DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 3, 13 December 1911, Page 6

DOMINION NEWS.

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, December 13. In tiie Supremo Court, Mr. Justice Edwards sentenced William Thomas Edmiston, for indecent assault on a child at Rotorua, to seven years’ hard labour and ten years’ reformatory treatment. Tito crime was a particularly serious one, the Judge remarking that prisoner was unlit to be at large-. He was beyond the pale of humanity—no creature that walked the earth needed reformative treatment more. Gisborne, December 12. Settlers in Haugai'oa neighbourhood have been experiencing severe bush fires during tiie past two days, and considerable areas of grass have been lost. In addition it is reported that one farmer lost a number of sheep. To-day Mr R. E. Barton’s house and woolsiied near Watatutu were endangered, and many shearers had to lie called from adjoining stations to save the property. Ali the wool and engines were taken from the sned-j but fortunately tiie flames kept back, although the place is not yet out of clanger. About 2000 acres are affected in this district. A roadman’s whare on the Waikaremoana Road was destroyed by fire and also all the roadmen’s effects were lost. Rain is urgently wanted. The dry weather is making itself felt in town, and there is a scarcity of water. A high wind was experienced to-day. At Otoko railway extension the gusts were so strong that the men on the line were forced co discontinue work. In the afternoon a gust of wind lifted the roof completely off a shed containing an engine for an aerial tramway across the Otoko viaduct. A sheet of corrugated iron was hurled some chains through the air, and went clean through a workman’s tent. Fortunately no one was inside. Hastings, December 12. Mr Stevenson, a speaker at an antimilitarist meeting held here two Sunday’s ago, at which an unruly section created some disturbance, protests against the Press Association’s message stating lie escaped by the back door, and requests the Association to publish bis version. He states ho did not escape through the back door, but told the lads following him that if they persisted he would call the police. This warning failed, and he went to the nearest telephone, and then proceeded home unmolested. A strike of shearers occurred at Branccpeth station, near Masterton, last week, when eight men demanded 2s G$ per TOO more than the 20s offered, because they said the sheep were dirty. The men departed and others were taken on. The matter will be brought under the notice of the Labour Department, with a view to proceedings being taken. Wellington, December 12. Henry Richard Tolley was knocked down in Willis Street to-day by a tramcar and suffered concussion and wounds in the head. He was admitted to the hospital in a semi-con-scious condition. ..."

Judgment was given by the Chief Justice- to-day in' an unusual ease, Pieere Chaplin, cook, v. W. T. Young, secretary, and the Wellington sectionof the Seamen’s Union. The first cause of action was that defendants induced. certain .-seamen, and. firemen to leave their employment because tlio plaintiff was kept :is cook on the steamer Nikau. Plaintiff failed in this; as the Chief Justice held that an employee could work with whom he pleased and on such conditions as he might insist on. The second cause of action was that defendant threatened the employers of plaintiff that if plaintiff was not dismissed they, would proven,! sailors or firemen joining the Nikau, in which the plaintiff was employedas cook. His Honor believed that the threat complained of was made by Young, and judgment therefore given for plaintiff forX£so and costs. 'The -’-Minister Agriculture has received■ '■ advice ’ f isrti tiitN'Direhtor of A rhiy Contracts for a supply of preserved meat to the War Office in London. * Tenders close on January 17th, 1912. The form of tender, quoting all particulars, may be obtained on application to of the Commerce and Touristfe Division, Wellington.

The following entries have been received for the : New Zealand chess championship at Napier; Sninsbury (Gisborne), Jourdain (Napier), Killing (Wellington), Severue (Christchurch), Hicks (Wellington), Gyles (Westport), James (Wellington), W. E. Mason (Wellington), Jones (Mastertou), Grierson and Miles (Auckland). The general manager of the National Bank of New Zealand has received a cable from London advising that the board of directors has declared an interim dividend for the half year to September 30th last at the rate of 12 per cent per annum, which will be paid in the Dominion on the 3rd prox. The Rhodes Scholarship Committee to-day selected Alan Wallace, Auckland," as the Rhodes Scholar for 1912.

