NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8648, 5 February 1914, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

To-night the following vessels will bo within range of the Wellington wireless station;—Maori, Wahine, Maheno, Ruapehu, Ulimaroa, Warnmoo, Aparima. Victoria, Rotorua, Manuka.

The case of the Wellington Wharf Labourers’ Union versus the Bank of New Zealand, an originating summons to determine the union’s financial authority, will lie heard before His Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) at 9 a.ra. to-day. As an illustration of the 'effect of excitement upon the imagination, Mr P. J. O'Regan, in the Supreme Court yesterday, .said tiiat at a time w'hen there was a war scare, people saw a shooting star, and it was magnified into an airshio and the new's was cabled out to the papers that a foreign airship had been observed. It is the intention of Councillor Fuller to move at the meeting of_the City Council on February 19th: ihat the city organist be instructed to leport as to the advisability: (a) of including in his programmes operatic music such as “ Maritana and operas akin in merit; or (b) of devoting one recital monthly to a programme arranged on more popular lines than at present.” “He was a witness in the last case,” said Mr P S. K. Macassey, solicitor for the Crown, when a certain name was called in making up the jury for Colclough’s case. “That is no ground for objection,” responded the Chiet Justice. Mr Macassey explained that he merely pointed out the fact to the Court. The juror in question did not sit however, as he was challenged by Mr T. M. Wilford, leading counsel for the. accused.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday Evelyn Vyn© Kitson, alias Palmer, alias Gibbs, alias Guelph, alias InnesKerr, was further remanded till the 11th inst. on a charge of obtaining by means of false pretences the sum of £8 10s from Schneideman Bros. It was explained by Chief-Detective Bro-b-erg that accused was still suffering from th© effects of poison he had taken o-n the day of his arrest, and. was, in consequence, unable to appear. “You said that bombs were thrown,” remarked Mr Wilford, in the Supreme Court yesterday, to a witness who had been describing a riot. “I mean crackers,” wab the response. “Well, why don’t you call them that-—why use the word ‘ bomb’?” Mr Wilford continued. The witness replied that ho was thinking of bon-bons. “He meant bon-bon —a cracker,” explained counsel facetiously, and the court smiled at the idea of Christmas crackers, figuring in the pleasantries of a strike melee.

la a conversation between a, solicitor and a client privileged in subsequent court proceedings.? The point cropped up yesterday in a maintenance case at the Magistrate’s Court. Mr O’Leary, on behalf of plaintiff, objected to the line of cross-examination adopted by counsel for the defence in relation to a question put the plaintiff regarding a conversation with her solicitor. Mr O’Leary contended that a conversation between a solicitor and his client was absolutely privileged. Mr Riddell, S.M., ruled that th© privilege was not mutual. As far as th© conversation related to a solicitor’s business with a client it was privileged, but the privilege did not extend to the client.

The New Zealand Freezing Workers and Allied Trades’ Federation opened its annual conference at the Trades Hall yesterday morning. The, delegates are:—Messrs T. Poole (chairman), F. Ellis, secretary (Canterbury), A,. Rosser (Auckland), T. Downing (Hawke’s Bay), J. Marshall (Wellington), and J. Yates (Otago). Among other matters for consideration is a remit from Canterbury; “That the finding of the Unity Congress held in July, 1913, be approved; that a ballot of all unions affiliated to this federation be taken on the following question : Thai all unions in this federation affiliate with the United Federation of Labour and Social Democratic party, the ballot to be taken during the month of March, 1914, the mode of ballot to be drafted by the conference.” No further information was available for publication. A somewhat warmly-worded letter was read at a meeting of the Conciliation Council at ,Auckland this week, when the timber workers’ dispute was under consideration. The letter in question was written to the Commissioner (Mr T. Hario'Giles) by the manager of Meesfs Millar’s West Australian Hardwoods Company, and read as follows:—“We have a citation in re a supposed dispute, which, however, only exists in -the imagination in the few of those who sponge on the workers for a living. When a’ new ’agreement is arrived at it is to he hoped it will be more equitably administered than the present one lias been, as employees seem able at present to do as they like, while employers are promptly proceeded against for any breach ef the award, however inadvertent. The few demands which in any way affect this company are so grotesque in their exorbitance that, unless entirely modified, there will be no hope of a settlement, except through the Arbitration Court.” “Thai is hardly like holding out the olive branch, gfcntlemen,” remarked the Commissioner to the assessors. The evils attending Maori tangis have been emphasised over and over again, and it would appear as if the time had arriv.ed for the Government to step in and persuade the Maori that the pakeha funeral is the better and cheaper way, says the Auckland “Herald.” A striking example of how Maoris- are impoverished by the tangi has just come to light from the Main Trunk line in the case of Pango Bauxnaewa, of Winiata. Years ago Pango and his brother decided to go in for farming. They took np 90 acres of land at Rata. Thirty cows were purchased, and a five-roomed house and milking shed made their appearance. The two brothers then set about clearing the place, which was in heavy scrub, and after much labour succeeded in bringing the best part of the section into a state of productivity. They had milked for three years and were the earners of a comfortable little income when Pango’s brother died. A monster tangi was convened, a tangi that cost Pango over £2OO. On top of this the father passed away, leaving many creditors. Pango was forced to clear this off also. He then discovered that he was ruined. Taking heart again, he went up to Winiata and started afresh. At present he is milking fifteen cows and in every way has proved his energy and industry. It seems, however, that an unkind fate persistently’ follows his footsteps. A few days ago a Maori child belonging to the little community died, and a big tangi has been arranged, the expense of which will fall upon the unfortunate native.

