GREAT SHIPPING DEAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 144, 19 June 1926, Page 8

GREAT SHIPPING DEAL.

After lengthy negotiations one of the greatest shipping deals in history has been completed—the sale of the White Star Line by the International Mercantile Marine Company to British interests, headed by Furness, Withy and Company, having been approved by the shareholders. Thus ends a great merger, designed by J. Pierpont Morgan a quarter of a century ago to secure America's financial supremacy over the world's shipping interests and the displacement of Britain as the world's common carrier. When this gigantic merger was formed by buying up and combining several smaller lines under the White Star flag, and then amalgamating a number of other companies, involving a total capital of £24,000,000, it was arranged that the ships should be operated under the British flag, and the British Government was given an option of purchase if the fleet were ever offered for sale. Since it will now remain under the British flag there is no need to exercise that option, and the purchase, involving half a million tons of shipping, will ensure! British hegemony for some time to come. At the same time the sale is regarded as satisfactory in America, on the ground that it opens up the way for the establishment of a real American marine, owned and manned by Americans and flying the Stars and Stripes. The return of the White Star fleet to British owners is reported to be the first step of the I.M.M. towards complete severance from other registers and replacement by American ships. Thus the sale of the White Star Fleet will probably be followed by that of the Red Star. With the sums thus secured it is intended to build up an American merchant marine by purchase and construction of new liners. While its fleet flies other flags the United States Shipping Board will not transfer any of the Governmentowned liners to the 1.M.M., but when the register is clear the board may sell to it the Leviathan and other vessels of the North American fleet which it is now operating at a huge loss. The purchase price of the White Star Fleet of £7,500,000, works out at about £15 a ton. The bigger ships, Olympic, Majestic, Homeric, would cost £5S a ton to replace, and as their combined tonnage is 130,500, it would cost £8,000.000 to replace them, more than the total purchase price for the fleet of 500.000 tons. Though this seems a bargain price for such magnificent liners, and the fleet also includes the Adriatic, Arabic. Cedric. Megantic, Ceramic. Canada. Medic, Vedic, Themistocles and Nomadic, the American Press generally approved the sale, regarding it as a bargaiii for both sides of the Atlantic. There are some obstacles in the way of America's ambition to own a great fleet, however. The first of these is the huge cost of shipbuilding in America owing to high wages in the dockyards, followed by high operating costs, the American scale of pay for all ranks being above that of any of its competitors. Another complication is America's dry law. The "Newark News," discussing this question, recently stated that "the problem would persist in curtailing patronage until it is settled in a way that will recognise human nature, never more persistent than when taking a holiday. Only a minority was left? for the American ship, and all the appeals to patronise the Home fleet would not change the situation." These factors will undoubtedly operate against American plans for ousting Britain" from her leading position, and meantime she will further consolidate it by the great fleet she has now acquired, only five per cent of the stock of which was formerly held in Britain.

Overheard on a bus proceeding to Avondale last evening. " Hullo, Jack. Going to the dog-fight V " Yes, George." Jack replied " They tell mc that it was worth a couple of bob to be at the last meeting, and I'm not going to miss thU one." After a few puffs at his pipe, George said, " Naw. xou can bet yer life the town hall will be filled, and there'll be some froth blowing about. It'll be better nor Fuller's" The two were not disappointed, and evidently enjoyed themselves. George was heard to remark to Jack as they left the building, " i wouldn't haye 1 missed it for quids!" A charge of assaulting a little girl was preferred against a Chinese youth aged 19 years in the Children's Court this morning. The evidence showed that the girl went into a Chinese fruiterer shop in Queen Street to purchase a cabbage. The youth was accused with having put his arm about the girl's waist and dragging her to the back of the shop. For the defence it was stated by Mr. Tong that the girl- stood on the youth's sore foot, and he merely pushed her aside. Mr. E. C. Cutten said the Court was satisfied that the girl was. highly strung, and that the occurrence might have been an accident. The charge was dismissed.

