DOMINION DOINGS

Evening Star, Issue 18051, 19 August 1922, Page 8

DOMINION DOINGS

At the Supreme Court, Christchurch, yesterday Charles Francis Riley was charged‘that, on May 5, ho made a false document— namely, a cheque for £B,ooo— that it should bo acted upon as genuine, and that on May 20, with intent to defraud, ho attempted to obtain £SO from Don Harvey by falsely stating that he had sold the rights of a patent to Menme, Ltd., Auckland, for the sum of £B,OOO. Accused was found guilty of forgery, with a recommendation to mercy, anti sentence was deferred till Tuesday.

There appears little prospect of the Wellington tramwaymen’s dispute being settled before the Conciliation Council. It is probable that the whole matter-will now be referred to tbe Arbitration Court for decision. A deadlock has arisen because of tie City Councils refusal- to agree to anything in the nature of stabilisation of wages for twelve months. From, the council’s point of view, it is contended that if such a concession were granted to tramwaymen, then the wages of all other corporation - employ ees who work under awards of the court would have to be stabilised. The residence of Mr John M'Cann Oliver, a returned soldier settler on Gladbrook, was burned to the ground yesterday morning about 9 o’clock, the house and contents being totally destroyed. A heavy fog over the plain prevented Mr Oliver from seeing that the place was on fire, though he was not far away at the time. It is supposed that the fire was due to embers having fallen from the fireplace. _ The house anck furniture were insured with the United Insurance Company for a total of £2lO, but the loss above that is_ heavy. Mr Oliver was only recently married. The fourth annual ball of the Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Railway Offioers’ Institute was held in the Art Gallery Hall, about 120 couples taking the floor. The grand march was headed by Mr E. M. Isaacs (Assistant District Traffic Manager) and his daughter, Miss Isaacs. The duties of M.C.s were capably performed by Messrs J. W. Henderson, G. T. Lawson, J. Sawers, B. P. Dillon, and T. Kelly. Some time ago proposals were made for the amalgamation of the New Zealand Workers’ Union with the Alliance of Labor. No decision was come to, as the parties failed to reach proper negotiation. The question has not been allowed to lapse (so a Christchurch message states), and the alliance has again been approached to see if some common understanding can be reached whereby the two organisations can bo of mutual assistance to one another in times of industrial stress. The Alliance of Labor is the largest body of its kind in the dominion, but the New Zealand Workers’ Union has also a, big membership, in; eluded in the ranks being shearers and agricultural workers. In the Labor movement it is said that there is felt to be need for greater industrial unity than exists at present, and the attitude which the executive of the Alliance of Labor will assume towards the latest overtures from the New Zealand Workers’ Union will be awaited with interest. Tho alliance, so far, has not replied to the communication from the Workers’ Union asking that the matter of coming to a common working arrangement should receive consideration.

Tho Hillside Railway Five Brigade entertained the St. Kilda. and Dunedin Rail,way Brigades and their honorary members at a card party and social evening in the Wdrkshbps'’'Social Hall on Thursday evening. Over eighty persons participated in the function. The following toasV were honored during the evening : —‘.'lhe King," “United Fire Brigades’ Association,"Dunedin Railway and St. Kilda, Brigades." “ Hillside Brigade.’’ Amongst the visitors were Mr J. W. Dove (Mayor of St. Kilda), Grs H. M. Sneddon, j. Ititcliic. I’. Carolin, and E. Longworth, and Captain C- _A. Lucas (president C.F.R.A.). During the evening cx-Cap-taiu M-undio, on behalf of Hillside Brigade, presented Secretary F. Burgess with a. clock in recognition of his services for the past year. Tho following contributed items ;—Messrs J. Leaker, Duff, P. Carolin, Morgan, Mnrsden. Clark, MTntcsh, (.Irani, Harris. Moorhead, and K. Longworth. Mr F. Evans officiated at the piano, and Captain M'.uri.son made an efficient chairman.