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Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 67, 19 March 1919, Page 4

1 For a considerable time rumours have been afloat in shipping circles to the : effect that the Union JStcam Ship Company intends to considerably increase ' its fleet of ships. Proposals have been already drawn up with that object in view, but any projected increase of tonnage was held up during the war. Now that certain Imperial (iovernment restrictions have been withdrawn, the "Lyttelton Times" says, the Union Company is able to go ahead with plans already formulated. These consist of the ■ addition to the Meet of two new ships, I and later two or three more. It is an- ; tieipated that within a very few weeks a definite announcement will be made regarding the company's proposals. j Captain Zolling. master of i lie Ameri- ! can steamer Else, now in port at Wei- ■ lington for extensive repairs to damage : sustained in heavy weather, encountered lon a voyage from Tonga to Portland. Oregon, was asked if he had sren "y- n- : tiling of a sailing vessel answering the description of the .schooner Awanui, ] which is cix weeks overdue on a round : trip from Auckland to Nine Island. He j said that on February 12, in fair ! weather, he passed a small three-masted I vessel, about 12 or 14 miles distant, j proceeding on a north-westerly course. After the two schooners were out of sight <>f each other the Else wa~ struck by a succession of south-easterly gales I covering a period of :20 days. The I Awanui, if she wan the schooner sighted, ' was about 400 miles from her destination, and she would probably suffer the sumo storm through which the Else passed. During the height of Saturday's gale at New Brighton, says the "Lyttelton . Times,"' the pier suffered severely. j Above the main building the large ivindj mill -snapped off at the shaft, and all j the top gear was carried away. An ironjroofed shed, 20ft iby 7ft, at "the end of J the pier, known as the "lovers' retreat,' , ■was blown clean out to sea. Three fixed seats and several braces and stanchions were also blown overboard, and other damage was done. Some idea of the force of the gale may be gathered from the fact that it took three men to carry a plank to the pier-end to stiffen the overhead band shelter. Until the side is replaced the pier-end cannot be used. Mr. Taylor, the manager, says the gale was the moßt severe in his experience. It was almost impossible to face the wind on the beach. A rough sea and strong undertow made bathing difficult, but no accidents occurred.

Repliee continue to be received by the Auckland Branch of the Navy League to the Christmas greetings forwarded. The following are just to hand from the United States fleet:—-Accept best wishes and all kind thoughts for Christmas and the Xew Year.— U.S.y. Dela.ware." From Capt. Preston of the Delaware: "As secretary for the wardroom mess I wish to express our appreciation for your very kind Christinas greeting from the Nary League of Auckland. The past year of service with the <irand Fleet will always be remembered by us with the greatest pride. With deepest appreciation for the kind thought of ue at Christmas time, (signed) Alexander Watherepoon, Lieut. U.S.X."

A long- discussion took place at the Devonport Borough Council meeting last night with regard to the completion of the track along Shoal Bay Park which would link up the right-of-way leading in -t.9.t B .9Jftd r Waterview. Road, iBR4: $ u FiS¥''& f»SceW and make,.a"!sho'rt cut between the Melrose and Stanley Bay districts. Councillor Howitt urged that the matter be fixed up during the present council's term of office, and the Mayor agreed. Councillors Woodall, M right, Thompson, and Smith spoke in support of the work being done, and a small sub-committee was appointed to go into the matter and report at next meeting.

A striking instance of the serious stage to which pillaging of overseas cargo has developed came to light in the goods shed. :«t Xew Plymouth (reports the Taranaki "Herald"). Four cases consigned to a Stratford drapery firm were oi>ened for Customs examination, and it was found that the contents of three cases had been tampered with, and that artirin* to the retail value of between £60 and £70 were missing. The cases bore fairly plain marks that they had been opened. The cargo-breakers appear to be getting more bold in their methods. One of the recent losers remarked: "At one time pillaging was a work of art; now it is just d thieving." It is stated that a number of similar cases of stealing have been discovered in consignments of goods arrivin" at New Plymouth within the last month or two. The drapers appear to be the main losers.

A large meeting of Thames citizens last night unanimously carried a resolution emphatically protesting against the Government's proposals not to disclose the results of the licensing poll until all the returns are to hand. The meeting demanded that returns be published by the returning officers immediately after their count. The protest will be wired to the Acting-Prime Minister.

The Weather Bureau forecast for 24 hours from 9 a.m. this day is as foil- ■Vβ: —The indications are for southerly winds, modera-te to strong, and backing by south to east. Expect mild and hazy conditions, hut the weather appears likely to l>e cloudy and unsettled at times. Barometer littlo movement. Sea moderate; tides good; ewc'J on coast. Over 1000 electors of Onehunga have signed a request to Mr. .John Rowe to allow himself to be nominated for the Onehunga Mayoralty next month. A deputation consisting of Messrs. D. Neil?on, .J. Simpson, J. K. Cowell and others will wait upon Mr. Rowe this evening and present the petition.

Yesterday morning a painful accident l>cfel a little daughter of Mr. T. Coulthard Mullions, architect, residing in Mt. Eden. During the momentary absence of her mother, the child pulled n kettlo of boiling water over hereclf. receiving , a severe scalding over the side of her head and shoulder. The ■sufferer is reported to be doing well to-day, although still affected by the shock.'

After a pood deal of vacillation a tret of throe different preparations for road ma.king purposes is to toe tried on Marine Square. Devonport—restar, distilled tar and bitumen. The question of getting a sprayer of improved type at a cost of £356 was deferred pending the outcome of the teet.

Interviewed at Napier, the Minister of Lands (the Hon. D. H. Guthrie) stated

that at present he could make no state

ment with regard to the policy or any

I thing else in connection with the pumice J lands which he has been visiting during ! the past few days. The policy of the ! Government was shortly to be settled, ' and he had to report in Wellington on the matter before anything could be made \ public. j At last night's meeting of the Devon- ! port Borough Council notification was received from the Electricity Supply i Corporation that an increased charse for \ j current for street lighting would be ; i made at an early date. Members took the notification as a matter of course, having anticipated a rise for some time past. The civil action. T. A. Petrie (Mr. Denniston) v. the Auckland Fibrous Plaster Co. (Mr. Glaister), a claim for £500 damages for the allegedly unworkmanlike construction of certain plaster [ ceilings in the plaintiff's house, was contiued to-day at the Supreme Court, before Mr. Justice Cooper and a jury of 12. Expert evidence for the defence was being given this afternoon. Mi. \V. D Rayley, 8.A.. speaks in the ! Town Hall Concert Chamber on Thurs-. . day evening- on '•Democracy and the j Public. Schools." " i