The school medical officer (Dr. G. Stevenson) reported to the Otago Education Board on Wednesday that during the month of May 980 children were examined completely, 100 parents were interviewed, and 340 notifications of defects were sent to parents. In addition, 187 children were measured or remeasured for goitre treatment. Dr. Stevenson stated that in one school the condition of the children merited attention. Of the 153 children examined, twenty-eight had pediculosis, ten had scabies, two had impetigo, and eighteen uncleanliness, "It is evident," commented the doctor, "'that personal hygiene can hardly be taught with a view to results." The board decided to draw the attention of the head master: concerned to the medical officer's remarks, and to urge him to pay special attention to the persona 1 hygiene of scholars. Much amusement was caused at a public meeting at Avondale last evening over a story concerning four bottles of beer which the Mayor (Mr. W. Tait) said were found in the council's motor car. The incident was brought up as the result of a question by Mr. W. Pendle bury, who alleged that there was some mystery about the whole affair. The Mayor, amidst much laughter, explained that when an official of the council found the beer nobody would claim the beverage; it was therefore decided that certain members of the council should confiscate it. " I know I got one bottle," said Mr. Tait to the accompaniment of roars of laughter. The appeal against the judgment of the magistrate in the case in which a boy named Kevin Arthur Clark was knocked down and injured by a motor lorry and was awarded £200 was continued yesterday afternoon before Mr. Justice Stringer in the Supreme Court. The _ppellant» were Amburys, Ltd. (Mr. Richmond) and the parents of the boy were represented by Mr. A. H. Johnstone. It was denied by the appellant that there had been negligence on the part of their driver, that there had been a breach of the by-law, and that the judgment was against the weight of the evidence. In adjourning the case his Honor said he would inspect the locality and observe the conduct o. the traffic. "Has the seagull changed its habits?" This question was asked to-day by an old resident of Auckland, who remarked upon the way that these birds now invaded the city area. He said that many years ago it was usual to find the birds on open spaces like the outer Domain and Cricket Ground during stormy weather, but now they could be seen any day in the Albert Park. He said that it was possible that the seagull had found, as the sparrow has discovered previously, that the remnants of city workers' made an appetising fare. Probably the seagull had also come to the conclusion that scraps of cake and pieces of buttered bread are much more easily obtained than a meal on the seashore. It is well known in Scottish towns that fish head soup is considered a luxury by the thrifty residents, who go to much trouble in preparing a dish which would tickle the palate of the most exacting epicure. Speaking with a decidedly Northern twang, a recipient for relief at the hospital board offices, said that he did not want such a big bread allowance as that usually given, because he had been living on fish head soup. He could get as many fish heads as he liked for nothing. In proof of; what he said, he drew from his pocket a number of unused bread tickets which had been allowed to lapse because he had been living on a more economical diet. It was a splendid lesson in practical economy in these dull days of unemployment. A middle-aged woman, whose name is unkown, fell into the harbour from the Prince's wharf at about eight o'clock last evening. She at once grasped a lifebuoy which was thrown to her, and was hauled back to the wharf. The woman had been on a visit to the Winter Exhibition, and on coming out of the sheds had tripped over the wharf railing near where the steamer Waitomo is berthed. The accident was witnessed by several firemen, who at once threw the "life-buoy. One of the firemen prepared to dive in, but this was found to be unnecessary. The victim of the mishap is believed to have lost her purse and spectacles, Slie sustained abrasions to one leg Which necessitated bandaging. On Friday last Henry J. Young appeared before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M?, to answer a charge of keeping a dangerous dog. After evidence was given the dog was sentenced to death, and the owner then applied for a rehearing. The police were represented. Mr. J. J. Sullivan, in support of the application, while admitting the evidence already given, submitted grounds for a rehearing. His Worship granted the rehearing, aud fixed Tuesday next as the date. Careful study of the speed attained by the Limited express has convinced "a Dunedin resident that recent complaints to the effect that the speed was dangerous was entirely without foundation. The resident referred to recently visited Auckland, and spent a sleepless "night on the return journey, mainly for the purpose of studying the speed of the Limited. At no stage of the 426-mile journey had the traveller any cause for alarm and he was convinced that the speed, even on level sections of the track, was equal only to that attained by express trains running across the Canterbury Plains. A call was received by the Onehuntra Fire Brigade shortly after 7 o'clock last evening to the Farmers' Fertiliser Works, Tc Papapa. A number of sacks which were stored there had ignited. The brigade suppressed the outbreak before any • serious damage was done. Men engaged at the works were tho first to notice the fire, *nd at once gave the

