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Evening Star, Issue 20943, 6 November 1931, Page 8

Tho jury failed to agree in the Supremo Court, Napier, in a case in which George Alexander Wilson, a bootmaker, was charged with arson. Tho charge arose from an outbreak of fire at Wilson’s house, the Crown alleging that following the suppression ot tho flames there was a smell of benzine in several parts of the house, and that there was evidence that armchairs had been ripped open and tow strewn over the floor. His Honour ordered a new trial, to take place at tho next sessions of the Supremo Court at Napier in February next. At its meeting last evening (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington) the executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute renewed its protest against tho proposed dismissal of married women teachers. It declared its adherence to the principle that tho only proper consideration in appointing teachers is tho_ welfare of the pupils, who have a right to tho services of the best teacher available. The Auckland Education Board has received no official notice of any change in policy regarding the training colleges. When asked about tho matter the chairman (Mr Burns) said he had heard nothing of the proposal to close the Dunedin and Wellington colleges. However, when tho Auckland Board recently advertised a vacancy on the staff of the college the Education Department intervened and asked that no appointment bo made. This might possibly give colour to tho report from Dunedin.

The Broadcasting Bill, which will place radio under the control of a board of three, with an advisory council of eight, was passed by the House of Representatives last night, its committee stage being devoid' of contention. It will now go to the Legislative Council. The Land Laws Amendment and the Education Leases Amendment, extending facilities for relieving Crown tenants in financial difficulty, was returned from the Lands Committee without amendment, Tho appearance of another Government Bill, amending the Scientific and Industrial Research Act, provoked a protest from Mr Holland, who demanded t 6 know when a limit would be placed to tho session, and when tho election date would be announced. The Prime Minister indicated a brief programme, which, however, showed the impossibility of completing work this week. The Transport Licensing Bill No 2, in its committee _ stage, was discussed mostly in relation to local conditions, Wellington’s transport competition being a prominent feature. It was mentioned by Mr Coates (Minister in charge) that pirate taxis running against licensed motor omnibuses will, on an appointed date after the passing of the Bill, ccaso to be legal. The Dill passed the committee stage without important amendment, and was read a third time and tho House adjourning at 11.55 p.m. Probate in the estates of tho following deceased persons has been granted by Mr J ustice KennedyAlexamlnna Brown, Ivnkunuij Wien I*inch, Milton j Bridget O’Brien, Milton ; Agnes Gibson Banneman; Edward John Harwell, Port Chalmers, seaman; James Orr, retired school teacher.

An interesting letter lias been received by the Registrar of the University of Otago from the head office of the Australian Mutual Provident. Society. The letter states that the directors of the society are desirous of offering to graduates Australian and New Zealand universities, whose age does not exceed twenty-three years, the opportunity of joining the staff of the society. Two candidates are to bo chosen for engagement to work on the actuarial staff of the society in Sydney and to pursue the study of actuarial science. A commencing salary of £250 per annum is offered, carrying a status of eight years’ assumed service. A special salary addition of £IOO per annum will lie given on attainment to the degree of associate of the institute of actuaries, and £2OO per annum further on attainment to the degree of fellow. It is intended, of course, that the appointment will lie given to graduates who have shown a leaning towards mathematics.

The postal authorities advise that the mails which left Wellington on October 6 per the Makura via San Francisco, reached London on November 4.

New potatoes grown in the Auckland district were in Dunedin to-day worth about a penny tier pound more than a week ago. Wet weather up north has shortened the supply. Old potatoes are quite firm in price in the Dunedin marts, because they are not coming in with a rush. Tho position is that some of our farmers find that the costs of lifting, bagging, railage, etc., would run away with any chance of profit, so their potatoes are being left in tho ground, and may ultimately be fed to tbo pigs. A thousand pities if good food is thus kept out of use by our people, for the last season’s potatoes are keeping well and are mostly of excellent quality. A garden that was a few days ago so attractive with its show of tulips as to give joy to persons who walked Littlebourne road was the night before last practically stripped bv a thief. Dishonesty of that nature has no excuse. Tho person who did the robbing must feel unutterably mean. The New Zealand section of the Institute of Chemistry of Great Britain and Ireland, at its fifth annual meeti ug, elected the following officers:— Chairman, Mr W. Donovan (Welling-' ton) ; secretary, Mr W. It. Mummery (Wanganui); auditor, Mr T. Glendinning (Wellington); committee—Dr J. K. H. Inglis (Dunedin), Dr I. Cunningham (Wellington), Mr F. H. Fields (Auckland), Mr P. M. Bruce (Christchurch), Mr A, D. Monro (Wellington), Mr G. A. Lawrence (Wellington).

