NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 51, 23 November 1907, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

[BY TELEGRAM.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.}

ARBITRATION COURT. STRONG REMARKS BY MR. JUSTICE ... SIM. ' [BY- TELEGRAPH.—rRESS ASSOCIATION.] , ' ■ Napier, November 22. Some strong remarks were made by Mr. Justico Sim at the Arbitration Court this morning, on the manner in which the caso for tho Napier wharf labourers had been prepared for the' Court. Mr. D. M'Laren, who appeared for tho union, questioned some of the compiled statements of wages submitted by Mr. Kirby on behalf of tho shipping companies,, but His Honour said this was the only reliable evidenco that-the Court had had bofore it. The union had been of no assistance in the case, but-had simply brought forward witnesses with bare statements. Why, ho asked Mr. M'Larqn, who ho-believed was a leading light of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council, did ho not adv-iso the unions to bring"cases properly prepared? In the Commonwealth Court tho other day, tho wives of workers wero called-to prove the cost of living, and to give other reliable evidence. Addressing Mr. M'Laren direct, His Honour concluded: "Unions should really produce piopor, evidenco. It is absurd to come into Court with tho evidenco you have done. It is simply playing with tho Court." THE FACTORIES; BILL. Christchurch, November 22. The- Secretary of the Canterbury Employers' Association telegraphed as follows to tho Employers' Federation, Wellington, today:—"lf Clause 15 in tho Factories Bill, as amended by the Upper House, moans weekly engagement for factory hands, this association strongly protests against tho amende ment, and asks that the Minister bo interviewed and requested to allow the cla.uso as originally drafted to romain." ' Auckland, November 22. The Auckland Clothing Manufacturers' Union telegraphed to tho Premier, tho Ministor for Labour, and tho Auckland members, strongly protesting against tho words "rate of" being struck out of a clause in the Factories Act, tho amendmont being detrimental to tho workors, as in slack time they would bo suspended for a whole week, and would also prevent a factory being,run half time, ■■ and ■ greatly disorganise Christmas holidays,- as factories would not work half a week during that timo. POISONING CASE. Wanganui, November 22. Mrs. Alice Hodgson, wifo of a rosideritof Huntbrvillo, who was brought into a private liospital hero about a week ago, was found in an unconscious condition locked in tho bathroom last evening, having, it is stated, taken a dose of a disinfectant. Medical aid was summoned, but efforts to counteract the poison wero unavailing, and she died an hour afterwards. . CHARGE OF SNATCHING. A WATCH.: Auckland, November 22. \ ' Josoph Coles, accused.of snatching a silver watch from a married "woman named Annie Irwin, was this afternoon committed for wi'al at tho Supremo Court. Accused asked to .say a.few wordß in respect to tho treatment ho said he received at the'gaol, which ho. described as cruel., He declared that this morning he was preparing a statement of dofonco when two warders arrived and demanded it. He refused to hand it over, whereupon they caught hold of him and noarly choked him. His Worship said tho complaint • would bo investigated. SERIOUS ACCIDENT.- -

Auckland,- November 22. A married man, John Peters, aged thirtytwo, employed at Messrs. M'Lcan and Son's reclamation works at Freeman's Bay, was severely crushed between a truck and a post this afternoon, and removed to the hospital in a critical condition.

" HORTICULTURAL SHOW. Auckland, November 22. Tho Auckland Horticultural Society's Show to-day was a great success. Ip tho rose section.Messrs! T. M. Wells. T. W. Jackson, H. F. Edgar,' and H. W. Clark, secured tlie principal prizes. In tho cut flower section Mrs. U. >1. Abraham scored with pansics, Mr. H. E. Sharp with rhododendrons, F. Drown with sweet peas, and C. S. M'Donald and Sons carried off tho prize for twenty-four varieties of.cut flowers. '• YOUNG MAN SHOOTS HIMSELF. Walmatc, November 22. A young man named Frederick John Harris, aged itwentyrsevon, shot himself on Wednesday-evening after returning homo from a day's fishing. At the inquest uold last. evening no. roason was given for the rash act,' except that deceased had been suffering from influenza. ■ The jury returned a verdict that deceased shot, himself while temporarily insane FATAL TRAP ACCIDENT: Waimate, November 22. 'John M'Culloch, ah old and respected settler hero, was thrown ouij»of his trap oh Tuesday evening, through-t,io axle of the vehicle breaking, and received severe injuries from which ho succumbed last ... night... The accident .occurred nba'r his homo, arid was witnessed by deceased's family and employees. -NEWS IN BRIEF. ■ Dunedin, November 21. In the case of Hayes- v. the City, Corporation,'in'.which £5750 was claimed for land taken for street widening purposes, tho Compensation Court awarded £4100- and costs £250. Balclutha, November 20. Tho general returns presented showed satisfactory increases. .Tho report of the Conference Sunday School Committee was discussed, and a number of recommendations wore made .including one that the Bible class movement organising agents' work should also cover'that of helper of Sunday Schools. Tho Rev. J. Murray was elected rcprescnta- * . ■ ' ■