N.Z. TELEGRAMS.

Hastings Standard, Volume XI, Issue 5551, 24 July 1907, Page 3

N.Z. TELEGRAMS.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. SLAUGHTERMEN'S UNION. Dunedin, luly 23. An agreement has been arrived a between the Slaughtermen's Union and the proprietors of the Burnside freezing works (Christehurch Meat Company). It is understood that a proposal is on foot for the federation of the Slaughtermen's Unions of New Zealand. The proposal originated in Wellington, where a conference is likely to be held at an early date. The Otago Slaughtermen's Union have approved of federation, and will be represented at the conference. SCHOONER BEACHED. Auckland, July 23. A telegram from Mangonui reports that the schooner Isabel Dufraine was beached on Saturday between Ahipara and Reef Point. All hands are safe. The vessel is in a fair position if the weather keeps fine. A PALMERSTON LOAN. Palmerston North, July 23. At a meeting of ratepayers, resolutions were carried authorising the Borough Council to take a poll on a proposal to borrow £10,500 for works as follows Purchase of municipal buildings £2500, alterations to Library buildings £1550, street improvement £4250, street lamps £2OO, cycle tracks £IOO, river bank protection at Esplanade £IBSO and protection of river bank at Hokowhitu £2550. STOCK MORTALITY. Oamaru, July 23. It is estimated that, owing to the drought, between 4000 and 5000 head of cattle have been sent out of the district or potted. There is considerable mortality due to want of feed. DEFAMATORY LIBEL. Wellington, July 24. Wm Jas. Pollock applied to Mr Riddell, S.M., for leave to lav an information against Arthur Beeson for defamatory libel under the Criminal Code Act Amendment 1001. The application was refused without prejudice, on the ground that the Court was not satisfied that Beeson was a man of no substance and unable to pay damages in a civil action. SCOW SURPRISE WRECKED. Gisborne, July 24. The wrecked scow Surprise was owned by Messrs Robb Bros., of Gisborne, having been recently purchased by them for the Gisborae-Whangarei coal trade, and had just completed the first trip. It was insured for £650 in the New Zealand Office. Messrs Robb Bros, estimate their loss at £4OO above that amount. SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY Masterton, July 24 Petitions are being numerously signed by and shopkeepers, protesting against the Saturday halfholiday, and urging the advisability of all shops and factories holding their weekly half-holiday on Thursday. STOCKING THE RIVERS. Masterton, July 24. At the Masterton fish ponds there are some sixty thousand rainbow trout eggs from Rotorua now hatching besides three hundred thousand brown trout. Five thousand yearling trout were despatched to Hawke's Bay. aLY GROG SELLING. A HEAVY FINE. Pahiatua. July 24 At the sitting of the S. M. Court this morning, Charles Ericson, of Pongaroa, was fined £SO, or in default one month's imprisonment, for sly grog selling. Notice of appt-1 was given. ARBOR DAY. Wellington, July 24. Arbor day is being celebrated quietly in Wellington. Trees were planted at the Training College and at Kelburne Park. The Mayor is taking part in the proceedings. SHEEP RETURNS. Wanganui, July 24. The sheep returns for the year ending April 30th, show that the West Coast of the North Island, including the district between Mokau and Waikarae, provided more than half of the total increase for the year in the numbers of sheep in the country, the increase being 381,788. COURT OF APPEAL. Wellington, July 23. In the Court of Appeal to-day, argument began on motions in the matter of the Te Akau block, lying between the mouth of the Waikato river and Raglan. July 24. In the Te Akau block case, Mr Morrison, on behalf of plaintiff, shewed cause why the Supreme Court's power to prohibit (not Appellate Court), was not taken away by the Act of 1895. He contended that in spite of sections therein, where the Court manifestly extended its powers, the jurisdiction of the Supreme -our., vo prohibit was not taken away,

WAIL FROM WAIROA. Wairoa, July 24. Residents of the Wairoa are verj • : indignant about the adjournment o: the Tai Rawhiti Land Board, which : is supposed to sit here every twc ' months, and which has only sat once I since March. The work is congested and thousands of acres are idle, as the lessees cannot get on to i:. Now the Board has adjourned to August 14th, and the natives and Europeans are put to a lot of trouble. The Board's excuse is bad roads, but the ordinary mail coach is running as usual. Prospective settlers have been waiting for six months for the confirmation of the leases. These were sent to Gisborne and have been returned for the meeting of the adjourned Board. The Land Board, which is supposed to expedite native land matters, is only delaying them. Dairy factories are forced to close owing to intending suppliers not being able to work the land. This " taiho " policy is loudly condemned. Wairoa is absolutely neglected in native land matters, and and the largest area in the col.-.ny is awaiting settlement at its back door. There been absolutely no improvements in administration since the Board was constituted.