LATE TELEGRAPHIC

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1509, 31 January 1901, Page 32

LATE TELEGRAPHIC

AUCKLAND, January 28

The directors of the Auckland Gas Company report a further increase in the consumption of gas, equal to 6 per cent, .me profit for the year amounts to £27,~ 972 Os 6d, which leaves, after providing for a dividend at the usual rate, a sum of £7623 14s. The directors recommend the payment of a dividend for the past half-year of 7s 6d per share on paid-np shares, and a proportionate amount on the partly paid-up shares. A UCIvLAND, Jaj iua ry ‘ 2-i. To-day was the sixty-first anniversary of the foundation of the colony -n 1 city of Auckland, but owing to the Queen’s death it was not observed as a holiday. The only official recognition of the occasion was the closing of the Government offices *and the banks. The Harbour Board authorities also observed the day as a. holiday.. It is expected iliac a, general holiday, in order to celebrate the anniversary, will be proclaimed during the course of next month. A lumper named Thcs. Mills, while working cargo at the Tainan, was swung round by a sling of maize, and fell into the harbour between the wharf and the vessel. In the fall he received a wound on the temple. He was removed to the hospital, where he remains, not having recovered consciousness.

At Wa,ih.i a big fire destroyed Tutfcill’s two-storied block, including the shops- of Tanner, butcher; Conway, saddler: Anderson,.. tailor ; Barron, chemist; Mrs Taylor, restaurant keeper; and Liversey, stationer ; also the offices of Messrs Ciindon and Mueller, solicitors, the Rev Thomas Eykyn, find Wells, builder. The property destroyed was valued at £3OOO. Anderson was insured for £IOO m ths Phoenix office; Conway, £6O in the Imperial ; Barron, £2OO in the Victoria, Liversey, £IOO in the Phoenix ; Tnuner’s butcher?s shop, £450 in the North Queensland office, £IOO in the Norwich Union, and £65 (engine and boiler) m the Imperial. Mrs Taylor's property was not insured; her loss is £3OO. The Rev Mr Eskyn loses over £IOO worth of personal property. NAPIER, January 2d. Thompson, the mate of the Rio. who fell overboard on the voyage to Sydney, was an old resident here, and had takes the trip because the regular mate was left behind ill in the hospital. 14 WANGANUI, January 28. At the District Court tc-clay a man named McGovern, charged with indecent assault on a little girl, was found guilty. He will come up for sentence on Wednesday. HOKITIKA, January 29. Dr St. Leger H. Gribben, a native of Hokitika, who went to South Africa early in the war with the Edinburgh Army Medical Corps, has been honoured by the freedom of the burgh of Stirling, Scotland. Dr Gribben is a son of Mr Gribben, Superintehclent of the axolutika Lunatic Asylum.

CHRISTCHURCH, January 28

At a builders’ conference this afternoon it was decided that the Council take into consideration a uniform set of conditions of contract for the whole colony and the lifting of Government contracts under the sam conditions as private contracts; that the conference represent to the Government the iniusfcico contractors suffer under the Contractors and Workmen Lien Act, and that contractors should have a first lieu un works contracted for. A motion was passed that notice be given by the different associations to the architect', that compensation be paiu the lowOit tenderer in each case where the work tendered for does not go on. Lhe Council was asked to consider the question of taking out quantities and endeavour to brmg about an adoption of tire system in Australia and elsewhere where quantities are simolied. The exhibition awards in the workers’ section are as follows: —Engineering drawing (under 18) —R. S. Barrow, silver medai; W. A. Stephenson (Auckland), bronze medal. Under 22—F. S. Marchand (Wellington)., silver medal; 11. Dillon (Christchurch), bronze medal. Under 25 —G. Errington (Dunedin), certificate. R. S. Barrow took the special gold medal for the best work in tlie section. Stone carving.—J. S. Guthrie (Christchurch) and IT. Mansfield (Christchurch) took the awards for under 18 and 22; E. 11. Mason (Auckland), the silver medal for under 25 and the special gold medal for the best work in the section. Monumental lettering (under 18) —T. McNab (Auckland) and C. F. Hickmott (Christchurch), silver medals for under 22 : C. T. Berry (Sydenham), silver medal for under 25 ; P. W. Mansfield (Christchurch), silver medal; C. F. Hickmott (Christchurch), gpld medal for best work in the section. Piaster work.—F. Qtlev (Christchurch) took two silver medals and special gold medal. 1) GNEDIN, January 28.

The Conciliation Board was engaged to day in hearing tlie dispute in the plastering trade. After hearing both parties, ihe Board announced that its decision would be given on February 4th.

DUNEDIN, January 29. The Conciliation Board was engaged to-day hearing the dispute between the metal workers’ assistants and the employers. The discussion and consideration showed the points in dispute to be that the operatives asked 8s per day, whereas the employers offered 6s, and the operatives asked for 44 hours per week, the employers offering 48. The Board will give its decision in other cases on Monday. In the butchers’ dispute the union reported refusing the terms offered by the employers. The Board’s decision will be given on ruondav.