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Evening Star, Issue 20846, 16 July 1931, Page 8

When the Government steamer Matai was leaving Onehunga for New Plymouth and Wellington at 10.30 yesterday merging she stranded on a mudbank about 300yds from the wharf. After remaining fast all day the vessel floated off with the rising tide last evening, and returned to the wharf. The bank consists of soft mud, and no damage was done to the vessel, which resumed her trip to-day.

At a special sitting of the Police Court yesterday afternoon, before Mr J. il. Bartholomew, S.M., John Milne was charged with using, premises at 58 Helena street, South Dunedin, on July 15, ns a common'gaining house. Peter Meldrum was charged with being found unlawfully on the premises on the same date. On the application of the defendants, a remand was granted until Friday next, Milne being allowed bail in his own recognisance of £25, and IJeldrum in his own recognisance of £5, The Acting-Leader of the Legislative Council, the Hon. R. Masters, told the Council last night that the Prime Minister is making the most earnest efforts to bring about an all-round reduction of the rates of interest. “ I am very hopeful that he will be successful, and if ho is, it will bo a most helpful dovelompcnt from the point of view of farmers, business men, and all classes of the community.”—Parliamentary reporter.

Wellington City Council has decided to set up an appeal board for City Corporation employees other than tramway men. Its constitution will bo considered at a later meeting.—Press Association. The Mayor of Port Chalmers' offer of a free gas range has aroused fresh interest, in that another similar range is to bo disposed of in the mayoral range ballot. The second range has been generously placed at the disposal of the gasworks engineer (Mr D. MTherson) by Mr Percy Scoti. of Christchurch. Mr M'Pborson, who is a firm believer in disposing of gifts by ballot, foresees probably that two gas ranges will consume more gas than one. So ho is arranging for a gas cooking demonstration by an expert at an early date in the Town Hall, after which tho ballot will take place. In addition to seeing how it is done, two of tho ladies will each have _ henceforth a cost-free range with which to practise tho art in their own kitchens. It is interesting to note that it was Mr Percy Scott’s father who built tho Otago dock at Port Chalmers. A malicious call to tho corner of Prin ces and Dowling streets was answered by tho Fire Brigade yesterday afternoon, while at 3.33 the brigade was called to a chimney fire at 12 Albert street, St. Clair. Another chimney blaze at 21 Beta street, Roslyn, was attended to at 5.3.

At tho meeting of the Tuapeka County Council on Monday, tlio chairman (Mr E. II Murney) stated that since their previous meeting ho had received word that Mr J. J. Woods (county clerk! had had a slight seizure, and alter seeing him and conferring with JJr Sutherland ho (Mr Murney) was quite satisfied Mr Woods could not again take up his clerical duties. At the end of next January Mi Woods would have completed fifty-live years’ service with the council, and ho was particularly anxious to see that period out, and ho (Mr Murney) suggested that ho bo granted leave of absence till tho end of January, 1932, on full pay. This was unanimously agreed to by the council, and Mr Grant (county engineer) was appointed to act meantime as county clerk, with the assistance of Mr B. S. Fulton (borough clerk) for three or four hours daily, the question of remuneration to bo left with tho chairman and engineer.

Save your eyes. Bo wise, and consult W. V. Stunner (optician, 2 Octagon), Unis conserving good vision for old age.— fAdvt.] Tho United Slarr-Bowkett Building Society will dispose of £SOO by ballot in No. 6 group, £SOO by ballot in No. 9 group, and £BOO by salo in No. 11 group this evening-