TELEGRAMS. WORK AND WAGES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2025, 9 March 1907, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

WORK AND WAGES.

Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, yesterday. At the Methodist' Conference Alissionary breakfast this morning an appeal was made on behalf of church extension nnd liquidation of tho present debt on the Homo mission fund of £5000.' The breakfast room was occupied for three hours and much enthusiasm was shown. Tho dobt, on tho basis of one shilling per mombor, was practically extinguished by guarantees from various district's. Tho promises amount to £3OOO, given in sums ranging from £3OO downwards. Both sides in tho slnuglitornioii’s

dispute still stand firm. Tho men state they will not work oxcopt at tho increased rntes, nnd tho employers insist' that tho matter bo referred to tho Court. Tho men will not consent to this. Tho manager of the Christchurch Aloat Company statos that ho may bo able to do without tho men. Now hands are coming in steadily, and over forty are now killing at the company’s works at Islington and Smithftold. The men stnto that they do not intend to pay tho fines inflicted by tho Court, and as they have no proporty they do not consider enforcement to be probable. Tho Canterbury owe and ram fair was hold yesterday. Tho entries were much larger than usual. A feature of the sale was tho demand for English Leicestors. Thero wore 2279 entries of this breed, and the bulk so/1 at from two guineas to five guineas a head. Ordinary flock rams sold at from 8 guineas to 22 guineas for picked rams of well-known breeders. Border Leicesters were in fair demand. Lincoln, Romney, and Aferino were barely represented, and were hardly noticed. Shropshires were entered, but were not in demand, and many pens passed. Southdowns were in a similar case. Corrie-

dales wore irregular. Tho sale will be resumed to-day, when flock ewes and stud rams will be offered. INVERCARGILL, yesterday. Tho stoamer Rakiura, which went ashore during a fog three weeks ago on Ivaka Point, near the Nuggets, got off safely this morning, and sailed for Dunedin. AIARTON, yesterday. At the quarterly meeting of the Alanawatu Licensing Committee a resolution was passed requesting all licensees to erect balconies beneath every bedroom window, with staircases of sufficient width to the ground. These improvements are to be completed before the annual meeting in June.

WELLINGTON, yesterday.

Air Justice Cooper and a special jury of twelve were engaged yesterday in hearing the case of Jno. Russell, of Waitara, and George Pott, of New Plymouth, versus the RegistrarGeneral of Lands. Plaintiffs had leased from Alurgatroyd Bros., who held under lease from the Waitara Harbor Board three acres at Waitara for the purposes of a fellmongery, and erected certain buildings and machinery. After these improvements were effected, the title of the land was claimed by certain natives by virtue of a Crown grant issued to them prior to the registration of the lease or any grant issued to the Waitara Harbor Board, and the northern boundary of the land was claimed by the natives as a running stream, which separated it from the remainder of the land included in plaintiff’s leasehold. This stream was used by plaintiff Pott, for the purpose of his business. In August, 1904, tho native owners brought an action against plaintiffs, claiming Tnat they naTT rri:.,, -'"l- upon the land in question, and had uammetrr fouled, or otherwise misused the waters flowing in the stream. On the trial of that action tho native owners recovered damages to the extent of £4B and costs. By reason of this.verdict Air Pott declared that the property was consequently absolutely useless to him. The present case was brought for assessment of damages, and the plaintiffs claimed £IOOO The jury, after an absence of about three-quarters of an hour, returned a verdict by a majority of ten to two, which, by consent of the parties, was accepted, of £750. Judgment was accordingly entered, with costs on the highest scale.

DUNEDIN, yesterday. The ninth annual meeting of the Accountants and Auditors’ Association was held last night. The president, Mr. T. S. Graham, occupied the chair. There was a good attendance of menjbers. In his opening remarks the president assured members that the association had steadily progressed during the pagt twelye months, and had done good work and maintained its name and position 'as a body founded to advance the accountancy interests in the colony, for the benefit not only of the profession, but of the public at large. At the 'close of the last financial year there were on the roll the names of 288 members, as against a total of 225 in 1905. The number of candidates who applied for admission by examination this year was 156, as compared with 94 in 1905. The president, also referred to the steps taken by the Council in preparing an Accountancy Bill for Parliament in the coming session. There was a chance that the Bill would be put through this year. Mr. Graham was re-elect-ed president, this being his third term of office, and the vice-president and members of the Council were elected for the different centres. The eighth annual report was adopted. Air. H. A. Hessing, of Auckland, was elected a life member. The meeting was .continued this morning, as some of the northern delegates had to leave by tho Taluno in the afternoon.

