TELEGRAMS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20, 24 January 1912, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

WATERSIDE WORKERS. RECENT AGREEMENT. [BY. TKLEGRAIH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.) AUCKLAND, This Day. In speaking to a reporter about the agreement arrived at between the waterside workera and the shipowners regarding increased rates of pay, etc., and the message from Christchurch that there woe some dissatisfaction among I the members of the Lyttelton Casual ! Wharf Labourers' Union, Mr. R. Semple, organiser of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, said that there had been no friction at all among the Lyttelton waterside workers. There was, however, marked discontent among the railway men, who did not belong either to the Lyttelton waterside workers or to the Federation of Labour. "As far as the water-front in New, -Zealand \b concerned," said Mr. Semple, in speaking of the agreement recently arrived at in Wellington, "it is seething with discontent, and the shipowners did the right thing in the interests of the public, and the men engaged in waterside work, in agreeing to meet in open conference to discuss +he point at issue. The conference was a long, protracted one, but it resulted in good, not only from the men's point of view, but also from, the standpoint of the general public, as it will ensure industrial peace on the water-front for -at least two years. This, in my opinion, could not have been effected by the Arbitration Court. "We do v not," said Mr. Semple, "countenance any such thing as sectional action. No individual union is allowed to take action, or to cease work, or do anything that will tend to break an agreement without the sanction of the Dominion Executive. ',' THREE KINGS. IS A LIGHT NEEDED? [>Z TBLEGBAPH— SPECIAL XO TMI POST.] AUCKLAND, This Day. In connection with the agitation among masters of vessels' trading to Auckland for the erection of a first-clas* light and fog signalling apparatus on the Three Kings, a Star reporter spoke to Captain H. J. Kell before the departure of the Wimmera for Sydney. The captain expressed surprise at the attitude adopted by the Minister for Marine against the erection of a light. The dangers of the Three Kings, lie thought, gravely menaced shipping,' and therefore both a light and a fog-signal-ling apparatus were urgent necessities. Not only did he think' so, but' it had long been a matter of strong opinion in shipping circles. HARVESTS IN AUCKLAND. [aX TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO THX POST.] AUCKLAND, This Day. In fine weather the farmers are reaping" their harvest* throughout the pro ; vince of Auckland. The season has been an excellent one, and the ruling prices are giving general satisfaction. In several instances the yields are expected to top all previous records. The oat crop is largely in excess of last year's. Several thousand bage have already changed hands, the wholesale prices averaging from £4 10s to £5 per ton ex rail at country stations. As far as can be ascertained, there are about 2000 tons of locally-grown potatoes available. That is only a nionth's supply for ' Auckland. A considerable portion of the hay crop us being pressed, but on the whole the quality is not of the best. Clover hay that would demand a good price is •scarce, but the market 14 overstocked with'modefate quality stuff. fBY TBLEGBAPH.] ' MOUNT COOK. NEED F9H A NEW HOSTELRYTIMARU, 23rd January. The need for a. new hostelry at Mount Cook was well proved during the late holiday season, ,the present, accommodation having, been overtaxed. More young New Zealanders visited the glacier centre than «ver before. Not a few tourists were deterred from going there by reports that the Hermitage was full, but the crush, has now eased. Partly on that account a new and larger building, more advantageously situated, is in hand, but is scarcely , likely to be ready for next season. Important additions have been made to the facilities for reaching Mount Cook from th«> south, or vice versa, by the extension of the motor-car service to Queens>town. DOMINION AND MUSIC. PROPOSED CONSERVATORIUM. AUCKLAND, 23rd- January. The suggested establishment of a Conservatorium of Music m Auckland has caused some controversy in musical circles. That the city le too young for such an important institution is the main contention of those who oppose the scheme. Dr. W. E. Thomas, Professor of Music at the Auckland University College, who presented a report on the matter at a meeting of the College Council over twelve months ago, states that, in his opinion, there is a necessity for such an institution in Auckland. In his report it was suggested that the staff should at first consist of five professors (who would all be experts in their particular branch) and be classified as follows -.—The principal, sub professor of pianoforte, professor of singing, teacher^ of orchestral instruments, and professor of the violin. The cost of maintaining the conservatorium, as regards salaries of professors and caretaker, would not exceed £2500 per annum. Mr. Walter Impett (a teacher) said thab he hoped that 'the musical profession in Auckland would strenuously oppose the planting here of a Conservatorium of Music. New Zealand was too young a country to foster such an expensive luxury. Certainly the number of pupils likely to patronise the proposed conservatorrum would bo insufficient to I justify the great outlay which must ba incurred if the best professional talent is to be secured. It would be simply a case of subsidised competition, which would eventually have the effect, not only of driving the more competent private teachers from the field, but would debar many prominent musicians from settling in the "city. Most of the world's greatest and far-famed teachers were engaged in private practice, and bothered their heads but little about conservatoria and their fixed methods. Should the Gavernment x be sincerely disposed to assist the cause of music in a pronounced manner the wisest course, in the opinion of many, would be to found' a State orchestra, to present us with well-attempted ideals in interpreting the great masters. ' METHODIST COLLEGE. AUCKLAND, 23rd January. It 'is proposed to erect a new Methodist Theological College at Epsom At an early date, A mobabln sito hat, t been selected, feufc ugtii ..th.e Ms&pdM

I Conference meets on 29th February nothing definite can be done. Mr. A. C. (Jaughey's residence at Remuera has been leased for two years to be utilised until the college has been built. The probable cost of construction will be between £12,000 and £15,000. " BLUFF HARBOUR. . IN VERCARGILL, 23rd January. In view of the doubt which at one time prevailed as to whether the steamer Delphic would come to the Bluff with her record cargo for that port of 3400 tons, the Bluff Press interviewed Captain English, master of the vessel, who brought her safely in. Captain English, said he was pleased to find that everything he had heard about the unsafeness of the port was more or less exaggerated. He said he found nothing difficult in the approach to the Bluff Harbour, and it was in no way difficult of navigation, excepting, perhaps, that at times in these latitude* one may expect boisterous weather.