DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 86, 6 December 1912, Page 8

DOMINION NEWS.

FORESTERS’ CONFERENCE

(Per Press Association.)

Masterton, December 5

The triennial Foresters’ Conference concluded to-day. A proposal to reduce the amount of funeral money was lost by a big majority. A proposal to increase contributions was also lost. It was decided to appoint a qualified auditor for the district, the old system of court auditors being abolished. The proposal to hold an annual conference was defeated. The next conference will be held at Wanganui.

GAOL ESCAPEES. Invercargill, December 5. David Millar and Stewart Good, who escaped from gaol a week»ago, were before the Magistrate’s to-day. Millar, who was described as the leader of the affair, was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labour, and Good to six months’ hard labour. ACTION FOR LIBEL. Timaru, December 5. The Supreme Court sat all day over a libel action in which Dr. H. C. Barclay, of Waimate, claims £SOO damages from the Waimate Workers’ Union and its president; John Smith, for a reflection on his professional character in a resolution passed by the Union. Plaintiff’s case was not completed. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. Timaru, December 5. At the Magistrate’s Court a drover of Gore, named George Russell, was charged with cruelty to animals by railing from Southland to Ashburton ewes on the point of lambing. Some lambs were bom in the trucks, and several ewes and lambs arrived dead. Others were in a bad condition. SubInspector Cruickshank, in prosecuting, regretted that those really responsible could not be brought before the Court, as defendant was only engaged to look after the sheep on the journey. Defendant pleaded that there were no facilities, and ho had done what he could till the train divided at Balclujdm. The Bench regretted that the other parties were not chargeable, and fined defendant £1 and costs. The evidence indicated that the ewes were supposed to lamb in October, and the journey was made early in September.

PREMATURE STATEMENT

Auckland, December 5

The secretary of the Auckland branch of the Seamen’s Union states that the announcement of the amalgamation of Australia and New Zealand is premature. The conference of Australia and New Zealand to consider the question will not be held until March. The Auckland branch was not enthusiastic, inasmuch as it is proposed that New Zealand centres should become sub-branches and the finances pooled. The branch had i assed a resolution strongly to oppose any move in this direction; it also resolved to advise New Zealand delegates to act carefully in view of New Zealand having preference to unionists, which was not included in the Australian award.