Anticipating some fun, resident. . Avondale turned out from far i_i °* at the local Town Hall last they were not disappointed 'Kg'S' tlie history of the buildin" has it Up so crowded People sought. .cconrmS tion anywhere. It was a great _Jg_ entertainment, characteristic of ohT in the township when similar m„>i_ rs have been held to discuss borough Roars of laughter greeted 60ffl e _PWr salleys between speakers on' the nil? form, and persons in the audience if I one war; completely broke the au_«Z ' up, when the Mayor (Mr. W J_* was eulogising Mr. P. Richardson £ councillor, by saying "gharn, kig, jjs Much interest is being taken i n thri newly-formed Animal Welfare Leaene being generally recognised that there i, plenty of scope for such an in Auckland. Sir Henry fi , accepted the office of patro n, and th! following have consented to become th, first vice-presidents—the Hon cJ Fowlds, Canon James, Mr A/K*U.T,i g * Mr. George H. Wilson, and M? V*£ Meredith, Crown Prosecutor The V Jasper Calder is president. ' At the -Magistrate's Court yestermorning fifteen owners of i_li__g radio receivers were prosecuted, and H, majority fined 10/ or fl. The radio inspector informs us that th search for unlicensed radio stations i. being pursued, and that larger fines will be asked for in future. It is the inten tion of the Post and Telegraph Depart" ment to fulfil its obligation to those who pay for licenses, thereby contributing towards tlie upkeep of the broadcasting stations. 6

"This is an extremely petty and dirty theft," said Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M during rhe course of a case heard by him at a sitting of the Children's Court this morning. The case referred to was one in which three boys, who were being shown round the Blind Instituto building in Parnell, stole some pocket! knives. In placing two of the boys under the care of the child welfare oflicer for a period of twelve montlis Mr. Cutten said he could not imagine anything more contemptible than steal, ing from the blind. The third boy, who was already on probation, was ad. monished and discharged. Predictions as to the success of tha forthcoming Royal Show at Auckland were made at the Manawatu A. and P. Association's smoke concert at Palmers, ton North by Mr. W. Perry, president of the Royal Show Society. After referring to the large number of Soutk Island who proposed to exhibit at Auckland, Mr. Perry emphasised tha educational character of such shows, and said an endeavour would be made to extend their scope by interesting Argw tine breeders in New Zealand stock, Ha added that Australian judges would continue to be invited to adjudicate at"tha Royal Shows in New Zealand. "How old are you ?" asked Mr. F. K. Hunt of a young fellow who came before; the magistrate at the Police Court this morning for his second offence for drunk, enness. "I am 20," replied the youth, "Well, your age is given as 19 on the charge sheet. Anyway, you are- too young to get drunk Where did you get the liquor ?" "A chap gave it to mc," said accused. "He is too shrewd to tell you where he got it," said Mr. Hammond, the senior detective. Mr. Hunt admonished the youth and fined him 10/ or 4$ hours' imprisonment. "Now you go into the office and take out a prohibition order," finally advised Mr. Hunt. Some of the reasons why education boards desire to retain the right to exercise preference in regard to jparried and unmarried teachers, and in regard to men teachers aud womea teachers, for certain positions, were plainly put in the affidavit of the Director of Education (Mr. J. Caughley), filed in the originating summons heard in the Supreme Court at Wellington yeiterday. "Of 319 women teachers who left the Training College in 1913-14, only 137 were still teaching in 1923, whereas of 126 men who left the Training College over the same period, 34 were lost through w T ar service, leaving 92 effes* tive men teachers, of whom 71 were still teaching in 1923. This, means that after ten years 70 per cent of trained men teachers remain in the service, while only 43 per cent of the womea remain." The affidavit shows the position even more clearly in regard to tha greater proportion of long-service men teachers when longer periods are considered. When the case of the father who harboured his son who absconded from tha Boys' Probation Home was called at » sitting of the Childrens' Court this morning, Mr. Paterson, for the Education Department, asked for a further, adjournment for two weeks. He intimated that Mr. J. F. W. Dickßon, wha represented the father, had asked for. the adjournment and had stated that « would be the last one. The case was adjourned for two weeks. Order-in-Council dated June 17 notifies the licensing of J. J. Craig, Ltd., t? occupy a part of the foreshore and land below low water mark at Stony anj Shag Bay, Coromandel Peninsula, and also at Whangaruru, for the purpose 01 removing sand and shingle. Another; Order-in-Council empowers Winstone, I Ltd., to remove sand and shingle from! ! below low water mark at Waiptt «W Helena Bay. ! At the Princess Theatre to-mono*, evening the lecture on "Glasgow and the, Clyde" will be delivered by Mr. J. PK. Maclcnnan from its romantic aspect of having developed from a shallow solmon stream to the greatest shipping centre of the world in a little more than a century and a-half. Many fine coloured slides will be shown. Sometime last night the Bcnnier* railway station was broken into and sum of £14 stolen. The police have tna matter in hand.