When the claim of Daniel Thomas Boyd against George Stanley Kirby for £24 18s (balance of _ amount due for work done and materials supplied) was proceeded with in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon counsel for the defendant said that he had discussed the matter with his client, and had pointed out that in view of the evidence for plaintiff defendant must he held technically liable. The Magistrate said that counsel’s action seemed proper, and judgment was given for the plaintiff for the amount claimed, with costs (£9 12s 6d). The Mayor (Mr R. S. Black) is mak-» ing an effort to have the Town Hall engaged on election night as a place to which people can repair and listen-in comfortably to the broadcasting of results. The intention is that a sum for admission, say, Is, should be charged, tho proceeds to go to the mayor’s unemployment relief fund. The Union Steam, Ship Company’s new ferry steamer Rangatira had a great many admirers when she was lying at the Victoria wharf, but probably nono of the visitors to tho vessel was more ardent in his praises than the very youthful wireless enthusiast who went into ecstasies over the number of “ loud speakers ” (really ventilators) that were to be seen on deck.

The War Pensions Board, of _ which Mr T. E. Y. Seddon is the chairman, will commence a sitting in Dunedin on November 16. Two days later the War Pensions Appeal Board, of which the chairman is Sir Walter Stringer, will commence its periodical sitting here. A special train left at 11.35 this morning for Christchurch under express orders as to times and stopping places and connecting with the ferry steamer. The six carriages that were put on here were fairly well patronised, and no doubt it would pick up a heavy loading on tho way.

Tar boiling over set Are to a fence in front of Mr 11. P. Miller’s house at 5 Percy street yesterday afternoon, the city brigade turning out at 3.27. The fence was slightly damaged.

A Dunedin resident had occasion today to compare the intelligence of the local postal officers in deciphering the “musical address” ,of this paper set out on an envelope from Wellington with what ho_ terms the “ super-red tape ” governing the Australian sexvice. He was expecting a most important letter from Australia, and its nonarrival gave both him and its writer some concern. It now appears that the stamp on the letter was placed in the left-hand corner instead of the right. For this reason the authorities refused to transmit the letter and returned it to the Dead Letter Office m Sydney. Incidentally, they gave the stamp the Post Office marking.

Save you r eyes. Be wise, and consult W. V. Stumer (optician. 2 Octagon) thus conserving good vision for old age, - fAdvt.l

Purchasers of tickets iu the cancer art anion aro reminded that tho drawing is scheduled to take place to-morrow m the Town Hall, Wellington, commencing at 5.30 p m The drawing will bo open to the public, and will bo under police supervision. Attention is drawn to the social evening being hold by students of the Workers’ Educational Association in the Allen Hall to-morrow evening, when tho country winning team (Oamaru) of the intcrclass debates will bo entertained. Palais Dansant will hold its usual Saturday dance in the conceit chamber, to-mor-row, commencing at 8 o’clock. Dagg’s Dance Band, assisted by Eric Askcnbeck’s Rhythm Boys, will supply tho music for tho old-time and modern dances.

Open till 9 o’clock to-night. For Campers and Holiday-makers. Sec all the latest ideas for camping, hiking, and touring. Now catalogues now ready. Our showroom has many interesting novelties for lawn, beach, ami garden.—Alexander Thompson, Son, Ltd., 253 Princes street. Open every Friday night until Christmas.—[Advt.'l