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Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 217, 12 September 1911, Page 4

Following is Mr. D. C. Bates' weather forecast for 24 hours from 9 a.m. this day:—"Northerly winds, strong to gale, veering to westerly; expect unsettled; ami cloudy weather; rain probable; glass fall vind rise after twenty-four ■hours."

After a long spell of dry weather, threatening clouds began to roll up yesterday, but it was not until this morning had commenced that the long-looked-for rain began to fall in Auckland. From an early hour steady rain fell right up to this afternoon, and the drought which the farmers ha.ve been complaining of, is now effectively broken. Little reference was made officially to the "Hair-cut Incident" at the parade of No. 3 Company Engineers last evening. After the general orders had been read, Captain Shera stated briefly that on the previous Monday night he had given an order that anything lie might say was not to be made .public. That order had been disobeyed. This lie regarded as a very serious matter, and as such he would refer it to. higher authority. The company was then dismissed

A bushman named Boycr, employed in the Kauri Timber Company's bush at . Waita-whcta near Waikino, was struck heavily on the back of the neck when at work, by the slack portion of a wire log-hauling rope, which had got caught on a stump. Slight paralysis ensued. Boyer was conveyed on a timber truck to Waikino, and tlience to the Wailii hospital. i A number of important buildings and additions to be erected are at present in the hands of architects, and tenders for the works are to be i;:ivited shortly. To cope with the growing tourist traffic the owners of the Waverley Hotel have decided to increase the accommodation of that building very largely, and a fourstorey block of shops adjoining has been acquired for the purpose. It is also announced by the owners of the Grand Hotel that another storey and alialf is to be added to meet the increasing demands for accommodation. Tenders 'have already been called for the erection of the fine new courthouse at the rear of tho present police court. The building, ■which is to be a two-storey one, is to be fitted on improved lines. A four-storey 'block is to 'be erected from the design of Messrs Wado and Wade on the site whore the two-storey building at present occupied by Messrs Andrews and Clark is situated, Mr J. Currie, architect, ibis an hand extensive alterations and additions to Firth's Bond in Albert-fjtreet, It has baen decided to put on an additional two storeya with a flat roof and to remodel Alio frontal <v.pj;ara«cc*- v

The scow Moehau, which capsized on the east side of the Railway wharf on Sunday morning, was righted by the Harbour Board i;ug yesterday, and towed to Nelson-street wharf. It was thought that at the time of the accident there was no one aboard the scow, but it now transpires that there were two men on the vessel at the time. The Moehau was loaded with shingle, and during the night the scow was found to be making water. Eight up to the time the vessel capsized at 1.30 a.m. the men were at the pumps. It is thought possible that the. plug washed out, and caused the leak.

The oratorical efforts of the Councillors of Grey Lynn appear to have considerable attraction for the ratepayers. Last night so many were pre'sent at the Council meeting that a form had to be brought into the room to supplement the seating accommodation provided round the walls. One visitor was heard to ask as soon as lie entered the room for a seat to be reserved for a chum who would be a 'little late. The Mayor dTyly remarked .that as there was such a good audience ho thought it just as well to draw attention to the fact that there was lyin* on .the table a subscription list for a very' deserving object. One of the Lyttelton representatives to the recent Waterside Workers' Conference in Auckland speaking to a Christchurch reporter said that the greatest discussion at the conference was in connection with the proposed amalgamation of the two confederations now in existence, the New Zealand Federation of Labour (Miners) and the New Zealand Federation of Labour (Trades' Councils). A conference was expected to take place between the two parties next month at Wellington, and if no satisfactory conclusion was arrived at efforts •would be made to bring into existence a federation of the transport workers, consisting of waterside workers, railway servants, carters and drivers, and seamen. They felt that if such an organisation were brought into existence, it would hold the key to the industrial troubles of New Zealand at the present time.

