NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 320, 6 October 1908, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(Br TJtLKGlum—peess association.) OBJECTED TO TAKING THE OATH. Christohuroh, October 5.. Before he began a lecture at the Choral .Hall last evening Mr. W. W. Collins, a former member for Christohuroh, made reference to a recent incident that occurred at the Magistrate's Court at Patea, a witness who had asked to. bo allowed to make an affirmation having been committed for contempt of Court for insisting on his right. The following resolutions were carried unanimously by the audienco: ."That .this meeting • indignantly protests against the gross abuse of authority on the part of the Patea Justices, who committed a witness for contempt because he objected to taking the customary oath; and that in compelling a witness to take the oath in spite of his statement that lie had conscientious objections to so doing, and also in forcing him to swear upon a book in which ho did not believe, the Patea Justices not only treated the oath itself with contempt, but acted contrary to both tho spirit and the letter of the Oaths Act, of 1890." It' was further resolved to forward copies of these resolutions to the Minister for Justice. INQUIRY TO BE HELD. ' Auckland, October 5, A special meeting of the stewards of the Avondale Jockey Club was held to-night foi the purpose of considering, the allegations which have been made regarding the running of certain horses in tho Guineas and Electrio Handicap on the second and,third days respectively of the recent meeting, and also regarding the alleged inconsistent running [ _ certain other horses .in other, .events. • After a lengthy discussion, lasting over two hours, it was resolved to hold an inquiry,. The secretary was instructed to cite all •owners, jockeys, and . trainers interested. , THE STRIKE CLAUSE. [ . Christohuroh, October 5. At a meeting of the Canterbury Trades I and Labour Council on Saturday night a I legal -opinion was submitted to the meeting on the question of the power, of the Arbitration Court to insert tho strike clause in awards. The opinion stated, inter alia: "I am of opinion that the union > bound by the award is without redress so far as an appeal to the Supreme Court is -: concerned, when at all events the Arbitration • Court is acting within tho scope of its jurisdiction, though it may be exercising that jurisdiction harshly and oppressively to one of the parties who are the subject of the award. In inserting the terms 'A,' 'B, 1 and 'C' it was within its jurisdiction, though it maybe tho case that a Court differently constituted would not. have used its powers as the Court has done in this case. In place' of attempting; to ■ invoke • the aid of the Supreme Court, which must result in expense and failure, the council might think it well to endeavour to secure such amendments of the Arbitration Act now before Parliament as would protect unionists from clausos of the character which have been invoked in tlie' preparation of tho award under review 1 ." CHRISTOHUROH TRAMWAYS. Christchurch, October 5. Tables showing • a comparison of the sections and fares in Christchurch with those in Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin wera presented at the meeting of the Christchurch Tramway Board to-day. ■ The tables showed that the average length of sections in Christ- , church was shorter than those in two of the other ■ centres', and consequently the far* charged per mile was slightly higher. The concessions given, however, placed the Christ- / church passenger on a • considerably better footing than in any of the other Dominion cities.

ALLECED THEFT. V Hastings, October 5. At the Court, Harry Carlson pleaded guilty to the theft of a watch and' chain at Hastings, and-was.remanded for sentence . to Wellington. He,was also charged with the theft at Wellington of a watch, chain, Socket, and' £15, the property of' William Clements, ' . and was. remanded to answer this charge at Wellington. 1 THE POLICE SUPERANNUATION FUND. . Palmerston North, 1 , October 5. At a meeting of local members of the police ' force held here to-night a resolution was unanimously carried protesting against, tho present police provident fund being merged in the public service, scheme. Chrlstchurch, October 5. At a meeting of members of- the local police foroe held to-night to oonsider the Public Service Superannuation Bill, a motion was adopted to the effect that the police" should be allowed to retain their own provident fund, but that if they had to accept the new proposals, they-should be 'repaid what they had paid into' the police provident fund. AUCKLAND LABOUR BUREAU. Auckland, October 5. With the advent of spring, the unemployed difficulty generally diminishes before an increased demand ' for labour. At tho local Labour Bureau there is at present considerably more demand by the Government for unskilled labourers, principally navvies. The bureau has sent, and is sending, men up to the northern lines for railway construction work. A number of others have been dispatched to Opotiki for the Roads and Survey Department. During August the buroau found employment for 155 men. Last month 196 were sent out—-174 single and 22 married. The institution of a branch of the Government Female Labour Bureau inAuckland has proved successful. 'During August, 10S female workers;were applied for by mistresses, and there were 69 applicants foi employment. Girls willing to acoept engagements as "generals" can command wages ranging from 12s. to 30s. weekly, with liberal holidays, but they are not to ba tempted. Next in demand como waitresses, housemaids, and cooks, in the order named.,.

' ROYAL DUTCH PACKET COMPANY. Dunedln, October 5. Mr. Koning, representative of the Royal Dutch Packet Company, interviewed the Union Company and tbe Huddnrt-Parker Company to-day, and arranged for the establishment of through bookings for passengers and cargo freights from New Zealand to.Sydney.or Melbourne, and then by the Royal Dutch Packet Company's steamers to Java Mr. Koning informed a "Times'' reporter that passenger and cargo prospects in New Zealand did not warrant his company extending ths service to the Dominion at present, but, owing to the possibilities of the country, it might possibly do so in tho not distant future., RUCBY RULES. Nelson, October 5. Tho Nelson College Old Boys' Football Club' ' passed a resolution to-night- generally approving of the proposed alterations of the .Rugby rules, but protesting against any change in professional laws allowing players monetary payment for loss of time, out-of-pocket expenses) or any purpose which would impair the amateur status, of the game. burclars at work. Chrlstchuroh, October 6. The Clarendon Hotel was burglariously ew tered between closing time on Saturday nigh*. and opening time this morning.,' and £3 ib cash taken from the register. Several bottle» of liquor were also taken. FOO SIGNAL. j Cliristchurch, October 5. I The f6g signal at Godley Head, Lyttelton, I came officially into operation to-day.

Provided there is a reasonable clearance beneath the car, the matter of dust appears to depend in the main upon the size of tho tyres. What lve want now is a small tyro which shall bo as durable and comfortable as tho largo ones wo arc compelled to use.— "Autocar." B'or Bronchial Coughs take Wood's Great Peppermint Cure. Is. 6d. and 2s. Od, CBJ