MAIL SERVICES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 111, 12 May 1910, Page 7

MAIL SERVICES.

NEW ZEALANT) A POINT OF CALL. DISCUSSION BY BRISBANE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. By Telegraph. — l'resa Association. —Copyright. BRISBANE, 11th May. The Brisbane Chamber of Commerce discussed the proposal to make New Zealand a point of call for Vancouver mail steamers. It was stated that for years New South Wales and Queensland had borne the burden of the Vancouver mail subsidy for tne benefit of tho whole of Australia, and it would be unfair to take the boats off the Queensland route in the interests of New Zealand, which was not a portion of the Commonwealth. It was albo stated that the value of imports by the Vancouver line into Queensland had been as under during the last three years : — 1907 £54,000 1908 £46,000 1909 £55,000 and for the first four months of this year, £31,000. A CONTROVERSY. PREMIER DECLINES TO TAKE PART. AUCKLAND, This Day. The Premier, replying to a telegram from the Chamber of Commerce, declines to participate in the controversy between tne Wellington and Auckland Chambers of Commerce on the question of the mail services, but promises to advise Mr. Gunson as coon as anything definite is known. Mr. Tewsley, chairman of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce., in reply to Mr. Gunson, denies knowledge ot any adverse influence at Wellington to subsidise direct liners ami make Wellington the port of call. Mr. Gunson' s answer is to the ctt'ect that if no such influence is at work, why does not, Wellington join Auckland and secure the Vancouver service, with Auckland as tlie port of will. Sir Joseph Ward ttates that he is in c-iose touch with the matter. As negotiations are going on, he does not care to communicate details, but the possibility of fixing up a service with Canada for a year is very likely. The question will be definitely decided within the next few days. -.

A case of considerable importance to farmers was decided at Auckland a few days ago. A settler at Avondale was charged with failing to clear his land of noxious weeds. The defendant had leased the land, but had not paid rent or taxes, and he is asking the owner to Telieve him of the lease. He pleaded in court that he could not aftord to go to the expense of removing the gorse, blackberries, and sweetbriar growing on the property, and he urged that the owner was liable. Tho '•occupier' 1 referred to in the Act, it was contended, was the person in actual physical occupation of the land, which dpfendant was not. His Worship said, he had no doubt the de- ( fendant came within the definition of "occupier" under the Act. A fine of £2 and 28s costs was imposed. The Captain Williams testimonial com mittee met at Eastbourne last evening. The treasurer reported having received £50 to date, including £11 per Mr. Carpenter, from the Seatoun and Karaka Bay residents. It was decided to closethe fund on Saturday, 21et inst.