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Evening Star, Issue 19758, 7 January 1928, Page 6

Tiic union 'secretaries ol Uie Christchurch Tracies and Labor Council have protested strongly to the Minister of Labor against the derating of Mr W. J. Wakolin, late officer in charge of the .Labor Department. The _ secretaries urge that a Government inquiry be instituted. They met yesterday and decided to protest to the Minister their “strong indignation,” and urge a Governmental inquiry, alleging that the officer had been ,l badly treated. Reccntly, Mr It. T. Bailey, of Wellington, was appointed officer in charge at Christchurch, and Mr Wakelin was derated to a junior position in the Christchurch office, a procedure winch, it is alleged, is not permissible m the public service. The reason for his derating is stated to be that he was too sympathetic to the Labor cause. Mi E. J. Howard, M.P., attended the protest meeting.—Christchurch correspondent-.

Hacked slmnglv by the Notary Club, a Repertory Theatre _ Company will probably bo started in Clinstchui eh early in the year. Detailed plans of the venture have not yet been made public, but it is expected that the company will obtain tho services of a firstclass producer, and embark on a strong programme of the finest plan’s. It was Professor James Shells}’, ot Canterbury College who laid the foundations of the repertory movement when he started the .Little Theatre, whose thiee productions to date have met with such great success. Professor Shelley has also given lectures and readings of the drama in'all parts of the province, and has always been tho prime mover in amateur dramatic work.—Christchurch correspondent. The Wanganui City Gasworks were menaced by a lire which broke out late yesterday afternoon. A spark Irani a railway engine ignited the dry grass in tho reserve in which the works stand, and tho flames spread to some tar, which burned fiercely, sending up a huge volume of dense black smoke. The City and , Castlecliff brigades were called out, and managed to keep the flames from reaching tho big gas holder. Tho damage to property is negligible. One fireman had a foot badly burned by boiling tar.—Press Association.

In consequence of the recent imposition by the Government of the Petrol Tax of 4d per gallon, prices were increased in the Dunedin garages from to-day. Only 4d per gallon is being added to the old prices by the garagemen, and consequently, their profits are being reduced by a considerable percentage. Radio listeners are advised _ that station 4ZM will not be on the air tomorrow, with the usual afternoon broadcast. Alterations are to be made to tho apparatus A shop at Palmerston was entered by burglars early this morning, tho local constable effected one arrest during this morning, and further inquiries are being made by a detective fiom Dunedin. Americans are notorious for their ignorance concerning the geography of the world outside their own country. A letter bearing the New York postmark has just been delivered at its rightful destination after being addressed to “Dunedin, Simcoe, Ontario, Canada.” Evidently the Canadian postal authorities are much better versed in such matters, for, underneath the address the words “try New Zealand” have been written boldly and clearly.

A correspondent writes: “ I cam© out from England on the Rimutaka in 1905. Could you inform me if that Rimutaka was'sunk, and if so when it was sunk? Is the Rimutaka that was here last week a new boat?” The New Zealand Shipping Company states that the Rotorua, Turakina, and Tongariro were sunk during the w'ar, but not the Rimutaka. The ship that was here recently was the one that came out in 1905. Since the three vessels mentioned went down new ones of the same names have been built.

The postal authorities advise that the Ulimaroa, which left Sydney fox Wellington at noon yesterday, is carrying forty bags and fifteen hampers (including three bags from beyond) of mail for Dunedin, which should oomo to hand on Wednesday.'

In about a fortnight the Central Otago fruit will begin to pour into Dunedin in traihloads, and in consequence the railway goods sheds at which such traffic is usually handled will bo a sceno of great activity for many weeks. It is anticipated that the present season will see tne handling of some of the finest fruit which has ever come down from the land of sunshine, and in quantity it should compare favorably with any other year. The City Fire Brigade answered a false alarm yesterday afternoon at 3.11 to Baker street, Caversham. A number of business men in Dunedin received by this morning’s mail a pamphlet from the Soviet Union, printed in German. We shall be glad to receive the assistance of a German linguist to ascertain the nature of this propaganda. A Grey mouth Press Association telegram states that a fire during the night completely destroyed the Ivokiri saw-mill, which had not been working since August. The mill was to have been offered at auction next week.

The call of the river is a strong one to many children, and, though the joys of trout fishing are forbidden to some, there are a few who turn to tho more prolific, but perhaps, less thrilling, 2, sport of sea fishing. During the school holidays the wharves and other vantage places are lined with children eagerly watching their lines, but by far the most popular fishing ground appears to bo the Leith canal at high tide. The concrete walls of tho canal are lined with youthful fishermen, who make fair hauls of medium sized mullet.

For spectacles that soothe the eyes consult W. V. Sturmer, D. 5.0.1., G.A.0.C., 2 Octagon. Our business .s exclusively optical.—[Advt.j) Go to Williamson's for 'that gift. A “ better than ever " selection awaits you at fair prices. Next Bristol Piano Co.—[Advt.]

The Rev. W. B. Scott will conduct the evening service at 6.30 p.m., at Cargill Road Methodist Church, and Mr W. T. Wilson, of the Y.M.C.A., wall be the morning preacher. The Scottish evangelist, Mr Forbes Hacked, commences a tent mission in King street, near Howe street tram terminus, tomorrow, at 8 p.m. Ensign and Mrs Montgomery, who have been in charge of the city corps of the Salvation Army for the last two years, have received notice of transfer to Christchurch, and will be farewelled from the Dowling Street Fortress congregation to-morrow. The ensign will commission the new local officer of tho city corps for 1928, and also enroll under the Army flag a number of new soldiers. Adjutant Hannah Coombs, who has been Samaritan and Police Court officer for the last six years, will also speak words of farewell at the evening. A social faro Well will be tendered to the officers on Monday evening.

Mr Donald Campbell, who is interested in the “ Zud Iboe Mission ” in West Africa, will deliver a missionary address in York Blaco Hall on Wcndesday evening. He will also take the service there to-mor-row evening at 7 o’clock. Communion will be observed at the United Congregational Church on Sunday evening, when tho Rev. C. Maitland Elliss’s subject will be ‘ The Divine Cleansing.’ In tho morning ho will speak on ‘The Venture of Faith.’ Rev. Eric Evans, president of the Baptist Union of Now Zealand, will preach to-mor-row evening at the Hanover Street Baptist Church in place of Rev._E. S. Tuckwell, the minister, who is on holiday. The Wembley Club will hold a dance tonight in the Art Gallery Hall.