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Evening Star, Issue 19765, 16 January 1928, Page 6

Several non-unionist waterside workers complained to-day that they had made application lor admittance as members of the Watcrsiders’ Union, and had been, told there was no chance of having the requests acceded to. The secretary of the union declined to discuss the situation. He said that several hundred non-unionists assembled at the wharf each morning, and frequently union members had to go without employment.—Auckland Association telegram.

Casey’s timber mill at Freemans Bay, Auckland, together with its machinery, was destroyed by fire early tuis morning. The adjacent box factory was undamaged. Tho mill is situated in the vicinity of boatbuilding yards and petrol stores, but fortunately the wind was blowing in the opposite direction. The insurances on tho mill and contents wore £3,soo.—Press Aesooiation.

The partnership in racing between Canterbury and Otago is as firm as ever, quite as binding as it could bo’ under registered articles of association. For the Dunedin Cup meeting now in front of ns no fewer than fifty-two horses belonging to Canterbury are nominated. With such a stout supporter to the north and enterprising Southland on the opposite frontier, both well disposed, Otago is in a good position, even if the growing expenses of transit make it hard for North Island owners to patronise onr races.

Our Clyde correspondent telegraphs: Glorious weather continues, but tho drought is getting serious. As the result of the intense heat the rivers and creeks are falling rapidly, and in tho case of the Fraser River, whore the whole of the water is absorbed by tho irrigation races, about two miles of the stream bed arc practically dry, This, however, is an annual happening, and in past years many trout have died. An officer of the Acclimatisation Society is doing good work saving hundreds of fish, which he is transferring to other district waters. The special fruit train, which is to rim daily betneon Cromwell and Ranfurly, commenced this morning, when forty tons were carried, the largest quantity going from Clyde.

'Hie Boslyn Mills Sick Benefit Society held its annual meeting on Friday, Mr VV. Sinclair presiding. The report stated that the society commenced the year with 139 members, twelve left during the year, and two died, leaving 125. The average sickness amounted to six days per member for the year. The contributions for the year amounted to £l4B ss, and the sick pay amounted to £149 2s 4d. Giving to the heavy txpenditure during tne year the society was unable to pay a dividend. The committee was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for the way in which it had carried out its duties during the year. The retiring committto and the secretary and treasurer were all re-elected unanxmousht.

A Whakatane Press Association telegram states that a fire completely gutted D. Bergman’s jeweller’s shop in the strand at 2 o’clock yesterday morning. The shop forms a part of the theatre building, and the theatre itself was only saved through the prompt action of the brigade and the excellent pressure of the borough water supply. The building was owned by Calder and M'Diarmid. The insurances are not available.

The Auckland Bowling Club’s pavilion in Grafton road, the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere, was badly damaged by fire early this morning. One corner of the building and a largo part of the roof was destroyed, and much damage was done to the furniture, fittings, and members’ property. Most of the records and trophies -were saved. The caretaker’s house adjoining escaped damage. The pavilion was not used by members yesterday, and presumably the fire was caused by someone breaking into the building and dropping a lighted match. The .pavilion and caretaker’s house were insured for £2,700, the members’ property for £l,-500, and the furniture lor £l5O, all in the New Zealand office.—Press Association telegram.

Speaking of a trip to the Tahakopa district last week, Sir Thomas MacKenxic declares that the sea beaches there are not to be surpassed for natural beauty by any that lie has seen in his world travels, The best of them are two that are within easy walk qf about a mile from Mnclennan. “Your art gallery is an important asset to the attractions of Dunedin, and I do not know of any gallery anywhere in which the exhibits arc shown to more advantage in helping students to study in detail.So spoke Mr A. F. Nichol this morning before jumping on to the train for Christchurch. Mr Nicol, who made a special trip to Dunedin to see the gallery in its new environment at Logan Park, is director of the Canterbury School of Art, and as he studied under Vandervelders and at Edinburgh, both before and after the war, his commendation is backed by authority. Incidentally it may be mentioned that Mr Nicol is relinquishing his appointment at the School of Art to take up again with picture making. His praise of the Dunedin gallery, though of ace value, is only one of a pack. That our people at large value this gallery and enjoy its situation is established by the increasing attendance. Over 200 were present yesterday afternoon, and on many occasions lately Mr Neilsnn has had the pleasure of welcoming as many.

A Wellington Association message states that late yesterday afternoon fire broke out in a city park known as Wilton's Bush, and though the brigade tackled it, the host part of an area of fine hush was destroyed. There is not too much bush left ns it is, and this further reduction was most unfortunate.

