IN THE DOMINION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 10, 10 March 1909, Page 5

IN THE DOMINION.

Cock Islands—Wellington Service. As the result of inquiries made In interested quarters (writes our Wellington correspondent) 1 am satisfied that the direct service recently instituted between Wellington and Tahiti and surrounding islands by the Union Steamship Company has not realised expectations, and that there is a possibility of its cessation at an early date unless things undergo a great change. One has only to glance at the manifest of the Manapouri on her second trip from the tropical latitudes to form the opinion that the resulting trade needs a lot of improvement to keep the service going. The excuse offered for the minimised shipments of fruit on this occasion is that Island growers were discouraged last month by receipt of the news that unprofitable prices for their fruit had been realised at Auckland, and not much better at Wellington. Local merchants are hoping that shippers will look with a more kindly eye on the Dominion market prospects next month, and dispatch much larger shipments than has been the case in the two last trips. Immigration. A reply, dated March 1. has been received by the Prime Minister from the High Commissioner, in reply- to the cablegram sent by' him recently concerning assisted passages to immigrants. The reply is as follows:— “Your cablegram of February 26 received. Firstly, all New Zealand Government assisted immigrants are strictly limited to farm workers, female domestic workers, and those nominated by friends in New Zealand; secondly, the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company has had lectures; thirdly, all shipping companies and shipping agents are naturally desirous of obtaining passengers; fourthly, I am making inquiries whether any reduction in passage outside of those dealt .with by the High Commissioner is made by shipping companies; fifthly, 1 do not hesitate to inform unsuitable persons of the position of the New Zealand labour market.” Sir Joseph, stated that he was cabling to point out to shipping companies that anything in the shape of a general selection of people by them unsuitable for absorption in the Dominion should be prevented. Presentation to Huntly Miners. A special meeting of the Auckland Provincial Employers’ Association was held last week for the purpose of making a presentation to four miners— Messrs. F. Duncan, J. Hamilton, R. Heron and J. Whorskey—who stuck to their posts during the recent trouble. There was a large attendance. Mr. D. Goldie, president, was in the cliair, and in the course of his remarks stated they were met to do honour to the four loyal workmen who. at the Huntly miners’ strike, under extremely adverse circumstanees, remained true to their manhood and faithful to their employers. In the face of persecution, they had courageously acted up to their convictions, and ought to be ever remembered with gratitude by the employers of New Zealand. He concluded by presenting the men with purses containing fifty sovereigns each.’ It would, he said, in the future be some consolation to remember that their manly actions and unswerving loyalty to their employers had the approval of all the thinking men in the Dominion. The King Country Line. /he Hon. R. McKenzie, Minister for Public Works, investigating the route question between Te Kuiti and Stratford. It appears that the authorised line is known as the StratfordOngarue line, but it is contended by settlers in the Waitewhena Valley that large areas of fertile country lying in that direction will be isolated if the priginal route is adhered to. On the other hand, settlers about Matiere or along the (authorised, route maintain that they purchased lands and settled there in view of their desire to be in

close communication with the railway system, and in good faith the line should be proceeded with. The Minister is anxious to determine the route which will be most serviceable to the country, and in order to thoroughly investigate both sides of the question proposes to traverse the authorised and suggested routes. Economising. That the Government is determined on no half-measures in applying the pruning knife to the overmanned branches of the public service is evidenced by the wholesale retrenchment which is io be expected in the printing office (telegraphs our Wellington correspondent). A large number of men engaged in the mechanical department, machinists, compositors, etc., some of whom have been employed there for nearly four