INTERPROVINCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 3048, 10 August 1893, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington, August 9. The recent disturbance at the Bakers Union banquet was made the subject of a Court case to-day, when four men appeared on complicated charges of assault. Thiee were each fined £4 or 14 daya' imprisonment. The remaining man, who had got decidedly the worst of the fight, was dismissed. His Worship remarked that men should not conduct themselves like beasts and cowards, when they were assembled to celebrate a social affvir among themselves. The Hospital Trustees have decided to light the building with gas, except! in the surgery ward where electricity will be used; but they intend asking the Gas Company to supply gas at 63 3d instead of 6s Bd, the piice now charged. The Government are being pxessed to appoint an official grader of flax in Wellington, his services to be paid by the Flax Millers' Association. Attention is being drawn to the fact that while the gross freight for flax by the barque Ephialte from Auckland is £2 17s 6d, from here it is £3 5* plus 5 per cent. Wellington merchants have endeavoured to obtain a reduction but unsuccessfully. (The explanation of lh.s New Zealand Shipping Company is that in Auckland it -had to fight against competition. The Trades Council Conference recommends Trades Councils throughout the Colony to consider the report of che Labor Department so thac an expression of opinion may be obtained as to average rates of wages paid to the detriment of trades. It was resolved that next conference be held in Auckland in Easter week. Mr S. D. D. McLean, of Hawkes Bay, has given two acres of land in Oriental Bay for a site for a convalescent home in Wellington. The site is valued »t £1000, and in addition Mr McLean subscribed £200 to the building fund. Dunedin, August 9. l^rs Livingstone, relict of the late Provincial Auditor, died to-day aged 85. The Commissioner of Taxes is proceedin? against three well known citiz ms for faiUnar to make Drooar returns.