THE ACCIDENT ON THE EXCELSIOR DREDGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2513, 14 May 1902, Page 29

THE ACCIDENT ON THE EXCELSIOR DREDGE.

THE INSPECTION OF WINCHES. (From Our Own Corresi?osde>-t.) ROXBURGH, May 7. The following verdict was given last night by the jury at the inquest at Miller's Flat on Jas. Cummins, who was killed on the Excelsior dredge:— "That the deceased, James Cumming. met his death by the v/inch breaking through not being strong enough, and portion of the flying fragments of the intermediate pinions striking him on the head." The following rider wa« added: "The jury recommend that the Government inspect all steam winches before being u=ed, and that they be inspected annually afterwards." As there are a large number of similar winches in this district, the above verdict is an important one, for if the Excelsior winches were not sarong enough then the others are also likely to be weak, and a feeling of uiKa^iness is beginning to make ltsjf inanife-t among many tl.t 1 . edgemen. PORTABLE SUSTENANCE. For tra\elkrs, miner?, and soldiers, no food is as poi table as Lenieo, the genuine I Liebig Company's Ex'uatt. The product of ' 13,000 bullocks" was supplied to the iorcrs jin South Africa. Lemco is the most cor.cenI JjraXafiL iarm n£ moat known.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PALMER STON BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Palmeraron branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held at the Waihemo County Council offices on Monday, when the chairman of r£e branch (Mr J. Ross) presided, and the following wer« present: — Messrs W. Souter, A. Fleming, T. Muir, J. Douglas, A. Kilgour, A. Gilmore, G- Sloan, W. Argue, and W. A. Patterson. The first annual report stated that it had been fully proved that the union movement would benefit farniers, taking, for example, the new terms in selling wheat and the cheap rate of insurance against risks incurred under the Workers' Compensation Act. Several questions emanating from the branch had been favourably considered at the Provincial Conference at Milton in October and would be submitted to the Colonial Council. During the year several questions of interest had been considered, such as the increase of parliamentary honoraria, rates of commission charged at local stock sales — namely 53 per cent., which- the committee considered excessive. The membership now numbered 152, but the committee thought that if the farmers studied their interests more this number would be largely increased. The committee' thought the thanks and goodwill of the" farmers of Now Zealand were due to the organising secretary (Mr Glass) for his work in connection with :he formation of the union. In conclusion, the corr.iaittee urged on members the necessity of working together and of taking more interest in the union than they had done during the year. By so doing, the farmers, as a united body, would receive moTe consideration from the hands of the authorities than they did at present. The balance sheet showed the receipts at £22 14s and the expenditure at £19 3s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £3 10s Bd. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said he was sorry there was not a larger attendance, but Monday was not a convenient day for farmers. The Provincial Conference would sit in Dunedin shortly, and it was necessary to hold the meeting in time to appoint delegates, etc. He did not think there was much to be said on the present occasion. He had to report attending an executive meeting in Dunedin on Tuesday last, and important questions were considered and referred to the Provincial Conference ; but the returns had not all been in then. In doing away with the 2£ per cent, discount on wheat and in ventilating the question of commission at stock sales the union had done a great deal of good, even if that had been all. The executive had discussed the jury system in sheep-stealing cases, and he had not been sorry to see a leader in the Otago Daily Times on this and other questions dealt w.ith by the executive and drawn up for submitting to the Provincial Conference. Many questions of great importance to farmers would be~discussed by the conference, and it was to the farmers' benefit that they should be discussed. Regarding the liability of farmers under the Woukers' Compensation for Accidents Act, he had noticed in the official organ a circular embodying an opinion from Messrs Brandon and Hislop, solicitors, Wellington, that farmers were liable under this act. He moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet. Mr Gilmore seconded the motion. Mr Souter said the farmers insured against the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act. Mr Douglas said the farmers were compensated for the wages paid by the insurance, but there was still considerable expense. One of his men had been hurt, and, though he had insured, this man's accident had meant considerable extra expense. Mr Gilmore said that, with all due deference to Messrs Brandon and Hislop, he could nob see how farmers could be made liable under the act. Farm paddocks could not be included in the term " premises," even if sheds and barns were. The report and balance sheet were then adopted unanimously. Mr Douglas thought- it was an extraordinary thing that an act of Parliament should be passed so loosely that it was impossible to understand it. The Premier had said all through the session that farmers were not liable, but now when approached he advised farmers to go into court and test the act. Mr Gilmore: Why, the Chief Justice himself confessed that acts of Parliament passed lately were impossible to understand. The election of a committee for the ensuing year then took place, and the- retiring committee, consisting of Messrs J. Ross, D. Ross, W. Souter, W. 0. M'Kcllar, W. Pollock, J. Douglas, A. Kilgour. E. Ckrko T. Stenhouse, G. Cruieks>hank, D. W. Pi 'ip?, J. Stewart, P. M'Grady, T. Muir. and J. Miller, with the addition of Messrs A -Gilmorc, W. Argue, and Cameron, were returned. The chairman (Mr J. Rofs), secretary (Mr J. Miller), treasurer (Mr T. Muir), and auditor (Mr Ross.), were all re-elected. The Chairman returned thank 3in a few word-:, and urged the member 3of committee to attend meetings more regularly than they had done during the past year. The question of remuneration to the secretary W39 discussed, but as the treasurer pointed out that the balance hod to be forwarded to the provincial secretary, action was deferred in the meantime 1 ho Chairman remarked that the present rates and subscription all through the country were too low. The chairman and Mr T. Mnir were then appointed delegate-, to the Provincial Conference. The Chairman brought up the question of sub-branches of the union. He considered that stub- branches could be formed at Green Valley, Macrars, and Dunback, and they might amalgamate amongst their^elves again. He did not think the people in those districts could be expected to attpnd meetings in Palmereton. Tho &üb-brai;ciies <;oukl send delegates to the Palmerston meetinjr. Mr Muir said his opinion eoncurrpd w ith the chairman's. Such a course would keep the outside district- in touch with the union, and it might be the means of putting more life into the meetings. It was then der-ldfd that the secretary should l>e iu^tmef-fd to write to Mr W. Pollock at (Ireen ValW. Mr W. O: M'Kellar. at Dunback, and Mr J. Donaldson, at Macraes, -'ig^pstinff the formation of sub-branches in thosr> districts which rould i/fi represented on t)^ Palmerston branch by delegates. The Chairman paid there was a movement in Southland to have the required membership to constitute a branch reduced to 25, and he" thought if this were done there would be more interest taken in the union. fioaift little discussion then arose as to the

