INTERPROVINCIAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8055, 2 November 1897, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[Per Press Association.

WELLINGTON, To-day. The Post says: "It is understood that proposals which have been made by the trustees of the Bank of New Zealand Officers' Guarantee and Provident Association have been rejected by nearly all the subscribers stationed in Wellington. We understand that the general Body of members in Wellington is averse to raising the subscriptions from 1 per cent, to 2i per cent., to fixing the maximum pension at more than b.)W per annum, and to representation by persons who are under the influence of the Bank. Xhere is also a feeling that the age at which officers can be corapulsorily retired should be restored to 60 years." A man named Monkhouse has been found on the Rimutaka Road with his throat cut. He has been removed to Wellington hospital. I'he dispute between the Wellington Builders Association and the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners came before the Conciliation Board yesterday. A provision that on all outside contracts the employers should provide a properly-secured place for workmen's tools, and also necessary sanitary conveniences was agreed to by the employers^ Disputes as to overtime, piece work, and length of a day's work on Saturdays are also being considered, but %. representatives of the employees said tile causes of the disputes were slight, and the relations between the two societies were very good. Mr Kennedy, local manager of the Union Company, put in a document signed by the representatives of various trades employed by the Company, stating that they were perfectly satisfied with the arrangements now existing in the Company's shops as to hours of labor. It was decided to add the decision of the Company's employees to the Board's award. Mr Kennedy mentioned that the expenditure on labor by the Union Company for the year ending 30th September, 1897, was : In the Company's repairing yard £22,219, handling cargo £1-1,417 ; a total of £36,636, or an average of £700 per week. At times as many as 252 men were at work iv the V\ ellington yard. As the result of the day's deliberations, it was agreed that the rate of pay for competent men should be (blank) per hour. At present men are paid by the day. The amount to be paid per hour will be agreed upon or fixed by the Board later on. It was also agreed that all overtime work and work on statutory holidays and holiday afternoons should be paid for at the rate of time and a quarter for the first two hours and time and a half after two hours. The Board adjourned until next day. Some time ago the New Zealand Accountants' Institute communicated with kindred societies in the Australian colonies with the view to arranging some system of co-operation. Replies have now been received from the Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australian Institutes, agreeing to co-operate with the New Zealand Institute, and the executive of the latter body meets shortly to arrange details. The South Australian Institute further suggested that the same examination paper should be used for all the colonies.

The Speaker of the Legislative Council last night entertained at dinner in the Legislative Council Hall the members of the Upper House, the guests also including the Governor, Ministers, Chief Justice, and Speaker of the House of Representatives. Only three toasts were proposed, viz., the Governor, Premier, and Speaker Millar. Mr Seddon, who was in great form, enter-, tamed the company with a twenty-minutes'' speeeli on his Jubilee experiences, dealing graphically with the Spithead review. Lord Ranfurly said, to use an expression common to that Chamber, he had to make a personal explanation, and proceeded to say that some surprise might be expressed at his appearance there owing to the death of the Duchess of Teck. It would be unreasonable to expect that the night's function could be postponed to suit his convenieuce, and lie did not feel justified in absenting himself in consequence of the Duchess's death. He spoke most feelingly of the flattering reception accorded to him since his arrival, and of ■the loyalty of the colonists to the Mother Country. A framed illuminated address from the Arawa tribe^at Rotorua has been sent to the Government to be. forwarded to the Queen. It conlainsj expressions of loyalty and felicitation.

AUCKLAND, To-day. A boy named. Charles Morris was drowned whilst fishing at the Sugar Works wharf, Chelsea. He was on the stringers and overbalanced himself.

James MoAmmon has been arrested on a charge of being in possession of a still, and working the same at Pnhipuhi. George Hamilton was charged at the Police Court witli failing to provide his wife with adequate means of support. Sergeant Clarke asked to have the accused remanded to Dunedin, where the information was laid. Ho stated that the accused arrived from Sydney on Sunday night by the Westralia, and was arrested in consequence of a cable received by the Auckland police. Mr Parr said accused was returning to Dunedin of his own free will to answer the charge, as he I was confident he had a good defence. He was remanded to Dunedin, bail in £100 and two sureties of £50 each. DUNEDIN, To-day. The directors of the National Insurance Co. have declared a dividend of 9d per share for the half-year, making a total distribution for the year of Is 6d per share. CHRISTCHURCH, To-day. The Conciliation Board is considering a dispute in the engineering trade as to a week's work, wages, overtime, number of apprentices, etc. HAWERA, To-day. James Tait, aged 22, a settler, was killed whilst bush felling. His body was fearfully crushed. WANGANUI, To-day. The body of a man named Beriah Gough, aged 45 years, was found by the riverside below highwater mark. He had evidently fallen over a bank twenty feet high on to the breastwork below. He was seen yesterday the worse of liquor.

NAPIER, To-day. The litter inadequacy of the regulations in connection with prohibition orders was demonstrated in the Magistrate's Court this morning, when a prohibited seaman named Eddy, who only a fortnight ago was charged with drunkenness, came up on a similar charge. He succeeded on Saturday night in procuring liquor at five different hotels. The police said they were satisfied that the publicans did not know accused was prohibited. A fine of £5 was imposed. Subscriptions lists have been opened to assist the British engineers. Arrangements are being made to hold a concert for the same object at an early date. NEW PLYMOUTH, To-day. A dispute has occurred between the carpenters and builders us to payment for 47 or 48 hours a week. About 40 men struck' this morniug, but it is possible an arrangement will be come to. Later. — The builders have conceded 48 hours' pay for 47 hours a week. The men are resuming work.