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Evening Star, Issue 12726, 1 February 1906, Page 4

A Christchurch telegram states that the Boot Manufacturers’ Association have decided to increase the price of boots by from sto 10 per cent., the increase to take effect from to-day. On inquiry from local sources we learn that this will apply from Wellington to the Bluff. The rise is accounted for by £he advance in tho price of bides. The market is very unsettled, aud it is quite on the cards that another increase may bo made hater on, though this is not certain.

The trial of the libel action of Fisher v. the ‘ New Zealand Times ’ lias been fixed for the 12th inst. The action arises out of the publication by the defendant’s establishment of a paper called the ‘ Sentinel, ’ in which, just prior to the General Election, alleged defamatory matter appeared. The hoarding and premises lately occupied by Mr J. Annand, at the corner of High and Dowling streets, have been cleared away, preparatory to .a start being made with the erection thereon of a handsome four-storeyed brick building, which will be made into shops and offices.

In his address before the Arbitration Court Mr J. F. Kirby, the representative of the Union, Company, said that one of his points against preference in employment being given to members of the Seamen's Union was that, for the purposes of the navy in the event of war, it was dsirable to have as many British subjects as possible in the mercantile marine. Seamen of all nationalities, provided they could show a clean discharge, were eligible for membership of the union, and, given preference to unionists, it would happen that shipowners in iTew Zealand, a portion of the British Empre, would have to employ unionist foreigners to the exclusion of British seamen not members of the union—a state of things undesirable in itself and not in the interests of the Empire. Therefore, on patriotic grounds, preference to unionists—so far, at any rate, as the mercantile marine was concerned—was a disadvantage. Mr Kirby further remarked that during the fourteen yearn be had been in charge of the Union Steam Ship Company’s employment department ho had made it a practice always to give preference to the Britisher as against the foreigner, all things being equal. For the position of secretary, treasurer, and manager to the Dock Trust, to which Mr Frank Kettle was appointed yesterday, there were thirty-five applications, Mr Smaill was appointed chief engineer from among twenty-nine candidates. The secretary’s salary is to start at £275 a year, and the engineer will be paid £250 per annum. In each rasa the appointment is for one year, terminable by a month’s notice on either side, and with the customary stipulations.

A short sitting of the Police Court was hold this morning before Mr C. C. Graham, S.M. For drunkenness, a first* offender was fined 6s, in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment; and Charles Strachon was similarly dealt with. Sergeant Ryan represented the police. MrW. J. Stead, vioa-captain of the New Zealand football team, writing in the ‘Southland limes’ of tire team’s visit to Ireland, says:—‘‘Dublin., with practically no industries of any sort, excepting Guinness’s Brewery, is a rapidly deteriorating city, and one sees sights there among the poorer classes which lend to sicken the senses and set the mind wondering how it is these poor peasantry manage to live. For absolute poverty, with its attendant squalor and dirt, I never wish to see again the equal of that which I saw In the Irish capital city.” The Dunedin Drainage Board advise that tiro rainfall for the month of January was 2.865 in. Rain fell on twenty-two days, the heaviest fall being between tiro 4th and sth insfc., when lin fell. No appointment has been made as tourist agent at Dunedin vice Mr Moon, transferred to Christchurch. Mr Tipping is in charge of the local office at present. The band which Mr Tait, of Melbourne, is negotiating for and hopes to bring to the colony next year is the famous Payne’s (Besse-s o’ th’ Bam) Band, thirty strong. They recently visited Paris, and created quite a furore, and are now under. orders for America.

Mr Norman Mcnzies (of Melbourne) received a cable last week from Mr Geo. Musgrove advising that the ‘Sweet Noll of Old Drury’ Company had opened mbst successfully in San Francisco, and that the critics were enthusiastic.

Mr A. Grant, traffic superintendent of railways at Dunedin, has been’granted six months’ leave, and will pay a visit to 'the Old Country. The Minister of Railways informs us thrSv this will lead to a readjustment of the railway managers. A decision ■will be come to next week as to Mr Groat’s temporary successor.

During the month of January 198 renewals of old age pensions, varying in amount from £ll to £26, were granted by Mr Widdowson, S.M. One claim was refused on tho ground that Did claimant's property was in excess of the amount allowed by the Act. Ten new claims were fronted, the amounts ranging from £’ls to 126. One claim was refused oa the ground of insobriety.

Messrs C. Hodge and G. L. Asher, J.P.s, presided at tho Port Chalmers Police Court this forenoon. George Green and John Honeybee© both pleaded guilty to not having sufficient lawful means of support. Sergeant Geerin stated that neither of the accused had a fixed place of abode, and they did very little work, but were about the wharfs at all hours. They had, however, promised to mend their ways, and if they were convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon tho case would be met. The Bench adopted that view of the case.

The Railway Department advertises excursion fares in connection with the Tuapeka races, a t Lawrence, on the 7tin and Bth inst. Messrs Myers, dentists, are back new building, Octagon and George street. —[Advt.] Tho annual meeting of subscribers to the Dunedin Athemeum and Mechanics’ Institute will be held in the reading room of the Athcneeuia on Monday evening. Ladies’ hair artistically dressed for photos, weddings, etc.. Is, at Heady’s Rooms. Shampooing, 2s 6d; cutting or singeing, Is. Hairwork every description.—[Advt.] Mdlle Eubinsteon, of “ Yalaze ” fame, who returned to (Melbourne recently from an extended trip to Europe, is about to visit New Zealand to give ladies an opportunity of interviewing her on complexion matters:— [Advt,]

T. Ross’s sale now on. All our blouses, costumes, umbrellas, sunshades, gloves, stockings, and everything in the shop reduced.— [Adrt.j A farewell will.bo given to Mr H. Mahon, president of the P.D.A., in the Y.W.C.A. Hall tliis evening. The road to health is paved with good digestion. Bragg’s Vegetable Charcoal purines the system; invaluable for indigestion, diarrhoea, fevers, etc. Powder in bottles, 2s, 4-s, 6s;* biscuits in tins, Is, 2s, 4-s; all chemists. Bragg, Wigmore street, London, Eng.—[Advt.] Specimens of students’ work in drawing, painting, and modelling will be on view ai the Dunedin School of Art and Design to-day, to-morrow, and on Saturday. Messrs Myers,* dentists, are back in new building, Octagon and George street.—[Advt.J A meeting of the Drapers’ Assistants’ Picnic Committee will be held in the Waratab Rooms to-morrow evening.