NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 465, 25 March 1909, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(BY TJELEGUAPH—NtESS ABSOCUTIOH.) ♦ NAPIER SUPREME COURT. Naplor, March 24. Tho hearing of tho action, J. A. Council v. E. A. Slack, was resumed at tho Supremo Court this morning, beforo Mr. Justice Edwards. Plaintiff claimed judgment that ho had been partner with defendant in tho proprietorship of tho "Wairoa Guardian," an order dissolving tho partnership, the taking of partnership accounts, payment of his share of the profits of tho business, and daraagoa for his exclusion from partnership, and for the alleged wrongful act of defendant in selling tho property without tho authority or consent of ] laintiff. At tho close of tho case his Honour said that ho did not 6ay that defendant and his witnesses wero not telling the truth, but ho preferred plaintiff's story to theirs. Ho found that Connell and Slack did enter into a partnership to purchase iho "Wairoa Guardian." What the effect of that finding would bo was a matter for argument afterwards. Tho case was adjourned until to-morrow to admit of legal argument on tho questions of assessing damages and taking of partnership accounts. SCARCITY OF DOMESTIC WORKERS. Christchurch, March 24. Tho committee. appointed to promote tho immigration of suitable domestic workers into tho Dominion have sent copies of tho potitiou which it is proposed to present to Parliament to every Mayoress throughout Now Zealand. Already very encouraging replies havo been received from other centres in regard to tho movement, and there is evidently a widospread feeling that tho scarcity of domestic "help" has become a very serious question. ARBITRATION. Napier, March 24. At tho sitting of tho Arbitration Court to' day, the agreement arrived at in tho drivers' disputo at tho recent sitting of tho Conciliation Council was, by consent •of . both parties, mado into an award. Tho case brought by tho Hawko's Bay Fishermen's Union, members of which aro men engaged on trawlers, was also considered. Tho parties differed on tho question of wages and preference to unionists, and tho Court announced that they would take timo to consider their decision. FIRE AT CORE. Core, March 24. A firo occurred this evening in a drapery store, the property of Mr. Simon M'Douald, but was subdued before much damage was done to tho building. Tho stock was destroyed, chiofly by water. Tho stock of Mr. Samuel M'Donald, of Invercargill, bootmaker, who occupied a portion of tho building, was damaged to some extent. Tho insurances aro: Sir. Simon M'Donald: Building, £550; fittings, £100 j stock, £800 (tho damage is estimated at £1200 over that amount); Mr. Samuel M'Donald: £1500 on tho stock in several offices. BAND CONTEST. Invercargill, March 24. At a meeting to-night-, of tho committco appointed to carry out tho arrangemonts for tho proposed band contest at Invercargill, it was decided to hold tho contest on November 2, 3, and 4, and to write to Mr. Richard Stead, tho_ well-known English judge, who will bo judging at Ballarat in An order is to bo sent to London for music. I

RAILWAY MATTERS. Naplor, Maxell 24. At a meeting of tho Chamber of Commerco to-day, a letter was read from Mr. Fred. W. Williams, urging tho necessity of tho more expeditious transfer of passengers by rail between v tho East and West Coasts, and a more speedy service with Wellington in connection with tho Main Trunk express, Tho matter was referred to a special committee for a report. / CONFERENCE OF SLAUGHTERMEN. Chrlstchurch, March 24. A conference of representatives of tho different Slaughtermen's Unions opened at the Trades and Labour Hall to-day. Representatives of newspapers wore- excluded.