years, have received notice of dismissal. The loss of employment will be felt acutely by those men with families. Police Raid Social Gathering. On a recent Saturday night, two constables visited the hotel at Sefton while a social gathering was in progress, and after the hour of closing (ten o’clock) took the names of nearly a score of the guests who were (bidding farewell to the licensee. These have been summoned to appear at the next Amberley Court to answer the charge of having been illegally on licensed premises. Invercargill Shooting Case. At the Invereargill Supreme Court Maud Buchanan was charged with attempting to murder D. W. McKay, with assault with intent, and with unlawfully wounding A era McKay. Mr Solomon appeared for the defence. It was alleged by the prosecution that accused fired six chambers of a revolver at the McKays when leaving home in a motor-car, and that strained relations were existent on account of anonymous letters. The defence was that accused was in a distressed state of mind on account of the letters, and only fired to create a scene in order to put a stop to the annoyance. The jury found her not guilty. Weak Spots in Tendering. In giving judgment in the case de Montalk v. Hoare and Co., at Auckland. Mr C. C. Kettle, S.M., commenting upon the manner in which the general conditions for tendering are drawn up, said: “There is nothing in the general conditions dealing with (1) the opening of the tenders in the presence of the employer or his representative and the tenderers or their representatives; (2) the disclosure of the names of the tenderers, and the amount of each tender to the tenderers before or after the employer decided either to accept a tender or to reject all the tenders; (3) the right of any tenderer to withdraw his tender either before or after he had become aware of the amount of the other tenders; (4) the inviting of fresh tenders; (5) the right of the employer to make a private.arrangement with any contractor to erect the building after all the tenders had been rejected; or (6) the disqualification of a tenderer who withdrew his tender.” These were, in his opinion, some of the questions which should engage the attention of the Architects and Builders’ Association, and be disposed of by proper and definite rules. It was highly desirable that the “Rules of the Game” should be full and explicit, and framed so as to ensure, as far as possible, fair play and fair dealing between competitors. In Default of Beer. If the trade in summer drinks in some places in Okahune may be taken as a criterion, the barmaid will never be abolished, says a correspondent of the " Dominion.” Drive her out of the Auckland hotels or anywhere else, and she can take to the King Country, and sell summer drinks and make a fortune. At present this phase of the business is in its infancy, but it has great possibilities. Bushmen and others from the way backs wiH drink hogsheads of summer drink* and

risa the everlasting ruin of indigestion, if th,. liquid ean only be served by some arch femininity. The writer saw evident’ of the truth of this statement in Ohakune, he also saw the great vogue tor s-uunuer drinks at Tauniarunui. Kangstaua. Te Kuiti, and at other places along the line, and ho, therefore, predicts with confidence a great future for the business in the King Country. The Rio Loge. Flotsam, now washing ashore on various beaches, seems to indicate that all is over with a well known coastal and intercolonial trader (says the “Dominion”). On the 2nd, a carter named Janies Brook, residing at Houghton Bay, near Island Bay, reported to the police that he had taken from the sea a lifebuoy with the words “Rio Loge” printed on it. This latest find, together with the numerous finds of timber reported to the Marine Department, apparently thaws that the Rio Loge has been lost. Sly Grog Selling. At the Gore Court last week Mr Kenrick imposed a fine of £3 and Court costs 7 against Fredk. Dickson, charged with selling whisky on January 19 last in a No license district. The magistrate said: “It is stated that there is no evidence of sale but to persons employed by the police for the purpose, and I think a small line will meet the case.” Charles Pumpa, for selling, beer, pleaded guilty, and was fined £ 10 and costs 7/. Malachi Hanley (previously convicted) was sent to gaol for 14 days, but the warrant will be suspended during the illness of his daughter, and he was ordered to come up for sentence on March Wm. Porter was fined £5O and costs for sly-grog selling in Ashburton district. Billiard Saloons. At the Methodist Conference. Wellington, the following resolution was carried: “That this conference views with alarm the rapidly increasing number of billiard saloons throughout the Dominion, and knowing the amount of gambling connected with them and their injurious effect upon young men. would respectfully urge upon the Prime Minister to have the present law' amended so that local bodies 'will have full control of such saloons.’’ The First Settlement. At a meeting of the Conciliation Counat Napier it was reported that the drivers’ dispute had been settled. The agreement come to will be drafted at Napier, and afted submission to the agreement come to will be drafted tomorrow, and after submission to the assessors for signature will be forwarded to the Arbitration Court to be filed as an award. Mr. P. Hally, the Conciliation Commissioner, expressed pleasure at the result, and the representatives of the employers and employees expressed high appreciation of the manner in which Mr. Hally had conducted the proceedings, and congratulated him upon having negotiated the first settlement of a dispute by a Conciliation Council under the new Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. Local Option Foils. The official results of the local option poll, taken last November, were gazetted last week. The number of electors on the roll was 537,003, and the number of valid votes recorded was 414,202. The number of votes for continuance (including the votes for restoration of licenses in previous no-license districts) was 188,140; for reduction, 162,562; and for no-license (including votes against restoration in previous no-license districts), 221.471. The verdiets in the 68 licensing districts were as follow: — For Continuance 15 No Proposal 34 No-lieense ) 0 Reduction 7 No-lieense retained 6 Conciliation Council* Meet The first case to come before the Conciliation Commissioner for the Auckland district (Mr. T. Harle Giles) was called on last week, the dispute being between the hotels and restaurants workers union and the employers. Four assessors —two for the

men and two for the masters— sat with the t ominissioner. Air. Long, the secretary of tile union, said at the outset of the ease that he did not propose to call any evidence for two reasons. the first being that his union did not consider the I onunissioner a fit and proper person to lie ap|*ointed to such a responsible position, and the second being that the union had met tlie masters on several occasions and felt that no settlement coaid be arrived at before the Council, so that the matter should be referred direct to the Court. Mr. Long called upon the Commissioner to resign, and said Hie Union would still decline to <-a I evidence even if the case were adjourned. Mr. Knox, the employers’ representative, assured the Commissioner that the employers did not endorse the remarks of the Union, and he asked for an adjournment of three weeks, as he was not prepared to go on. Mr. Giles said he had not the slightest intention of resigning, and after consultation with Dis colleagues, he a Ij mined the case till March 24th. Auckland Harbour Board Election Upset. The recent election of the members to the Auckland Harbour Board was upset last week by Mr. Judge Kettle, who allowed the petition of Mr. J. 11. Bradnsy and others. It was held by the Judge that 141 persons had been allowed to vote on proxies which were not made out in accordance with ths Act. Corporate bodies had given proxies which were not. under the seal of such body, and in the case of private firms, persons who were not members of the firms on the roll were improperly allowed to vote under proxies given by such firms. Another elec tion will be held shortly. Railway Returns. WELLINGTON, Friday The following are tlie railway returns’for the four-weekly period ended January 30: —