The Conciliation Commissioner will hear the dispute between the Ships' Tally Clerks’ Union and the employers on Tuesday next. The assessors for the union are: —Messrs Foucard, Tispie, Forsyth. The secretary (Mr B. A. Simpson) will appear as the union’s agent.

The Wellington Retail Soft-goods Employees’ Union has received advico that a new* certificate of registration has been granted by the registrar. This will enable the union to admit members of the wholesale softgoods trade in the Wellington district to membership.

“If this sort of thing is to go on and the denial of a prisoner to be taken as such,” said the Chief Justice, in summing up in a strike case yesterday, ‘T don’t know what will happen. There would be no law and order, no security, if this continues. The responsibility rests with you—(the jury).” Three stowaways were discovered during the passage of the Manuka from Sydney. The men were to have been handed over to the police when the vessel came alongside the wharf yesterday, but two slipped down one of the ship’s lines, and, mingling with the people on the wharf, made good their escape. The third man was arrested on the vessel.

When giving evidence on his own behalf in the Supreme Court yesterday, a man stated that ho bad not been in trouble before, except that he had been locked up for drunkenness. On being asked by counsel how many times he had been so arrested, the accused replied, “Five or six "times.” The Chief Justice: “Was it not twen-ty-seven times?” There was no answer from the man in the box, and Mr O’Began suggested that his memory might be a little faulty on that subject.

The question of obtaining a pure milk supply for Wellington has been discussed by the Wellington City Council on more than one occasion. With a view to obtaining data as to what is done in Australia, Councillor Fuller has given notice to move at a meeting of the City Council to be held on February 19th: —“That the town clerk bo instructed to write to" the several municipalities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, asking for information as to their method ■ of securing pure milk for infants, and to submit the result of his inquiries to the council.”

Councillor Fuller at a recent meeting of the City Council stated that he thought" the tramway board should alter the Sunday time-table so that cars would run half an hour later in the evening. He has now given notice to move at a meeting of the council to he held on February 19th: — “That the tramways committee be instructed ’ to endeavour to , arrange in the new tramways agreemeut for provision to be made to enable the trams to be run for half an hour later on Sunday evenings, without being subject to the disadvantages at present standing in the way of the proposal, pointed out by the tramways board of management their recent report on the subject.”

A class for grocers’ assistants is being organised by the director of the Auckland Technical College (Mr George George). Having enlisted the interest of the employers in the trade, and having been given promises or practical assistance, Mr George exnlained his proposal this week to the annual meeting of the Grocers Assistants’ Union. He suggested several directions in which expert knowledge was required in the grocery business, instancing the blending of tea, the economical handling of various other commodities, and the keeping of business books. Mr George remarked that technical training was equivalent to deposits in. a savings bank. _ The plan was received with general interest by the meeting and the union promised its cordial support.

That the hardships experienced by pioneers have not passed aw.ay with the early settlers has been demonstrated over and over again.* Another case has just been disclosed in Taranaki’s hinterland. Last winter it appears a settler was hard pushed for food, his household not having seen bread for a week or two. The settler had to walk.to the nearest store, as he could not get his horse across an unbridged river. On arriving at the store ho purchased a 50lb bag of flour, and trudged off homeward. The most difficult part of the journey was negotiating the river. It was, however,. Starvation for the household if he did not get the flour home, so he tied the bag of flour to his shoulders and crossed the river hand over hand on a steel rope.

In connection with the visit of the Royal Artillery Band to Wellington, and the decision of the City Council at its last meeting to allow a charge to bo made for a Sunday concert, further telegrams have passed between the Mayor of Wellington and Mr George Elliott, president of the Auckland Exhibition. The latter recently sent a telegram to the Mayor stating that his “action in endeavouring to repudiate and set aside the concession granted in connection with the proposed Sunday concert was not consistent.” To this Mr Luke has replied as follows: —“No repudiation. Regret you overlooked that original motion remains in. abeyance until rescinding resolution dealt with. Your representative has been informed to that effect.” A meeting of the City Council will be held to-night, and a deputation from the Ministers’ Association, headed by the Rev. Mr Lewis, the president, will attend to protest against the proposal to allow a charge for admission to be made.

