NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 461, 20 March 1909, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(Br TEt.EQttirU—rnESS ISSOCUTIOtf.J -4 CIRCULAR BY THE UNION COMPANY. TO ITS CAPTAINS. Dunedln, March 19. Sir James Mills, in a circular to tlio mastors of tho Union Steam Ship Company's fleet, states that tho impression is quite unwarranted that tho company insists upon rigid adhoronco to time-table, causing tho master to tako risks. Ho urges upon thorn that the safety of lives and property must always bo tho first consideration, and expresses the company's corupleto confidence in them. PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS. "CONSTERNATION THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND." Dunedln, March 19. Employers aro up in arms over Mr. Justico Sim's remarks at Wellington on Tuesday regarding tho preference to unionists question. The New Zealand Employers' Federation has circularised al] affiliated associations, asking their opinion oil the matter. "What tho employers complain of," said a prominent Dunedin employer, "is that up to the present timo neither Acts nor awards of tho Court havo taken away from employers tho right to engage the best labour obtainable, whether a mail is a (unionist or but it how appears v that ail employer has to take on a unionist whether the man is suitable or not. This strikes at tho .vory foundation of the' employers' right, and consequently'is carrying consternation throughout New Zealand. . ' A HAIRDRESSER'S CASE. Auckland, March 13. A hairdresser, named M. Polozzi, was charged at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday with having employed a non-unionist in contravention of tho award. Tho defendant said that a 'man named Davis, from Australia, had como into his shop as a possible purchaser of his business. Davis remained there | for several days to seo how matters were | going, and oil the third day defendant, seeing that Davis was doing nothing, put him to the chair and paid 13s. for his day's services, which was more than the award prescribed. Tho Magistrate pointed out that the circumstance that. Polozzi had paid Davis for his services made him his employer. The defendant Admitted that tho award gave unconditional preference 1 to unionists. The Magistrate, regarding the breach as purely a technical one, fined tho defendant ss. withI out costs. VEHICLES AT ELECTIONS. Glsborne, March 19. , In tho Magistrate's Court, G. Darton, 'runner-up, to the. Hon. J. Carroll in the recent general election, was charged .. with committing an illegal practice by paying money on account of the hire of vchiclrr. far the conveyance of electors on tho day of tho second ballot. It was stated that tuo case, if substantiated, would have to ko to the Supreme Court for trial. An adjournment till Monday was granted on tho application of tho defence.

BLOWS AT .THE HACES. ■ Nsploiy-March 19.: Tareha was again before the Magistrate's Court charged.with assaulting Bibby oil the Park Racecourse on Wednesday,; and wne further remanded, for a week.- Bibbv recovered consciousness last , night; . •'.

/ SUPREME COURT SITTINGS. ' ' Napier, March 19. " At the' Supreme Court Herman' Langsdorf was convicted on two charges of false pretences, and sentenced to three yoars' ini'prisoninent. prisoner's police record extends over a very, considerable .period. 'William Miitdlemiss, convicted of an aggravated assault oil Hugh. Sands, at Kaikora, whereby tho latter's wis admitted to twelve months'- probation, and ordered to pay the costs i of the prosecution, and £20 to Sands. INADEQUATE ; SHEEP TRANSPORT. , Fclldlng, March 19. A meeting' of tho Farmers'. Union was held hero to-day, and great indignation' was expressed at the shortage tof haulage to tako away fat lambs. It was stated that; in every oasoj whero trucks wore ordered, there was delay in getting them away-, and consequent. depreciation in value of- atqfik. Mr. D. H. Guthrie, M.P. for Oroua, was. asked to send the following telegrairi to tho Minister for Railways':—"We beg to point out an injustice being done to the Feilding district through want of facilities for transport of. fat stock." •••• N

ASSISTING DEER HUNTERS. NClScfi, March 19. . Owing to applications from tho Tourist Department to provido facilities for visiting sportsmen after deer, etc., tho.Acclimatisation Society has arranged to keep a register of qualified guides, who will conduct sporting, tours iii likely Country at a moderate cost. Some visitors, thus catered for, havo "thor-' oughly enjoyed the trip and 'secured ..good sport. THE PENGUIN'S STEWARDESSES. ' Nelson, March 19. . Collections to endow a hospital bed in memory of tho brave stewardesses of tho , Penguin are coming in freely. PROPOSED LOAN. " Nelssn, SJarch 19. At a meeting of the City Council to-night, a proposal was brought down to raise a loan of £200,000 in London for tho purpose of funding tho present indebtedness of the,'city, and placing tho, finances on a satisfactory footing. Consideration waa deferred to a special meeting oil March 30. • . . > ■rETTR EM.ENTS~AN D~*A P PO j NTM ENTS." Dunedln, March 19. Speaking to a "Daily Times" reporter yestorday, tho Hon. Dr. Findlay stated that ho could givo no intimation at the present time as to who were to, bo appointed to fill the Magisterial vacancies caused by the: retirement, under the ago limit, of the three Magistrates about to retire—Captain Wray, Mr. Kenny, and Colonel Roberts. The appointments would in all probability bo mauo next week. The promotions to be made consequent on ; the retirement of three gaolers, a number of warders, and others, would also bo. considered by • Cabinet next week. Those who were to be retired woujd leave tho service on March 31, and tho new appointments would accordingly, require to do mado very soonl Tho promotions would, 60 far as efficiency of service permitted,', bo largely determined by., seniority.• ■>. ...

PAYMENT'OF FINES. % Chrlstchurch, March 19. As the outcome of ''a (Imputation which waited on the Premier- yesterday, Mr. W. H. Hagger, officer in chargo of the Labour Bureau here, *'has received instructions to accept payment of arrears of fines due. by slaughtermen in respcct to _ the strike two or three years ago in four instalments, tho amounts to be paid direct to the Labour Department's representatives. These . instructions apply to the men at Belfast and Fairfield,, as well as those at Islington. BURCLARS AT WORK. \ Chrlstchurch, March 1 19. Burglars entered the premises of Messrs. Aitkcn and Roberts, ironmongers,' ■ last night, and appropriated a . considerable quantity of goods. An entrance was effected through on upstairs window at the back of the shop. The full extent of tho depredations aro not yet ascertained.

ACTION AGAINST AN INSURANCE COMPANY. Invercargill, March 19. • The Magistrate, 3lr. Cruiclcshaiika, gave judgment to-day in tho caso of Annie Fox against tho Sun Insurance Company. Plaintiff's shop Was destroyed by fire, and. the contents, insured for' £100, burnt. Proof of loss amounting to £87 was lodged. Tho company reliid on various grounds, including alleged fraud, hut tho Magistrate found nothing to prove this, and gave judgment' for plaintiff fojc £71 17b. Bd.