LABOR, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2888, 31 October 1895, Page 3

LABOR, ETC.

Newcastle, Oct. 29. The management of the Cardiff Colliory have withdrawn the notice of reduction, and state th it they have no d - sire to anticipate a general reduction of wages. Wellington, Oct. 29. Deputations, representing the labor organisations in the city, waited on the Premier and Mr Reeves last night with reference to the unemployed difficulty. Dr Chappie, who acted a spokesman, urged that if there were established village settlements near towns tho casual labourers in towns would be more easily able to support thomsolves while out of work. Mr Reeves said that the Government had been working at the unemployed problem for years, and since it had been in office had put soveral thousands of peoplo on lands. He asked the deputation to draw up some scheme and wait upon him during the reces3. The Premier said that the expressions of confidence and promises of assistance to the great work the Government had undertaken were very encouraging. Tho unemployed despite,all that couldbj douo, were always on the increase. This year GOO more men were employed on cooperative works than last year. Whorover practicable the Government intended to introduce the alternate system in connection with co-operative works. Dealing with the unemployed question was almost like shovelling away at the foot of a saudhill. Ho thought that some system was wanted by which tho work required might bo equalized throughout the y.-ar, and ho hoped the day was not far distant when tho payment of a living wngo would bo universal. Mr Reeves said that in reference to a living wago a Bill had boeu introduced earlier in tho session, but, had to bo dropped, as he had lo:;rnt fivm the " whips" that there was very little chance of it boiug passed. Duneihn, Oct. 29. Tho Unemployed Relief Association havostill '67 men at work completing works which havo been undertaken. Up to date £6A7~> has boon expended.

A case decided by the Stipendiary Magistrate Magistrate at, Invercargill on Saturday contained an unusual feature. The plaintiff, a married woman, sued for £65 odd for graziug sheep, etc. Defendant pled that the contract had been made with the plaintiff's husband, who did not disclose that he was only the agent for his wife, and therefore she was bound by his acts. The husband was also iudebted to the Finance Company for £56, and the company attached the amount of judgment, defendant not opposing. Immediately after plaintiff sued the defendant for the first-mentioned sum, but was nonsuited, the money not being theu due under the contract made. At the due date the defendant paid into Court a sum to satisfy the attachment order, and it was taden out by the Finauce Compay. Plaintiff again sued the defeudent wheu the contract time had expired, and his defence was as above. Mr Poynton gave judgement for plaintiff, holdiug that the defendant should have stayed the operation of the order of attachment. The principle that a man cannot be called on to pay a debt a second time if compelled to pay ouce by process of law was applicable only when ihe process cannot be resisted, as in the case of a man paying a debt to a false heir who had forged a will, obtained probate and sued uuder it, and the fraud was not discovered till after payment. Had defendant paid the money before the disclosure of the principal, the case would have been different. In that case the plaiutiff would have had to suo the company. In this matter the order would have been set aside at any time before payment. Defendant, By paying the amount and not taking steps to do th(a after full notice of the fact that the was not due to the judgment debtor but to a third person, was liable to pay a second time. The Tapanui Conrier reports that a man named Thomas Geoghen, living in a solitary hut at Clinton Gorge, having devoloped symptoms of religious mania, was sent to Dunedin. In his pocket was found a deposit receipt for £550 and 21 £1 notes.