New Zealand.

Southland Times, Issue 14815, 17 December 1900, Page 3

New Zealand.

(Pek Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 15. At a meeting of the Master Builders and Contractors Uni6n, held to deal with a request by the journeymen bricklayers for a rise in wages. About 25 were present, including a number of builders outside the Association. Mr Holland explained that, the bricklayers in the employ of J. D. Jones had applied at half an hour's notice for an increase of wage 9 to 12s per day, starting from last Wednesday. (Several builders advocated that at least two months' notice should be given of any desired rise in wages and the following resolution was passed : — " That this meeting decides that no increases of wages be considered unless two months' notice be given to this Association." WELLINGTON, Dec. 15. Lieut. Dodds (Dunedin) has been selected for a place in the team for the Federal Rifle meeting ; Lieut. Jack (Dnnedin) is also likely to go. Tile 'Frisco mail which left London on the Ist inst left 'Frisco on the 13th— one day late. Tho hearing of the action in which Kllen Power sued W. B. Rowntree, contractor, and Oeo. Smart, bricklayer, for £100 damages for the death of her husband was concluded yesterday. It was alleged that Power died as the result of injuries caused by the falling of a piece of timber while in the employ of the defendants. His Honour, in his direction to the jury, said that before it could find for the plaintiff' it must be satisfied that there had Keen negligence on the part of either or both defendants. The jury, by a three-fourths majority, gave a verdict for £281 under the Employers Liability Act, which was altered to £300 by consent and a verdict given for that amount. Dec. 16. The Government has suspended tho provisions of tho Immigration Restriction Act in the case of the Kaffir accompanying a trooper l>y the Moana from South Africa, and he will now be allowed to land. CHRIBTCHURCH, Dec. 13. At the inquest on the body of Frederick William Waite, whose body was found on a laijway crossing in Sydenham, a verdict was returned that deceased was accidentally killed by being run over by a train. • The New Zealand Trotting Association, after reading correspondence from the Tahuna Park (Dunedin), Trotting Club regarding enquiries made by the Association as to the constitution of the Club, agreed to the following motion ; — That this Association cannot recognise the Tahuna Park Trotting Club as a dub constituted in accordance With rule No. 26, and requires the dub to be reformed to comply with such rule, which was framed for the purpose of preventing I any member or members of a club profiting by its operations. That on an assurance being given that the above be complied with this Association will pass the club's programme for the meeting to be held in February, 1901. J. Watson Kennedy, who pled guilty before the Magistrate to charges of uttering valueless cheques, was .sentenced to-day by Judge Martin to two ' years' hard labour after enquiries had been made as to the truth of a written statement he had presented to the Judge. The Government has communicated with the Secretary of State for the Colonies asking when letters patent for tho extension of the boundaries of New Zealand will be issued. Dec. 16. The .Southland ripe Band arrived last night, and played through the principal streets, followed by an enormous crowd. WEST PORT, Dec. 14. An arbitration in a claim of £550 made by Gilbert Bros, against the Commercial Union Assurance Company, on account of stock destroyed by fire, awarded Gilbert Bros. £400.