In the balance-sheet just adopted by Loyal Antipodean Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., it is shown that the total funds increased during the year from £19,354 6s lid to £19,996 Is sd. The interest earned on investments alone during the year was more than sufficient to meet all claims on the sick and funeral fund, leaving rents and contributions free for accumulation to the lodge funds. During the year the surplus appropriation to the end of 1910 was completed, and allocated to the members in reduction of contributions or additional funeral allowance as elected by them. The amount allocated was £2371 Bs, divided as follows: —£1428 6s 8d in reduction of contributions to sick and funeral fund, £327 5s 4d in increased funeral benefits, £240 16s in reduction of contributions to management fund, £3OO transferred to management fund, £75 transferred to distress fund. Under these circumstances (says the report) it seems remarkable that the net gain in membership was only ten, the number of members on the roll now being 440. With the exception of £4OO now available for investment, the funds of the lodge have been carefully invested by the trustees, so that the income continues to steadily increase.

The Telegraph Office has been advised that telegrams for the Union oi South Africa are subject to censorship.

The moonlight excursion by the ferry steamer Duchess to 'Rohm Bay last night under the auspices of the Tramways Band was marred by the inclemency of the weather. The excursion was only moderately patronised. Yesterday the slaughtermen at the Gear Company’s works. Petonc, put up an excellent tally at the boards. The record kill for one day is over seven thousand five hundred head of sheep. Yesterday’s kill did not reach this number, hut approached closely to it. A conference opened in Wellington yesterday of the four medical inspectors of schools. The Minister for Education (Hon. James Allen), the In-spector-Goneral of Schools (Mr G. Hoghen), and the Chief Health Officer (Dr Valintiue) were present. , The proceedings wero private. The deputation which will meet the Prime Minister to-day and urge the desirability of tho public acquisition of Day’s Bay bush and recreation grounds will bo introduced by the Hon. A. L. Herdman. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr J. P. Duke) and the chairman of the Sports Protection League (Mr C. P. Skcrrett, K.C.), will be among the speakers. At tho instigation of tho Hutt Borough Council, the town clerk (Mr W. Nicholson) attended a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at Lower Hutt yesterday, and informed the bench that the council was doing its best to put down the practice of allowing stock to wander on the streets. Tho fines imposed in the past had not had the desired effect, and the council was anxious to receive help from the magistrate by tho raising of the fines in cases where there had been several convictions.

Owing to the largo number of backyard orchards existing in the Wellington city and suburban districts, it is impossible for the orchard inspector to visit every one for inspection. Those desirous of information in regard to spraying, pruning, etc., will do well to write to the Director of Orchards, etc., Department of Agriculture, Wellington, under the Orchard and Gardens’ Diseases Act, 1908. Any occupier is liable to prosecution on conviction to a penalty of , £2O, who has not taken effective measures to eradicate pests and diseases harbouring therein. Strong complaints were made yesterday by passengers on the Manuka over the delay that occurred m the berthing of the vessel. According to one passenger’s statement to a “Times” representative, the vessel dropped anchor in the stream at 9.40 a.m., and did not berth till 11.40 a.m. —too late to catch the Main Trunk train. When asked for • some explanation of the matter, the Union Steam Ship Company’s traffic manager (Mr Horton) stated that the official time of dropping anchor was 10 a.m., and of berthing 11.30, a.m. Considering the large number of passengers on board (nearly 200), the hour and a half spent in the stream was no longer than usual —in fact it was a little less than ordinarily. The thirty-sixth annual meeting of the Equitable Buuuing and Investment Society was held on Tuesday evening, Mr E. Baloombe Brown presiding. The annual report showed that on the profit and loss account there was a credit of £11,648 15s 2d. A balance, of £6143 los 2d had still to be dealt with, and. the directors recommended a further dividend of 5s per share, absorbing £3OOO, leaving a balance to bo carried forward of £3148 15s 2d. In moving the adoption of the report, the chairman remarked upon the society’s sound basis, in spite of the stringent conditions. The motion was seconded by Mr Harold Beauchamp and adopted. Mr Jt.' Dalcombe Brown was elected chairman and managing director, and the retiring directors (Messrs D. Anderson and D. McLean) were re-elected. Mr E. Bucholz and Mr O. S. Watkins were re-elected auditors, and Mr E. A. Liddle secretary.

Mrs Rolleston advises lady readers to save every strand of their combings. She has a special and unique process for making-up combings in various modes and designs.—Advt.