Under the will of the late Mr .David limes, of Dunedin, tho following charitable bequests wore made:—£lso to tho Presbyterian Social Service Association, to bo applied towards tho upkeep of Boss Home and the local orphanages under the control of the association ; £SO to the council of Knox College. The residue of the estate is to bo applied towards tho charitable activities of the Salvation Army. “ Back to Nature” is becoming tho slogan of many people who are growing weary of the indifferent health supposedly brought about by an overdose of civilisation. ]t is all very sensible, of course, but at least one Dunedin man appears to have gone to embarrassing extremes. Late in the afternoon of one day last week three ladies who were returning to Normanby, after a walk to tho Brown House and hack were astonished on nearing tho tram terminus to observe a man, conspicuous for his complete nakedness, emerge from a clump of trees about 25yds on the left of the road and walk across a clearing ’ to another clump of trees about _ 50yds away. The most remarkable thing about the incident was the utter nonchalance with which the man pursued his course. To him it appeared the most natural procedure in the world. On seeing the ladies lie did not hasten for hire nearest cover; neither did be dawdle to pick buttercups. Maybe ho really was a sincere demonstrator of the sunshine health euro, but psycho-analysts would probably declare that be suffered from the “exhibition complex,” a malady which requires stern treatment.

Eino Kcskinen, the Australian pole vault and decathlon champion, who is appearing at an athletic meeting in Dunedin to-night, has been doing valuable work among tho Otago field men during the Inst few days, good musters of athletes attending at the Caledonian Ground, where the Finnish conch has been imparting instruction in javelin throwing, polo vaulting, and discus throwing. His visit to Dunedin should bo productive of much good. ( At a meeting at Taieri Mouth on Saturday it was reported that, notwithstanding tho regulations to the contrary, visitors to this popular resort were removing ferns and pie.ces of native shrubs from the domain. Honorary rangers have been appointed to have the practice stopped, and an appeal is made to tho public to help to preserve the scenic reserves which are so much admired. A conference was held at Taieri Mouth ou Saturday afternoon between representatives of the Bruce County Council and the Taieri Mouth Amenities Society regarding improvements to roads, etc., at this holiday resort. Mr \V. R. Brugh (president of the Amenities Society) was voted to the chair. He mentioned the following matters requiring attention :—That the road, Waihola to Taieri Month, lie made more suitable for motor traffic; that the road between the two bridges be gravelled; that signs showing the locality of parking areas be erected; that permission to remove soil from roadsides for top-dressing the domain be given; and that the_ council subsidise the amount subscribed by local people and the Otago Motor Club. A general discussion took place and a visit was paid to the roads under review. In reply, tho council’s representatives promised to seek the aid of the Highways Council in the major matters, and to give what help it could to the smaller ones. The riding was a poor one, and there was little money to do the necessary work.

“ Your language is that of a drunken young blackguard,” said Mr Salmon, S.M., in imposing a sentence of three months on James Sydney Cody, aged twenty-seven, who created a disturbance at a dance at the Early Settlers’ Hall in an altercation with tho doorkeeper, who suspected Cody of giving a pass-out check to a friend outside. It was stated by tho police that Cody had been four times before the court last year for fraud and theft, and as an idle and disorderly person.--Wellington Association telegram. It is noticed by holidaymakers who have tra velled by'rail between Dunedin and Christchurch that the Southern Alps aro this season uncommonly bare of snow. The heavy rains of tho late spring washed those mountains from near their summits. The rivers on the plains are correspondingly low. Another fact noted is that the crops in view from the railway line aro later than usual, many fields having not yet. turned color. An Association telegram from Taumarunui states that on Saturday evening a girl of six years, Elba Gray, strayed from her parents’ home at Mangnpeehi. A search party was organised within an hour, and searched nearly all night and yesterday without result. The search is being continued to-day.

Some schoolboys who would like a little sport and therewith a replenishing of their pocket money mjiy be interested in the advertisement by which the Otago Museum asks for a thousand live frogs.

To the Anglican churches of the Dunedin Diocese is now added St. Peter the Less, on the crescent at St. Clair. It was opened on Christmas Day, as a daughter church of St. Peter’s parish, under the control of St. Peter’s vestry, which comprises representatives of all parts of the parish, including St. Clair. The Rev. A, O. H. Button (vicar of St. Peter’s) and the Rev, J. H. Rogers_ do together the work of the parish, Mr Rogers mostly taking the sendees in the new church. No other parish in Otago has a daughter church. The enterprise, made possible by the gift of the building from the Catholic Apostolic Church, is already amply justified, exceeding expectations in the matter of attendance. The present idea is to add to the property, as soon as the money is in hand, by building a Sunday school room. It was with a Sunday school, formed twenty years or more ago, that the Anglicans commenced ministrations at St. Clair. Tho need of a place for worship grew out of that movement, and it is now adequately supplied. St. Peter’s the Less has many friends in the district beside tlie actual communicants.

When tho Conciliation Council met at Christchurch this morning to hear the Tramway Workers’ dispute, the assessors for the board declared that the board would not give any increase in wages. Tire representative of the union contended that the motor-men and conductors were not being adequately paid for tho strain which was placed upon them. Mr William Hayward said: “The employers in New Zealand have gone to the limit. We can’t give away a farthing. The assessors for the board offered a renewal of the old award. —Press Association.

For spectacles that soothe the eyes consult W. V. Strirmor, D. 5.0.1., G.A.0.C., 2 Octagon. Our business s exclusively optical -fAdvt.l Tho commit Ice of the 01 ago Early Settlers’ Association, having decided to proceed with the rearranging of the portraits, pictures, etc., has resolved to close the gallery to tho public from January 17, white the work is proceeding.