In reply to a question put by a reporter of the Cliristc.hurch "Pre-ss," Mr Voyce, who had just returned from the Waterside Workers' Conference in Auckland, said that the men working the railway trucks at Lyttelton, and doing Government work on the wharves, were organised under the name of the Lyttelton Casual Wharf Labourers' Uniion, and they had no connection with the Waterside Workers. These men had an agreement with the Railway Department to reserve to themselves the right of a close corporation, and also the right for the election of'their members by ballot. There were men looking for like employment who, to secure it, were desirous of joining the union, but they -were debarred ■admission on the grounds that there were sufficient men on the union to cope •with the work. "I pointed out to the [Minister yesterday," said Mr Voyce, that if the Government allow close corporations in connection with its own departments, it should allow the same to any other industrial union who wish to claim the same . privilege." A rather amusing incident occurred at the close of Professor 'Mills' lecture. "Making the Beginning under the Cooperative Commonwealth," at the Wellington Opera House on Sunday. One of the statements made by the lecturer was that within three months the whole of the labour organisations of the Dominion would be. brought together in such a manner that they would be able to actas one man. In order to perfect the scheme as quickly as possible, he made an appeal for funds. Then the chairman (Mr D. M'Laren, M.P.) invited questions, and several were asked and answered. One of the audience (Mr F. Freeman) rose and asked the chairman if he could put a question respecting Mr Mills' last statements. Mr Mills replied in the negative. The speaker addressed (hp chairman, but Mr. Mills shouted: "That man must sit down or go out!" The speaker once more appealed to the chairman, but Mr Mills, giving Mr M'Laren no chance to intervene, called upon a constable to remove the would-be questioner. The chairman thereupon asked the constable to take no action, and recalled Mr Freeman as he was about to leave the building, and asked him to resume his seat. Mr Freeman said he always obeyed the ruling of the chair, but not that of the lecturer, and with that the incident ended. The question Mr Freeman intended to put had he not been prevented by Mr Mills was to the following effect: —"Mr Mills states that within three months he will be able to unite the different labour organisations throughout the Dominion, and appeals for funds to help the same. That being so, how can he explain that the Federation of Labour has. appointed the most eloquent man in New Zealand to follow Professor Mills and expose the hollowness of his unity scheme?" A number of expert witnesses examined by the New South Wales Food Commission have declared that the fish supply of the metropolis can never become satisfactory until the fishermen are compelled to send their catches to the market already cleaned. Whether or not it is due to the emphasis thus given to the need for this reform we do not know, but the Victorian authorities are making a move in the direction of enforcing it. The "Age" says:—"With regard to the contemplated reforms in the marketing of fish, the Minister for Agriculture, who directs the operations of the inspectors of fisheries and game, was informed yesterday that the fishermen along the coast are alarmed at the prospect of a regulation .being framed compelling them to clean their fish before dispatching it to market. This method of dealing with fish is recommended by Mr Dannevig, the Commonwealth expert, on the ground that it greatly improves the keeping quality of the fish. While this fact seems to 'be admitted by the .State authorities, the catchers fear that if cleaning were made compulsory the duty would prove an intolerable burden. Mr Graham will on Friday next hear the views of the fishermen of Queenscliff. Portland, Port Fairy, and, possibly, other fishing grounds. Whilst the Minister does not wish to inflict any hardship on the fishermen, he desires to do something to improve the conditions as to the marketing of fish:—to give the public a better fish supply, whilst at the same time ensuring for the fishermen a better return for their labur than they receive at present." The following tenders liave been received by Mr. John Dawson, C.E., for road formation at St. Helier's Bay:— Barry Bros., £.497 0/4; Walker and Nash, ,•£556; Irvine and Jenkins, £6OO 7/; S. C. Caulton, £728. The tender of Barry Bros, has been accepted. This work is in connection with the suhdivsion of the Eawenga estate, which will be ready for the market in October. Show week at the J.C.L. stores. Ail impressive display of carpets, linoleums, bedsteads, and all furnishing goods on the second floor at the J.C.L. corner.—John Court, Ltd., Queen-street. —(Ad.)

To-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock at the Federal Clubroom, Wellesley-street, Slater Avabamia will lecture to women only upon, "The Superstition of Bad EueJr" •• •. : v , : ,

