GOSSIP FROM THE QUEEN CITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18010, 22 November 1926, Page 5

GOSSIP FROM THE QUEEN CITY.

(Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, November 22. itiHed by a Tree. Through being struck by a falling tree, William James Lewis, of Bright Street, was killed shortly before midday on Saturday while working with his son in a garden at. Remuera. The two had sawn through a tree but in falling it became entangled in the branches of a neighbouring tree and the son climbed up to cut it free. He shouted a warning that the tree was coming down, but his father evidently misjudged which way it would fall, for in its descent a limb struck him on the neck, fracturing his spine and causing his death almost instantaneously. Stanley Lewis was swept from the tree at the. same time and was thrown with some force agaiust a fence, the blow rendering him unconscious. When he recovered some moments afterwards he found his father lying dead. An inquest was held on Sunday, and a verdict of accidental death returned. Freezing Works Strike. There was no change in the deadlock at the Westfield Freezing Company’s Works on Saturday. The local slaughtermen’s union is acting on the advice of the headquarters.of the freezing Workers’ Federation in Wellington, and the members have been instructed not to handle export stock. So far, the Westfield Freezing Company’s works alone have been affected, but it is certain that the call for men to work export stock will be unavailing wherever it is made. Yachts in Trouble. Three boats capsized in the harbour on Saturday afternoon while taking part in the official opening of the 3'achting season. A strong southwesterly wind made the conditions very trying for the crews, and when the spinnakers were brought into use a large number' of boats got out of hand. Within a mintitc -after the start of the race for fourteen-footers the yacht Marie got into trouble and overturned, the crew being rescued by the launch Lancia. The 12ft Gin Takapuna one-design boat Comet, which had a bid lead from the other competitors, capsized near Calliope dock. The launch Love Jean was soon to the rescue, and, after hauling the crew of two aboard, placed the Comet on an even keel and towed her alongside the Philomel, where she was baled out. The third boat to overturn was the fourteen-footer Viper, which caine to grief near Devonport. The launch Adelaide (from which the GovernorGeneral was watching the racing) picked up the crew and later on towed the Viper to her moorings at Ponsonby. A number of minor mishaps were reported, and many of the smaller boats failed to finish. Successful Ministry. The decision to accept the permanent pastorate of the Beresford Street Congregational Church was announced by the Rev Lionel B. Fletcher at the morning service yesterday. The announcement was made in response to a unanimous call from the congregation to remain indefinite!}’' as pastor. As a result of three years’ work the church has been crowded out, and it has been necessary to use the Majestic Theatre for a time. Under the supervision of Mrs Fletcher a great deal of social work was being done among the poorer classes, and during the past three years the attendance at the Sunday School had trebled, the roll being 750. Mr Fletcher said he therefore felt it would be a serious mistake to leave at the present stage. He had never enjoyed three years in a pastorate better than those spent in Auckland. Both himself and Mrs Fletcher loved the people and the city of Auckland and felt they should remain until they had reason to depart. Dairy Control Board.

The executive of the Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union passed a resolution expressing strong disapproval of the methods employed by interested parties to nullify the wishes of the Dominion’s dairy farmres in their desire and efforts to stabilise marketing, and urging upon all farmers the need for standing fast and giving the Dairy Control Boarl a fair trial.

Unlucky Marauder. William Thomas, aged 35, who pleaded guilty to three charges of theft and to breaking and entering another dwelling. admitted going to four houses,

ceiling. He recently arrived from England as assistant cook on the Hororata. The amount involved was £67 7s. Some articles had been pawned and hQtei bars. Accused was