NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 305, 18 September 1908, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(nr TELEGIiAI'II—rUBSS ASSOCIATION.)

BANKRUPTCY LAWS. ACTION OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, Auckland, September 17. The Auckland Chamber of Commerce baa been' agitating for some time l'or-a revision' of the present bankruptcy, lairs of the Dominion, and, with this object ill view, has . communicated upon the subject with other chambers. At the meeting this afternoon, a letter was read stating that the Wellington. Chamber is heartily in sympathy with tho Auckland Chamber us to the need of revision of the bankruptcy laws. They proposed, to wait upon the Government as a deputation ■ from the chambcr on this matter. The Invercargill Chamber of Commerce (writing on tho same matter) suggested that a committee of each chamber in the Dominion should bo set up, which should formulate what amendments are considered necessary, and that • delegates from the committee should meet in conference to decide upon what amendments should bo recommended. Mr. N. A. Nathan said it was a pity something could not have been dono with the bankruptcy laws this session. The matter was referred to the Finance and- General Committee. REBATE ON SHIP'S STORES. EFFECT ON TRADE. Auckland, September 17. A matter of considerable importance to the trade of Auckland was brought under the notice of the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon by a letter from Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Co. This referred to a recent Gazette notice withdrawing the privilege hitherto allowed of rebating duty on-ships' stores. It was pointed out that this would have a disastrous effect on the trade of: the city, as masters and owners of vessels would supply their wants where such supplies could be obtained on more favourable terms.' For instance, H.M.C.S. Iris made Auckland her headquarters, but could with equal facility obtain tho goods at Sydney or Melbourne. A very considerable trade was also done here with other vessels of H.M. Navy, and the writers suggested that united representation should be made to tho Minister for Customs to reconsider this matter. The council dccidcd to draw the attention of the writers to the statement of the Minister for Customs that there was 110 legal power to allow rebates 011 ships' stores^ ARBITRATION COURT. FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE. Napier, September 17. The Arbitration Court to-day concluded ■ tho hearing of tho freezing works dispute. It" was contended for the employers that the men's demands were extremely unreasonable when compared with the rates of pay and other conditions in other parts of the Dominion. For tho union it was contended in reply that the demands were not excessive, and that they were justified by the. character of the industry. During the proceedings it was pointed out that slaughtermen were not now members of the union. The Court adjourned till to-morrow. 1 THE CORONATION OATH. Nelson, September 17. At the close of a lecture on the Coronation Oath in tho Methodist Church last night by the Rev. C. H. Garland, before a large audience, the following resolution was car-ried:—-"This meeting raises its protest against the disloyal utterances reported by tho Press Association to have been made at the Eucharistic Congress 011 September 11 by the Duke of Norfolk, who described the Royal declaration in taking the Coronation Oath as an insult to the King and the good . sense of the nation. This meeting is of opinion that such an utterance, made on so important an occasion, is a gratuitous insult to a Protestant rulei; and people, and discloses dangerous hostility to tho Protestant throne." SUPREME COURT. , September' 17. ■ The. half-yearly sitting ,of the Supreme Court opened' this ' morning. Mr. Justice Cooper congratulated the distriot on the absence of serious crime. The only serious case was a perjury charge coming from outside the Westland District. Cisborne, September 17. . The Supremo Court half-yearly sessionß opened this morning. Mr. Justice Edwards, in his charge to the grand jury, said none of the cases should give them much trouble in coming to a decision. Tho grand jury returned 110 bill in tho case of William Rowell, charged with issuing a valueless chequo, and true bills in tho case of alleged attempted murder at Pakarae, and 'in all the other indictments presented. ASIIBURTON MAN FOUND DEAD. 1 Asiiburton, September 17. The fully-dressed dead body of a mail, who was later identified as John Taylor, of Hampstead, Asiiburton, was found lying face downwards on a footpath in that suburb at 7 o'clock this mornins. There were no signs of a struggle and no marks on the body. Deceased, who attended the races yesterday, was a married man, thirty-five years of age, with several children. Later.. After taking evidence regarding the finding of the body, the inquest on the death of John Taylor was adjourned till Monday. It is understood there are lio suspicious circumstances. ' INSANITY AND DIVORCE. Dunedin, September 17. ■ Mr. Justico Williams, in the Divorce Court this morning, granted a decree nisi in the case in which tho petitioner, a young woman, sued for di/orce on tho ground of the insanity of the respondent, who had become insano twelve months after marriage and had attempted suicide. The matter ot publicity having been brought up by counsel, who stated there was no misconduct, the Judge said there was not the slightest occasion to publish the names of tho parties; ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF OPIUM. Dundin, September 17. At the Police Court this morning Ah Moon, Chinese shopkeeper, was fined £30 for having opium suitable for smoking in his possession. Accused was previously lined £30 for a similar offence. Tho polico alleged that accused trafficked in opium and rah a pakapoo school, :.nd did 110 legitimate business as a storekeeper. COTTAGE GUTTED BY FIRE. Timaru, September 17. Tho wooden portion of a six-roomed cottage was gutted by fire last night. Two rooms in brick were saved. The house was owned bv J. Doull, and insured in the Atlas > and Victoria offices for £350. It was occu- 1 pied by G. P. Gerrie, auctioneer, whose furniture was insured in tho Standard office. Mr. Gerrie and his family were absent from home at tho timo of tho outbreak. SCHOOL LIBRARIES. Punedin, September 17. The Otago Education Board has decided to subsidise tho establishment of public school libraries to the extent of giving 10s. for every pound raised locally, and to assist school committeces 111 making a selection of suitable books. The board also resolved that all schools of three rooms and over shall have fire drill as a regular part of school work. VISIT OF THE AMERICAN FLEET. Auckland, September 17, The final meeting of the executive commit), tee that carried out tho arrangements for the visit of tho American Fleet- was held this afternoon. The accounts submitted showed that the estimated expenditure of £6000 had been exceeded by £138. ART STUDENTS. Auckland, September 17. A meeting of art students last night advocated the need for a properly constituted "life" school in Auckland with organised competitions, and albo travelling scholarships,