Owing to the receipt of only a few letters by the last Vancouver mail, the managing director of the Imperial Export Company of Canada telegraphed to his Toronto office inquiring what had happened with the mail, particularly so aa similar complaints had reached him from Melbourne and Sydney offices. Today he received the following reply:— "Authorities advise part of mail missed connection; you will receive same via 'Frisco about September loth." The Wauganui correspondent of tie "New Zealand Times" states that Mr. A. Haciek has received a letter from Mr. H. J- Man-son, manager of the New Zealand Tourist Department, Melbourne bureau, asking him to use his influence to induce a New Zealand four to go to Melbourne to compete at this year's Henley-on-the-Yarra. The letter states that the Melbourne Rowing Club will arrange for free passages. Mr. Manson adds tbat he is also writing to the secretary of the New Zealand Rowing Association on the matter. ■ The chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr. J. 11. Gunson), now in Wellington, reporting to the Board on matters engaging his attention in Wellington, writes to the Board as follows: —"I have to report that the matter of the proposed building (new plan) for the receiver lI.M. Customs and water police, together with the approval of the Minister of Justice, to the release of the Board from the arrangements entered into in regard hereto, is receiving my attention . and I hope to report further at an early date. Tile Board's Empowering Bill, and also the Manukau Control Bill, are to be considered by the Local Bills Committee, before which f shall appear in support of the bills. In regard to the Manukau Bill, seveal local bodies are telegraphing and otherwise communicating with members of Parliament, urging amendment, enabling th>* Board to assume control of several bridges, etc. In view of the Board s resolution on this question- I have advised Mr. Poole, M.P. (in charge of the bill), to decline any amendment." The employees of the various local bodies have decided to form an association, which shall be known as "The Local Bodies Officers' Association. The object of the association is the promotion of mutual interests of the members by social intercourse, exchange of ideas and information, and in any other manner which may be considered desirable. Every employee of a local body belonging to the executive is eligible for membership, provided that he or she shall have been at least, twelve months in the employ of local bodies. Ordinary meetings aro to be held quarterly, and the annual meeting in November. The following provisional appointments have been made: Gray, vice-president; 11. Utting, lion, sec and treasurer; and Messrs W. Hogg, F. Bluck, J. Wilson, A. G. Brett and H. T. G. McElory as committeemen. The arrivals in the port of Auckland, during the last fortnight, according to the report of the Harbourmaster, consisted of one royal mail steamer, eight large cargo steamers, eight intercolonial or island traders, nine coasters from Southern ports, two intercolonial sailers, and one steamer for bunkers, an aggregate of 104,115 gross, and 65,407 net tons; also 202 local coasters, or 36,010 gross and 10,880 net tons; together a grand total of 140,131 gross and 85,206 net tons. The departures include one Royal mail steamer, six intercolonial or island traders, ten coasters for Southern ports, one (intercolonial sailer, and one steamer after bunkering, an aggregate of 97,385 gross and 61,446 net tons; also local coasters 36,543 gross and 20,132 tons, together a grand total of 133.02S gross and 51,57S net tons. At this afternoon's meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board, a letter was received from the chairman (Mr. J. H. Gunson), who is now in Wellington, stating that, in conjunction with Mr. E. W. Alison and Messrs. C. H. Poole, A. E. Glover, and A. M. Myers, M.P.'s, and Messrs. Ronayne and Burnett, of the Railway Department, he waited on the Minister for Marine (the Hon. J. A. regarding tile proposed eastern reclamation. The question in all its phases was fully discussed, but at present the matter is subject to further negotiations of an important character, and to which Mr, Gunson states he cannot now refer. The business was capable of settlement in a manner which would meet the interests of all concerned. He was only submitting this as an interim report, and recommended that the question be left with Mr. Alison and himself for further necessary consideration and report. A meeting of delegates from the various unions in the Auckland district affiliated with the New Zealand Federation of Labour was held yesterday at 28, Swan-son-street- Representatives were present from the Wailii and Waikato Mineis Unions, as well as from local organisations. The principal business was the consideration of a scheme for the more effective organising of the Federation in the Auckland district. It was agreed that au Auckland District Council be formed, and that- immediate steps be taken to bring the proposal before all the unions concerned. The delegates were unanimous in declaring that no industrial scheme could be of service that was not based on the class struggle. The Harbour Board traffic manager (Mr. Burgess) reports that last week only 25 rats were killed or poisoned on the Auckland water, front, and that it would appear tl at the rodents had been greatly reduced by systematic crusade, or else have left the water front for other feeding grounds. In Motuihi channel a systematic sweeping, two miles long by seven cables wide, has been carried out and no rocks havo been met with. The depth of water, with a few exceptions, is similar to that shown on the chart.

Last night Mr. M. J. Savage, Mr. E. Sayes, and Mr. P. Eraser, attended a meeting of the Auckland Painters' Union in Oddfellows' Hall, Pitt-street j and delivered addresses on industrial unionism ill general and the federation of labour in particular. A considerable number of question were asked, and an animated discussion took place.

The annual Primitive Methodist united missionary meeting will be held in St. James's Hall to-morrow night. Mr. Wesley Spragg will take the chair, and addresses will be delivered by the Revs. W. Harris, J. ©lphert and J. Cocker. Anthems will bo rendered by a united choir. Franklin-road band and orchestra will be in attendance.

The Rev. A. Cameron is meeting with groat success in 'his effort to raise J; 10,000 for the extension of Knox College, Dunedin. He recently received a donation of £SOOO towards the fund, and now he has received £IOOO from' Mr. Gr. E. Bullen, of Ivaifcoura, towards the same object. A well-attended meeting, held at Hamilton, decided to form a Harrier Club, in which officers were appointed, and 26 members were enrolled. We aro quite prepared for the boys this coming summer. Blouses, 'Varsity sufts, and tunics in drill and galatea.— Goo. Fowlds, Ltd.—(Ad.]. , • 1 _