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Evening Star, Issue 19789, 13 February 1928, Page 6

It is said that the organ which is to be installed in the Empire Theatre at Dunedin will be tho best of its kind in Now Zealand, if not in tho whole of the territory that some folk persist in calling Australasia. The public generally, as well as racing men, will be pleased to learn that tho Dunedin Jockey Club’s races last week will result in a profit to the club —only a small profit, certainly, but that is bettor than was anticipated by some observers, who noted the decreased attendance and the drop in the totalisator money. Tho railway carrying was about 500 short of last year’s. If tho club had not reduced the stakes there would have been a somewhat serious loss. One of the causes of a shrinkage in the income over the meeting was that Limerick paralysed the Hazlett Memorial Stakes. Several owners who thought of entering refrained fom doing so when they found that Limerick was to be nominated, and the race was no attraction to investors,

Dunedin merchants, and probably merchants belonging to other places in tho south, did not'expect the notification by tho Colonial Sugar Company, whose offices and works arc at Auckland, that tho wholesale prices of all grades of raw and refined sugars are reduced by 10s a ton. As a fact sugar has been in short supply here lately, the merchants borrowing from one another. Possibly tho fact that a shipment of Java sugar is landing or shortly expected has something to do with the reduction. Tho wholesale price as from to-day of No. 1A sugar is now £22 10s per ton, f.o.b. in Auckland. At this time last year it was £24. The price in Auckland is £23. It is always a little higher there than in the south, so as to partly balance the coastwise transit costs.

Creditors m the bankrupt estate of C. N. Rhodes, a builder, all efforts to locate whom have been unsuccessful, resolved that steps be taken to ascertain his whereabouts, provided that three of the largest creditors agreed to bear the expense. Claims proved amount to £970, all owing to unsecured creditors.—Auckland Press Association telegram.

The widening of Rattray street at that part which fronts the inner end of the wharf is now well advanced by putting back the fence of Joseph Sparrow and Sons’ old-established engineering works. Tins has involved the building of new' offices. “ If a woman, and particularly the flappers from across the set out to seduce young men, then God help the young men. If the court’s attitude is that a girl of fourteen years can seduce young men and convert them into criminals, then I say the girls also should be brought here,” said Mr J. F. Dickson, at Auckland, at the Supreme Court, when appearing for a young man, Leslie Bertram Dawson, who had been found guilty of indecent assault. Counsel emphasised the recommendation for mercy that the jury had added to their verdict. His Honor said he had paid attention to the jury’s recommendation, because it was admitted there were a number of girls whose character was more _ loose than it should be. However, it was the court’s dutv to protect young girls. The prisoner was at present serving a sentence of twelve months’ reformative detention for theft at Papakura, and he would now pass a sentence of two years’ reformative detention, to be concurrent with the other term.— Special Correspondent.

Preferring a higher (and cheaper) view of the proceedings at the Cansbrook Ground on Saturday night, about 300 or 400 people took up their positions along tho rails on the South road and overlooking that ground. One or two of the O.C.A. officials who were conducting tho entertainment raided this “ Presbyterian grandstand” armed with collecting boxes, and succeeded in adding the sum of £1 12s 9d to the fund. As proof that not all those who preferred an outside position did so for'economical reasons it may be mentioned that among the coins placed in the box was a halfcrown and two two-shilling pieces. Mr H. Holland, M.P., laid the foundation stone of the new Wellington Trades Hall in Vivian street. It will be a three-story steel structure to house all tho unions, about half of which will lie completed at present, including a hall to seat 500. The total cost will be £50,000. Mr Holland delivered an address on ‘ Labor,’ claiming that they had never been beaten by their opponents, but by working men and women who voted against their own interests. Wellington Press Association telegram. “Time, gentlemen, please!” After this vocal curfew has sounded for the day the knell of alcoholic joys—at least as far as drinking on licensed premises is concerned—it so happens that many young bloods of the city, bulging suspiciously at hip and other pockets, often congregate for further sessions on beer in the comparatively quiet sectors on tho Crawford street, Vogel street, and Cumberland streets fronts, there to quaff in unrestrained manner tho nectar of their choice. On Saturday evening last a party, comprising about a dozen of these “more we are together” celebrities, found themselves followed everywhere they went by a retinue of small boys. In justice to these lads it must be said that they were by no means hero-worshippers; they were sensibly equipped with sugar bags and the like, into qhich they thrust the “ dead marines” almost as soon as they were lowered from tho mouths of the thirsty ones'after being relieved of their contents. Business transactions would no doubt follow—and lollies.

