SOUTHERN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 94, 20 April 1906, Page 6

SOUTHERN NEWS.

(By Telegraph Press Association.)

PAINTERS' UNION iFOEMED.

WELLINGTON, Thursday.

The conference of delegates from the painters' unions throughout the colony closed to-day. The result of the gathering was the formation of an association entitled the New Zealand Federated Painters and Decorators* Industrial AsFociation of Workers. The union is to consist of any number of properly-con-stituted painters' unions registered under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and the object is to effect general unity throughout Xew Zealand among the different unions connected with the painting trade. It was agreed that "Auckland should he. the headquarters of the federation for the ensuing year, and that t«h next annual conference should, take place at that centre. f BRITISH TRAI>E INTSIESTS. ? DUNEDIN, Thursday. , "Mr. "R. J. .Teffray, who was appointed. by the Board of Trade to visit Australia and Xew Zealand in the interests of trade with the Mother Coventry, addressed the Chamber of Commerce today. He said that the Consuls or foreign Powers did their best to forward the trade of their respective countries, while Britain had no Consuls or representatives in the colonies charged with a similar duty. To remove that he had been commissioned to nominate seven men, one for each Australian State and one for New Zealand. The president of the chamber, in thanking Mr. Jeffray for his address, said he was sure that commercial men in Dunedin would give, every assistance possible. INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL. DUNEDIN, Thursday. At the. Charitable Aid and Hospital Board's meeting to-day. the chairman, said that now the female refuge was to be used as a maternity home, something ■would have to be done in the matter of an infections diseases hospital. The only site available which Dr. iTason would approve of was some land belonging to the Defence Department, and the Premier, as Minister for Defence, would not part with this. Dr. Batchelor said the position was a serious one, as there were scarlet fever cases all round, and an epidemic might break out. It was finally decided to telegraph to the Premier and chief health officer on the matter, and to ask the co-operation of the city and snbnrban members of Parliament. ~{: SHIPPING AND SEAMEN ACT. ' "WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Government have been informed that the Royal assent has been given to the Shipping and Seamen Act of last sesion. The Act came into operation to-day. It extends for three, months, during which time application for certificates of service as master mariners may be made. The Act allows a certificated master of any fishing boat in English ■waters to take charge of any fishing boat in New Zealand waters without examination in this colony.

>r CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.

DtTNEDIN, Thursday.

On March 29, Elizabeth McConochie, SO years of age, was knocked down by ' a butcher's cart at "the corner of Great King and "Union streets. Serious consequences were not expected, but the wosan is now dead. The driver of the cart, Robert Brown, was arrested after ihe accident for drunkenness, and' was fined. An inquest was held to-day, and the medical evidence was to the effect that while the injuries would probably not have proved fatal to a person iv ordinary health, they had in the case of a. woman of deeeased'6 age no doubt hastened death. The jury returned the following verdict: "That deceased met her death through having been knocked down by a horse and cart driven by one Robert Brown, he being unfit to control such horse and cart, being at the time ■tmder the influence of liquor." Brovrn was at once-axrested on a charge of manel a lighter. 'A PROSPECTOR M3BSINGT P PALMERSTOX 2ST, Wednesday. Joe Pitch, a well-known prospector, has been lost in the Rnahine ranges, above Rangiwairia, since Friday last. A search party has gone ont. Grave fears for his safety are entertained by those who are familiar with the locality. ?S GISBORJiE, Wednesday. 'A young man named Thomson met a painful accident at Motu on Monday. He was engaged bnshfelling, when a tree split, and the trunk fell on his leg, crushing it badly. He was brought to Gisborne Hospital last night, and it *vas found that mortification had set in, necessitating amputation of the leg. The nnfortnnate man is progressing satisfactorily. DUNEDDs this day. Three of the oldest teachers in the Otago education service have resigned on superannuation, namely, Messrs. JDlne (Caversham). Reid (Tokomaixiro), and Barton (Portobello).

Mr. McKenzie, M-H.R„ is moving in the direction of appointing a specialist in agriculture to give instruction in the primary schools of Otago.