INTERPROVINCIAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7954, 6 July 1897, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[Per Pkess Association. ] AUCKLAND, To-day. The Royal Commission of Private Benefit .Societies sat to-day to inquire into the provident fund of the Bank of New Zealand. Among the witnesses, Messrs Henry Buckleion (accountant), George S. Kissling (an ex-manager), Henry Green, K. >S. Brookfield (assistant accountant), .T. S. Fairgray (ledger keeper), J. .S. Daveney (ledger keeper), and .fames D. Hammond, gave evidence. The tenor of the evidence of the officers was dissatisfaction throughout the service as to the fund, on the ground that they had no voice in its management, no real knowledge of its accounts and administration, and no prospect, so far as .subordinates were concerned, of reaping any benefit from it. Those who joined in the early days with big salaries were reaping the reward of the provident fund. Mr Buckleton thought the fund a good one, but it should be reconstructed. Mr Kissling said lie left with 27 years' service and got no pension, although he held an unblemished record. He made representations and got a year's salary as compensation, which money he believed came from the bank and not from the provident fund. He was ordered to Fiji, but could not accept the position. On taking a legal opinion the trustees said they were debarred from extending any consideration to him. He had never scon the legal opinion, or the question upon which it was based. Air Buckleton, in reply to a question as to the transfer of Mr Winklemann, said he reported that so far as the Auckland office was concerned it would suit them to make the transfer, and this was telegraphed to the head office. The inspector replied that the arrangement would not suit. Witness said Winklemann did not pay any money in Sydney under protest. He would not have been permitted to do so. He would regard the protest as a broach of discipline, and report the matter. Mr C. 8. Brookfield, assistant accountant, said he ag.ccd generally with the evidence given by the head oilicc in Wellington. The action, Steele v. Bank of New Zealand, claim .€u'9s9 damages for alleged breach of covenant in connection with a sheep run in Hawkes' Bay, after a week's hearing, ended by counsel for plaintiff, in view of the evidence given, .agreeing to a verdict for defendant without costs, which was entered up by the Judge. ■■•'.The Royal Commission this morning heard evidence in connection with the Stickwell Social Club at Breda's shirt factory, also witnesses were examined re the Kauri Timber Company's accident relief fund. The Commission finishes this evening. WELLINGTON, To-day. Francis Dillon, eldest son of Mr H. I). Bell, the Mayor, died last night of rheumatic fever. Mr Thomas Dwan, lecturing on the flax indxistry, stated that a recent visit to the United States and Canada proved to him that flax, as compared with sisal and manilla, was completely out of the running, and he was convinced that it would be better for Now Zealand to destroy all its flax and use the ground for crops. INVERCARGILL, To-day. A man named John Atkinson hung himself on Monday night in a stable loft at Lintley, a village near Lumsden. His mind had been unhinged for some time. The charges against R. W. Hall, of procuring a noxious thing to be administered to Caroline Matthews, and against her for permitting the administration, were again postponed for a week, medical evidence being given to the effect that the accused woman would not be able to appear for a month. DUNEDIN, To-day. The body of James Cook, tailor, who has been missing since May 29, was found in the the harbor. His overcoat and hat were found at the water's edge the day after he was missed. He was a widower. WAIMATE, To-day. W. L. Weir, an old resident of the district, shot himself on Sunday evening. Ho had been in bad health for some time. HOKITIKA, To-day. Mr W. L. Fowler, an old resident, who has been four times Mayor, died yesterday. Donald Weil', a farmer of Hokitika, has been missing since Friday. Search parties can find no trace of him. Several old people who were in the first rush have been dropping off during the past few weeks. CHRISTCHURCH, To-day. Prominent members of the Cyclists Alliance have drawn up a scheme to divide the riders into two classes, one taking cash and the other trophies for prizes, but both competing in the same races. They thus anticipate gaining control over all the cycle racing in New Zealand. Other amateur bodies are indignant at the proposal. E. A. Archer broke the fifty-mile road record by 4min 39sec, doing the distance in 2hr 32rain osee.