SOUTH ISLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 25, 22 June 1910, Page 5

SOUTH ISLAND.

Drink and Drill. Complaints having been made by the Ministers’ Association at Timaru ~ that drinking was going on in tlie Drill Hall, a meeting of officers was held last week, at which the Revs. Hunt and Stinson were present by invitation. After hearing the ministers the officers resolved that in future no intoxicating liquor be allowed in the Drill Shed on any occasion. Huddart-Parker Steamers. The Huddart-Parker Company's fine new steamer Zealandia is now ’on her way to Australia from Durban, and there has been some speculation in shipping circles as to what purpose she will be applied when placed in commission. The “Daily Times” is informed officially that the Zealandia will replace the Manuka in the Sydney-Vancouver service, and that the Manuka will immediately reenter the intercolonial trade. Until the end of last year the Canadian-Australian Royal Mail service was run by the Makura, Marama, and Aorangi. About November last the New Zealand Shipping Company decided to withdraw from the service, and the Aorangi was replaced by the Manuka. The Manuka, however, has her limitations, and those in charge of the service being anxious to make it thoroughly efficient, regarded the now arrangement as merely temporary. As the outcome of negotiations the Hud-dart-Parker Company has decided to enter the service with the Zealandia. The new vessel is of 6600 tons burden,

and has been specially built for the Huddart. Parker, and Company Proprietary for the Australasian trade. During her trial trip she recorded 16 knots per 'hour. She has extensive accommodation for three classes of passengers, and is fitted with wireless telegraph apparatus. The Zealandia will take up the Manuka’s running on August 1. leaving Sydney for Vancouver, via Brisbane and Honolulu. After the Battle. Sir T. Taylor, interviewed on his retura to Christchurch, said that Messrs MoBride, McLaren and himself went to Auckland at the urgent and almost unanimous invitation of the Labour leaders in Christchurch and of the executive of the Labour party in Auckland. With regard to the split in the Labour ranks, he said that before the election there was every intention to give effect to the selection of Mr McKnight by the mass meeting of unionists, but the day after the selection prominent unionists objected that Mr McKnight was opposed to statutory preference to unionists, that he was a “three-fifths” man, and a “State controller” on the liquor question. Mr McKnight promptly agreed to sign the Labour party’s platform when questioned on these points, but, said Mr Taylor, his sudden conversion on matters of vital importance failed to give the bulk of the workers confidence in his candidature. At a meeting of unionists, held subsequently, a deputation was appointed to ask Mr McKnight to withdraw. Mr McKnight declined, and the unions, with one exception, decided to ignore his candidature and nominate Mr Davis. Mr Taylor continued that there was no real division in Labour ranks, as the election figures showed. The feeling of those who supported the Labour candidate was one of satisfaction. The fight was a fierce one. He had never seen such an array of motor-cars, carriages and other conveyances as were at the disposal of Mr Myers. IBs friends made a frenzied fight, and if they had had 48 hours instead of ten they could not have raked out of Auckland East another dozen votes in support of their man. In the brief time at their disposal, the Labour party were not able to make an effective canvass, and they had but little money at their disposal. Referring to Mr Davis, Mr Taylor said he was a fine type of working man, but had no Mayoral record to boast of. “Auckland,” he con tinned, “to a greater extent than per haps any other city in New Zealand, is possessed of commercial ambitions. 1 think she is justified believing that it iher destiny to become the chief commercial centre of the Dominion. Many busi ness men supported Mr Myers because they regarded him as the guardian of the city’s commercial interests.” Air Taylor described the contest in Auckland East as the forerunner of Labour challenges in every electorate in New Zealand. The Big Hat. The lady’s hat of formidable dimensions figured in the deliberations of the Otago Rugby Football Union on Monday night. Mr. Harris said it had been suggested to him that the Union should take steps to stop the large hat. nuisance in grand stands. Two gentlemevi sitting behind hats of this description had been unable to see one of last Saturday’s matches. The chairman, said he did not know who would take such a matter up—certainly no married man would have the temerity io do so. A little gentle persuasion might meet the case if large hats become obstacles in the grand stands. Families Not Wanted. A case has been brought under our notice (says the “"Otago Daily Times”) which verifies the charges laid against some property-owners that they are unwilling to accept as tenants persons who have families. In this case the agreement to let had actually been concluded, but when the day for taking possession came the owner of the house declined to give it up for the reason that the would-be tenant had children. Such action was not only harsh but absurd, as it happens that fhe youngest of the children is about 12 years of age, and therefore old enough to know better than to injure the property. This is the second case of the kind brought under notice recently, and the action of the landlords seems to furnish a vivid commentary on the ever-increasing cry that the cradles should be kept full. Similar complaints emanated from Auckland some

12 months ago, when the action of certain hotelkeepers who refused to accommodate persons with families was the subject of severe comment. It may also bo remembered that in America a legal decision was obtained by the action of a high-spirited lady, ouch decision being to •the effect that a property-owner could ■not refuse to accept tenants on the sole ground that they possessed families. Apparently the “no encumbrance” fetish dies hard, and will not become extinct till healthy public opinion administers the coup de grace. Religions Instruction. At the Anglican Synod last week tho following motion, jrroposed by Dean Fitchett, was carried: —“That this Synod welcomes the decision of the General Synod to recommend the adoption of the New South Wales system of religious instruction in State schools, and invites the co-operation of other religious bodies in urging upon the Legislature that the question be submitted to the peoiple of New Zealand by referendum, after the example recently set by Queensland.” The following members were appointed to confer with representatives of other religious bodies as opportunity arose: — The Primate (Bishop Neville), Dean Fitchett, Archdeacon Gould, Archdeacon Neild, Canon Curzon Siggers, Messrs. Braithwaite. Talboys, Washer and Williams. A bill providing that ministers should receive a minimum stipend of £260, with house, or £3OO without house, was passed*