NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1363, 14 February 1912, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

ißr Telegraph-PitM AMo.-iatlon.)

CHRISTCHURCH CRIMINAL SES-' SIONS, Christchurch, February 13.' At the Supremo Court Archibald "Daaki was charged on alternative indictments ot rape and of assault, with intent to commit rape. His Honour, alter the cfi. donco. of the woman and others was taken, instructed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty, and. this was done. ' William James, lor theft from the person, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. David Roberts, a Maori, was .found not guilty of indictments charging him' with having wounded Thos. Edward Keardon at Kaikoura, and with having assaulted the same person with intent. Win. Davis was found guilty of breaking and entering at Ambcrley, and waa sentenced to nine months' imprisonment.

A FIREMAN'S DEATH, Christchurch, February 13.' By a strange coincidence, a fireman who, exactly ono week ago, gave ovidenco at tho inquest of a fireman named Hceligan, who died in a "bach" at Lyttclton, died in the 6ame "bach" this • morning. The man's namewas Michael Collins, and ho wk about 56 years of age. ■ Ho was well known in Lyttelton, where he had been "on the beach" for some time. He resided in the "bach," near the Gladstone Pier, and during tho past few-days'had 'icon attended by a doctor. Hfe illness became worse yesterday, and the drctor decided to send him to the Christchurch Hospital this morning. When the police went to tlvo "bacl\" this morning atait I 8 o'clock with a cart, to remove.him to the station', they found that the man had passed away. '

SHOW GROUND EJECTMENT. Christchurch, February 13. Legal argument was heard at the Magistrate's Court to-day in tho case- in which several members of the National Peace Council sued the Canterbury A. and P. Association for having, they alleged, wrongfully ejected ono Atkinson from the Show Grounds at tho association's Metropolitan Show last November, After hearing counsel, the magistrate reserved his judgment.

COOKS' AND STEWARDS' AWARD. Auckland, February 13. Tho settlement of the dispute between the Auckland branch of the Federated Cooks' aud Stewards' Union was arrived at before tho Conciliation Council this morning. ■ The settlement was complete with tho exception of the clause relating to preference, which did not exist in tho old- award, and which now lcinains for the Arbitration Court to decide. Concessions have been made in relation to tho wages of both cooks aud stewards. The award will expire in June, 1914, and will then come into lino with other awards-of a like nature which expire at the.sanit time. ■ '

AUCKLAND FISHING DEADLOCK. Auckland, February 13.' Tho position concerning the dispute between tho Auckland fishermen and wholesale buyers remains unchanged. Most of the fishing boats are idle, aud yesterday, except for one or two private boats, no fish camo into port. Tho men announce that they will hang back just so long as tho dealers refuse to pay them their price. A limited supply is available for public purchaso at the wharves. In the meantime. the wholesale buyers held a meeting, at which the whole question was discussed. The outcome of the deliberations has not been disclosed beyond a statement that it was resolved to stand firm on the decision' not to pay more than 2s. per bundle. ' ,' DRUIDS' CONFERENCE.' Marton, February 13. At the Druids' Conference, an alteration in Rulo 88, in connection with tha scale of members' contributions, wai carried in accordance with tho executive'* proposals. The principle of consolidating tho sick funds of tho various branchei was affirmed, but will not come into operation till Juno 1, 1913. Two important subjects were held over until the next biennial meeting at Marton, in Februarj next,

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. Palmerston North, February 13. Mr. Hay, Registrar of Friendly Societies, has been attending the bi-annual North Island Conference of Druids at. Marton. Under last year's legislation the Government is required to see that friendly societies work on a thoroughly financial basis. Mr. Hay has been addressing tho conference and explaining the legislation. The Government Actuary is also, present. .

BANDS MAY JOIN. Gisborne, February 13. At to-day's band mooting tho question, of amalgamation with tho South Island Association was favourably considered, and was referred to tho executive, with power to act.

The espouse of obtaining music for tho contests was considered, and it was decided that the nomination fee of.' 255. should ha paid six mouths prior to.tin contest by all bands entering; also the acceptance fee nf 2os. A motion that bands competing at com tests should bo allowed to engage out" side players was lost." ' Mr. Louis Cohen (Wang'anui) was re« elected president. The fixing of a date and place for the next contest has been deterred till the amalgamation question is disposed of.