subject* to be recotninenfod to the- cow fcrenqe for consideration, Mid JB^ way stig* gejtcd that each member should draw up w few suggestions and forward them to thrf delegates. Mr Souter agreed with +]\\a proj position, and mentioned the email birds? nuisance as being a question that should brf dismissed. Another member mentioned" in* speotion of dairies. Mr Gilmore said tha local stock inspector had inspeoted his (Mi Gilmore's) dairy, and he supposed he had inspected others. But sometimes a dairy inspeotor would go round and order certain improvements, and then, before the improvements were completed, the Government valuer was round dapping on extra rates for improvements— (laughter). He also thought that when a magistrate wae sitting in an Assessment Court on a disputed valuation case there should /be two competent assessors associated with him. A magistrate might be a very good man on point's of law, but very seldom understood anything about farming or land values. Mr Sloan referred to the small birds' nuisance, and advocated destruction by netting the birds. Another member said there was nothing like phosporus, and the farmer should mix it himself. The poisoned- grain sold- to farmers was of no use at all. The que"stion of increase of membership rates was also raised,- and it was decided that all these subjects should oe brought up at the- conference, together with others that-'might be suggested in tlie meantime.. -This concluded the meeting. PENINSULA BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Teninsula branch of the Farmers' Union was held in the Portobello School on the 19fch inst., the chairman (Mr W.. Dickson) presiding. The principal business was the election of officers for the ensuing year, which resulted" as follows: — Managing Committee — Messrs W. Dickson, J. M' Andrew, R. Milne, A. North, J. R. Rutherford, J. Riddell, J. .J. M'Cartney, and J. S. M'Cartney. At a committee meeting held later the following officers were appointed:—Chairman, Mr W. Dickson; .secretary, Mr J. S. M'Cartney; treasurer. Mr James M'Andrew ; auditor, Mr J. J. M'Cartney (all re-elected) ; delegate .to attend the next conference, Mi R. Milne. Mr J. S. M'Cartney was appointed to canvass the district in order to enroll new members. It was also decided to hold a meeting in the Highcliff School on the 19th inst. at 8 p.m. for the same purpose. WAIKOUAITI BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Waikouaiti branch of the Farmers' Union was held in the Borough Council Chambers on faaturday, evening, about 20 members being present. Mr H. Buekland was re-elected cnairman, Messrs R. A. S. Cantrell and A. S. Orbell treasurer and secretary, and Mr 4,. Davis, auditor for the ensuing year. The following were appointed a committee, with power to add:— Messrs J. Aitoheson, T. Allcock, W. t Diack, A. Heckler. P. Heckler, R. Hagan, J. Hallum, J. Maxwell,. W. Martin, J. M'Gill, W. M'Grath, J. Rendall. and w. Ward. Messrs Buekland and Orbcil were appointed to attend " the next coivf^reiinc of Otago delegates to be held in edin on 22nd June. The meeti.. solved to recommend its members to port any fire insurance company that will reduce the present rates; also "to mitrupfc the selling brokers that it is in the interests of the small farmers that single bale* equal value be grouped when oneicd ior. sale, so as to avoid" star " lots. / ' ~ter was received from Messrs Strouac; os. and Morris stating, on behalf or the -iocc Brokers' Association, that they could nofc see their way to reduce the present rate or commission charged on sales of stoe* in. the district. Many other matters oi interest to farmers were discussed. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded a sj i / meeting.