To Avoid Disaster. In consequence of the wreck of the Penguin some suggestions have been made that some shipmasters are accustomed to sacrifice the safety of ships and passengers to the constantly growing anxiety to make a fast passage. Sir James Mills, in conversation with a reporter, emphatically denied that the masters must adhere rigidly: to the time-table at any risk. When a man was put in charge of a ship he was absolutely untrammelled as regard- navigation and file management of the vessel. The safety of lives and property must be the first consideration under all circumstances. The Mauawuta Railway, The final report of the Wellington and Manawatu Company, to be laid before shareholders on March 18, states that the profit on the year’s operations was £66,738. Of this £57,964 was derived from railway working, and £8,774 from land sales and interest. It is impossible to say exactly the amount per share, which will be available when all the assets have been liquidated, but a rough estimate fixes it at £2 15/- for each £1 of paid-up capital, which comprises .170,000 shares of £5 each. About 100,000 of this number are held by New Zealand residents. During its final year the company paid £6,000 in nites and taxes. The gross traffic receipts were £128.242, the expenditure absorbing £60.087. The Nelson Caver. Since the appearance last week of the “New Zealand Graphic's” illustrated article on the wonderland of limestone caves and the subterranean river at

Vp| - r Ttidinor. Nelson, the Nelson City Counuil has decided to ar-k the Government to cut a track from the Mann railway station to the spot, and to bring the subterranean river and eaves under the Srenery Bn -ervation Act. A proposal is now afoot to form a second exploration party, under the leadership of the •‘Graphic” representative. Dominion Eonal to It. To plying to Major \V. Anstruther-Gray in the Hou-e <>f ( ommons, Lieutenant- < olonel Seely (Under secretary for the Colonies) stated that the Government had received no report of the action of Datives in hauling down the British flag in the Cook Islands. The New Zealand Government, he added, had ample power ♦< deal with any such disturbances. Cadets in Camp at Papa kura. T.a-t year 312 boys and six adult oflicers of the Auckland Cadets went into <amp. Thi> year there were 481 boys ami hi adult oflicers under canvas at Pa pa kura. the camp being carried out under military conditions. No. 1 Battalion is in command of Major Robb, and No. 2 is under Major Kay. In addition. ♦ olonel l.oeday. Inspector-General <«f New Zealand Cadets (acting as supervisori. stall* Sergwmt-Major-Cheat-er, Lieutenant Gibb (No. 2 Native Rifle-), and Dr. Purdy were in camp. The youngster- had a most enjoyable time, ami the work done was of a very u-eful nature. Wednesday was visitors* day at the camp. ami a very large number of- . parents and friends availed them-clvt-s of the opportunity of seeing the boys at work. The two ordinary train? from town and wayside stations were well tilled, whilst the special was crowded, it being estimated that quite 12(H) people were present during the afternoon. The oflicers in camp kindly provided afternoon tea free of charge. Amongst the vi-itors present were Messrs <-. J. Farr (chairman). Garland and Barriball (member*)of the Board of Education. Inspectors Petrie. Crowe, and Rae, and the following schoolmasters; Messrs. Hosking, M-Into-h. Wilson. Woolier, and Hart; surgeon T>ieut.-Colonel Walker, T.M.0.. Surgeon-Major Carolan. 5.M.0., Surgvon-Capt. Girdler. and Surgeon-Major Purdy, chief sanitary officer, were also present. together with -the following volunteer oflicers: Caph Sherson (“A” Battery), Capt. McKenzie, Lieut’s. Richard-on and Bosca wen (Franklin Mid. Riflvsi. Captain Pullen ami Lieut. Greenhough (No. 1. G.A.V.). Lieut. Cumming (Gordon Rifle-). Regtl.-Quartofmaster-Sergt. Woods, presi<lent of the Auckland GarYi-on Non-Commissioned Officers’ Club was also a visitor at the camp. During the afternoon the cadets paraded. and an interesting address was given the boys by the Chairman of the Auckland Education Board. Mr Parr said that he felt sure that an in<[w <>tion of the camp, of the disciplinary order, and of the general tone prevailing therein, must convince even the mo-t sceptical that there weYe real and very evident benefits attaching to the system of regular cadet camps. The time was coming when every lad would be required to give some weeks each year to camp, and one or two nights each week to drill, until he reached the age of, say, 21. This wa< a fair thing for the State to a-k. The State now provided free education practically from the primer classes to the university, and some little return should made by the young people for Fueli a -plendid heritage of education as wa- now jKjsse-sed by them. New U.S. Company Steamer. The Union < o.’s new steamer Kurow La- been launched at Sunderland. The Kurow i- a cargo steamer of about 4i»bo tone, and she is to arrive in New Zealand during the winter month-. Another -tc.imer. somewhat larger than the Makura ton--, i- now under order in England, ami i- to Im- reads’ for delivery next year. The new vessel D intended for tin Au-tralian-New Zealand tnub Frisons Department Retirements. I . Minning officers the Pi i-on- Depai' a.- nt will retire under the «.’> vears’ age I Hit: < olom l Hume. In-pectur M. W. < i ary (gaoler .it Lyttelton», J. IL Bratby gaoler at Dum-din), A. Armstrong (gaolr, at Wellington), M. Flannery (gaoler at Napier). T. Chilton (chief wai-br at Dunedin). J. ('. Nicholson (chief warder at Lytteitpn)

