TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 131, 4 May 1934, Page 12

TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS.

Members of the Auckland Ferry Employees’ Union are to receive a 5 per cent, increase in wages according to an agreement between the directors of the Devenport Steam Ferry Company and the union. Members of the union were subjected to two cuts, one, of 10 per cent, and another of 5 per cent. In accordance with a resolution passed by the Birkenhead Borough Council, the wages of its employees, which were reduced by 10 per cent., have been restored as from April 1 last. An important Canterbury land sale was effected when Mr J. Conpolly, M.P., of Raikaia, disposed of his homestead block of 1300 acres at Longlea, with a large residence and lawns, to Messrs George Morris and Alex. Leisli, of Fairlie, The price is not disclosed. The land is good wheat and lamb-pro-ducing country. Douglas Palmer Claridge, proprietor of Claridge’s Country Club, in New Brighton Road, Christchurch, a wellknown cabaret was charged yesterday with keeping the club open on Sunday for the purpose of transacting business, and, as proprietor of a restaurant, with permitting liquor to be drunk on the premises at a time when licensed premises are required to be closed. The hearing was adjourned for a week. The Christchurch Tramway Board last night decided to give notice of its intention to levy a general rate of three-sixteenths of a penny in the £ on the capital value to produce £29,067 and a special rate to produce £8505. A special meeting to levy the rate will be held on Mav 19. The total rate would be a fraction less than a farthing. The chairman, (Rev J. Iv. Archer) said that it might be found befQre May 19 that it would not be necessary to levy the special rate. That direct shipping communication between the South Island and Australia should be inaugurated in time for the opening of the centenary celebrations in Melbourne, which commence in October this year, was the opinion of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce; as expressed at the meeting last night. It was considered that the inauguration of the service in November, as announced, would be too late. It was decided to support other South Island organisation in their efforts to have the service established earlier.

Fatal head injuries were received at Auckland by A. R. Ponder, a wellknown commercial traveller and elderly widower, of Rugby Street, Christchurch, yesterday.afternoon when he was struck by a motor truck near a safety zone at the corner of Queen Street and Victoria Street East. On falling his head struck the safety zone. Official advice was received yesterday that the tenders for the proposed Government Life Insurance building in AVellington were considered to be too high. After the tenders closed the matter was placed before Cabinet, and it was decided that the matter should be reconstructed. It is understood the tenders were several thousand pounds above the architect’s estimate.