TIMBER COMMISSION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 108, 8 May 1909, Page 6

TIMBER COMMISSION.

» AUCKLAND EVIDENCE. [BY TELEGRAPH — PHE3S ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, This Day. At the Timber Commission, George A. Pearce, chairman of the South Auckland Sawmillers' Association, .said the millers complained of the uniair way the Lands Department treated them — rather as sharpers than as business men. The royalties were quite unreasonable, and he complained of harassing delays in giving access to bush lands. Timber on good land ought to be cut and the land settled. The railway charges on timber were exorbitant, and the department's attitude towards the industry was hostile. The import duty on logs should be greatly increased, and all waste landf. should be planted with fast growing trees.

The Eev. J. J. North, writing to The Post in reference to the .recent debate about Sunday eoneerls, makes a personal explanation. The accuracy of his statement that last year's legislation in Tasmania prohibited Sunday entertainments at which even indirect fees were charged, was questioned, and he svas twitted with the omission of the words "unless sanctioned by the municipality." Mr. North submits that his statement was in accordance with the provisions of the Act. "The only power vested in municipalities," he says, quoting from the Ac.t, "is the power of licensing just such entertainments as I described, namely, those at which not even an indirect fee is charged. They have also power to prohibit even these." A case set down for hearing at the coming civil sessions of the Supreme Court is that of Miramar, Limited, v. E. C. Peers, a claim of £1175, and interest, being moneys alleged to be due on the purchase of three blocks of land. A counterclaim by the defendant involves a sum of £2608 damages, on the ground that Miramar, Limited, failed to do certain raiding. Mr. Treadwell is representing Miramar, Limited; Mr. Beere is appearing for Mr. Peers. Among the cases set down for trial at the next civil sessions of the Supreme Court, commencing before Mr. Justice Cooper, on the 17th instant, are the following : — H. Baldwin and Co. v. A. Peters and Son, a claim for £292 Is 3d, alleged to be duo on promissory notes and goods received ; H. J. Dutton v. Annie Breen and E. P. Breen, a claim under "The Wages Protection and Contractors' Lien Act, 1908" ; James Bennie v. Duncan CamplJell, a claim for possession of a house at Karori and moneys alleged to be due ; Oeo. Treadgold v. Official Assignee in Bankruptcy of the property of A. C. Elliott, a claim for the transfer of certain lands alleged to have been mortgaged to the plaintiff by A. C. Elliott; Ethel M. Newcombe v. Bertram Newcombe, and James Callan v. Alice Callan, petitions in divorce. A large number of capes will probably be entered for trial during the next week. Mr. Heinemann, 108, Willis-street, is holding a special jewellery sale prior to alterations. The eighth annual ball of the WellhiKton Highland Rifles will be held at the Town Hall on 3rd June.