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Auckland Star, Issue 123, 24 May 1919, Page 6

Details of a scheme to make miners' work more attractive will shortly be made public by the Government. The Acting-Prime Minister states that since the armistice a number of men have left work in the mines, and it is now necessary to encourage ir.en to take up mining work in order to maintain the output. Sir James added that though we might tide over the present coal shortage it might be necessary to still further restrict the train services.

"In New Zealand towns there appear to be a great lack of civic life," said Mr. J. F. Munnings, in hk paper on the "CityBeautiful," read at the Town Planning Conference. ''Our cafes," he went on to eav, "were mere shops, and as for the hotel bare they were impossible. The idea of introducing cafes -with music and other interests might appear fantastic so far as New Zealand towns were concerned; but it was worthy of study, and perhaps if State control of the liquor traffic ever came into force the establishment of cafes as places of amusement, entertainment, and recreation might be thought of."

Christopher Seddon, a fireman engaged on the steamer Maori, was charged at Lyttelton yesterday -with continuously disobeying the lawful commands of the chief engineer on the voyage between Wellington and Lyttelton. Seddon pleaded that he burnt his leg, hence his refusal to work. The magistrate said that this was a serious breach of the Shipping and Seamen Act, in that this course of conduct carried a little further might, under certain circumstances, cause tremendous loss of life. The accused's plea regarding the accident to his leg was clearly an afterthought, and would receive no consideration. The maximum penalty for this class of offence, 12 weeks' imprisonment, would be imposed.

Mr. L. Birks, chief electrical engineer of the Public Works Department, speaking at the Town Planning Conference, said that one day, when the expense appeared to be justified, telephone and electric light wires should be undergrounded in the cities of New Zealand. From the aesthetic point of view he was as little in favour of the present rows, of poles as anyone was. While poles remained, however, they should preferably be of standardised size. He would like to see the corners cut off suburban roads. Electric power was going to exercise a tremendous influence upon the future bf town planning. The first thing that it should .bring about when its use became universal, would be the abolition of chimneys and the smoke nuisance.

A statement regarding butter packages was made before the Industries Committee yesterday by Mr. D. Cuddie, director of the dairy division of the Agricultural Department, who was called to give his opinion on a cylindrical butter package which was submitted to the committee. He said there were strong reasons for keeping the present box, which was known as the " New Zealand package," on the Home market. He submitted a design in two ply for making an oblong box similar in appearance to the present box. A trial shipment of the latter box was being made, and a similar trial might be made of the cylindrical package.

When Professor John Dickie, of 'Dunedin, recently 'had the D.D. degree conferred on him by the University of Aberdeen, one New Zealand student was present to applaud to the fullest extent the name of the New Zealand professor when it was read out. Just fifteen years before, when Dr. G-ibb, of St. John's, Wellington, had the same degree conferred upon him another New Zealand student, related to the one mentioned above, was present, and single-handed cheered the well-known preacher's name when it was read out, and his virtues extolled. Dr. Gibb and Dr. Dickie are the only two New Zealanders who have nad this coveted degree conferred on them b> Aberdeen University during the past two decades.

The dispute between the Drivers' Union and the coaching companies has been referred to the Arbitration Court, as no agreement was reached at a meeting of a Conciliation Council. The union asked for a 4S-hour week, extra pay for overtime, a minimum wage of £4 a week for drivers of vehicles used for mails or passengers, £3 10/- for stable or garage employees, and no deduction from same for time lost through workers' default! The companies put forward the present award.

The District School Committee at Te Awamutu has received advice from the Auckland Education Board that application is to be made to the Minister of Education to establish a District High School at Te Awamutu.

Mr. P. R. Morgan, Government mining expert, states that he was misreported in evidence on oil prospects, and that he really said the Ure River (Marlborough) discoveries were not of great value Press Association.

To consider the proposal of the City Council to construct a crematorium for Auckland a public meeting is announced to take place at the Chamber of Commerce «v ilondajT evening.

