WITHIN THE DOMINION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6970, 9 November 1909, Page 5

WITHIN THE DOMINION

LATEST TELEGRAMS PEESS ASSOCIATION". ALLEGED SLANDER. CHRISTCHURCH, November S. It is understood that a slander action of some political significance is coming on for hearing at the next sittings of the Supremo Court in liinaru. Mcssis Alpers and Nicliolls have issued a writ on behalf of Mr W. Jeffries, who contested the Geraldino seat in tho Opposition interests, claiming £IOOO for slander. PLAINTIFF NONSUITED AUCKLAND, November 8. The civil sittings of tho Auckland Supreme Court began before Mr Justice Edwards to-day. James Henry William Martin claimed £133 special and £SOO general damages from tho Auckland Electric Tramways Company for injury received through defendant’s negligence. The defence was that there had been no negligence. His Honor upholding this contention, plaintiff was nonsuited, with costs to defendant. “SPEAK IN ENGLISH, PLEASE” AUCKLAND, November 8. At the Supremo Court this afternoon a medical witness was giving evidence as to injuries to a man’s knee. In doing so he made a great display of technical medical terms. Please try and explain yoursolf in English,” said Mr Justice Edwards. “It is no good speaking Latin. Wo are all English people here, and can understand you much better if you use English—at least I can.’! VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION AUCKLAND, November 8. An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders in tho Direct Supply Company, Ltd.—called to confirm resolutions passed on October 22nd last that the company go into voluntary liquidation—was held this afternoon, Mr John Brown, chairman of directors, presiding. Upon the motion of confirmation being put, thirteen of the nineteen shareholders present voted for and three against voluntary liquidation, tlris being thus finally decided, with Messrs J. Brown, H. A. Gordon, and S. Gray as liquidators. BANKS MEAT ■ COMPANY ' WOODVILLE, November 8. A meeting of debenture-holders in the Banks hi tat Company was held hero this afternoon. Tho meeting was convened for the purpose of receiving tho balance-sheet and the receiver’s report for the past twelve months. Tho balance-sheet showed very satisfactory results, upon which tho Management Committee and receiver were congratulated. Arrangements were made for conducting tho business on an extended scale for the next twelve months. Tho Management Committee was re-elected for a further period of three years, DRIVERS OF MOTORS CHRISTCHURCH, November 8. At a meeting of the Canterbury Engine-drivers and Firemen’s Union it was resolved that the secretary be instructed to write to the Trades and Labour Council urging that legislation should bo Brought in requiring drivers of motor-cars and all vehicles propelled by their own motive power to bo duly, certified and bo controlled by inspectors of machinery. „ MATERNITY HOSPITAL FOR GISBORNE

GISBORNE, November 8. The foundation-stone of tile Townley Maternity Hospital, established by the Gisborne Women’s Guild, and which will bo under the laws of the: St. Helens Hospitals, was laid by ! the Mayor on Saturday afternoon. NO SIGN OF CLAN MACPH ERSON AUCKLAND, November 8. H.M.S. Prometheus received a wireless message from H.M.S. Challenger reporting an unsuccessful search of tho Kermadecs for the missing ship Clau Maopherson. LADIES’ GRUESOME FIND SUPPOSED COFFIN FROM THE VENTNOR. ... DARGAVILLB, November 8. Several ladies yesterday discovered a coffin on the beach at Manganui Bluff. It had apparently been washed up by tho sea. Upon making further investigation they found the coffin contained a skeleton. To-day tho matter was reported to the Dargaville police, and a constable is going out to-morrow to make further inquiries. It is believed by some that the coffin is ono of the consignment dispatched for China by the steamer Veutnor, which is supposed to have gone down with all hands somewhere along the Attest Coast in October, 1902. Others think that tho discovery is only a coffin from a native burial ground, a large number of Maoris killed during tlie early wars having been interred in tho vicinity. PIONEER CLERKS’ UNION AUCKLAND, November 8. ; Tho Auckland Clerks’ Industrial I Union (the first of its kind in New Zealand) has been registered, with a membership of about forty. A movement is on foot to form similar unions in Christchurch and Napier. Tho union is designed to embrace all classes of clerical workers, and after it has gained strength application will be made to the Arbitration Court for an award. It is understood preference for unionists will be asked for. and that the Court will bo requested to make no distinction between the sexes in awarding wages. The unionists allege that the increased employment of girls as lodger clerks has lowered men’s wages, and they think if the same wages had to be paid to both ! sexes men would get preference. It is stated that the average wage of junior clerks in Auckland is £1 os to £1 los, and of ledger clerks £‘2 to £2 ICs.