LATE NEW ZEALAND

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 833, 6 March 1903, Page 2

LATE NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, last night

At conclusion of the Arbitration Court sittings to-day, Judge Cooper said that til cases had been dealt with. One-tijurth were original disputes. There were a number of compensation cases, and 27 to 30 other applications, some of considerable importance. Only two matters remained unsettled, one being the application of the .Southern clothing manufacturers to bind the Auckland manufacturers to the Southern log. While it was no part of the duty of the Court to refer to press comment, nc mignt say the Court had always dealt out the most even-handed justice to both masters and workers. However the awards might work, the Court had endeavored to cause as little dislocation as possible in trade differences. It had to administer fairly and impartially to the very best of its judgment and ability. Mr Rosser, a labor representative, testified to the fairness and impartiality of (he Court. Mr Templar, representing 'the employers, endorsed Mr Rosser’s remarks, and said the press criticism arose owing to faults in the Act, and not in the judgments of the Court.

CABINET MAKERS’ TROUBLE. WELLINGTON, last night. Mr Tregcar, Secretary of the Labor Department, states that lie has received information which makes him believe the number of men suspended in connection with the cabinet, makers: trouble in Auckland greatly exaggerated, and moreover that the dispute will probably be settled entirely in a day or two. The men, according (o the version received by Air Tregcar, had been merely .suspended because of some difference of opinion as to the wages which should be paid some old men who are unable to earn (he minimum wage fixed by the Court. DISTINOUISII ED VISITORS.

WELLINGTON, last night. Amongst the visitors to New Zealand are Messrs Takaoka and Ando, the. former being Director of the Colonial Department in the Government of Hokkaido (Northern Lapland), and the latter Commissioner of Communication, Commerce, and Colonisation for Hokkaido. They are travelling round the world, investigating land systems and conditions of commerce and agriculture in various countries. In the course or an interview with a Times’ representative Takaoka solid that. New Zealand might find a profitable market in Japan for many products. He thinks that some New Zealand port should be included in the route of steamers *ow running between Australia and Japan.

DAIRY PRODUCE. HAWERA, last night. At a meeting of delegates from the co-operative dairy factories, the principle of establishing a central distributing depot was affirmed. Another meeting will be held next month. PRESS ASSOCIATION.

CHRISTCHURCH, last night. The annual meeting of the Press Association was held to-day, Air H.

Brett, of the Auckland Star, being in the chair. The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted after brief elected director representing evening discussion. Air F. Blundell was- repapers and Air G. Stead, ...Christchurch Press, director representing morning papers. Alotions to increase the number of directors, or make a retiring director ineligible for election for another year were both lost. Dunedin was selected as the next place of meeting.

COURT CASES. HOKITIKA, last night

In the Supreme Court, Ah Ching was found guilty of an unnatural offence on a boy aged 0 years. The ‘sentence was deferred. This concluded the criminal business. In civil jurisdiction, the case Hislop v. the Minister of Alines, a motion to set aside the filing of a claim for compensation in connection with the (proclamation of Inangahua river as a tailing site, on the ground that section At of the Public Works Act, 1894, did not apply, is proceeding.

A REGATTA

NEW PLYMOUTH, last night. The Waitara regatta to-day was a great success. Only local crews' competed. The weather was perfect. METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Christchurch, last night. . The Methodist Conference in the afternoon considered in committee matters in connection with the Home mission fund. They also received a deputation from the Ministers’ Association, representatives of the Presbyterian, Trinity, Congregational, Primitive Methodist, and Wesleyan churches, which expressed fraternal greetings. The evening was devoted to conversation on the work of God. A number of delegates bore witness to encouraging sucoess during the year, and a motion expressive of gratitude to God for past and hope for the future was carried. DUNEDIN NEWS.

Dunedin, last night. A young man named Barclay died at Tapanui to-day while undergoing an operation under chloroform administered by a medical marp Sevoral pf the northern competitors at the athletic championship meeting arrived by train to-night, and were welcomed by the President of the Association and officials of the local centre.

Tho Nokomai Hydraulic Sluicing Co. washed up 4390 z 14dwt 15gr for January and February. A dividend, the 17th, of 7s 6d per shave has been declared.