YESTERDAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2143, 27 July 1907, Page 4

YESTERDAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Press Association. WELLINGTON, yesterday. Tlio Appeal Court, on resuming tlio hearing of tho To Alcau block ease, intimated that without expressing mu opinion as to tho powor of tlio Court to issue a writ of prohibition in case of tho bias of tlio Jlldgo of the Native Appellate Court, they would like to hoar argument on tho question whether plaintiff’s statement of claim disclosed any real bias on tho part of Judgo Browne. Mr. Bell, K.C., then addressed the Court to show that even if tho allegations ill tin statement (which were denie(l) were true, they would not bo such as* to show any bias on Judge Browne’s part. Ho also contended that even if they did discloso bias, the Supremo Court had no jurisdiction to interfere, tho proper tribunal being tho Native Appellate Court itself Afr. Skorrott, K.C., and Dr. Findlay, on behalf of Judges Browne an l Atair, then followed on tho samo

lines. A deputation from the AVatcrsido Vh.rkors waited on tho Alinistor for Marino last night. Mr. McLaren, the chief spokesman, said tho conference represented four thousand men employed on the wharves of tho colony, and desired to place boforo tho Alinistor resolutions arrived at by the Conference. These included recommendations to the Government to pass legislation limiting tlio size of coal baskets and grain sacks, the appointment of Government officers to report on all cases of accidents aE wharves, payment on behalf of men of full medical fees in cases of acci-

dents, .tlio provision _of proper waiting and retiring rooms, with baths, for moil working on wharves, remission of duty Oil flour and potatoes, recommendation of a Fair Rent Bill, representation of the wharf workers on the Harbor Boards, an amendment to tho Arbitration Act to make th 0 Railway Department a party to awards ill respect to wharf laborers, statutory Saturday half-holiday, the exclusion of Asiatics, compulsion for Harbor Boards to supply requisites for first-aid on the wharves, nationalisation of the food supplies, and compulsory insurance of laborers. Tim Minister promised to do the best lie could to have the size of coal bas-

kets regulated, and he would endeavor to have 2001bs fixed as the weight, of a wheat sack. Ho would give

instructions to have the gear used in coal handling inspected every three months. It was the duty of every Harbor Board to provide first-aid requisites, lavatories, etc. As to the flour and potato duties, those were matters for Cabinet to decide. Since Ilf. had held office he had done something to give labor representation on the Harbor Boards, but there was a difficulty in making them elective. As to a white New Zealand, he thought the educational test would prove sufficent to prevent any great number of Chinese coming into this colony. A firo which did much damage at the Aleut Export Company’s fellniongery at Ngahauranga last night was the second outbreak in tlie same building within a month. Last night’s fire destroyed tho upstairs portion of the fellmongcry and contents, including a large quantity of wool, a largo motor and generator, and several drying machines. Tlio machinery on the ground floor was damaged by water. Tho workmen used a largo Aferryweatlier firo engine with good results, and the city fire brigade also rendered excellentservice, despite the fact that it was summoned at a ■ rather late stage.

Tae building was insured in tlio Alliance and other offices for £3500, and the plant, electrical fittings, etc., in the same offices for £3OBO. Tho insurances for the wool are not available

The Appeal Court reserved judgment in .the Te Akau block case. At tho Police Court Thomson, Jacobson, and Callaghan, three firemen on tho Rippingliam Grange, were committed to trial on a charge of broaching cargo from tlm hold while tlie vessel was ly’ing at Victoria wharf. Mary Gibson failed to appear to answer a charge of having on February 3rd at Christchurch made a falso declaration regarding tho birth of her child. The case was remanded till to-morrow, tho Inspector saving a warrant would be issued for tlie arrest of accused, wlio is now ill Invercargill. In a letter to the Education Board the Chief Health Officer said pile of the great sources of infection of schools was dust on tho desks on which tli© children coughed or sneezed. It would make very greatly for the diminution of infectious diseases if slates were done away with and writing pads substituted. The Board decided to obtain an estimate of the cost of supplying writing pads to schools.

Dawson anil Mclvcclinie’s big sawmill at Ratanui was destroyed by fire this morning. No particulars are yet available.

BLENHEIM, yesterday

A meeting of settlers from all parts

of the province was held in Blenheim last night to protest against the delay iii extending the railway line to

Flaxbourne and in the erection of a nc-v wharf at Picton. Flaxbourne settlers' complained bitterly of the wav the Government had treated

tliem. They had been promised an extension of the lino immediately the Flnxbourne estate was acquired, with the result that the estate was subdivided in smaller sections than otherwise would have been the case. The holdings taken up near the township of Ward in many cases are only tea acres. The position now is that thirty of the holders are not able to reside on their sections, but have been warned that they must do so or forfeit. The settlers are reluctant to do this, and urge that the Governsliould come to their aid at the present juncture by letting railway wcrl. to teamsters by contract and so to enable them to eko out a living until tho railway is right through. The meeting resolved that a deputation of all the. local bodies go to Wellington and urge tho. claims of the S( utli Island Trunk Line. CHRISTGHURCH, yesterday. Welcome rain has been falling since 10 o’clock last night. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day, John Goram was committed for trial o i a charge of the theft of £l7 8s 6d from one Drake, a fellow-lodggr in a hoarding-house. Drake went to bed on Wednesday night, leaving money in his pocket-hook. The money had gene in the morning, besides a gold scarf pin. The pin was found in Goram’s possession, and also notes, which ho was not likely to have earned having quite recently finished a sentence of fivo months’ imprisonment.

AUCKLAND, Yesterday. The contract let by the Government for the construction of Arthur’s Pass tunnel, on the Midland railway, at a cost of £600,000 was strongly commented up at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, the opinion being generally expressed that tho money could he used in other ways so as to give better returns. A resolution was carried urging the Auckland members to take united action to secure a fair and just) allocation to Auckland province of moneys for railways and other public works, and further vigorously protesting against tbe expenditure sanctioned on the Arthur’s Pass tunnel. NEW PLYMOUTH, Yesterday.

A branch of the Civil Service Association has been formed in this district, with a largo membership. PALMERSTON, Yesterday.

A Chinese den was raided for opuim here last night. Trouble was experienced in effecting an entrance to the room in which tile smoking tyas supposed to be taking place, as several of tbe Chinese resisted the police with billets of wood. After a. struggle, two were arrested, and a number of pipes and other appurtenances seized.

A small box containing ojiuim was also found on one of those arrested. A number of others escaped through windows while entrance was being effected. Tlie two arrested were charged at tile Court this morning, and were remanded till Monday next. The New Zealand Farmers’ Dairy Union balance-sheet just- issued, shows tho Union has had a prosperous year. During tho past year 221 new shares were issued, and £4537 distributed amongst shareholders, in addition to the usual monthly payments. During t-lio season 867 tons of butter were manufactured, being 16 tons in excess of last year. After careful consideration, the directors decided not to erect cheese plants, but to continue butter-making. During the year theUnion advanced £65,770, against butter fat received. The gross proceeds of sales amounted to £93,768, and there is still in hand £3158 for dis-

tribution amongst suppliers and shareholders. The quantity of milk received was 40.761,0931b5. It took, an average of 23.301hs of niilk to one pound of butter. The tests ranged

from 3.38 to 5.03, the average being 3.5. The butter made was 1,944, 25Slbs.