TELEGRAPHIC BRIEFS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1891, 1 May 1890, Page 3 (Supplement)

TELEGRAPHIC BRIEFS.

In a letter, written by him to Sir George Grey, Henry George regrets that he will be unable to visit New Zealand during his present tour of the colonies as his time will be fully occupied in Australia, and he intends to return to England by the Suez straits about the end of May. It is probable that Mr W. A. Murray, who was formerly member for Bruce, will stand at the coming election for Waikato, if Mr Bruce should not come out for that seat. The two officers who resigned their positions on the steamer Janet Nicoll, because of the employment of Kanaka labour — William Paton (first mate) and Alexander Gillan (second mate) — have made long statements as to the Kanaka crew of the steamer, alleging that they are quite unsuitable, and know nothiag of sea life. The Mercantile Marine Officers' Association intend to take the matter in hand, and make some move regarding it. The Seamen's Union are determined to do something in the matter, but their course of action, they say, is not quite clear. There is not a white seaman or stoker on board the Janet Nicoll, so that they cannot call on any men to come out of the ship. Captain Highman states that the two officers will be aided by the Marine Officers' Association. On the 23th Detective Neill and Constable Haddrellaman at Oxford supposed to be White, alias Clifford, wanted for horsestealing at Middlemarch and larceny as the bailee of a horse belonging to a Timaru resident named Shaw. At the annual meeting of the Southern Cross Petroleum company on the 23th Jjthe directors were recommended to take steps to wind up the company, as no such development of the oil industry has taken place as to lead to the belief that additional capital can be obtained to carry it on. It is intended to give each of the three survivors of the barque Hmilie a kit costing £15, a donation of a few pounds apiece, and, if possihle, to find them berths when they are able to resume duty. Mr Lomas, president of the Miners' Amalgamated Society, reports that he has been successful in organising the miners in Waikato in the North. The Auckland Star says : — " All efforts to induce the Hon. Mr Richardson to permit the j landing of a present from the United I States to Mr Allan Wright of phylloxeraproof vines have hitherto failed, but as the use of these vines as stocks is the only known guard against this horrible pest, and the only method of saving our vines, it is to be hoped more influence will be brought to bear to obtain at least a relaxation against landing American proof vines, until an attempt -can be made next session to have so suicidal an act repealed." A large stained glass window, presented by Mrs Stokes in memory of the late Robert Stokes, ML.C, has been put in the chancel of the Napier cathedral. It is the largest and finest window of the kind in the southern colonies, covering five lancels. The middle one is 25ft high. There are over 200 figures in it. A young married woman named Pyke, given to intemperance, was committed for trial at Napier on Friday last for burglarious entrance. A draper repeatedly missed goods and set a watch. At three o'clock | in the morning prisoner, dressed only in her nightdress, was found on the premises, having entered through a window, the fastening of which she had managed to undo. The b .lance Bbeefc of the Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Society shows a debit balance of £88, the assets being valued at £467. Ministers are very anxious to settle the property and land trouble brought about through the East Coast Land Settlement Company going into liquidation. The case of the Natives concerned is a very hard one, inasmuch as they have parted with their land, and not having received a quid pro quo are in peril of serious distress ; while, on the other hand, the mortgagees have no alternative but to enforce their rights. The Ministers for Lands and Native Affairs have personally inspected the land affected. An independent valuation has also been made on behalf of the Government, so that definite data are now to band on which to proceed. It is likely that some offer will be made by the Government to the liquidators of the company, and that steps will be taken to promote the early settlement of the land. Mr Norgrovc, a Wellingtod resident, had an interview with the Premier on Friday for the purpose of bringing under the notice of the Government a torpedo which he has invented, and which he claims is equal, if not superior, to the Brennan torpedo. The County Council Conference at Christchurch reported on Friday:— "lt is desirable, in our opinion, that a separate act be obtained relating to water-races, and that power be given to local bodies to levy special rates to keep the rivers clean." The resolution of the previous day with reference to a boundary road between counties was rescinded. On Friday night another stack fire occurred at Arrowtown, this time on Mr John Martin's farm, Crown terrace, making the fourth stack fire within the present montb, and none of which afford a clue to their origin. There was no insurance on the grain destroyed by the last fire. The loss consisted of three stacks of oats and wheat. Mr Charles T. Batkin, assistant-controller and auditor, who retired from the civil service on 31st March, was on Saturday presented with a piece of plate and a gold watch suitably inscribed. The presentation was made by the heads of departments and other friends in the service. Mr J. E. Fitzgerald, Controller-general, occupied the chair, and Mr Justice Richmond and the Premier were present. The latter referred to the long and valuable service rendered to the colony by Mr Batkin. At Christchurch on Monday two young men were convicted of hooting on Saturday night outside a shop not closed at 9. The Bench said they would take into consideration the respect- j ability of the accused, but it must be understood that though they dealt with them leniently on this occasion, a repetition'of such conduct would be treated in the severest possible manner. They would not permit hooting and intimidation to be carried on without marking their disgust at it and their determination to put it down. If persons were disinclined to fall in with the early closing movement they were not to be treated as they had been. Accused would be fined Is each and costs. A few days ago the chairman of the Sweating Commission wrote to the Railway Commissioners enclosing a copy of the statements made before them in Christchurch and Wellington. The reply received from the commissioners points out that eight hours' coatiuuous labour coasts

tutes a day's work ; but upon the railways there is a large proportion of employes whose work cannot be made continuous, it being carried on intermittently to suit the exigencies of the public service, but so far as can be managed the work is assigned so as to be equivalent to eight hours' continuous labour. The practice of engaging lads and training them for all branches of the service is essential for obtaining an efficiently trained staff. The proportion of lads taken on from time to time is not more than necessary to fill the vacancies through death, resignations, &c. As to the complaints, any employes who feel aggrieved in any way can make them to headquarters.