LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1366, 17 February 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tile conference of representative employers and employees in the boot trade, which has been sitting for the past few (lays with tho object of fixing the terms of a Dominion award, finished its deliberations yesterday morning. It was thought tho previous day that all the obstacles in the way of a settlement had been removed, but in the morning the draft agreement was not approved. It is understood that the points at issue between the parties are few, but the case will be investigated by the Conciliation Commissioner, and then probably by tho Arbitration Court.

The congress of the New Zealand Federated Furniture Trade Industrial Association of Workers will be held in Dunedin on February 28. A number of matters of great importance to the trade will be' brought up for consideration. The Wellington union will be represented by Mr. D. ]}. Kennedy (president) and Itr. D. Moriarty (secretary).

The heavy rainfall of Thursday night had the effect of causing a large fall of earth at the back of Mr. W. Hood's new residence in Karori Road. The washhouse was thrown sonic distance against the main house, whilo the earth was piled several feot high against the back door. ■

It i 3 understood that the Government lias appointed Mr. J. G. Hewitt, S.M. and Warden, Hokitika, to fill those positions in the Grey district, and that Mr. Wyvcrn Wilson, o£ Auckland, will succeed Mr. Hewitt at Hokitika.

A correspondent in yesterday's issue described Mr. Kobieson, manager of the State Fire Insurance Department, as having been at ono timo a temporary clerk in the Railways Department. This is not correct. Mr. Kobieson held a permanent and responsible position thoro until the timo of his resignation. It is only fair to point out, in view of our correspondent's criticism, that sine© his appointment to the charge of the State Fire Insurance Department there has been a marked increase both of business and of profit, and that the working expenses have been materially reduced. In 1910, when Mr. Robicson took charge, the profits iumpsd from JC2G9B to -£8457; the nonbusiness for the same year, £7270, being the highest on record,

Mr. King O'Malley, In responding to a toast at a bauquet held at Nowra (New South Wales) last Friday, said that if Australians were to w.ork half as haxd as the Canadians they would all be millionaires. If the peoplo hero studied the conditions of Canada, tho East, and Europe, and introduced investigation dopots and science establishments, they would be ablo to supply tho markets of tho world. They must get rid of antiquated men, and systematise and organise. They ought to send produce to America when the winter is on there, and they should secure good markets in the Philippines and the East. The antiquated crowd must go.

Some resentmont was raised among tho tramwaymen a few days ago by tho wording of a notice that was posted up in tho Thorndon office of the Tramways Department. It had reference to tho manner in which conductors and motormen wear their uniforms. Tho disaffection reached a climax when a motorman was 1 ordered off duty for refusing to obey the_ direction in tho notice, and there was an interview! The result of that interview was the removal of the grievance by tho withdrawal of tho first notice, which was signed by Mr. G. E. James (Traffic Superintendent) and the substitution for it of another in kinder terms, issued by Mr. S. Itichardson, Electrical Engineer and Tramways Manager.

The Labour Department's picnic, to havo boon held at Day's Bay yesterday, was postponed to a future dato.

In connection with the election of fire qualified persona to servo as members of the Licensing Committee to tho Hutt district, tho latest dato for nomination of candidates will bo noon on Saturday, March 2. The polling booths aro 'advertised.