AUCKLAND, last night. As the result of a meeting of the newly-formed Auckland Slaughteimen’s Union a log was yesterday forwarded to tlio principal Master Butchers’ Association and several big butchering establishments’ in Auckland with a reel nest that an answer be given by 5 o’clock to-morrow evening. The details are withheld, but it is generally understood that the men demand to bo placed on the same footing as the southern employees in tlio matter of ra-te of pay and hours of labor. It is understood that in the event of the men ceasing work they will make arrangements enabling the employers to maintain the meat supply for domestic use.

WAIROA, last night. The Native Land Commission is sitting, dealing with the Tutaekuri and Tutuoekuri blocks, and is proceeding to a subdivision of the Tutaekuri. The horses attached to a chaffcutter bolted. A native named Watene Winiata jumped off and was dragged by the reins and seriously injured. He is progressing poorly. Thirty-five cadets left for the Exhibition this morning. DUNEDIN, last night.' The Rakiura was floated off at Willsher Bay this morning by the use of barrels under her counter. THE FRISCO SERVICE. AUCKLAND, last night. The local manager of the Oceanic Company states that the Ventura leaves Auckland for San Francisco on March 22, and the Sierra on April 1. Passengers already booked by either of these steamers may embark on the Sierra.

NATIVE LANDS COAIAIISSION NAPIER, last night.

Tho Native £,nnds Commission opened at Alohaka at 10 a.m on Wednesday with an enquiry into tho Wliirehaurakau block. Tho owners wore willing that this block should bo loased by public auction, ono owner, however, claiming tho lease of ono third. Tho land is reported to be of poor quality, pumice, nnd distant about 9 miles up tho Alohaka river. Enquiry into tho Alohaka block of 24,000 acres occupied the Commission in the aftornoon nnd up to ton in tho evening, nnd was not completed till noon on Thursday. Three or four years ago this block was partitioned by tho Court into 55 subdivisions, which await survey to complete them. Tho Commission ascertained the wishes of tho native owners in each subdivision. Generally they desired to rotain and farm their land themselves, either individually or in co-partnership. It was found that subdivisions averaging in area from 200 to SOO acres could conveniently be made, each block having a frontage to tho proposed road. Proposals for leases to ono or more members of a family were submitted to tho Commissioner. This appears to bo the only block which Alaoris living at Alohaka and the neighborhood had at tho presont time available for farming purposes, ami they evinced a great desire to be placed in a position with good titles to show their capacity as farmers. Sir Robert Stout was earnest in advising tho natives to make proper use of their opportunity. He thought that to ensure proper utilisatino of land provision should bo made for compulsory residence and improvements by Alaoris even on their own land, and that it would be necessary to have an inspector to visit thorn from time to time. As a result of the enquiry there will probably bo 400 acres of land available for European settlors. The Commission sat at Wairoa on Friday to enquire into tho Tntaokuri (12,500 acres) and Tutotekalia (10,000 acres) blocks. The enquiry will probably last two days, after which the Commission proceeds to Nuhaka to enquire into No. 2 block. Two large blocks in this district, Wailuta (9000 acres) and Hereteretau, in each of which the lease has expired, cannot be investigated at present .owing to complication in titles, with which the Native Land Court will shortly deal. Other large areas in the district were recently vested by tho Native Alinister in the Tairawhiti Alaori Land Board, and should be available for settlement shortly. During the journey from Alohaka to AVairoa the Commission had a pleasant drive through firstclass pastoral country. The Chief Justice was much impressed with the capacity of the country for pastoral purposes, and thought it would carry a large population if the present large holdings were subdivided.

RAILWAY PORTER KILLED. WELLINGTON, last night. Gus Turner, railway porter, aged 30, fell under a train at Wellington railway station to-night, and was killed, both legs being fractured. Deceased is said to have absented himself from work to-day without any known reason. SUPREAIE COURT. PALAIERSTON N., Alarch 8. In the Supreme Court W. Gugild Robb claimed £5Ol damages from the Akitio Sawmilliug Company for the death of his son. Plaintiff’s son was' engaged on an oil launch for the defendant company and when engaged on a short voyago the launch was wrecked and the crew of two men drowned. The case occupied two days. It was alleged by plaintiff the vessel was unseawortliy and short manned. Tho jury sat 5j hours, and ■considered^ sQ_damages should be the award. _ A decree nisi was granted in the case of Henry Bailey v. Ethel May Bailey, to be made absolute in three months. An order was made for costs against co-respondent, Herbert Tonks. *

