TELEGRAMS.

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 1674, 19 December 1911, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

[PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

Hamilton, December 19. A fire broke out last, night in a building in Main street occupied by Mr Shepherd, hardware dealer, and owned by Mr E. J. Mears. The stock and a large quantity of furniture belonging to Messrs Georgetti and G rnham (the latter is the manager of ahe Bank of New South Wales), which was stored in the building, was burnt. Mr Garnham's furniture was valued at £600 and insured for £400 in the National office. Mr furniture was insured, for £750 on the Union office. The building was insured in the South British oaice, but the amount is not known. Mr Sheplierd's stock was insured for £400 in tlie Notrhern office. A QLTARREL. A Ohaupo last night two drainers, named Hanlon and Marshall, both of whom were prohibited, were fined at Hamilton, Court yesterday for drunkenness, quarrelled over a matter in nection wit_ the Court case, when Hanlon, it is alleged, picked up a fern-hook and struck his companion on the head, inflicting a nasty wound six inches' long. Marshall was conveyed to the Hospital, and Hanlon was arrested. AN INDUSTRIAL CRISIS. Auckland, December 18. "The employers have thrown down the gauntlet, and it is more than likely that it will not be very long before it is picked up," said the nresident of the General Labourers' Union to-day regarding tho men's demands for improved conditions and higher pay. The impression among Union officials was, he added, that the employers were determined to force a fight. If a strike did occur, it would-be because the men had been forced beyond the bounds of endurance by the employers. The general opinion among the larger employers is that a strike may occur at any minute, and an industrial crisis o_ a scale never experienced in the Dominion before is anticipated by some. ANOTHER SENSATION IN THE SOUTH. Christchurch, Decembtr 18. This afternoon a man named James Gibbons attempted to murder Mrs Eliza McKenzie, a married woman, • living at 110 Queen street, Sydenham, by cutting her throat with a razor.

Gibbons, who was a lodger at the house, was resting in his room, while Mrs McKenzie and two friends were playing cards in the kitchen. _ Mrs McKenzie went through and invited' Gibbons to come out and have some dinner, when he suddenly rose up, knocked her down and produced a razor, with which he inflicted a wound in her throat.

She screamed for help, and the others in the house—a married couple^—came to her assistance and pulled the man away. Mrs McKenzie got up and rushed to a neighbour's house, where she was followed by Gibbons, who again attacked her and inflicted another wound on her chin and hand.

Gibbons was tackled by a couple of men. thrust out into the yard, and finally locked out. The police were sent for, and Gibbons, after a struggle, was taken into custody hy Constable O'Connor.

The woman is likely to recover, though the wounds she received are serious, the carotid artery being exposed.

JOHN SULLIVAN, "GUESSER," Dunedin, December 19. John Sullivan, aged. 23 years, who was arrested at Christchurch for stealing a cash box containing £70 from Tattersall's Hotel, was brought before Sir Joshua AVilliams ,n the Supreme Court, for sentence. Accused, who follows racing and was described at a "guesser," was sentenced .to two years' reformative treatment. SOME SENTENCES. Auckland, December 19. . In the Supreme Court, Dennis Andrews, who forged his brother's name, was sentenced to a year's imprisonment, with hard labour. Arthur Hickmott, for- breaking,. entering, and itlieft-j received a sentence of one year's imprisonment and two years' reformative treatment. TO AVERT TROUBLE. Dunedin, December 19. About fifteen representative shipowners and stevedoring firms held, a preliminary conference this morning in connection with the Avatersi.de workers' demand. As all the delegates of the various unions had not arrved, the general conference between the men and the employers was postponed till to-morrow. GETTING FROM UNDER THE ACT. Dunedin, December 19. The Otago Coalminers' Industrial Union, by 250 to 115 votes, decided to withdraw its registration under the 'Arbitration Act. This decision affects the Kaitangata, Green Island, AVaironui, Alexandra, Mataura, and Nightcaps mines.