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Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 135, 9 June 1926, Page 6

That children who visited shows almost invariably made straight for "games of skilful chance," where, by throwing a dart or ring, they cither got chocolates or lost their threepence or sixpence, and that this was not in the best * interests of at least the younger children, was the reaeon for a motion at \ meeting of the Winter Show Association proposed by Mr. J. R. Goldsmith, and seconded by Mr. C. B. Quinnell, that the headmasters of schools be asked to u.«e their influence to prevent children under twelve years of age patronising such sideshows. The difficulty of supervising the children in this respect was stressed by members, who considered it unpractical, but the motion was carried.

Speaking last evening at the first of the socials under the auspices of the Xorthcote branch of the Political Reform League, Mr. A. Harris, M.P., said they were not looking forward to an election for some time to come. It wae desirable, however, to meet periodically, to exchange views as members of the party. It was intended about the middle of July to have a general conference in Wellington, of delegates of all sympathisers with the Reform party. Only by this means wae it possible to come in touch with all sections of the organisation. The duty of Government not only devolved on the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet and Parliament, but the people themselves. The objective was not so much to organise for the next election as to keep in close touch with all the sections of the people. The big majority given Mr. Coates , party would enable legislation to be brought forward which would be beneficial to the people as a whole.

A contract has been let for the construction of the new Bishopscourt in Christchurch, to Messrs. P. Graham and Sons, at the price of £13,856. Work has already been begun on the foundations, and the contractors hope to complete the house for occupation within twelve months. When tenders closed for the new Bishdpseourt on the design of Mr. (.'•. Wood,,.accepted by the Standing Committee ami Church Property Trustees (states the "Church News"),' there were six in t:>e hand. of. the Joint Committee. Of these .the tender of Messre. P. Graham and Son was the west. The price quoted was £13,850 for the house, the chapel, and the garage; the price for the chapel being stated as £1050, the garage about £700, and the built-in-furnishings about £730. Some modification has been made in regard to the slates used, and for the spouting, .ridging, and guttering copper ie being used as more durable than galvanised iron.

.At a meeting of.the Auckland Cricket Association executive last night it was decided to draw up a general scheme of coaching in anticipation of the engagement of a coach. So far no word has been received in reply to the cable authorising Lord Hawke to engage a coach, but it is expected that a letter will be received at an early date. Mr. E. C. Beale was deputed to draw up a tentative scheme of duties for the coach, and present it for the consideration of the committee at the next meeting.

A correspondent writes: "The laying of *tone flags on the Queen Street footpaths is not, as stated, the first time it has been tried. In the seventies a portion of the footpath was nagged from Vulcan Lane for some distance up the street with stone obtained from Mount Sorrel, Tararu, and supplied by T. and S. Morrin. It was, however* an absolute failure, and was taken up. Part of it was relaid on the footpath in Eden Crescent alongside the museum, and is there yet."

When dealing with a prisoner at the Supreme Court this morning, Mr. Justice Stringer, after reading the depositions, said: "The girl on whom this offence was committed rejoic.ee in the extraordinary name of 'Somewhere in France. , " Even the accused, a Maori, permitted himself a smile with the rest of those in the Court room. Dr. H. Chesson, medical officer of health for North Auckland, has demanded that the Whangarei Borough Council should call upon users of Kensington Park to assist within 28 4 a ys i n providing adequate sanitary conveniences, otherwise the park, the principal football ground, is to be closed for any gathering. This serious interruption to sport is to be avoided if possible by getting the several parties, including the Whangarei Racing Club, the Northland Trotting Club, the Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and the Rugby Union to agree to-contribute so that the work can be put in hand.

The police in Wellington are showing considerable activity at present in regard to strict observance of the provisions of the law in connection with motor vehicles and their owners and drivers. In many localities on Sunday cars were being stopped with a request for the production of drivers' licenses. The Petone police, on the occasion of the last race meeting at Trentham, held a field day, ac the outcome of which sixty-five owners were charged with having failed to procure licenses for the current year. The charges were heard before Messrs. J. Piper and A. Anderson, J.P.s, at Petone, and were put through at the rate of one a minute, the sitting occupying just over one hour. A fine of 15/, with costs, was imposed in each case.

Some time ago it was announced that the principle of retiring officers after forty years' service would be put into operation throughout all Government Departments. The Public Servk-e Commissioner (Mr. P. Verschaffelt) informed a "Post" reporter yesterday that several officers have recently received notices of retirement. When these notices had been given effect to there would be no officer in the service who was over sitxy years of age and who had been in the employ of the Government for forty years.

An undefended divorce action was heard by Mr. Justice Stringer in the Supreme Court this morning, when Esther Elizabeth Jackson (Mr. Waddingham ) petitioned against Arthur W. Jackson ou the grounds of desertion. After a month of married life the parties separated. Continual quarrels and arguments made it impossible for them to live together. They separated in 1922, and had not cohabited since then. The respondent had not supported his wife. A decree nisi was granted. A five-seatcr Oakland motor car, the property of Mr. John Haymes, of Selwyn Houso, Alfred Street, City, was unlawfully removed from Theatre Lane between eight and ten o'clock last evening. It was this morning found by the Mount Roskill police abandoned in Balmoral Road.

A 22-month-old baby, Raymond Lovering, whose parents reside at 105, Great North Road, Avondale, was admitted to the Auckland Hospital last evening suffering from the effects of a poison. The child had drunk a quantity of white precipitate from a jar which had been left within his reach. His condition, which is not serious, was this morning reported as being very much improved!

The Wanganui Licensing Committee yesterday refused to renew the license of the Commercial Hotel. It was a-lleged by the police that the house was improperly conducted, that drunkenness had been permitted in it, and that a man who had lodged in it had handed over money to the licensee in advance and had frequently been seen in a state of intoxication. There was some conflict of evidence, but the Bench accepted that of the police.

The Wharepoa ferrr, controversyconcerning which has for some time past agitated public opinion in the Thames and Hauraki Plains counties, is to be closed as from June 13. This decision has been come to by a joint conference of the two county councils.