NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 913, 11 June 1903, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND.

Per Press Association; AUCKLAND, Saturday. Fraser and Sons, Auckland, aic the contractors for the supply of 300 tons of iron bridge-work on the .Main Trunk Railway, near Whakapaki. The price is about £7OOO. Judge Conolly allowed appeals against the decision of the Magistrate in two cases against King, Registrar of electors, charged with refusing to enrol the appealants. The Magistrate dismissed the informations, hut Judge Conolly ruled that there should have been convictions in both eases, though only a nominal fine and cosis should he allowed in one case. . , NEW PLYMOUTH, last night. The Taranaki Maoris do not view the elevation of Mahuta to the Upper Mouse and the Executive with approval, and ttic question will he discussed at a large meeting at Pariluika next week. WELLINGTON, last night. Arthur Sutton, arrested here last, evening on a charge of bigamy, was remanded this morning. It is alleged that he married Margrietta Rullield at Sydney in December last while bis wife, nee Agues Bonford,] was still living. Thomas W. Gale, a well-known resident here, and formerly member of the Harbor Board and manager tor Johnston and Co., merchants, died this morning. BLENHEIM, last night. The Supreme Court Sessions, Judge Edwards presiding, opened today. There were only two charges —stealing a bicycle and breaking and entering—against the same person, Thomas Pierce, a young man, who bailed from Wellington, and who had been a stowaway from Australia. On the first charge accused was found guilty. Sentence was deferred until the other charge was heard. Approximately the total tonnage of vessels which have visited Picton during the last five months of the years 1!)02 and 11)03 respectively is as follows :—11)02, 184,0(17 tons ; 1903, 230,043 tons. The totals include ocean-going vessels. CHRISTCHURCH, last night. The stock and fittings of W. I’. T'ownend, chemist, in whose shop the outbreak of lire occurred last night, were insured for £7!>l) in the Manchester Office. Dr. Paterson’s stock was uninsured. The Conciliation Board’s recommendation in tile Livery Stable Workers’ Union’s dispute with employers (filed to-day) gives a long and short week alternately of 02 and 7() hours, the latter including Sunday on, every employee to have an 'alternate Sunday off ; the minimum wage £2 2s per week ; overtime to he compensated by, “ time off.” DUNEDIN, last nights George Blaikie, Waitahuna, twenty four years of age, was accidentally killed last evening whilst engaged {sharpening the knives of a ehaffeufiler.

STRATFORD, last niglil,. .J. .J. Kimball’s furniture factory was burned down at 1 o’clock to-day The lire started in the engine-room. In a short time the (lames were beyond control. The building and machinery were insured lor £3OO.

CHRISTCHURCH, last night.

'At the adjourned meeting of the Licensing Committee to-day, the renewal of the license of the Wellington Hotel was granted, with a severe caution as to the future conduct of the house. OUR WAIROA NEIGHBORS 'AND W AIKAREMOANA,

NAPIER, last night

A deputation representing all the local bodies waited on .Sir J. G. Ward this morning, to urge 1 lie necessity of the Government improving the means of communication by land and sea with Wairoa, with a view to opening up Waikaremoana to the tourists’ traffic. .Sir .1. G. Ward, in reply, said that he recognised tourist resorts were one of the most valuable assets of the colony, and the Government were doing their utmost to develop them. At the .same time they must treat ■each district fairly and keep within the bounds of reasonable expenditure lie promised to do all in his power to accede to wishes of the deputation.

EM PLG Y MRS ’ D E FEN C 1

The annual report of the Employers’ Association stales that the Association is in a stronger position ant! the outlook more hopeful than ever before. Dealing with preference to Unionists, the report says : “ We regard the present discretionary power of the Arbitration Court, to award preference to unionists, as entirely indefensible, on the ground of'abstract justice, but Ihe proposal to compel employers to employ unionists alone in all cases we must resist by every constitutional means. In this we believe lhe. organised employers throughout New Zealand will move as one man, and there is

good reason to expect, that we shal be supported by other employers am by the general community, not excluding many workers themselves.’ The report added that the co-opera lion of the Farmers’ Union and o: others was being sought. Mr Cable, ironfuumler, was elected president.