[PEESS ASSOCIATION.] WITNESSES DECLINE TO GIVE EVIDENCE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 151, 26 June 1912, Page 3

[PEESS ASSOCIATION.] WITNESSES DECLINE TO GIVE EVIDENCE

COMMISSION WILL TAKE STEPS. AUCKLAND, 25th June. The difficulty that has been experienced by the Royal Commission on the Cost of Living, owing to the refusal of certain witnesses to give evidence, was prominently under notice at this inornrng'B proceedings. Dr. H. D. Bamford attended, and said he would like to make a statement on behalf of Mr. Schischka, who had been subpoenaed to give evidence, and lie would like his remarks also to apply to Mr. L. D- Nathan, who had also been subpoenaed to give evidence on Thursday* morning. "These firms," said Dr. Bamford, "dncline to give evidence before the Commission in common with other merchants. -They are, with all respect to the Commission, taking this step as a matter of principle, although they have nothing to hide. I have seen that in Chrifitohurch " The Chairman (Mr. E. Tregear) : If neither of the persona subpeonaed attends, and the only excuse they can offer is "a matter of principle," I cannot receive any statements on their behalf. Certain accusations are being made, and if the persons concerned do not appear the Commission will later take steps in the matter, and the public can form their ov.-n opinions. Dr. Bamford : Nothing further can be eaid? The Chairman i No.. ■ Dr. Bamford : May I add this? The, uiily reason The Chairman : There is no reason. Dr. Bamford : Very, well, sir. ELECTRIC LIFT FOR AN UPHILL SUBURB " WANG AN DI, 25th June. An important proposal came before the Borough Council this evening, when application was made for permission to erect an elevator to Durietqwn, an important suburb of Wanganui. The elevator is. in the form of a tunnel and shaft (the latter 202 ft high). It is proposed to have an electrically-worked lift. The scheme means a lot to dwellers on the hilL • The council considered the application and granted private rights for thirty-fivo years, the council reserving the option of taking the concern over after ten yeaxe. The scheme was originated by Mr. E. Crow, engineering instructor dt the Technical College. DREDGE MALTS ROUGH TRIP AUCKLAND, 25th June. The loss of the dredge Manchester war responsible for a great deal cf inteiest being manifested in the voyage of the Gifiborne Harbour Board's dredge Maui from Gisborne to Auckland. Anxiety a& to the vessel making the passage in fact of the stormy weather prevailing for the past few days was dispelled to-day by her safe arrival. The Maui accomplished the voyage in 51 hours, which is considered good time for a vessel of her class. She left Gisborne at 11 a.m. on Sunday and encountered, a heavy southerly gale for the first twelve hours. Hen w seas broke on board, while vivid lightning «nd fierce rain squalls prevaited throughout Sunday night. After rounding East Cape the gale abated, and the remainder of the voyage was marked by fine weather. The dredge will undergo her annual survey and overhaul at Auckland. CRIMINAL SESSIONS NAPIER, 25th June. • i £rrn c Su P reme to-day Frederick Wilson, charged withtheffc of a horse, j gig, and harness was acquitted. Thomas Carroll was found guilty of criminally assaulting a little girl at Wairoa, and sentence was deferred till Friday. The case in which Annie Solomonsen was I charged with using an instrument for an ! unlawful purpose was adjourned till next ; sessions, owing to the illness of the woman on whom the instrument is alleged I to have been ueed. | " FLOATING FACTORY " OF THE FLEET WESTPORT, 25th June. The s.s. Rakuira, of the Norwegian fishing fleet, arrived from Norway, via Cape Town, Port Natal, and Fremantle to-night. She is fitted out with a try-ing-out installation and capacity for 3000 tons of oil. The Rakuiva is the floating factory of the fleet. There are in all 82 hands aboard. She ships bunker coal, stores, and provisions, and leaves on Thursday for Russell. GIFT TO WANGANUI WANGANUI, 25th June. A handsome gift was made to the borough to-night in the shape of 81 acres of land, which were presented by the Watipo Land Company. The land, which is situated at Aramoho, is valued at £5000. It is of a hilly nature, and has natural springs and clumps of bueh, making it suitable for botanical gardens.