Untitled

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13665, 7 August 1906, Page 4

Ono of the first duties of the new Minister of Railways (the Hon. Mr HallJones) will probably be to instituto an inquiry, either departmental or public, into certain matters which are causing friction and unrest in tho railway workshops at Hillside. Two departments are affected—the carpentcrs' and boilermakom'. It is, however, with tho carpeirtcrs' or car-shop, as the. department is known locally, thai, 'the chief trouble cxifis The inc; b ive a grievance agmst

one of their heads. This gentleman m recently-last week, in fact-transferred to another centre, hut no sooner had he arrived wit.li Ilis family and belongings at. his new destination than the transfer was cancelled, and instructions given for hij return trt Hillside. This beeamo known to the employees of tho car-shop on Saturday, and on the completion of duties for the day an indignation meeting was held. As an outcome, very emphatic telegrams were forwarded to the Acting Minister of Railways' during the afternoon, and yesterday a round robin, signed by practically every man in the car-shop, was .sent to tho General Manager of Railways (Mr T. Ronayne) protesting against the return to have charge over them of the official who had recently been transferred from the works. Throughout the official stair at. Hillside, at present, there is a great, deal of friction and unrest, and wo are also given to understand that the men in the works generally are in a stafo ofseething discontent, this notwithstanding tho fact that, never before have «o many hands been employed at tho Hillside Railway Workshops as at the present time. It would appear that the existing unsatisfactory condition of affairs will only bo ended by (he holding of an exhaustive inquiry.

What appears to bo rather a serious epidemic of measles is at tlio present timo prevalent among school children in Dunedin and suburbs. As a result the District Health Officer is circularising the various schools asking the head masters to keep a close watch for symptoms, and not to receive any children that have been absent from school for a week or more without their having a doctor's certificate to the effect that- they have cither not been sutlerjnff from measles or that the period of infection has passed. In the Maenndrew Road School from 60 to 80 children are reported to ho afTccted, and tho probability is that this school wilt bo closed down for a period next week.

Wo understand lhat (lie respective subcommittees recently appointed to report on sites and other matters in connection with the Ilocken Library have completed their investigations, and that they will report to a meeting of tho General Committee to bo called at an early date.

The state of tho Carisbrook Ground was brought up at last night's meeting of tho O.R.F.U. Committee by a request from tho Carisbrook Ground Company to bo informed when tho Rugby Union would bo able to hand over the ground to fiio company. No definite reply was decided upon, but one or two members of the committee who have had experience of Carisbrook wore of opinion that the sooner it was handed over the better, and Mr J. Duncan, who referecd there last Saturday, said the ground was in a disgraceful condition. and he was doubtful if it could be played upon again this season. As a matter of fact, the Carisbrook Ground has not been fit for football for the last four weeks, and, probably, but for the fact that an occasional "gale" was to be obtained by playing matches there, the ground would long ere this have been included under the ukase which has, in elloct. been issued against tho North Ground, and from which 110 gate could bo obtained by reason of its being a public reserve.

The proposal to hold a series of enc ,mpment of battalions of school -cadets at Christchurch during the currency of tho International Exhibition was the subject of some discussion at a meeting yesterday of the executive of the School Committees' Association. No information regarding tho scheme has, however, reached tho association, and it was stated that the school committees have apparently been ignored upon the matter. It was decided that tho proposal and the manner in which it is being promoted should be 'brought under tho notice of the delegates tho association at their next quarterly meeting.

The licensed publicans of Dunedin' who are in tho habit of allowing "devil's pool" to be played 011 their billiard tables purpose taking the best legal advice on the question of whether the game is or is not a game of chance within the meaning of the Gaming and Lotteries Act or tha Licensing Act. Should the opinion be 0110 favourable to the game, it is probable that a game of "devil's pool" will bo arranged to bo played at one of the hotels and tho police invited to be present, so that the matter may bo finally settled by test case. It. may tie. mentioned that an ordinary game of "devil's pool," four men playing, brings in to the house tho sum of ljd per cue, whilst a lifty-up at billiards nets 6d a cue.

At last night's meeting of tho Motor Cycle Association Mr J. F. M. Fraser (vice-president), in referring to the proposal that the City Corporal ion should purchase Forbury Park, pointed out that if the property were acquired by tho city an income of from £500 to £600 a year might bo derived from it by providing a speed track for motor cars. On such a track, 110 said, they could easily put up an exhibition of 40 or 50 miles an hour— a. speed that- has never been gccii in Oiago,—ahtl as it would be practically tho only track in the colony where a machine could be "let out" it would draw from all parts. Tho suggestion was well received by the meeting, and it was agreed that its importance should Iw impressed 011 tho ratepayers prior to the plebiscite that is to bo taken 011 the question of the acquisition of the park.

