NEW ZEALAND NEWS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 42

NEW ZEALAND NEWS ITEMS.

AUCKLAND. The arrival of 10 Hindus from the Islands by the Talune was commented on at the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Conference. The conference expressed the opinion that this was an attempt by the employers to replace men who .had left to fight for their country. It was decided to bring tho matter under the notice of organised Labour bodies. Thomas James Lanigan, of St. Joseph's Convent School, Thames, has won a Sacred Heart College scholarship, valued at 40 guineas a year, and tenable for two years. The police on Saturday raided a house in Albert street. Dice were found on a table, and a game of hazard was in progress. Twelve men were arrested —11 charged with being found in a common gaming house, and one charged with keeping, and assisting in the management. A meeting attended by 250 transport workers, under the auspices of the New; Zealand AVaterside Workers' Federation, carried a resolution endorsing tho principle of a federation of transport workers, and pledging all unionists present to do their utmost to bring about a federation. WELLINGTON. A combined meeting of the Wellington Railway Unions passed a motion that the time had come when all railway workers should be united for their own protection. They also resolved to recommend to tho executive of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Slervants and the Engine-drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association, that' a vote of members be taken on the question of tho federation of the two bodies. In the event of the vote being favourable an immediate conference should be held to consider any schemes put forward by tho branches. A man, believed to be Augustus George. Wdbster, was found in the Jchnsonvillo Recreation Ground with his throat cut, and removed to the hospital. His condition today was improving. His Excellency the Governor has received the following telegram from the Governor of Bombay (Lord Willingdon):—" I and her Excellency inspected your beautiful hospital ship Marama on December 7, and I should like to congratulate you and the people of New Zealand on its most complete equipment.—(Signed) Willingdon." CANTERBURY. A poll on the City Council's proposal to raise £60,000 to extend the city's electrical installation was taken on the 6th, and resulted in the propocsal being carried by 1371 votes to 66 7. Only 2050 ratepayers voted out of 11.000 on the roll. In the Supreme Court on the 7th George Berry Ritchie, a solicitor, on charges of defalcation of trust funds in a number of sums since 1908, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. The loan raised by the Christchurch City Council wherewith to build municipal offices will mature on the 30th inst., but a now loan was arranged for, and the whole amount has been taken up locally at par.The original loan was for £6OOO. and was raised at 4£- per cent. The accrued sinking fund totalled £750, and the amount which has just been raised locally by means of debentures was therefore £5250. It isnnderstood that, considering the state of tho money market, tho debentures were sold under satisfactory conditions. Three blocks of land opened by the Canterbury Land Board for selection by returned soldiers were to have been balloted for on Tuesday, but there were no applications. One of the blocks is situate at Tompleton. and consists of 10 acres of agricultural land, valued at £350. The second is n block of 36 situated at Waimato, and valued at £I3BO, while the third is a block of over three acres, situated near Hornby.