NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 43, 14 November 1907, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

RAILWAY TERMINAL CHARGES. ■ Invercargill, November 13. The Chamber of Commerce Committee yesterday received the report of the president, Mr. Watson, on the recent deputation to the Premier on the subject of terminal charges at shipping ports. The cpmmittee decided " That while the Chamber still thinks that no profits should bo made on the actual cost of overtinio (9d.)' at seaports, it hopes that, as he has promised the deputation to look into it, the Premier will see his way to reduce the rates to Is. per hour." INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE. Christchurch, November 13. The Canterbury Moat Preservers' Industrial Union of Workers have filed a dispute with the. Christchurch Meat Company and other firms, asking for a review of the conditions of labour. The demands of the Union are for a week of forty-eight hours, minimum wage of £4 per week to foreman, slaughtermen Is. 6d. per hour, cellarmeu is. 3d., general factory hands Is. 4}d.. scalders Is. 3d., store hands Is. 4Jd., and factory assistants Is. The dispute has been provisionally set down for hearing on December 10. .

BREACH OF PROMISE CASE. Dunedin, November 13. A breach of promise case, Milne v. Finnegan, a civil servant, was settled at the eleventh hour, the defendant paying £60. THE GAMING BILL. Dunedin, November 13. The D.J.C. committee express the opinion that the Gaming Bill is iii the interests of sport, but suggest that it should bo amended by retaining the two dividends, and that the word "may" be substituted for "shall" in the clause, providing that bookmakers be licensed; also that the totalisator be closed at the notified time of starting in the place of the advertised time. MISSING DEBTOR. Auckland, November 13. At a meeting of creditors of.John Sterling, storekeeper, of Raurimu, the Official Assignee stated the.' debtor disappeared in October last with liis wife and belongings, leaving liabilities amounting to £1400, and assets estimated at about £400, and a warrant had been issued for his arrest. So far as he could ascertain, the bankrupt must have had considerably over £500 when he disappeared. The meeting adjourned to enable the assignee to realise the assets. The principal creditor said he would do his utmost to have the bankrupt apprehended. SIR JAMES MILLS. > Dunedin, November 13.

Sir James Mills was entertained at a banquet this evening in celebration of his return to the Dominion, and in honour•' of the Knighthood conferred on him by the King. The Mayor (Mr. Loudon) presided, and about 200 guests were present, representing the commercial, manufacturing, snipping, legal, and median professions. Sir James was accorded an enthusiastic reception, and the speakers referred in terms of the highest praiso to tho value of his services to New Zealand. . ■ "

FIRE IN AUCKLAND. Auckland, November 13. . A two-storied wooden building in Victoria Street West, owned by Mr. Johnson iiill, and occupied by Mr. A. Sanderson, pork butchor,' was practically destroyed by fire yesterday. Tho ■building was insured in the National Office, the policy being for £180. : "ARBITRATION BILLi •■■ ■ . Duncdin,, November 13. Tho Trades and Labour Council last evening passed the following resolution at a special meeting held to consider the Arbitration Act Amondment .Bill:—"That -the Minister for Labour bo requested to amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act to provide for a member and acting-member of the •Arbitration Court being elected by the Unions instead of as at present being appointed on the recommendations of the Unions, and that the result of tho voting be published." In regard to tho Amendment Hill , generally, tho Council decided that it could not see its way to depart from' its previous decision expressed in a recent manifesto which was condemnatory of the measure.

CHARGE AGAINST BOOKMAKERS. .' Christchurch, November 13. 'J'wenty-six bookmakers were before the Court to-day, charged with trespassing on the Riccartoii racecourse during the Christchurch Jockey.Club's Metropolitan Meeting. -Fourteen were sentenced to two months' imprisonment, four to ono month, and seven were fined £10 each, while one case was adjourned.

FOUND DROWNED. Christchurch, November 13. An "inquest was held to-night on the body of the man found in. Dudley Creek yesterThe body was identified as that of A. Eckland, a Mothven resident, and a verdict of found drowned.was returned.

RAILWAY EXCURSION FACILITIES. Auckland, November 13. At a meeting of ,the Auckland. Grocers' Association the following resolution was carried:—"That in order to , afford shopkeepers aiid other tradespeople moro favourable opportunities of taking advantage of the New Year railway excursion facilities, for travel the acting Manager for Railways be respectfully urged to extend the time for obtaining excursion tickets until about January 16."

MISSING MAN FOUND. Cisborne, November 13. Mr. D. O'Siillivan, a representative of the Government Life- Insurance Department, who has boon missing since November 4, was found about a mile and a half from the town amongst some scrub. Everything pointed to suicide, but nothing definite is yet known.

HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION. Inveroargill, November 13. Tho Employers' Association and the Wednesday Half-Holiday Association to-night advised tlm Advisory Board of tho Employers' Federation and the local members of the Legislative Council strenuously to resist the addition of Mr. Millar's now sub-clause to the Factories Act Amendment Hill regardine the half-holiday where factory and shop arc combined. The Employers' Association also telegraphed to tho Minister asking him to delete tho clause. Feeling is very strong hero, as tho Bill was. considered otherwise satisfactory.

THE SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION. ' Invercsrgill, November 13. Dr. Coleridge Fan-, secretary of tho scientific expedition at the Muff, received the following telegram from the Premier to-night: " Please convey to ono and all tho members of the expedition my best wishes for the success of their undertaking. 1 recognise tho importance of the work, and feel sure that tho information obtained will be most valuable to the scientific world. May you have a pleasant voyage and a safe return to tho shores of the Dominion." AN EXPLOSION. Ghristcliurch, November 13. Shortly after nine o'clock this morning one of tho clerks engaged by Messrs. lznrd and Loughnan, solicitors, opened the strongroom door and struck a match to light tlio gas jet inside tho room. An explosion folloivod, and a broad sheet of flame shot out, singeing the young man's face and clothing,. :mtl sotting lire to tho documents. Beyond the burning of some papers, however, the fire was extinguished without serious damage.