Christchurch News.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 94, 30 April 1901, Page 3

Christchurch News.

MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Christchurch, last night. Plans for the magnetic observatory to be erected in the public domain are now complete, and the Domain Board to-day agreed to grant the use of the land for the buildings. The Government will be asked to contribute to the cost of the care of the grounds and buildings. The instruments are expected to be sent from London in June or August. A seismograph similar to the one in Wellington will be erected.

FATAL ACCIDENT. An old man named Clarke, a painter, while working at a house in Richmond, fell to the ground, a distance of about ten feet, and died in about ten minutes. LABOR TROUBLES.

It is probable that most of the main points of dispute between the boot manufacturers and workers at the Arbitration Court will be decided without an award

being made by the Court. This morning Air Frostick, President of tho Federated Boot Alanufacturers’ Association, said that to save time the employers would agree to abolish log and piece work in their business altogether, and that point could be taken from the items placed before the Court. After consideration the Union delegates agreed to this, but asked employers to meet them in return by agreeing to reduced hours of labor per week. The employers’ representatives said they would consider this, and the Court adjourned for the day to give them time. The only other vital point is in regard to a minimum weekly wage, the men asking £2 19s, instead of two pounds as at present. Tho employers will also consider if this demand can bo met, and will inform the Court in the morning what decision they have arrived at. CENSUS RETURNS.

The census returns for Sydenham are 11,401, as against 10,312 in 1896 j St. Albans, 6591 as against 5781 ; Linwood, 6796 as against 6115; Sumner, 844 as against 588 ; Akaroa, 559 as against 613.