Big Fire at Taihape. About twenty-rive thousand pounds •worth of damage was done at Taihape by a lire which broke out on Monday week. Fifteen business places were gutted. The lire spread very rapidly after starting in Whaler's boot-shop, but fortunately the night was calm. Had there been a high wind half the town would have gone. “There was no wat?r available, and the further spread of the Hames was prevented by pulling down buildings and making a gap. The buildings burnt included those of Messrs. McPherson (tailor). Nichol (jeweller), Finch (stationer), Labour Department, J. P. Aldridge (insurance agent), Hautapu Tea Rooms. Whitcomb (dentist)., Wong Kee (fruiterer), Hodgson (plumber), Garner (seed merchant), Jones (painter), Ellis and Darville. Insurances were as follows: —Whaler Bros.. £250 in the Australian Alliance Office;. McPherson. £250, Sun; Nichol, £3OO, South British; Garner, £2OO, Commercial Union; Whitcomb. £l5O, Commercial Union; Finch, £lOO, Sun; on personal effects, £5O in New Zealand: Hoilgson, £3OO. Norwich Union; Aldridge. £5O, Sun; Jones. £250, Sun: Miss Fraser's tea rooms, £4O, New Zealand: Wang You, £2OO. Sun; Labour Department, uninsured as far as can be ascertained: A. R. Emerson (solicitor), £5O, New Zealand. insurances on buildings arc:—Ellis and Darvell’s. £ 860. in the Alliance Office (Mrs. ,T. D. Barsby. owner): Whaler's. Nichol's, and McPherson's, £450, Sun: Wang Yon's. £100; W. P. Garner's, £lOO (both in Commercial Union); E. Jones's, £lOO. Sun iE. Hedges, owner): Finch's. £OOO. New Zealand (F. 11. Gibbons. owner) : Garner's, £ 100, Commercial Union. United Fire Brigades. The thirtieth annual conference of the United Fire Brigades’ Association of New Zealand opened in the Pitt-street Schoolroom. Auckland, on Monday. 101 delegates representing as many brigades from all parts of lite Dominion being present. This number, however, only represents one-fifth of the firemen in town, each delegate having a team of four non delegates with him. On the platform were: —Senior fireman Geo. Wildish (Gisborne), president; Captain A. C. Hawsen (Westport), junior past president; Sect. E. E. Boyes (Nelson), and Supt. W. Lucas (Spit), vice-presidents: hon. Supt. J. G. Gilbird (Napier V.F.8.), secretary; Captain A. E. Eagleton (Napier Fire Police Salvage Corps), assistant secretary; Captain G. Spriggins (Wanganui), treasurer. There were also present the following past presidents:—Ex-Supt. E. Smith (Christchurch), Sect. .Martin (Gore), Sect. B. C. Robins iHawera), Supt. J. Smith (Rangiora), Capt. F. Bellringer (New Plymouth), Supt. Woolley (Auckland). The President (Mr. Wildish), in opening the conference, said he desired to extend a hearty welcome to the delegates present. They were assembled there with one object—to make the association useful, and advance the interests of the tire brigades. He desired to extend the thanks of the association to the people and brigades of Auckland for the welcome extended to them. He hoped the competitions would be a success. Last year the secretary was in ill-health, and had had to take a trip Home. He was now back with them well and strong, and he trusted he would long be spared to them. (Applause.) He desired also to thank Captain Eagleton. for the able manner in which he had discharged the duties of secretary during Mr. Gilbird’s absence. He had also to thank his brother officers for the able way in which they had backed him up during his year of office. He had anticipated a great deal of hard work, but, owing to the loyal manner in which ho had been assisted. he had not found the work hard at all. I'u the rank and file of firemen he '—jif' tally de-ired to expend his thank’ for their sympathetic support to one who came from the ranks. He regretted that so few of the brigades had taken advantage of the Acts of 100(5 and 1007 for the constitution of lire boards. The latest bill had provided that a Board might be constituted wherever the population was 2,000 and over. This took in quite SO per cent of the fire brigades of the Dominion. Some of their member’, notably Supt. Woolley, had gone to a great deal of trouble to get tlii- legislation, and it seemed to him that it was chiefly because brigades did

