INTERPROVINCIAL.

Waikato Argus, Volume XVIII, Issue 2907, 20 June 1905, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

(|>Y TELEUUAI'H —I'KKhS ASSOCIATION)

THE FACTOR! LOS ACT. Wanganui, Last, Night. At the Magistrate’s Court this morning Air Johnson, manager of the Aramoho meat freezing works, was lined X2O and costs for a breach ot the Factorial Act in not paying a liny under l,s for Cood Friday and Waster Monday. Tho dofouco set up was that the company was working nndor tho meat workers’ award, which it was contended overrode tho Factories Act, Other cases are pending. Wellington, Last Night.

Various butchers in this city have received circulars from the Labour Department stating that they must register their places of business as factories under the Factories Act. As several of the botchers are rather surprised at this belated order, a press representative sought an explanation from tho authorities. The Departmental reply is to the effect that the Shops and Offices Act is much more lenient than the Factories Act with respect to the conditions under which iroods are sold, and this has resulted in an undesirable state of things. Latterly it has been found that the inspection under tho Shops Act was too slack. Cases in which meat had been prepared in circumstances of tho most revolting character had come under the notice of the Department, and undesirable conditions were found to bo not uncommon in bakers’ shops. The Factories Act was made more stringent to deal with these matters, so that people preparing food might be prevented from carrying out their work in insanitary surroundings. Accordingly it had been found necessary that certain classes of shops should be brought under tho Factories Act, and this is what has been done in tho present case. ESCAPES PROM CUSTODY. Dunedin, Last Night. Richard Clark, who was recently before the Court on a charge of attempting suicide, escaped from gaol yesterday morning in an unaccountable manner. Ho was discovered in Moray Place after an hour’s liberation by a warder, whom he told ho was on his way to church. As a result of investigations by medical men last week Clark was to have been committed to the asylum. Wellington, Last Night. A young man who escaped from the prisoners’ room ot the Magistrate s Court on Friday was recaptured at Kaitoke and brought back to Wellington this morning.

SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT. Wellington, Last Night.

Joseph Zachariah, pawnbroker, was to-day charged with having committed a breach of the Shops and Offices Act by keeping open after 6 p.m. on the 10th June. For the defence it was contended that defendant’s premises did not come within the definition of “shop.” The Magistrate, Dr. McArthur, reserved his decision. Ah Joe, a Chinese fruiterer, was charged with a similar olTonce, and fined 10s and costs 43 10s. Other informations are being heard this afternoon.

SUPREME COURT

New Plymouth, Last Night

The Supreme Court opened to-day. Mr Justice Edwards congratulated the district on the lightness of the calendar, which he thought was evidence of the prosperity of the district and the well-being of the inhabitants. Only one bill was presented. Jonathan Adams was charged with carnally knowing a girl under IG. The case is proceeding. A Maori named Whakaruru Whatitiriri, who pleaded guilty in the lower Court to burglaries at Bltham and Inglewood, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

DEATH IN THE CELLS

Naimeb, Last Night.

A native named Meta Heriui, who was arrested for drunkenness on Saturday, was found dead in the cells early yesterday morning. He was visited several times’ during the night, and appeared to bo sleeping naturally. The relatives say deceased had complained of chest weakness for some time. DISAPPEARANCE OF POSTAL NOTES. Gisborne, Last Night, it is reported that postal notes to the value of about 430 are missing from a country post-office iu this district. Inquiries are being made by the authorities.