AIETHODIST CONFERENCE. CHRISTCHURCH, last night. At the Methodist Conference yesterday the Rev. J. N. Buttle submitted the Foreign Alission balancesheet, which showed for New Zealand a record income of £.2,210,124. It was resolved to request the .President of the Conference; to/;- visit the leading centres lyith a view to the establishment of ladies’ missionary auxiliaries similar.'totth.e one in Dunedin. Deputations representing the Ministers’ Association, Baptist Union, Presbyterian Assembly, and Primitive Alethodist Conference waited upon the Conference, the Revs. W. Reed, J. Alartin, J. Guy, and T. Alurray being the speakers. The Rev. B. F. Rothwell replied on behalf of the Conference. In the afternon a very successful garden party was held at Elmwood, Papanui road In the evening the ordination service took place in the Sydenham Church, which was crowded. The candidates were the Revs. M. A. R. Pratt, A. J. Seamer, B. J. James, J. Wilson, and Hone Hare (native minister). The ex-president (Rev. T. G. Brooke) delivered the ordination charge.

- LAND QUESTION. INVERCARGILL, last nigh. The County Council to-day discussed and answered a series of questions submitted by Mr. W. Downie Stewart, of Dunedin, who is collecting information for an American writer on taxation. The questions were: (1) Has the system had any marked effect in discouraging the holding of land for speculative purposes? (2) Has the system unduly forced people to part with land held for private gardens? (3) Do you attribute to the system any alteration in the prosperity of the country? (4) Has the system caused any appreciable increase in building or other inprovement? (5) Has the system caused buildings to bo erected in advance of requirements?' (6) Do you consider the system of works equitable, and do you know any cases of hardship? (7) Has'it had any effect in cheapening land, or making it easier to get? (8) Do the ratepayers and public seem satisfied with the system ? After discussion it was decided that the Council is of opinion that the system is inequitable and that the questions to be answered will be as follows: 1,2, and 5, No. 4: It probably has in the towns, 6 inequitably, 7 it has not cheapened the land, S ratepayers appear to be a pathetic.

Press Association. DUNEDIN, yesterday. The Arbitration Court' gave its award yesterday in the engine-driv-ers’ dispute. -A week’s work is not to exceed 48 hours; the wages following shall be the minimum rates of wages: (a) Where the work that the engine-driver is employed to do requires that he sliaU hold a first-class certificate as stationary engine-driver and he is the holder of a first-class certificate of competency, 10s per day; (b) where the work which he is ongaged to do requires that he shall be the holder of a first-class certificate as a stationary engine-driver, and he is the holder of a first-class certificate of service, but not of competency, 9s per day; (c) where the work which lie is engage dto do requires that he shall- be the holder of a second-class certificate as stationary engine-driver, and he is the holder of a second-class certificate of competency, 9s per day; (a) where the work which he is engaged to do requires that he shall be the holder of a second-class certificate as stationary

eugino-drivor, nnd ho is tho holder of a second-class cortificato of sorvico, but not of competency, 8s por day; (o) for firomen engaged in firing, with a cortificato and in clinrgo, 8s por day. Tho folt hatters’ - dispute award statos that a wook’s work shall not oxcood 48 hours. Each omployor shall, subject to the provisions of tho Factories Act, 1901, bo entitled to arrange hours of work, subject to tho exigencies of his business. All time worlcod in excoss of 48 hours shall bo dootnod overtime and paid for at the rato of time and a quarter. Tho workers shall bo woekly sorvants, and shall ho paid wages at tho rato of not less than £3 per week for a wook’s work of 48 hours. Tho evidence showed thift tho felt hat manufacturing business is a now industry in Dunodin, and is not in a flourishing stato. Tho Court has therefore niado an award which maintains tho existing conditions, and has fixed a short poriod for the duration of the award. Tho award shall come into operation on Alarch 25th, 1907, and shall romniu in operation until Alarch 25tli, 1908, and thereafter shall continue in force until superseded by another award or industrial agreement. INVERCARGILL, last night.

Tho position as regards tho striko is somewhat revorscd locally. Recently there woro sheep and no men, Now thoro aro men and no shoop. At' Mataura a full board of 14 butchers is available, and it is expected to start on Saturday. AVork would have been stratod to-day if the shop had boon available. At Wallacetown butchers are being engaged. The position at Ocean Beach is unchanged. Seven of tho Mataura men are oxstrikers. The slaughtermen hold a meeting to-morrow, for tho purpose, it is. said, of considering anothor offer by tho companies. The companies say nothing about tho new offer, and state that they will abide by the original proposals made in Southland.