STOCK DELAYED UNDER NEW PLAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17833, 29 April 1926, Page 8

STOCK DELAYED UNDER NEW PLAN.

SHEEPOWNERS MOVE FOR IMPROVEMENT, j

At yesterday's meeting of the Sheepowners’ Uhion the secretary reported that several complaints had been received from members regarding alleged delays in the delivery of stock from Addington yards by rail. He had interviewed the District Traffic Manager - regarding the matter. The position appeared to be that there was a loss of efficiency at the yards with respect to loading arrangements, considerable numbers of trucks lying for a long period awaiting loading. The Department had made special efforts to have an ample supply of waggons always available. Mr L. R. C. Macfarlane pointed out that the present contract arrangements for stock loading at Addington meant that instead of permanent hands being employed by the firms for this work, and being available for the handling of clients’ stock at country sheep sales, the firms were now under the necessity of rushing men out from town to the country sheep sales in cars, and the result was that stock was often left in the yards overnight, and trouble arose as to correct tallying, etc. This was not the case under the old arrangements. In his opinion the old arrangement was preferable, as there now appeared to be no permanent staffs trucking on behalf of clients of the firms. The secretary's action was approved and a committee, consisting of Messrs G. O. Rutherford, R. M. Morten, L. R. C. Macfarlane, G. Fulton and the secretary, was appointed to interview the Stock Agents’ Association regarding the matter. Charged with Theft. j Richard Germundson, an A.B. on the ’ tramp steamer Trelvon, who was arrested at Westport on Saturday as he was leaving the ship with 36 tins of preserved beans valued at £1 16s, was charged before Mr H. P. Lawrv, S.M.. with theft, and embezzling the ship’s stores. He was convicted and fined £3 or 14 days’ imprisonment on the first charge. The second charge was withdrawn, and Germundson was placed on the vessel prior to her leaving on Sunday for Adelaide, the fine being paid. Prosecutions Pending. Prosecutions are reported to be pending against all the miners’ unions on the West Coast whose members ceased wdfk <*>n MAtTh 1 in sympathy with the Ngakawau miners, when the latter were prosecuted by the Labour Department The total pending claims by the deF4ftment are reported to amount to over £I6OO and about. 1500 miners are involved. An effort is being made to get the union authorities to agree to a test case. w «

ling concert in aid of the Villa Football Club funds. Jollity was the order of the evening, and the audience at no time had to endure a dull moment. The programme opened with the chorus Some Show.'’ rendered in true American style by the whole company. Xrix Ward sang “ Ninon ” charmingly. \ buck dance by Dan Esrlane and a ,-entriloduist turn by Sid Comfort were the Star items of the first half. Which ended with a novel rendering of " Show Me the Way to Go HAttoe, by the •• World's Worst Jars Band ” The outstanding turn of the evening was an eccentric dance by Hegan and Esdanc. These two are finished artist* and their act was very well re-