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Evening Star, Issue 17234, 26 December 1919, Page 4

The City Fire Brigade were called out at 9.5 last night by a message sent through from a slot machine in the vicinity of the Oval, stating that there waa an outbreak in a nearby boardinghouse. On reaching the locality, however, the firemen found that their services were not required. It wa3 another case of a malicious false alarm. The cricket match, Otago v. Southland, which was commenced at" Carisbrook yesterday, -was to have been resumed this morning. The rain which fell during the night, _ however, left the wicket in such a condition that necessitated play being postponed till 2 o'clock this afternoon, the respective captains agreeing to this decision.

There is a serious shortage of labor in New Plymouth, and local bodies are experiencing great difficulty in obtaining the necessary number of men to carry out the works on hand. A further difficulty local bodies and other employers are met with is _ that of housing accommodation. In this connection it was stated at th© Nov? Plymouth Borough Council that a number of men from outside districts were prepared to accept employment with the borough, prorided accommodation was guaranteed them. The council discussed various proposals, including one that an effort be made to purchase a number of huts from the Defence Department; but eventually it was agreed to go into the question of ways and means of providing accommodation on the dormitory principle, with common dining rooms.

The go-slow " .policy has been again adopted by the men emploved at the Kiripaka mine, this action following the visit paid to the mine by the president of the Federated Miners last -week. Discussing the matter -with* a representative of the Auckland ' Herald,' the managing director of the Northern Coal Company, Mr W. D. Holgate, said that in addition to_ the adoption of the policy, several shift miners had left, although 'they were receiving the high rate paid to coal miners in New Zealand. In consequence of the miners' deeiaon, the directors had decided to close the Kiripaka mine at Christ-mas, and_ did not intend to resume work there again until _ the men were prepared to give a " fair, honest, and square deal." The "go-slow" policy was first put into operation at the Kiripaka mine on September 8, and on the following Monday the mine wa3 closed down by the directors. The mine remained, idle until September 22, -when work was resumed under normal conditions.

The danger of jerkng children by their arms was illustrated in one of the Devonport ferries a few days ago. As the boat neared the Auckland wharf a mother seized here little one by the hand, and gave a sudden pull, -with the result that the child's arm was dislocated. By a happy chance two doctors *ero en board, and they gave prompt attention to the little sufferer.

An important^modification of the official instructions regarding saluting waa notified in. a recent military order issued in Melbourne. In future "(says the 'Age') soldiers serving in the Australian military forces will not be obliged to salute officers in the streets and on parade, unless the soldier has occasion to speak to an officer or an officer to a soldier. At all times when on parade, however, or performing a military duty, the customs and usages of the serymr-will be strictly adhered to and enforced. Judging by "opinions expressed in military circles, Ihe cessation of saluting in the street will be welcomed by officers as much as by men of other ranks. Many amusing stories are told of the manner in which officers during the war were kept busy saluting their men. In a spirit of levity (or perhaps revenge) the troops would decide on certain days to pick out a particular officer for "salutary" attention. Word would fee passed through camp, and hundreds of men-dur-ing the day would "accidentally" accost the one individual, whose arm "was kept working like a semaphore acknowledging the salutes of the subordinates. The general opinion is that the antipathy of the Anzae to "swank" of all varieties has largely been Tesponafble for the breaking down of the tradition, as indicated in th 9 military order. In the Supreme Court at Wellington on Monday the Chief Justice' (Sir Robert Stout) _ was engaged in hearing an action in which I. and R-. Morley sought to restrain Macky, Logan, Caldwell, Ltd., from selling goods under a certain mark, on the grounds that such mark was similar to Morley's trade mark. After hearing legal argument, the Chief Justice refused to grant the interim injunction, Macky, Logan, and Coldwell being ordered to keep an account oi sales until the matter is finally disposed of. "Builders making fortunes! Don't you believe it." said a master builder to a 'Taranaki News' representative the other day. "I will show you. I'vg just finished the "erection of a five-roomed house that I started for myself when I had no work in Band for my staff. I've jv»t checked the accounts and made up the cost. The building, which was well constructed ,of the best timber, has ran out at £987. A few years ago I could have built it for £550." The reporter asked him how he accounted for this huge increase. He replied that in IJJI4 be landed a shipment of timber "in New Plymouth for 8s 3d per 100 ft. It is now costing 38s. JRoofing iron was then £ls per ton» it is now from £55 to £6O. Cement was £3 7s 6d; it is now £7. Wages were Is 3d carpenters. Is Id laborers; now they are 2s 3d and 23 6d for carpenters, and Is 8d for laborers. "We used to cast up the cost of a house at 6d per cubic foot; the amount Is now Is 6d. Will prices ever come down? That's difficult to say. 1 know this: I could make more money out of building before at low prices than I can now outof high ones."

Strath Taieri Caledonian sports and grand ball on January 1. Particulars in our advertising columns. "Have one with me." "Whisky? Then Watson'? No. 10." Pure, clean, and mellow. —[Advt.] "No Rubbing" laundry help makes happy housewives. Is packet sufficient for seven weekly washings. Hunter end Etheridee, Ltd.-[Advt.] ° 6 'Tia Xmas, the season oi giit-grvmg, and we are showing a variety of rinjrs, brooches, bangles, pendants, necklets, wrist watchas, etc., especially suited for Xmas gifts. Rusbatch and Co., jewellers, George street.— [Advt] Todd's White House Arcade (next Plaza). The best place for toys suitable for all.— [Advfc.3 Wateon's No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— [Advt J