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Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 309, 30 December 1924, Page 4

"The Auckland Star" will not be published on Thursday next, NewYear's Day. Advertisers should make their announcements accordingly.

The city fire brigade lias experienced quite a busy time durin<i the past fortnight and last evening was the only night for two weeks that no call was received at the fire station. Fortunately in no case was the outbreak attended with serious results on a large scale.

The Auckland Trotting Club's meeting was continued at Alexandra Park yes" terday. There was not such a big attendance as on the opening day, and the totalistor turnover of £63,333 10/ showed a decrease of £6167 compared with the second day of the Cup meetinv last year. The principal event again went to a visiting candidate, the winner being the Canterbury owned Lo<ran Chief, which was followed home by "the Cup winner Locanda Mac, also owned in Christchurch.

The question whether it was the remains of the lost steamer Ripple has iieen raised in consequence of the sighting of wreckage by the steamer Volsella when approaching Cape Palliser on her voyage from Napier to Wanganui The captain of the Volselia states that the wreckage was sighted when within a couple of hundred yards. It appeared to be the top of the mast, with wire rope attached to it. The mast was stationary and evidently attached to a submerged object. As the location was noted it seems probable that the matter can be cleared up by investigation,

Canon Grant Cowcn, while in Queen Street in his motor car yesterday afternoon, turned out on to the tram lines to avoid a stationary vehicle. An approaching tram car caught the Canon's motor and carried it along fora few feet, but prompt application of the brakes by ■both drivers no doubt prevented anything in the nature of a more serious accident. As it was, the tram car proceeded on its journey, and the Canon, after jumping out and seeing that his car was little the worse for the bump, drove away.

Situations on farms have now been found for all of the members of the last quota of English public schoolboy immigrant?. At a meeting of the Immigration Committee of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, held recently, it was reported that the lads were settling down well, and few transfers had taken place. The number of applications from farmers for boys for next season was considered, and although nominally applications closed on November 29, the matter had not been finally disposed of. It was resolved to hold it over until after the holidays.

Probably not since the days of the war, when every available able-bodied man was required for active service, liae there been such a shortage of labour in Uawke's Bay in general and Napier in particular (says the Napier •'Telegraph"). On every hand industrial centres throughout the province are clamouring f or workers, both skilled and unskilled, but more particularly for the former, l-'or the first time for many months the books of the Napier Labour Department are clear of applicants for work. Everywhere the. shortage of labour is being felt.

Few of the general public, unless intimately connected with business, realise what the present gathering of natives at Ratana means to Wanganui, says the Wanganui "Herald." Hundreds of pounds have been spent in the community during the past week. When it is realised that over 3000 people will be assembled at the pa over Christmas, a rough estimate can be formed of what will be required to feed the multitude, and it will require more than five loaves and two small fishes. For instance, one firm to-day dispatched an order bordering close on £1000.

Shortly after six o'clock on Sunday evening, Mr. Thomas Farcy, foreman of Hip harbourmaster's whartf staff, at Wellington, observed smoke issuing from the deckhouse of the coastal steamer Admiral, berthed at Queen's wharf. He jumped aboard, and as he did so, flames burst out from the vicinity of the galley on the starboard side of the vessel amidships. Two buckets of water were standing close at hand, which Mr. Farcy promptly threw on the blaze. He summoned help, and two members of his staff were quickly on the scene. One drew water by bucket from the harbour, the other carried the water to Mr. Farcy, who threw it on the seat of the fire. Within ten minutes all signs of fire had been extinguished without seeking the assistance of the fire brigade. A subsequent examination showed that the fire had originated in the wooden bulk-head which is about three inches away from the cook's stove in the galley. The fire burnt through the bulk-head and the galley door, and a considerable amount of woodwork was charred. The vessel is owned by Mr. Perano, of Picton, and has lately commenced running between Wellington, Picton and the Marlborough Sounds..

An accident occurred at the Patiiatua railway station this afternoon. On the arrival of the Wellington express, William W. Styles, a station clerk, ran alongside the train with the object of taking the tablet. His foot slipped, and 'he swayed toward the train. In an endeavour to save himself, he clutched at the rail of the tender, and was swept off his feet, being dragged for a considerable distance, with his body .between the train and the platform. The enginedriver applied the brakes immediately, and when the train came to a standstill the unfortunate man was lying by the rails. Constable Burrell, who was a passenger on the train, immediately arranged for the sufferer's transit to "the hospital. The injuries sustained by Styles include dislocation of the knee, severe bruises on the back, abrasions on tbe arms, and, it is feared, fracture of the back of the skull.

According to reports, the Rangiririe at the present time resemble a goodsized bog but at least one motorist has experienced no difficulty in negotiating the hill in his oar. He telegraphed ft friend in Auckland to-day to the effect that "The Rangiriris are quite good— no chains ;on car)." There is always a diversity of opinion about this wellknown spot. Even when it is at its worst, some motorists manage to get through while others become bogged from the start. A lorry had the latter experience yesterday but the weight of the vehicle no doubt had much to lo with its misfortune.

While vorking on the Queen's wharf yesterday morning a waterside worker named Daniel McLean, who lives at 1, Alma Street, Parnell, had his right hand caught between a beam and a stanchion. Three fingers were crushed. Mr. McLean was admitted to the Auckland Hospital.

Mr. John Cooper, a Christmas visitor from Waikino. who has been staying at 30, Belgium Street, Newton, fell down a flight of stairs at that residence last night and suffered concussion. He was admitted this morning in an unconscious condition to the hospital.

The Roman Catholic convent school at Rotorua was opened on Sunday by Bishop Cleary, in the presence of a large gathering. The school is a handsome structure of reinforced concrete, and will accommodate 240 pupils. It cost upwards of £5000.