PALMERSTON DAY BY DAY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 684, 8 December 1909, Page 10

PALMERSTON DAY BY DAY.

OVERRIDING AWARDS. WHAT THE EMPLOYERS THINK OP IT. (Prom Our Bpecial Correspondent.) ...... Palmerston, December 7..: ■In addition to the meeting of the Manawatu Employers' Association yesterday, af tornoon, a niccting:of employers generally was hold last evening, at which there was a large attendance, and labour matters generally were discussed, but tho. proposed amendments to the Shops and Offices Act. was the-particular subject dealt,\with; Very strong exception was token, to >the attempt on the part of tho Governmen, L i to practically nullify awards, and tile opinio] l . 1 was expressed; that it was about timejthat/tho Government called a halt with this'■i"e"i.,«r'■ legislation. The resolution passed earlier in tho'day by the Manawatu Employers' Association was adopted,, but tho sentence "good work of tho Arbitration Court" was altered by deleting tho word "good." H seemed to be a fairly general opinion that the Government wero getting into a tight comer, with their labour laws and tho of the. unions; also, that their chickens were gradually "coming home to roost." The'Palmerston Orchestral Society holds tho last of the present season's concerts next week, and' a very fine programme has been prepared. The vocal soloist will be Miss Laura Treleaven, of Christchurch, whilst Mr. F. R. Johnstone, the Wellington 'cellist, will also be given a prominent place on tho programme. . An inquest waa held yesterday af tornoon concerning tho death of a hotel employeo named Williams, ..who recently arrived here, from Auckland. A verdict of alcoholic poisoning was returned.

Mr.-E. J.O'Keefe, of: the local railway staff, who was recently transferred here from Auckland, was tho recipient of a handsome silver tea and coffee service from the railway-staff of the northern city. ... .- . ' . .

Mr. Driver, the well-known Wellington magician, had; an excellent audience at the Opera House last night, and his, performance was greatly appreciated and frequently applauded. .' ' '"'' : '■" The Police Court ; was occupied yesterday afternoon with a case in which Claude Retter, now undergoing a sentencofor perjury, was charged with robbing a man named Alfred Landen. The latter had been laid up in hospital for some time as the result (it is alleged) of a blow on tho head with a poker handled by a woman, who was a companion of Rotter's. Landen failed to put in an appearance, and the cose was adjourned. Mr. George Worth, who has been, a member of the staff of the Palmerston Post Office for nearly twonty years, has been appointed master of the..now post office at 'Wakefield.'' Mr. Worth has many, friends in Wellington, where he formerly.resided. ' ~ A'third Masonic Lodge has been formed _in Palmerston, and is' to'bo"known as Lodge Huia. It already has 25 members, Bro. Pawson being the first W.M. The first meeting is to be neld in January. - ;', The Palmerston Master. Plumbers' Association scholarship, tenable.for two years at tho Technical School, has been' won by J. Carson. Tho cottage garden competition held by tho Manawatu Horticultural. Society- has been won by : — Pyc, Eoxton Line (half-acre plot), 90 points; W. IV Durward, '84 points, second; quarter-acre plot, — Hollier, Cook Street, 94 points, first; ■'—'■ Winton, 86 points, second. There were eleven competitors ; • At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce (Captain Haydon, president, in the chair),/it was decided to contribute towards a proposal to employ. Mr.-Pryor to watch the interests of tho chamber by perusing Bills coming before Parliament. It was decided to reply- to tho Wellington Chamber with reference to the primage duty 1 under the now tariff that, if. the proposed deputation-to the Minister were still considered, necessary, the, Palmerston Chamber would send a representative. It was decided'to/write to the Public Trustee regarding'the, position of certain Native reserves in .Palmerston.': It was further Resolved

that, in view o£ information received by business men as to the large.amount of pilfering existing between Dominion ports and this town, the Railway Department- bo* asked ; to give the matter their ; earnest attention. ■The.monthly meeting of .the general committeo of tho Maiiawatu A... and P.' Association was held to-day,' thirty members being present. "Mr.S. R. Lancaster, president, occupied, tho'chairl A. motion.by Mr.'Cohcu tonltei" the rule by which' roombet,- are ineligible to votV.a't' 'iheetifiSs.''mitilj''tneir..;'Subscription ..is: paid was negatived by a large,majority.j A" letter was. read from the Minister for Agnelli-' tur'e. stating ;that .it "was. desirable , that. A.' and P. societies'.should appoint" person as 1 official' representative with,■.whom -the Department- could confer with-regard to proposals affecting tho rural community. It. was felt that progress ih such matters might be expedited if ; tho Department could take counsel with accredited,'representatives from.A. and P. societies, farmers' union,.national .'associa l ' tipn,' etc., and thus obtain practical suggestions on any. proposals affecting these interests; It ,was decided to.'.r.sk the .Minister if• he dor sired, from :each. A. arid P. 'society,.or from a group of societies. The.promoters, of the military tournament .were ;grantcd . the. use of the grounds nexc j-sar on 'payment of ten per cent, of tlio takings at.tho ■gates and stands; A letter was received s from .-the Wellington Provincial Industrial Associa.tion stating;that Messrs. Williams and Shaw, : their representatives at"tho late show, iad been, much impressed by" the exhibits and the' hos-. ! pitality extended. The Auckland A. and'P. Association forwarded 'a'letter from the Agricultural Department to the effect' that- the Department would give favourable consideration to a. request to exempt show grounds from rates. An application from the AVomcn's Christian Temperance Union for*tea rooms' at the next spring show was referred to the ground committee. Mr. F.'J. Ellis, of. Peilding, -wrote, congratulating the association on initiating:veterinary examinations for- stallions at the" show. In reference -.to the. protest of Mr. R. Morison regarding the Hunters' Challenge Cnp Competition, in which his entry Was thrown out because it was not up to. weight, it was decided .to. adhere to. the judge's decision. Letters from Messrs. A..-JV Cooper (Mastcrton) regarding sheep entry,, B. M'. Bell in reference'to home industries, and Pirani arid Co. wore referred to the schedule committees. A> request' from the owners'of horsss. which underwent veterinary examination at tho spring. show for certificates . Was referred to Mr. Keakes, Chief. Veterinarian. An who committed a breach of tho .rules- at' the' spring show in .removing an ex'hibit .before the. close'of show, without permission, is to. be asked to give an explanation of his action. Tho treasurer submitted .a statement showing that the spring show receipts were; £2Slti 18s. lid., and the expenditure JC2082 6s. Sd. The overdraft now stands at J2531G. ■'