NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 487, 21 April 1909, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

1 (by telegraph—phess association.) BOROUGH VALUATIONS. "UNJUST, AND UNFAIR." Felldlng, April 20. The Feilding Chamber of Commerce 1 last night entered a protest against tlio recent vatuation of borough property. Ii was stated that this'valuation, showed an all-round increase' of 75 ■ per cent, on that of two years ago. Tliia was characterised as unjust 'and unfair, in view of tlio depression in the borough.*. Tho council was asked to take action. A pUblio meeting is to bo held to arrango cases for tho court. IN A MOTOR WHALEBOAT. ANXiih'y for the safety of two' '. ■_ FISHERMEN. :■ Duncdln, April 20. Anxiety is felt at Port Chalmers for tho safety of two brothers, John and Richard Harrihy (lishermen)i who left in a motor whaleboat at 3 a.lll. on Monday, and who liavo not yet . returned. Their ages are 32 and 30 years respectively. Their boat is 30ft. long,; and in addition to; tho motor, has a sail. Search was made by an oil launch to-day ,\ but. up to 5 p.m. without success. Tho Hinomoa, which proceeds to Capo Saunders to-morrow, has been requested to keep a sharp look-out.for tho men, both,of whom aro married. . CONCILIATING TRAWLERS. Napier, April 20. Delegates from the Hawke's Bay Fishermen's Union;.met tho employers to-night, to ■discuss the dispute in tlio trawling_ industry. Mr. P. Hally,'Conciliation Commissioner, was present. A basis of agreement was arrived at, providing, for the payment of wages and shares. The.proportions of wages and shares to bo paid havo mot yet been decided. Tho point to bo settl(jd : is regarding masters and engineers' wages. The dispute is expected to bo settled to-morrow, night. QUICK DISPATCH. , Nelson, April 20. A record was 'piit up in loading the Rakaia with frozen meat at Nelson .Wharf. Somo; of tho railway wagons wero discharged in nine minutes, and tho averago loading was 'a thousand, caresses an hour, which, it is said, constitutes a record for a New Zealand port. The, loading of fourteen thousand carcasses will 'bo comploted this evening. Tlio local railway management and method aro much praised by tho ship's authorities. NEWS IN BRIEF. . April 20. Tlio rainfall for the, prtsont year to date has totalled 12.20 inches, thanks to a phenomenal downpour towards tho end of last month, but: sinco then the rainfall has boon virtually nil. Up to last night, no rain fell during April,, hut 0.006 inches were recorded this morning. 1 ■ -. ■ > Dunedln, April 20. ' The Otago Rugby Union, at tile instance of the Duncdin-Club, considered a number of requests . for transfer from _ clubs.' It, was stated that considerable touting was going on, as a result of which tho ranks of tho, Dunedin Club, last year's " champions,r liad been greatly weakened. All tho transfers; were granted, v but in ' most- eases tho applicants. woro ordered to stand down for four weeks'.