WELLINGTON NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 127, 8 June 1901, Page 2

WELLINGTON NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) Wellington, last night,

The Executive of the Wellington Employers’ Association has decided to approach the Executives of tho Chambor of Commerce and Industrial Association with a view to holding a joint conference regarding the production of account books before the Industrial Arbitration Court.

The Education Department has so far forwarded 20,500 medals to Education Boards for distribution to public and private school children as a souvenir of tho Bo.yal visit. Judgment was given by the Chief Justice in Chambers to-day in a writ of Habeas Corpus. In this case the mother of a female illegitimate child applied to get the child from the father in whose custody it had been for throe years. Tho evidence went to show that the child was well looked after and happy. Sir Bobort Bobert Stout was of opinion that tho interests of the child had to bo first considered, and seeing that it was being properly looked after he refused to make tho order.

Colonel Porter, officer commanding the Seventh Contingent, has cabled to Premier that the contingent is now at Standerton, a town on Laing’s Nek, Pretoria railway, about 90 miles north-east of Johannesburg, and forms part of the column under the command of Colonel Hayes. In the Supreme Court this morning tho Chief Justice gave judgment in the case Blaine v. McKerrow, claim for wages under a contract by which plaintiff was employed to prospect, peg out, and report on mining claims in the South Island. Tho questions in dispute were with regard to the Mount Pleasant mine in Westland. His Honor found generally in favor of defendant, but judgment will not be entered up until accounts are taken. A case affecting the wages paid to firemen engaged on short trips camo before the Magistrate’s Court to-day. James Powderley, a fireman, who worked on tho Cornwall during the eight days’ trip from Brisbane, sued tho master of the ship for payment at the rate of ten shillings per day. Powderley had been originally taken on in place of a missing fireman, who, however, turned up at the last moment. Defendant admitted liability at the rate of 6s 3d per day, but averred that Powderley was told the rate of pay would be £5 per month from the port of shipping. The master said he thought the payment offered was ample, though he believed the man was not really entitled to anything, as he Sid not appear on the ship’s articles. Judgment went for plaintiff for 8s per day.