NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1412, 12 April 1912, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

iDy TcJecrarb—Press Association.)

PAINTERS' CONFERENCE, Dunedin, April 11. The Federated Painters' and Decorators Conference was concluded to-day. A model award was drafted, the. intention being fo apply for a Duuiinion award as soon as lho present one expires. The next conference will bo held in Xnpicr. During the next threo years (he managing executive will meet in Wellington. DEFENCE OATH. Timaru, April 11. Three vouths who had failed to take the. oath under the Defence Act, after a week s opportunity had been given, were fined 40s. each to-day. None of them appeared at Court this time. STRIKE SUFFERERS. Gisborno, April 11. The "Poverty Bav Herald" closed its distress list to-dav, with X 290 17s. Gd. Tho "Gisborne Times" forwarded X 76 15s. Gd. to-day. Invercargill, April 11. Tho "Southland Times" fund in aid of tho starviug strike children has reached X2OO. SLOT TELEPHONES. Auckland, April 11. In the course of conversation with a "Herald" representative, Mr. Baird, district telegraph engineer, stated that tho two slot telephones installed at Auckland were proving a great, convenience to the public, who, by putting two pennies in the slot, were enabled to communicate with subscribers on tho telephone list. These two telephones have given satisfaction in every way, and havo shown no tendency to get; out of order in spito of verv frequent use. In view of the satisfactory working of tho slot machines, tho Department has decided to instal three more in the course of tho next few days. FISHING YACHT LOST. Auckland, April 11. The fishing yacht Edna was wrecked at Pigeons, and is a total loss. She was driven ashoro bv the heavy sea. Her owner (Gallagher), who was the only man aboard, was rescued by a scow. Y.M.C.A. Auckland, April 10. The foundation-stone of the new Young Men's Christian Association building at tho corner of Wellesley Street and Coburg Street was laid this afternoon by the Governor. The new building is to be on imposing one, five stories high, and is being erected a.t a cost of XIB.OOO. DAIRY FACTORY BURNED. Dunedin, April 10. Tho dairy factory at Ratanni, owned by Mr. Daniel" Oldham, was destroyed by fire this morning. The building was insured for X 175, and the contents for X 175, both in the Royal office. SETTLER'S DEATH, To Kuiti, April 10. Early on Sunday morning John Farrell, a settler from Rangitoto block, was discovered dead in Solomon's, yard, Otorohanga. The inquest was opened on Monday and adjourned for a. week. The evidenco taken showed that deceased got liquor upon , tho train on Saturday. Deceased and others had taken the liquor to Solomon's and consumed a considerable quantity. Witnesses' recollection of further events was hazy. DAIRYING SECTIONS. Feilding, April 10. An important salo of dairying sections on tho Westolla Estate was held to-day. The highest,price was Xsl ss. for a block with. no improvements. Prices ranged from X4B 10s. up. Two hundred sections aro being dealt with privately. THE DENNISTON DEADLOCK. Westport, April 11. The, deadlock at tho Westport Coal Company's Deimiston mines continues. Attempts to come to an. anJicabU)',',settleluent to-day' proved abortive. The' union mention that firemen havo been employed for the last four or five years, and it has only lately been decided to do away with them. They consider it unsafe for a man to be in charge of the engines at night with no one else in attendance. Another meeting is being held to-morrow. ODDFELLOWS AND STATE AID. Christchurch, April 11. The Oddfellows' Conference concluded to-day. It was decided to hold the next biennial conference in Wanganui. It was also resolved to request the board of directors to examine the operations of the National Provident Fund movement, and report to the next meeting: (1) Tho effect of a State-aided lecturer on societies relying solely on individual effort; (2) the advisability, or otherwise, of Friendly Societies approaching the Slate for subvention on lines of the scheme in operation in New South Wales. THE GENERAL. Dunedin, April 11. Major-General Godley, Commandant of the Forces, arrived here this afternoon. Ho will proceed to tho Heads to-morrow, to inspect the Garrison Artillery at present in camp. On Monday he will proceed to Wyndham to inspect the Seventh Regiment of Mounted Rifles, and. on Wednesday, on his way north, ho will inspect the Tenth Regiment at Oamaru. UNINTENTIONAL DESERTER. Auckland, April 11. Unusual circumstances in connection with a charge of desertion from the steamer Tongariro, which occurred in Wellington about a year ago, were mentioned in tho Police Court to-day. A middle-aged man named Charles Hearn admitted the ofl'ence, but said that he had deserted without deliberate intention. He had "spent an evening" with several friends, and did not recover in time to rejoin his ship before she sailed. This was at a time when a sum of X 7 was owing to him in wages. Since then he had worked hard in the conntry, and had gained several certificates, which he produced. "He has not. been a nuisance, by any means," said Sub-Inspector Hendrcy, "and, if he had not been straight-forward with us, ho would not" bo before the Court now." Mr. F. X. Fraser, S.M., said that lie would certainly not send the man to gaol, and he was loath to moke him pay expenses for a mistake made over a year ago, and, as X 7 was still due to him, this sum -was now held by the Board of Trade, and it. would be ridiculous if the board kept if, when the steamer's owners had been put to expense in the malter. Hearn would have to pay the cost of the issue of a warrant, and an effort would be made to have this refunded out of ln's wages, which should go fo the company. Accused would be discharged.