FLAX GRADING,

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 97, 21 October 1904, Page 5

FLAX GRADING,

«» A NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION [BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION ] PALMERSTON, 20th October. At a representative meeting here to-day It was decided to form a, New Zealand Flax Millers' Association. The opinion was expressed that the Government grading was not of a satisfactory character. A. return furnished showed that while £3494 was collected for grading fees last fear only £3014 was expended, leaving a profit of £480. Leading manufacturers contended that better graders at larger lalnries should be appointed, an 4 that the flaxmillers 011 their part should by every means possible improve the quality of their output. It was pointed out that the industry employed a large vplume of surplus labour, and last year earned trp" ward* of tbree-qnartem of a million, and, therefore, deserved to be equally' encouraged with batter and other Industries. An endeavour- is to be made to secure the co-op#ratidn of' all taxmillers in the colony, -with, the object of improving the conditions o| the trade, agreeing upon, better methods of grading by points, and securing 9. voice in the regulation of prices. ' ' SUIOIBR jJBX MWQHA?H— FBBSS ASSQOUTIOSf.] , NAPIER, This Day. Herbert B.oH,tr«U, 24 years of age, and 1* recent arrival from England, was found dead in bed last night, from, poison self-administered. The deceased had conifplained of nervousness and melancholia, and coßeulted a doctor last evening. DEATH OF A SdllOM. ■■ ■♦ [BT TELEOBAPH — PRB39 ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, This Day. At an inquest on the body of the lailor, which was found in' the harbour, the evidence did not disclose the man's identity, but it is possible the body is that' of Patrick Huggins, leading stoker 5n H.M. Olio, who is mining. HUB AT STBATFOBD. £BT TBIiBfIRAPBi-rPREBS ASSOOUTHM?.] STRATFORD, This Day. About 1 o'clock" 1 this morning an untenanted six-roomed cottage on the Bea-consfleli-road, th 6 property of Mrs. \Ving Kee, was totally' destroyed by fire The orjgin of the outbreak is a mystery. HUTT RIYErIoARD. * La#t night's meeting of the Hutt River i^oard was attended by the Chairman {Mr. D. Sladden), and Messrs. W. A. .Fitzherbert, W. G. Foster, and'Robt. Stevens. The trustees of the estate of George Avery claimed £12, basing their claim on alleged negligence during the construction of the stop-bank. It was decided to refer the letter to the Board's solicitor. Messrs. Baker Bros, complained of the encroachment of the river on their property beyond the stop-bank by Camproad. 'l?hey a«ked the Board to take steps to prevent further encroachment, ana stated that if the encroachment extended the stop-bank itself would be in danger. The Foreman stated that the Engineer considered it would b6 an advantage if part of the land in questionwas carried away. Mr. Foster expressed the opinion that it would be best if the Board owned all the land inside the stopbank. The letter was referred to the Engineer. The Railway Department notified that during August 2957 cubic yards of shingle had been removed for its use, and, during September 2420 yards. About 15,220 yards had been taken in ten months. A previous decision that the rates be collected half-yearly instead of yearly •was rescinded- in view of possible legal complications. Mr. Scales, the Board's valuator, wrote that in the matter of Mr. J. Sharpe's claim, his understanding with the claimant was that £25 was to cover everything except some actual loss incurred in out-of-pocket expenses up to £5. The Board decided to hand the amount to the Board's solicitor, with the additional £5, and he is to pay it over on being , eafcisfied as to the adjustment as between Mr. Sharpe and hid landlord. Mr. E. Feisfc intimated that he would decept the offer of £22 10s for land repirtd on condition that there was secured to him a perpetual right-of-way over the stop-bank as now existing, and >ihat he retained the freehold of the land. There was some doubt as to what was •sxactly. required, and! it was decided to Teply that the Board had no power to give the freehold, and that the Marketstreet crossing, being a public road, would always be available. Mr. R. A. Wnkelin again wrote on the subject of the system adopted in carrying out protective works, and his letter was referred to the Engineer. The Foreman stated that if the boulders and material available for the Waiohine work was obtainable here, it would be tised us in the ' Wairnrapa. But it ' was not available. ' / On' the Engineer's recommendation it iras decided to purchase an additional 80 tons of old rails. The balance-sheet was rettimed by the Audit Department duly audited, and was passed. The Foreman's report on work done during the week was adopted. Accounts amounting to £317 wer« ptmttr.d for payment.

For tho annual show of the Wairarapa and East Coast , Pastoral and Agricultural Society, which is to be held at Carterton: next Wednesday and Thursday, excellent entries have been received. There will be particularly keen competition on Thursday in the splendid exhibits of miscellaneous horses for the coveted Challenge Cups for the best hack in the show for the jumping competition. ".Che entries "in these classes are as good us last year, when judges expressed the opinion that there was as fine a disulay .vis could be seen. Two railway firemen, named James Black and Qeorgfc Stewart Langley, deI ended by Mr. WiHord, were charged this morning before Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M., with having assaulted a railway crossing keeper named William B. M'Nab. Evidence for the prosecution alleged that on the afternoon of the 26th September, Langley and M'Nab had words about money raised by a bill. This argument resulted in Langley striking M r Nab on the face. Several hours later he repeated the performance when M'Nab was in Murphy-street. Subsequently 'informant was induced to go down the street, and, according to his own evidence, was held by Langley and «truck by Black. ' For the defence it was alleged that informant used bad langU' ttge in the afternoon, and provoked Langley to strike out at him. The blow missed its mark, and M'Nab took to his heels and ran home. discussion concerning the money was resumed when Langley met informant in Murphy-street, but there were no blows struck by any one. After hearing evidence at considerable length bis Worship said it was no unsatisfactory that he could not possibly convict. The charges were accordingly dismissed. For insobriety, Thomas Cannon was Convicted and discharged. One first-offending inebriate was similarly dealt with,,