NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1833, 21 August 1913, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Frees Aioocietion.) 1 CONDITIONS OF MINE WORK. CONFERENCE BEGUN. Westport, August 20. A conference between the managers of tho coal mines of tlio West Const and tho executives of the mining unions was oponed at -Westport yesterday. Thoso I present arc: Mining managers—Messrs. Drown, Milligan, Marshall, and Smith (DcnnU'ton), Messrs. Dunn and M'Cormnek (Uranity), Messrs. Cioto and M'Avoy (Stockton), ill'. James (Scddonvillo Stato mine), Mr. Leitch (Blackball); mining executives—Messrs. Diamond, Brown, and Hunter (Denniston), Messrs. Dowgray, Newman, and Williams (Millerton), Messrs. O'Rourko and Arbuckle (Runanga State mine), Messrs. Alexander and Niven (.Stockton), Messrs. Finch and Scott (Blackball), 11 r. Knight (Paparoa). This morning the oon'fcronce was dovoted to the right claimed by the mining companies to work a third shift for development purposes, over which the disputo at Blackball hud been precipitated. The conference will also go into the question of working agrcoments for mines. Tho conference had not concluded tlio discussion on the dog watch difficulty at tho 1 o'clock adjournment. . Later. The Miuo Managers' and Minors' Executive resumed their conference at tho Town Hall to-day, but no definito conclusion was reached concerning the striko at Blackball. Tho conference -prill bo continued to-morrow..

BOUGH USAGE OF HORSES. DRIVE OF 78 MILES. Ounedin, August 20. At tlio Police Court to-day Arthur James Bushel was fined XI, wilt coots wCI Bs., on a'ohargo of avawiriviug two horses. It was stated that defendant drovo the horses from Oamnru (78 miles) in ton 'hours. One horse died .twenty minni'tes after arrival here, and the owner' liaa v beon unable to use tho o):her one since. Defendant said_ that lie mercily obeyed luis employer's instructions, ami proceedings will probably bo taken against too employer. PROTEST BY FLAX HANDS. Palmcrston N. t August 20. A mass meeting of llaxmill workers at Foxton passed a resolution endorsing the sentiments expressed by their delegation to tho Premier, in connection with ilaxmili accommodation, and repudiated tho charge made Ifr millers that the demands were not those of the men, but of agitators. The meeting contended that tins was an unwarranted charge, and that it was a deliberate transgression of their rights on tho part of employers in attempting to convey the impression to the Premier that they were voicing the sentiments of the workers in place of tho latter's deputed representatives. CURRENT TEACHERS' QUESTION. Waipawa, August 20; A deputation representing the Teachers' Instituto interviewed Mr. Hunter, member for Waipawa, regarding salaries and payment on average attendance. It asked for a scheme of payment depending entirely on yearly increments. Mr. Hunter promised support in furthering the requests. ' ,

RAILWAY DISMISSALS. Dunodin, August 20. The South Island Railway Appeal .Board had under consideration this forenoon tho appeals of W. J. Neal, ox-sta-tiomnaster at Clinton, and Robert Widson, formerly porter at Waipiata, both against their dismissal for being wider tho intlueneo of liquor while on duty. The boai'd took time to consider its finding. DUNEDIN'S ARBOR DAY. Ounedin, August !S). Arbor day was celebrated in tho majority of the. schools to-day, .the leasmu having speoial Tofcmaico' ta'.th® and in many 'cases trees weto planted.' Assistance was rendered by the City Council. . TEACHERS & SIR J. G. WARD. Invercargill, August 19. A deputation from tho Teachers' .Institute interviewed Sir Joseph Ward, and urged that Parliament should recognise the serious position into which primary education is falling through the inadequate remuneration of teachers, more than one-third being probationers, pupilteachers, or uncertificated. Nearly 30 per cent, of the adult teachers received less than JCI2O per year. Regarding tho new syllabus, tho deputation urged that it was overloaded. Sir Joseph Ward, in a sympathetic reply, said it was obvious in presence of rapid economic changes that the remuneration of teachere had become inadequate. Tho wholo question required reconsideration, and ho would do nil in his power to bring tho movement foe reform to a successful issue.

• THE SHAW CHARGESI Timaru, August 20. The six charges remaining unheard against Walter Shaw, a bankrupt solicitor, which had l>een adjourned till today, w«ro, l>y arrangement between the police and defendant's solicitor, adjourned foi another week. Tho total amount involved in the six charges :s ,£5372 2s. Gd. . A BRACE OF HABITUALS. i Auckland, August 19. 1 In tlio Supreme Court, Patrick Campbell, charged with theft and escaping from custody, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, and declared an habitual criminal. On a charge of robbery, with violence, Charles Harlo was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and declared an habitual criminal. WAIHI HALL-A LAWSUIT. Waihi, August 19. Messrs. O'Began and Dickson, solicitors for tho old Waihi Minors' Union, are proceeding against tho Arbitration Union for JJSOO damages and possession of tho Miners' Union Hall, which they,allege was forcibly and unlawfully taken possession of in November, 1912. The summonses have been issued.