not fully understand what the legislation provided that so little advantage had been taken of it. He expected Inspector Hugo, the Government Fire Inspector. would give them an address on the subject of the Fire Boards. They had often complained that the insurance companies did not contribute to the expenses of tire brigades. Well, here they had a system whereby the companies were compelled to contribute. He trusted the delegates would go back to their respective brigades charged with information which would enable them to act. He desired to add that he had endeavoured to do his best for the association during his year of office. He hoped the deliberations of the conference would be sound and useful, and had great pleasure in declaring the conference open. (Applause.) The annual balance-sheet, showed receipts £lO7B 15/8: expenditure, £497 0/9, leaving a. credit balance of £5B) 14/11. The statement of liabilities anil assets showed an excess of assets over liabilities of £483 0/ 7. In moving the adoption of the balancesheet, Captain Bellringer (New Plymouth) congratulated the Association upon its excellent financial position. He hoped, however, that the fact they htid a large balance in hand would not lead them into incurring unnecessary expenditure. He thought the time had arrived when the Association should earmark a sum of moneV annually to be placed in a contingent fund, which should be available in an emergency. He thought the expenditure on essays had been a very wise expenditure, which had done a great deal of good. He hoped that the Association would vote more money for the same purpose. (Applause.) Superintendent Smith (Rangiora) seconded, the motion, which was carried unanimously. , .. . Fire Insurance Rates. It has been stated, in connection with the announcement that the tire insurance companies would probably ask the Government to join them in raising certain classes of fire insurance, that Sir Joseph Ward had declared that if the State were carrying on business at a loss, it would have to increase its charges on some lines. The Premier was asked. by your representative if this indicated the, likelihood of the. Government accepting any such proposal from private companies. . The reply, was that he had made no such statement. Anything which had been published regarding, the Government’s attitude towards private companies recentlyhad not come from him. and he was not in a position to discuss the subject. Lady Plunket's Baby Christened. The youngest son of Lord and Lady Plunket was christened with much ceremony by Bishop Wallis, of Wellington, assisted by the Rev. C. C. Harper, at All Saints’ Church, Wellington, on Satur-' day afternoon. The weather was delightful, and a large crowd assembled. Their Excellencies were accompanied by- LadyJane Gathorne-Hardy, Miss Hill, Mrs. H. C. Waterfield, Captains GathorneHardy- and Shannon, A,D.C.’s, and Mr. H. C. Waterfield (private secretary). The god-parents were Miss Williams, sister-in-law of Bishop Wallis, the Hon. Helen Plunket, sister of the Hon. A. M. R. Bingham, formerly A.D.C., and Mr. H. C. Waterfield. The boy was called Denis Kiwa, the latter being after the famous Maori navigator. After the ceremony a garden party was given at Government House,, there being a large attendance. Fire at Palmerston South. A serious fire occurred at Palmerston South about one o'clock Sunday, five business places being burned. Shops occupied by J. 11. Appleby (fancy goods and photographer) and by K L. Burt i baker and confectioner) were, with the contents, completely destroyed. The former shop was owned by Lawson’s estate, and the latter by James Arkle (Dunedin). The office of Mr. Crisp, solicitor (which was owned by LAwson's estate), Dalgety’s store, and the Government stock inspector’s office were also destroyed, but the contents saved. Tim fire started in Ajtpleby’s shop, but there is no clue as to its origin. Ihe water had been turned off at the reservoir, and an hour elapsed before .it was available. Most of the members of the fire brigade were away at Auckland.

Kawakawa Whangarei Kaihu . .. . Gisborne .. Main line branches NORTH ISLAND. Ex penalties. Revenue, d.ture. 8 17 and 1.030 163 1.T00 1,019 120,374 21 > 796 631 77 915 Totals .. 1,101 £123,512 £79,877 Main line branches SOUTH ISLAND, and 1,299 97.583 C7.539 Westland . 130 7.378 5’786 Westport . 31 8,325 3,331 Nelson . .. . 48 1.712 1,216 i’icton .... 34 2,015 1.441 Lake Wakatipu steamers — 813 431 Totals . .. 1,542 £117,826 £79.744 Grand totals . . 2,043 £241,338 £159,621