DOMINION TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 3 June 1919, Page 6

DOMINION TELEGRAMS.

HOSPITAL SHIP MAHENO. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 2. It is understood that the hospital ship Maheno has been released. She is now being re-conditioned at Port Chalmers for passenger service, but her programme has not yet been arranged. THE CHRISTCHURCH HOTELS. CHRISTCHURCH, June 2. At the meeting of the Licensing Committee to-day, tho chairman stated that he had visited many hotels in Christchurch, and in some the accommodation was so bad that lie was considering the question of condemning certain premises. Complaints haji been made to the committee of travellers being refused meals because they asked for them after schedule time. The chairman pointed out that licensees were also innkeepers, and were Bound to supply meals at any time of the day or night, and must also provide accommodation for travellers as long as it was available. Penalties for non-compliance with the law were very heavy. ENGINE-DRIVERS’ AWARD. CHRISTCHURCH, June 2. The Canterbury traction and stationary engine-drivers, firemen and greasers’ dispute was before the Conciliation Council. AVages were agreed to as follows; First-class certificated enginedrivers Is sd, traction drivers Is 6Jd, firemen and greasers Is 3£d, plus 25-d bonus all round. Youths’ wages were fixed at, 18 to 19 years lOd, 19 to 20 Is. Overtime rates and statutory holidays were agreed to, but the question of an annual holiday was held over for further consideration. SHORTAGE OF APPRENTICES. AVANGANUI, June 2. The shortage of apprentices and consequent present and prospective injury to industry in New Zealand was discussed at the quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce this evening, and it was resolved to send the following resolution as a remit to the Chambers of Commerce Conference: —“That the Government be asked to confer with trades unions affected with a. view to securing altered conditions in awards as will tend to make good the shortage of apprentices.’’ It was contended that if something was not done the time would soon come when tradesmen would be unprocurable. OVERAVORKED LAND BOARD. CHRISTCHURCH, June 2. Owing to tho pressure of business caused by tho land hunger of returned soldiers, the Canterbury Land Board has resolved to call the attention of the Minister to tho serious position that has arisen. Owing to the enormous increase in the work connected with discharged soldiers, incurring fortnightly meetings of the board extending over two clays each, and the shortage of staff, an undue strain was being put on officers who were at present endeavour to carry on the work, and the board strongly urged that additional officers should bo appointed without delay. With a view to assisting to appease the land hunger, tho hoard has decided to forfeit leases of a number for non-compli-ance with conditions and to offer them for selection by soldiers.