EXPORTING WHEAT SURPLUS-A PROPOSAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 20, 23 July 1909, Page 3

EXPORTING WHEAT SURPLUSA PROPOSAL.

CHRISTCHURCH, 22nd July. The Executive of the North Canter* bury Farmers' Union to-day discussed a remit from the Cheviot branch as follows :—": — " That the executive consider the advisability of the union undertaking a scheme for the exportation of this season's wheat surplus. The Cheviot branch would suggest that the different branches might be asked to enrol names of those (holding, say, over 1000 bushels) who are willing to export one-third of their crop. Favourablcglerms could no doubt be made with sowie shipping firm to load a boat at the same' time. The wheat farmer would bo greatly , benefited if surplus shipped away,

and the union could show a, practical reason for its existence by successfully carrying out such a scheme." In the course of discussion, it was stated that New Zealand wheat-farm-ers wore selling their wheat cheaper than it was being sold in other parts of the Empire. Another speaker alleged that, if the farmers of New Zealand sent meat Home through one channel, the price in the Home market could be kept at 4id to" sd. A committee was appointed to tholoughly investigate the proposal, and report at a future meeting. WATER-POWER REGULATIONS. HOKITIKA, 22nd July. The greatest anxiety is felt throughout Wcstland as to the result of the deputation which is waiting upon the Minister for Mines in connection with the water-power regulations.' If the Minister agrees to a satisfactory modification of the regulation, £150,000 of British capital will be introduced to this district forthwith, and goldmining will receive a fresh and much-iue.hd impetus. WORKERS' DWELLINGS AT * ADDINGTON. CHRISTCHURCH, 22nd July. Messrs. Loin as (Chief Inspector of Factories), and Flanagan (Commissioner of Crown Lands) visited six workers''dwellings situated near the Addington Railway Workshops. The houses are of artistic design and fitted with all conveniences, the walls and partitions being of reinforced concrete. They will be completed in about three weeks' time. CHINESE PREMISES IN PALMERSTON RAIDED. PALMERSTON, 22nd July. The police to-night raided a Chinese residence and arrested a Chinaman on a charge of manufacturing opium suitable for smoking from tincture of opium. Five men were found in the room where the smoking war taking place, on© almosl, insensible. A large quantity of opium paiaphernalia was also found. Seven Chinese will be brought before the court on Monday. DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS AND i RURAL PURSUITS. DUNEDIN, 22nd July. At a meeting of the Education Board to-day, a circular was received from the Education Department suggesting a means whereby more intimate relationship may be brought about between the course of instruction at the District High School and rural pursuits. The department suggested the grouping of small district high schools and arranging for classes bearing specially on agriculture being taker by itinerant instructors. Tho beard's inspectors expressed entire sympathy with the department's aims, "but they wore of opinion that tho adoption of the scheme would deprive country children of a fair share of other edu cation. They thought it would be necessary to maite the course of study such ns would qualify both for rural pursuits and for public service. Such a course would suit the requirements of about 75 per cent, of the pupils in district high schools, and the inspectors believed it was in the power of the department to design it, as it involved little more than the extension of the optional subjects for the Civil Service junior examination. It was decided to forward a- copy of the inspector's memo, to the Minister, with an expression of the board's entire sympathy with the end sought to be obtained, and of its readiness to co-operate in | the matter provided the interests of the children are safeguarded in the directions indicated by the inspectors. ARBOR DAY. . WANGANUI, 22nd July. Arbor Day was celebrated here to-day by school children and residents. A large number of trees was planted on the Virginia Reserve, which it is predicted will become one of the prettiest recreation grounds in New Zealand. THEFT BY A DYING MAN. AUCKLAND, 22nd July. Wm. Green was charged at the Police Court on Wednesday with having stolen £5 from Walter Richardson in the British Hotel. Mr. Lundon, who appeared for accused, stated that the latter was a consumptive, with only a few months to live. He had to find a bond when he landed, and had since lived most of his time in hospitals and sanatoria, being supported by occasional remittances from Home, in reply to Detective Marsack, accused admitted three convictions for fraud and theft. The Bench, in convicting the accused, remarked that a man so near the grave might employ his time better than by visiting publichouses and following a dishonest career. A sentence of one month's imprisonment, without hard labour, was passed. CHARGE AGAINST A STEAMER'S ENGINEER. CHRISTCHURCH, 22nd July. A magisterial enquiiy opened at Lyttelton this morning to investigate a charge of drunkenness on the part of Joseph Bradbury, late chief engineer of the steamship Storm. Counse 1 for respondent said that the Storm was not in port, and the ease was adjourned until Wednesday next. . SUICIDE. PALMERSTON, 22nd July. Mrs. Quayle, aged fifty-two years, wife of an ex-Southland farmer, committed suicide by drinking lysol. Her husband is an invalid, and there is a family. A MINING LEASE CANCELLED. WESTPORT, 22nd July. Cook's coal lease was cancelled this morning by the Inspector of Mines by proclamation, owing to failure of the lessee to comply with the terms of lease. It was immediately pegged off by the Westport Coal Company and A . A.' Wilson, concerning whose respective claims the Warden's Court will shortly be asked to decide. IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE. AUCKLAND, 22nd July. An important industrial dispute was before the Arbitration Court to-day — that between the Auckland Builders', Contractors', and General Labourers' Union and some 300 employers, including all the local bodies. The union, in its^demands. asked for a forty-seven hour week at the following minimum rates of pay :—Bricklayers, masons, and plasterers' labourers, Is 3d per hour ; labourers engaged in scaffolding construction, Is 4dj other labourers, Is 3d per hour ; men engaged in laying pipes and making pipe joints who require to have a licence, Is 4d per hour on new work, Is 6d per hour on old work ; tunnel and timber men, 11s per shift ; all other workers employed unclcr^rounfl, 10s per shift ; quarry workers, 10s per day ; general labourers not specified, 9s per day ; road-makers, Is 3d per hour ; yard, store, and limeshed men, for permanent hands £2 10s per week, and for casuals Is ljd per hour ; foundry labourers, f urnacemen, a/id dressers, 9s 6d per day ; other labourers, 8s 4d per day. Overtime was asked for at the rate of timo and a quarter for the first two hours, and time and a half afterwards, with payment at the rate of double lime for all work performed op holidays. After lengthy argument, decision was deferred.

Burglary up to dntc : Australian papers report that thie\os broke into a store at Port Adelaide, on the 15th inst., blew open a safe with dynamite, and stole several watches and rings. Gloves were u=ed by tho culprit' U- avoid la*viti£ ufctfur prints.