the children of tuberculous parents inherit a closer average immunity."
• The Wakatipu Mail, which has been published in Queenstown for nearly 50 years, has entered upon a new epoch in its history. The management has shown considerable enterprise in installing several modern machines in the printing office, and included amongst these is an up-to-date composing machine, known as a Typograph. Most of the newspapers in the smaller towns of the dominion employ the old system of hand setting yet, but the installation of this machine will effect a considerable improvement in the general appearance of the journal. Indeed, the number to hand, which is the first production under the new system, is highly commendable, the printing being exceedingly clear and neat.
• The inaugural meeting of the recently-formed Dunedin branch of the Overseas Club took place in His Majesty's Theatre last night, when the presence of his Excellency the Governor lent special distinction and significance to the occasion. The Overseas Club is a patriotic organisation brought into existence by the enterprise of the London Daily Mail so lately as August, 1910, and some idea of the importance to which it has already attained is conveyed by the statement that there are some 2000 branches all over the world, and that its membership now exceeds 100,000.
The dress circle of the theatre was completely filled last night, and there were also a considerable number downstairs. Among the audience were several M.P.'s and leading Territorial officers. The stage was tastefully decorated with greenery, and arranged in drawing room fashion, and at the back was a crown of greenery picked out with coloured electric globes. Conspicuous in the centre of the stage was a machine gun, while to the right and left were piled rifles. - ODT, 14.11.1912.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