The monthly meeting of the St. Clair School Committee was attended by Messrs Halliday (in the chair), Ritchie, Kindley, Pritchard, Macassey, and Pastier. A letter was received from the Education Board enclosing an application from Mr F. M. Peake for the position of third assistant, and the secretary was instructed to reply agreeing to the board’s, recommendation of Mr Peake for the position. A letter was received from the secretary of the Schools’ Committees’ Association re a reduction in city water charges. The secretary to communicate .with the Musselburgh School Committee ro approaching the St. Kikla Council again for a reduction in water charges. The secretary was instructed to write to the board agreeing to pay a further £35 to have grounds top-dressed with quarry dust and tar sealed. It was decided to send letters to Miss Young and Mr Armstrong in appreciation of their past services. Mr Ritchie reported that the grouping system in the school was bad, and this opinion was endorsed by the committee, but the head master intimated that this could not be avoided in the meantime. The head master reported that the year ended with a roll of 660 (347 boys and 313 girls), the average roll for the quarter being 657 and the average attendance 607. The school reopened on February 1 with a good enrolment. The roll on Friday was 608, and the average attendance for the week was 573. Miss Ross and Miss Snowball began duty as substitute assistants, and Miss Lawson and Mr Graham as probationers, in place of Miss Ruhen and Mr Ewing and Misses Kingston and Ponsford, whose term of service had expired. Mr Grant was acting as relieving teacher in place of Mr Armstrong, who has resigned. _ Part of the new furniture for the infant room authorised in August has been supplied, but owing to a misunderstanding it would be necessary for the committee to apply for the remainder.

Our Clyde correspondent telegraphs that a good rain on Saturday (74 points at Clyde) did a lot of good in freshening up the parched lands, and also in improving the water supply in creeks and streams. The weather now is gloriously fine. The first case of infantile paralysis notified in Auckland this year was reported to the Health Department, it being that of a boy living with his parents in Newmarket. The disease is of a mild form, and the patient is iso-

A Pahiatua Press Association telegram states that the driest spell for years was broken on Saturday evening With welcome showers, including a big downpour near midnight, which has refreshed the countryside. In the Christchurch Supreme Court to-day Cyril Tonkin Mosley, an exaccountant, was granted his discharge from bankruptcy. Counsel said that bankrupt had two years’ reformative detention, and had come into the world to make another start. Bankrupt had earned tho maximum remission in his reformative detention, and had been given charge of an orchard. Of this work he had made such a success that the Minister of Agriculture had asked bankrupt to see him in Wellington, and had promised what help the Government could give.—Press Association telegram.

Two professional pickpockets, who arrived in November from Sydney, were sentenced in the Wellington Supreme Court this morning. Edward Lawson, aged 80, and George Wallace, aged 31, were found guilty last month of stealing £l3 from Paul Anrish, at Paekakariki. Lawson had thirty-one previous convictions, and Wallace thirty-eight. They were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.—Association telegram. An Invercargill Association telegram states that the Manuka arrived from Melbourne via Milford this morning. The Victorian bowlers aro passengers. The Finance Committee of the Auckland City Council decided to-day to send all the correspondence in regard to the allegations of waste brought by Mr W. H. Murray (a member of the council) to the Government, urging that a commission of inquiry be set up,—-Press Association telegram.

A Taumarunui Association message states that fire broke out at 4.30 this morning at S. Bishara and Co.’s sawmill at Rangiona. The brigade prevented the fire from spreading to the planing mill and sawn timber mill. The building, however, was badly gjutted. The machinery was only slightly damaged. There was no insurance on tho mill, but the sawn timber was covered.

For spectacles that soothe the eyes consult W. V. Sturmer, D. 5.0.1., G.A.0.C., 2 Octagon. Our business a exclusively optical.— [Advt.]

Port Chalmers.—l. Watson's summer clearing sale general drapery, furnishings, clothing, hoots, and shoos now proceeding.— [Advt.l