Nelson,. December 12

A fire at Takaka early this morning destroyed a ten-roomed house, owned by Mrs Riley, and occupied by O. W. Kasse, a blind man, who was rescued with difficulty. The building was insured for £l5O in the South British Office and the contents for £SO in the New Zealand Office. Christchurch, December 12.

The Lyttelton wharf labourers today decided, out of sympathy with the Timaru workers, not to work the Wairuna from Timaru with part of a cargo of Newcastle coal. Work is slack on the sea front, hut the men arc firm in their refusal to work the collier pending receipt of definite information from Timaru. In consequence of this trouble, the Blackball Co.’s Ngahere lias been ordered to proceed •to Wellington from Greymouth, instead of coming direct to Lyttelton and Timaru. ■ Timaru, December 12.

Mr Justice Denniston and two assessors were occupied yesterday and this morning over a claim by E. B. Harrison against the Waimatc County Council for £2136, compensation for land taken for a road through Ids farm, and damage thereby to the farm. The road is in the Waihoa district, Waikakahi settlement. Eleven acres were taken, valued at £3O per acre. Other claims were for loss of water supply and stock, the shelter side of farm, severance, and loss of privacy, and extra cost of working. The County Council had offered first £SOO then'£7lß. The Court awarded £IOSO and costs. The wharf strike extended to-day, as the men employed by the Railway Department on the wharves refused to handle trucks of Oiegou timber riling by the Chinese ciew of the steamer* Anerley. The permanent railway hands were then sent to the wharf.

A deputation of strikers waited on the Mayor to protest against this, and Mr. Craigie wired to the Premier their request that it be stopped.

The consignees of the timber offered to pay the rates demanded ly the strikers, but the latter refused except under a general agreement with all shipping agents. To-night the Mayor received avue from tlie Premier, saying lie was getting the facts, and could Hot allow

the rail way men to work with a CJunese crew. He must have full lacts before dealing -with the matter. j The steamer Pakeha, which should have loaded 2000 bales of won], has gone to Wellington without it. It is expected tnat the strike, if not settled, will have a had influence cm the local wool sale lixed lor Friday. in arguing their claims, the men say the full demands aVe to acid only hi a ton to coal, 3d a ton to general cargo, and Id per bale of wool or 10,U0(Jft. of tinnier. Invercargill, December 12. Mr. J. R. Mackenzie, who lias just returned from a trip to the Old Country, lias a word or two to say regarding the Government’s responsibility in regard to the passing of stock being exported from the Dominion. When in Kent he met men from the Fa kland Islands and Patagoirio, who wm'c looking for Romney sheep. He a slic'd them why they hadn’t sent to Net Zealand for them, as they could get very much cheaper and more convenient freights, and very probably sheen ’ bettor suited to the purpose for ■which they required them, In reply a Falkland Islander said that he did try one shipment, licit it turned out to be absolute rubbish, and he would never try it again. Mr. Mackenzie maintains that, as the Department of Agriculture is so very particular in the grading of grain and dairy produce to be exported, they should also ho careful to Jet no stud stock be exported unless it will pass a standard. Otherwise good markets for stud stock will very soon be completely closed to us oy the' actions of unscrupulous exporters. The annual summer show of the Southland A. and P. Association was bold to-day in anything but summer weather. There was a cold wind and x drenching rain, and a water-bogged ground. Still, the attendance was very good for a first day. Competition in all classes was very keen, though confined for the most part to Southland breeders, despite the unfavourable season. The judges commented on the excellent condition of the stock, which showed careful preparation, and indicated the remarkable richness of the district. There was a slight falling-off in the entries, but on the whole the show was most creditable.

Foilding, December 13

A fire at Kimboiton last night cP•itroyed a hoot shop owned by R. Birch and occupied by H. Hounslow. A bucket brigade saved a large block adjoining with great difficulty. Insurances: £2OO on tho building and £2O xn contents.