TELEGRAPHIC

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6313, 13 September 1907, Page 6

TELEGRAPHIC

I’IIESS ASSOCIATION. NIGHTCAPS INQUIRY. INVERCARGILL, September 12. Arch. Dixon, deputy at the* Nightcaps mino, in the ccur.so of evidence before the Commmsion, sajd that aftci liamo jinked to have a fan started, witnc-tu? pointed out tho door, which was opened just at tho time of tho explosion. Ih© •oxi*kxsk>u immediately followed the opening of the door. The chairman expressed the opinion that this was most important, and asked tlio witness if ho understood why the door was opened. Witness said no In his opinion, it should not have been opened. The opening would have the effect of releasing any fire-damp that might have been behind tho door. THE LOCKER SYSTEM. OAMARU, September 12. At the annual meeting of the Nolicense Association the following resolution was passed That the Government bo requested to take immediate steps to deal effectively with the locker system." A CHARGE DISMISSED. TIMARU, September 12. At the Supremo Court here yesterday, G. H. Parsons, late Town Clerk of Waimato, was acquitted on a charge of misappropriation of funds of the Waimate Borough Council. There being a number of other similar charges against him, the Crown Solicitor telegraphed the Department of Justice as to whether these should bo proceeded with, the evidence being the same in all. Thus morning the Crown Solicitor said ho had received a telegram from tho Attorney-General authorising a stay of proceedings. Accused was therefore discharged. Tho evidence in the case showed it to bo one of muddle, with on entire absence of criminal intent. ABATTOIRS AT GREYMOTJTH. GREVMOXJTH, September 13. The G ivy mouth municipal abattoirs wore formally opened by the Mayor and Councillors yesterday. Mr Reakes, Government Veterinarian, was present, DEER SHOOTING. OAMARU, September 12. Th© Waitakl Acclimatisation Society has fixed tho opening of tho deerehooting season for April Ist and the closing for May oVch. Tho foes are <£4 for a first license, entitling the holder to four heads, and =£2 10s for a second license, with two extra heads.

CREMATION. AUCKLAND, September 13. At a meeting of th© Auckland branch of the liberal and Labour Federation la»i: evening a depiitation from the Auckland Cremation Society attended to supply information with respect to the advantages of having a crematorium elected in the city. Mr Hunt stated that a eum of ikiO had already been subscribed by the society for this purpose, and he suggested that .£SOO should be raised, and that the City Council should be then asked to give the remainder and a site for tho building. Dr Purdy pointed out the advantages of cremation, both from the hygienic and sanitary points of view, and said that the system was very necessary in a place like Auckland, where the soil was so largely volcanic. Whereas burials in Auckland cost £l4 on an average, a single cremation would not cost more than .£5, once the expenditure in erecting the building had been provided for. It was 1 resolved to bring the subject up for further consideration at the next meeting. THE WAIKATO SEAT. HAMILTON. September 32. At a meeting of representatives of all parts of tho Waikato, convened by the l Political Reform League, Captain Allen Bell, provincial president of the Farmers' Union, was chosen as Opposition candidate at the next election. ABOUT LEAD PIPE. DUNEDIN, September 13. A petition signed by a number of leading plumbers in the city has been forwarded to the Premier, the Hon. J. A. Millar, and Messrs Arnold and Barclay, M.H.R/s, drawing attention to the tariff on lead-pipe, which the petitioners consider boars heavily on .the plumbing trad© and on people throughout the colony. In advocating the removal of tho duty, the petitioners assert that two men, two labourers, and a boy could manufacture more than enough leadpipe to meet the demand in the colony; also, that manufacturers, being in direct competition with plumbers, and having £3 10s per ton tariff in their favour, can place the manufactured article on various works at as low price as it costs the plumber to buy it. The petitioners also assert that principally the only outlet for old lead is supplying manufacturers, who give £l4, per ton for same, chaigiug .£3l itk for it converted into pipe, whereas a plumber can get his old lead converted into pipe for £2 per ton in England, the difference {£l7 10s) being out of all reason. This advantageous tariff has been enjoyed for over thirty years, so that it cannot be said that it is for the promotion of industry.

THE ARBITRATION BILE. AUCKLAND, September 12. The Arbitration Bill was discussed by the Auckland Slaughtermen’s Union this evening. A resolution was carried expressing " astonishment and regret at the many hostile amendments introduced, most of which aro decidedly inimical to the interests of a large body of workers and supporters of the Government. Though realising Mr Millar’s honest desire to improve the Act for all affected by it, we consider great mistakes are suggested in the proposed amendments.” ESCAPE OP A PRISONER, ' CHRISTCHURCH, September 12. A prisoner named Philip Kissell escaped from the hard labour gang at Lyttelton this afternoon, and entered the house of a clergyman. He was followed by two warders, and recaptured while in the act of donning some clothes that he had found in the clergyman's study. GISBORNE HARBOUR BILL. GISBORNE, September 12. A public meeting was held to-night to consider the Gisborne Harbour Bill. Mr W. L. Rees said he thought the scheme would be self-supporting. Mr W. L. Clayton was of opinion that a harbour at Gisborne w r ould be follow'ed by railways connecting Gisborne with Opotiki and Wairoa. A committee was appointed to promote a petition to the House to have the Bill passed this session. STRAPHANGERS. AUCKLAND, September 12. The by-law permitting strap-hangers in tramcars was confirmed by the City Council to-night by 7 votes to 5. It will come into force on October Ist, but there will be further legalities to be carried out before the travelling public can take advantage of the new regulation. It is the intention of the Tramways Union to ask the Supreme Court for an injunction to prevent the by-law taking effect. The ground upon which the union is proceeding is the contention that owing to the Mayor (Mr A. M. Myers) having voted upon the by-law question when it was first passed, while holding an interest in the-company, it was rendered illegal.