NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 498, 4 May 1909, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

(HT TELEOBAPH—PBESB ASSOCIATION.) PROSPEROUS BUT NOT PEACEFUL. ' ! _ Duncdln, May 3. At-i mooting'of the Executive of the New Zealand Athletic Union to-night a letter was rocowod from the League of Now Zealand Whoolmon asking the union to forward terms for an agreement to bo entered into botwooa the two bodiosr • The meeting was against such an agreement in view of tho Leaguo's rocont action in.. seceding from tho Sporta Federation, when.'tho only disqualifications imposed by tho latter were those emanating from tho unions The South Canterbury Centre suggested- amalgamation with tho ' league, or, failing that, that the union control cycling throughout tho Dominion, It was decided to publish a monthly calendar oommonoing in October nest. Reports from tho various centres showed .the union to bo in a prosperous condition from Auckland .to Invorcargdl. . - >i WIFE DESERTION. \ Duncdln,, May 3. The Benevolent Trustees have been in communication with Dr. Findlay in reference to tho question of dealing with mon who dosort tlieir wives. Dr. Findlay, after urging tho, impracticability. of wife-deserters .being convicted and imprisoned in the oolony to which they may havo , absconded, expressed ' tho opinion that it might bo possible to establish a system of reciprocity or _ co-operation bo-, twoen tho Courts of tho various. Australasian colonics, whereby orders for maintenance might be mado in ono colony in favour of persons resident, in another, and /whereby an order mado in ono colony might be accepted as sufficiont ovidonco on which to malso a similar order' in any other colony against the same person. . ALLEGED ATTEMPTED ARSON. Reefton, May 3. A grave attempt at arson at tho Gladstono Hotel was, it is alleged, perpetrated yesterday. A ' bundle of a, hoarder's _ working, clothes was taken from the changing room and placed on tho landing outside tho stairway and fired. Fortunately, a boarder returning from a distant entertainment at fouf o'clock noticed tbo burning, and extinguisfex, * tho fire. Had tho firo got into tho passags it would havo cut off oscape, and many lives .would havo boon endangered. A man has been arrested. No tangible reason for thr attempt is ovon guessed at. ; FAN-TAN. , i Duncdln, May 3. The polioe last night raided promisos at tho corner of Walker* and Princes Streets, and arrested thirty-throe Chinese taking'part in fan-tan on the basement floor. Not much money was secured, tho Chinamen making a grab for what was on the table when the police put ■in an appearance. Ah Yen; as occupier of a gaming house, was finod £25, or three months' l imprisonment. Other thirty-ono Chinese found on the premises woro fined 20s. each. There were no Europeans present at the time of tho Taid. All tho defendants pleaded not guilty, ••. .. FELT SLIPPERS AND THE TARIFF. Auckland, May 3. ' A doputation from boot importers pointed out to tho Hon. A. W. Hogg that the duty on certain' classes .'of felt slippers, which could not bo manufactured locally, and which'cost lid., was ll|d., and that, .whilo a slipper with two picieo' of leather on tbo heel came in at 6d., the duty on precisely similar slippers with'three lifts camo in at Is. 6d. The Minister promised to sccuro a better definition,' and to-endeavour to arrange that slippers'which could not bo mado in New Zealand- should'' como' in' at -lovrcr rates; V V'.-'-WATERSIDE WORKERS' AND ; ACCIDENTS. ii i i.Auckland, Hay; 3.. A" deputation 'of- wharf waited ' on the Hon. A. AV. -Hogg, asking that.immediate -relief -.-should t be compulsory; in caso of accident, and that, in-tho event of ..recurring injury from old accidents, the employer should bo /mado liable. > Mr. Hogg stated that he would, seo that provision als mado in future legislation for , immediate attention upon accidents, bnd would.give consideration to'-the-second request. '; : , CLOSING ITS DOORS. Chrlstchurch, May 3. - At a mooting of tho Samaritan Homo Trustees to-day it was decided to adjourn for;a woek in order to receivo a statement from tho treasurer.as .to tho financial position.. It was also resolved to notify the polioo and ather parties interested that tho, Homo would not' bo available in tho' meantime' for tho reocption of any moro inmates. :I. ■' AN AMICABLE SETTLEMENT. < . . 1 Auckland, May 3. At a conforonco hold to-night between tha jmployers and. employees of the, iron trade, trended ovor by tho Conciliation Comnns-. ;ionor ,(Mr. Harlo Giles), an amicable, * ' nont was reached. Congratulatory remarks rare mado on both sides respecting tho able nanner in which Mr; Harlo Giles had effected - ottlements in the several matters tliat had , v omo before him. DR. BARNARDO'S HOME. Christchurch, May 3. The Rev. Mr. Mayors, ,of tho Barnardo ,_ lomes Mission, lias been successful'in Christhurch, £300 having already been subscribed or tho now "girls' hospital' at Eford, and >160, it is hopod, to bo added; bo that two /bristchirrch beds, will bo endowed. NEW ZEALAND STEEL PIPES. ■Wanganul, May 3. Tho North Island branch of 'tho Mophan 'orguson Steol Pipe Company- has received dvico that tho company's tender of £40,000 or tho supply of steel pipes'-has boon aospted.by tie South Austrajfau Stato Govornlent. ' ' ' ,-■• . < BAND CONTEST. Wanganul, May 3. At a meeting of citizens it was decidcd toight to ask tho North Island Brass Band . £sociation to havo tho next band contest eld in Wanganui. A sum of £150 was guar- - ntocd in tho room. ■' " .y Duncdln, May 3. Nelh'o Lewis was charged in Court this lorning with being a roguo and a vagabond, ' nd was sentenced to twelvo months' imrisonmont.