At a meeting of the North Canterburybranch of the Xrw Zealand Railway Officers' Institute the following resolution was carried unanimously:—j'This branch views with alarm and strong disapproval the Minister's action in vetoing the unanimous decision of the Appeal Board in the recent Longton appeal case, and that the Minister be respectfully asked to reconsider hi 3 decision; also, that strong representations be made by a deputation to the Minister and the Cabinet that in all cases of unanimous decisions by the Appeal Board the Minister should not have the right to exercise his power of veto." The many friends of Mr. Harold Court (third son of Mr. John Court, of Hamilton Road, Pon=onby) will regret to learn that he is at present in an English hos--1 pital suffering with congestion of the lungs. Mr. Harold Court has been on active service for three and a-half ycari. ', He enlisted in Auckland, but being r#> ' jeeted by the Medical Board he pro- ' ceeded to England and ofTered his serI vices there, and was accepted. The regfr ment to which he iv?- attached was sent to Salonika, and was engaged in much J strenuous fighting - on that front ■until the signing of the armistice. "Camp Fires on the Pacific Coast: A I Tale of tiie War," is the title of a lecturt to be delivered by Mr. C. H. Poole, ILB, in the Leys Institute Gymnasium, Po* sonby, on Thursday next. The lecturef . J was engaged in a campaign of war prop*» I ganda in America last year, and he wifl I describe his experiences, including aa account of the awakening of the RepuV i lie, the military and naval preparation^ J and the effect of the war upon the future of the Anglo-Saxon race. At the Helensville and Pukekolie : courts this week several farmers and J dealers in sheep were charged before iMr F. K. Hunt, S.M., with exposing : sheep in saleyards -which were infested ! with lice. The Inspector, representing the Stock Department, did not press for heavy penalties as these were the first cases in the district, and evidently dips J insufficiently strong had been used, and J the sheep were not badly infected. Xomii nal fines were imposed, but the Magisj trate drew attention to the necessity for I more care being taken in dipping.

Sergeant Bert Queenan, who will arrive at Wellington by the Pakeha, left Auckland with IStli Reinforcement, and has been in action ever since. He gained the Military Medal for special action for attacking, single-handed, a machine qua post, killing twelve Germans and capturing the gun. He had his twentieth birthday in Sling Camp. Sergeant Queenan is the only son of Mr and Mrs N. Queenan, of Houke, Hokianga.

Hγ Arthur L. Knowlson, engineer of the Pukemiro Coal Company, had a narrow escape from a fatal accident on Monday afternoon last. . He was emerging from under the screening machinery, and owing to the noise of the moving apparatus failed to hear the company's locomotive coming with a string lof wagons. He walked right into the lead. ing truck and was forcibly thrown to the ground. Mr Knowlson sustained a fracture of the small bone of the left arm below the elbow, facial bruises, and was considerably shaken.

A -well-known resident of Auckland, staying at a hotel in Wellington, ia returning to his room from Jib- bath yesterday morning, found that a -wallet containing coin and valuable papers liad been stolen, while a presentation gold watch and -chain, as well a≤ other articles of value, were left untouched.

Hector Fairless, the lad "who "was considerably shaken. Hector Fairless, the lad who was severely crushed at the mine some little time back, sustaining a. compound fracture of the leg and a bad flesh wound, is making good progress in the Hamilton Hospital.

"Good shooting has been the verdict of sportsmen in these parts," writes ft Huntly correspondent. "Hires and rabbits are plentiful, and Messrs Kidd and Kerr, shooting in the vicinity of Waingaro, secured six brace of pheasants and twelve brace of grey duck last -week end, the birds being in tip-top condition."

The publication of the Coal Commission's report will be considered after the report has been before the Cabinet, which will probably be about tb.e middle of next week.

Farmers! When in Auckland next week take the opportunity of viewing the city and harbour from the J.C.L. Roof Garden.—John Court, Ltd., Queen Street.—(Ad.)

Just arrived: Rubber knee boots, clearing at 12/11 pair.—Offer's, Symondi Street and Kingsland.— (Ad.)

Cremation Society's meeting at Chamber of Commerce, Monday, 8 p.m. —(Ad.)

Women of all ages and classes are shown in "Woman," commencing at the Strand Theatre to-day—(Ad.)

Returned soldiers ais gee a special discount off new furniture at George Walker's Auction Booms, Queen Street. (Ad.)

The history of woman is unfolded in "Woman" at the Strand Theatre season commencing to-day.—(Ad.)

Returned Soldiers, Lambourne's can give you more furniture for less money. See our valuee, get our prices.—Three Lamps House Furnishing Warehouse. Ponsonby.— (Ad.)

Groats have great body-building power, and Doctors' Cream o' Groats are the best. Make delicious gruel. All grocers.—Ad.

What happened when Eve ate the forbidden fruit? See "Woman" at tht Strand Theatre from to-day.— (Ad.)

Returned soldiers will find it to theii; advantage to get Lambourne's prices before furnishing.—Lambourne, Complete House Furnisher, Three Lamps, Ponsonby.—(Ad.)

Job purchase 300 pairs ladies' satin evening shoes, all shades, clearing at 8/11. —Offer's, Symonds Street and Kingsland.—(Ad.)