The monthly meeting of the Caversham School Committee, held ta evening, was attended by Messrs Todd (chairman), Austin, Brown, Barnott, Stevenson, Thorn, Scarle, Rutherford, and Wright. Tho Visiting Committee reported that matters at the school were in very satisfactory order. The head master's report for July showed that the number 011 the roll for lhat month was:—Hoys, 297; girls, 255;— total, 552. The inspector's annual report showed the school to be up to the usual standard of efficiency, and tho following resolution was carried unanimously " That wo convey to Mr C. Young (head master) and his staff our appreciation of the succorsftil results of the annual examinations, trusting that the incoming year may be equal to tho past one." A circular was received

from Lieutenant-colonel Loveda.v askin.tr that the school cadets attend thn camp at, Ohristcburch from November to April liming tho Exhibition. The committee resolved not to approve, of the scheme. Tho penny savings hank Ixiolc showed a credit balance of £69 5s Id. Account* amounting lo £24 4s were passed for payment. In the course of a letter to the Government Biologist (ilr Kirk), a correspondent, writing from Johannesburg by the last mail, says:—"We have had very bad seasons since the war. In the Orango River Colony the settlers have had a nio.it appalling time, and the bad seasons havo crippled the bulk of them. The Government lias been very generous, but its attempts to develop agricultural interests have met with Ihe severest rebuffs. The Into rains and locusts have played havoc with everything. Hero in the' Transvaal Ihe season lias been very late, hut the rainfall has been good. People who attempt agriculture in this part of the world must be prepared to combat practicallv evervtlmig and anything. One never know, what ,s coming next, and so j t j, wi(h stock diseases. The people in N ew y jC? . land do not understand what a grand and Clem country ,t Is-hvo seasons' farming , f, 01llh . Af, ' ,C!, w °«W probably land most Ik p 0111 ! m 1 ' una '' c as .vlum, certainlv in the Bankruptcy Court. As an instance of What 0110 has to pay in Johannesburg. T "light mention that cauliflowers of any size at piesent- are 2s 6d, cabbages Is to 2s, 3d to 6d each, oarrots 3d a bunch, 3s 6ri to 5s fit) a dotnti, mill: 6tl a TOttlo,. beof nothing loss than Is a pound, moton 1M to la 3d.'-'

After having received instructions regarding Iho eel ipse of flip, moon from tlicir teacher (Mr llilgendorf), 75 per cent, nf the children in the upper department of !lie Wait.iti School made observations on Saturday night.

A case of supposed swine fever was reported as having orenrred among 26 store pips on a farm near Gore. The pips wore purchased at auction a week ago. Two developed symptoms coinciding with swine fever, and died on Saturday. Mr Kerrigan, Government, Veterinarian, readied Iho farm yesterday to investigate the matter. He says that there is not the slightest suspicion that the outbreak is ewino fovor.

The Rev. C. 0. Harrison eonlinueil his mission in the Stafford Street, Hall last evening, when there was an encouraging attendanee. Tho singing was led by a large choir under the coiKluclorship of Mr S. J. Gilbert. Mr Gilbert also panjr u solo. Mr Ifarrison took as his subject "'J ho Touch of Christ," and showed that it meant for tho one who came into contact with Hint life and cleansing and power for service. The address was a powerful one, and at the close several inquirers warn dealt with. The mission will bo continued in tho same hall this afternoon, when Mr Harrison will give a Bible reading, and this evening, when lie will preach,

. Delinilo steps have been I a lc? n to make Mr Frank T. Mullen's lecture on Iho 18th a success. Mr Mullen comes voluntarily and at his own expense, to lecture on liehnlf of it fund which Air A. It. Falconer is to distribute among distressed seamen as need arises. Mr Bullen will accept no part of Iho receipts, and in face of such generosity Duncilin people will doubtless !do (heir utmost to swell the nucleus of this most necessary fund. Mr Falconer, always cheerfully and most unobtrusively, does admirably humane work among seamen. and in the past ho has put his hand in his pocket rather more often than his actual circumstances warrant. Mr Falconer will continue to be generous; but there is no reason on earlli why the public of Ilia port should not strengthen his hands.

A new company has been registered tinder the lillo of "The Assets and Finance Company (Limited)." The directors are Messrs Thomas Whiielocl: Keinpthome, John Mitchell, Robert Glomliniiig, Ify muii Edward Hart, David Edward Theomiri, James Harrison Jones, W. J. Croff, ami Peter Ran 1 , tho lalter gentleimni lo net as managing director. Tho capital of the company is £20,000, in 1000 «lmrcs of £5 each. Tho objccTs of the company as set. forth in Ihe memorandum of agreement aro (o purcbaso for investment; or re-sale, and to traffic in land, houses, and other property; to act as liquidator, supervisor, trustee, power of attorney, agent, or trade assignee. With audi a strong direc'torate the new company should command public confidence. That, thero is room for it is evident to those who know how properly has been occasion, ally sacrificed when a liltlo nursing was all that was required.

Overheard on tho Roslyn car.—First City Man: "T pee KoeHaml Harden Manure :ulv*rfised n lot. I don't suppose it's much good?" Second City Mali: "Well, old man, it's made ii djffercnro ot 50 per cent, in my garden, that's all I know!" This is s,n actual incident. Try " Rocklands" ill your garden. Is a, bag.—Aclvt.

Space will only permit of lis to direct your attention to a very special purchase of 74 dozen ladies' kid gloves (newest shades), to be sold during the sale at 2s Gd per pair. Mo!!i«ons (Ltd.).—Advt.

It lias been confirmed that the prices at Dallas and Watt's salo are the lowest over heard of.—Advt.

lifidgt* Celtic Masonic Ball, July 27.—Mr Heady is now booking hairdressing appointments, and kindly requests ladies to arrange bookings at earliest convcnicnce. Telephone 002.—Advt.

l'or Colds in tho Head and Influenza, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, Is Gd nnd 2s (id per Hottlo.—Advt.

'tourists in search c{ mementoes are reronmiended to mspcrt the magnificent selection ot bsllT-ctara firwmplono floods at 0. Young's showrooms, 8S

Who is Pf.tkr Dick?-11i# most reliable Watchmaker and Jbyvollpt. opposite CofFee I'alnce, Moray place, Dunctlin. Oluvrgor etrictly moderate.—Advt.