JOTTINGS FROM WANGANUI

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 831, 1 June 1910, Page 3

JOTTINGS FROM WANGANUI

(By Telejraph.-SDeciaJ CorrosDondont.i Wanganui, May 31. At the S.M. Court tins morning two local grocers were charged with failing to keep tiuic-books in compliance with the provisions of the Drivers' Award. Mr. Treadwcll, for defcmlants, said that the cases were defended because, the local shopkeepers wanted to know where they stood, though they admitted that the iii'spector had been perfectly fair in the matter. Both defendants came under the Shops and Offices Act, and it was contended that the drivers involved were really shop assistants, us their hours wero regulated, and they could be employed only lvlieu the shops were open. 'Iho magistrate held that, though the beeping of time-books might be cumbersome under such circumstances, tho intention of the Legislature was apparent, and tho Drivers' Award applied to the assistants in question. As tho Laboui Department did uot yres s U,t ;, penalty tho defendants were each lined one shilling. The up-river Natives have been for some time clearing land at Hirubarama and Banana, but this has been done without plan or organisation, and the efforts of the energetic ones have been greatly hampered by those indolent Natives who take advantage of the communistic customs of the race. On Sunday evening the Native Minister attended a meeting at Hirukarama to discuss the matter, and proposed a co-operative scheme which the Natives ogrcrd to adopt. Under it a board of management would be elected by the Maoris themselves, and this board will appoint a European manager. The Natives will work under him, and be paid wages, sharing in such profits as may accrue. The system will be applied to Morikaii No. 1 Block, and it is hoped that it will be such a success that thosn Natives now farming in a haphazard fashion on adjacent blocks will also adopt it. The Minister speaks in high praise of the land. He is of opinion that it is suitable for sheep or cattle raising, and much of it for dairying and agriculture, and ho believes that if tho Natives take the matter up in "earnest the result will be an appreciable increase in the trade of Wanganui. The total lands set apart for the Natives' use up the river is 14,000 acres. A start will he made immediately to put the new scheme into operation, and it is expected to be in full 'swing in a few weeks.