DUNEDIN. October 21.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 7273, 22 October 1891, Page 2

DUNEDIN. October 21.

Tho Premier told a builders' deputation that ho could not think of allowing litigation in respect of contracts, aa tho tendency of juries was invariably to slate 1 tho Government and protect the indivi dual ; but ho would try to arrange with the Minister for Public Works to havo a clauso inserted in Government contracts empoworing reference of disputes to arbitration. Mr Ballance will go to Chriatchurch fco« morrow to confer with tho Governor. Thence he will return to Dunedin, proceoding to Invercargill. No calls will bo made to the Council till after the Now Year. To a deputation of tho building trade 3 the Premier said ho was favurable to assimilating tho conditions of contracts to those in vogue in Victoria. The Premier states that the revenue is coming in satisfactorily, and he is sanguino that his estimates will be realised. Owing to tho trouble in tho boot trade, nearly 40 men, mostly single, will leave in tho Jubilee to-day. At the Land Board to-day, Mr Duncan, M.H,R,, asked Mr Maitlund whether ho had received a communication from the Rlinifltor with reference to the exchango of a back block for the Maerewhonua endowment held by thoOamaru Corporation. Mr Duncan said he thought there would be no difficulty in arranging the exchange, thereby obtaining the Maerewhenua block for settlement, a provision being made for the resumption of puoh portions as wera wanted for mining. Mr Maitland replied that h« wm |arc*nging for an

interview with tha Oamaru mayor. Mr Duncan offered hia assistance, which was accepted. The Premier is advised that the auxili- . ary warships, Riogaronma and Tauranga, • aro on the way here from Hob»if. They are due about Friday and will remain in this port for 10 days. By the Jubilee to-day twenty-five bootmakers left the Colony for Sydney, anticipating that the present dispute ratf^, result in a strike. They are all sinM^ men, nnd had given in their names some days ago as willing to leave. Mr P. H.illey, Secretary to the Bootmakers' Union, and Mr Bridgor, representing the Manufacturers' Association, left for Chriatchuroh tj attend a conforenoo of delegates, with a view to settling the dispute. At the inquest on the body of Paul Drew, who was killed by a tram oar pansing over him last night, a verdiot of ac- A cidental death was returned, the driver • nnd conductor being exonerated from blame.