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Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7298, 27 October 1933, Page 6

The half-yearly meeting of tho Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association passed a resolution expressing opposition to piecework for all relief workers. A large Dunedin firm of merchants, with branches in various parts of the South Island, has decided to restore tho 10 per cent, cut in wages, one of two deductions made in recent years. A report submitted by the ranger to last night's meeting of the Palmerston North Acclimatisation Society showed that 255,000 brown trout fly bad been liberated in streams in the district, as well as 1-100 rainbow trout yearlings. The Fire Brigado received a falso alarm call by telephone at ten minutes to eleven yesterday morning, but when two engines arrived at the scene of tho supposed outbreak in Rangitikei Strcot they found their services were not required.

The New Zealand Cricket Council announces that it has decided to lift the suspension of W. E. Merritt and to approve of his name being considered for selection in future New Zealand teams. Merritt was suspended at tho end of the 1931 English tour for a breach of agreement concerning professional engagements overseas. Speaking at the Opera House last evening the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) referred to the Reserve Bank Bill as “vicious weasel,” and that Mr Coates was trying to disguise the measure as a harmless squirrel. Certainly he had drawn some of its fangs, but not through the pressure of the people, but of the banks. Nevertheless the “squirrel’’ was still a “weasel” and would drain the life-blood of the Dominion. Tho operations of the Transport Board wero criticised at Wellington yesterday by the Dominion executive of the Farmers’ Union, tho delegates criticising tho restrictions imposed by the board in the carriage, of goods in country districts. It was decided to circularise the provincial executives to secure a collation of views for presentation to tho board at tho next meeting of the executive.

A new fish story was told at the meeting of the Palmerston North Acclimatisation Society last evening. One member stated that he had taken a fish from a stream recently and accurate measurement immediately after it was caught showed its length at 10 inches. The fly was then removed, and for curiosity the rule was applied again. This fish, instead of adding a cubit unto its stature, had modestly shrunk to 9-J inches! The fisherman vouched for the accuracy of his measurements, and as he had “had nothing to drink that day,” the story must be credited as true. Considerable surprise was expressed at the happening. At a meeting of the executive ot the Canterbury Sheep Owners’ Union, letters were received from members drawing attention to statements made by Miss V. Howey, secretary of the Wool Publicity Committee in Christchurch, and protesting against the suggestion reported to have ben mado by her in Bradford, to the effect that the sheep-farmers of New Zealand ht),d been losing heart about the wool side of their business, and had been showing a tendency to allow the wool to deteriorate. Mr H. .D. Acland stated that the federation was not responsible for Miss Howey’s activities in England, and had no knowledge of her campaign.

A reduction to 15 per cent, of the present preferential duty of 25 per cent, on British carpets was sought by the tariff committee of the carpet trade of the United Kingdom before the Tariff Commission at Wellington. It also asked that the general tariff of 50 per cent,, plus surtax, remain unaltered. It was suggested that a reduced duty would result in increased imports, and the aggregate yield would almost certainly exceed the amount derived from the trade at present, Mr A. E. Denham, managing director of A. E. Denham and G*J., Ltd., asked that loreign-madc cream separators remain on the free list. A duty on foreign machines would penalise the farming community, because most of the improvements in modern separators came from foreign countries. A duty of 25 per cent, on foreign glucose was sought by Levin and Co., Ltd., on behalf of the Corn Products Refining Co., New York.

A serious accident occurred at a level crossing at Huntly on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in tho death of Constable James Bhiclds. Constable David Robertson, who was also in the car, was admitted to tho Waikato Hospital, and his condition is satisfactory following an operation. Constable Robertson is aged 50 and is married with three children. Ho is in charge of the Huiitly police station. Constable Shields was aged 36, and was married with one child. He was also stationed at Huntly. The pair were going to Ohinewai to make an injuiry, and Constable Robertson was driving the light sedan five-seater car, which was struck by the Rotorua-Auckland express at 2 p.m. The vehicle was carried about 60 yards. The injuerd men were admitted to tho Waikato Hospital, and Constable Shields died an hour and a half later. The crossing is considered to be particularly dangerous and inadequately protected.

‘‘The lire in a warehouse on October 19 was caused by spontaneous combustion of linseed oil and sawdust,” said Mr W. L. Wilson, superintendent of the Auckland Fire Brigade, at a meeting of the Metropolitan Fire Board. “It is surprising that the danger of mixing linseed oil with a foreign body is not more generally known.” After the fire, said the superintendent, he made a thorough inspection of the damaged portion of the building and found six wooden barrels full of rubbish in the basement. They contained a mixture of sawdust and linseed oil, and he was informed by an employee that when linseed oil was spilled on the floor sawdust was strewn about to absorb it. It ought to be more widely known that such a mixture could automatically ignite in from two to 24 hours, especially if slight pressure was applied. The chairman (Mr J. J. Kingston) said the danger of using linseed oil on cotton waste and other substances needed stressing. It was more than probable that many fires in country stores were caused through such carelessness.