TELEGRAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2031, 16 March 1907, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

Press Association. AUCKLAND, yostorday. His Excellency the Governor returned from his northern tour yesterday. Last evening, as Grand Master of the New Zealand Constitution of Freemasons, ho paid an official visit to the brethren under tho auspices of Lodge Ara I. Thero was a largo gathering of Masons from all parts of tho province. Today Lord Plunkot will open tho Alexandra Convalescent Home, at which ceremony the Hon. G. Fowlds, who arrived from south this morning, will bo prosent. Mr. Fowlds afterwards transacts public business and receives deputations. The Minister returns to Wellington on Monday.

Mr. Arthur Myors, in response to a unanimous request by the CityCouncil, lias consented to stand for the second term as Mayor. In tho courso of an interview, the 1-lon. Alt-. Fowlds said that with carofid realisation of tho property at tho close of the Exhibition tho deficiency would probably be as low as £25,000. Against this was the additional telegraph, postal, and railway revenue.

Mr. and Airs. F. L. Anderson, residents of Pukemiro, noar Huntly, on returning from a visit to Taranaki, found their nine-roomed residence a mass of smoking ruins. A servant left in charge saved only her trunk, but removed the two children safely. Air. Dyer, S.AI., fined Frank Jaggor, sanitary contractor, £IOO and £9 16s costs for depositing filth below high-water mark within the harbor. Counsel for tho defence raised tho point that defendant was not liable for the acts of his servants against his express instructions. This was overruled. The Hon. Air. Fowlds states that the School Journal, the first issue of which is now being published, will cover the whole syllabus and supply the places of all school books except those for reading and arithmetic. The Journal will be supplied free to every pupil in the colony. AVANGANUI, yesterday.

A wire has been received from Christchurch stating that Arnst’s supporters are prepared to back him against Webb for £2OO and the sculling championship of New Zealand, provided suitable’ arrangements can be made.

AA’AIROA, yesterday

Air. B. Lambert, President of the AVairoa County A. and P. Society, has received intimation from the Minister for Lands that the Chairman of the Land Purchase Board has been instructed to report on the Wai Estate, Alohaka, with a view to its purchase by the Government. WELLINGTON, yesterday. Representatives of tho newly-formed Domestic AVorkers’ Union and employers met in conference and spent the evening in discussing the demands of the Union. During the conference, in which good feeling prevailed, some misunderstandings were removed, and there was an indication of a satisfactory settlement being arrived at upon a number of points in dispute. The question of hours to be worked will be discussed at a further conference, The Wool Fires Commission intends sitting at Christchurch on Saturday for the purpose of taking evidence. Mr A. 11. Holmes, clerk of the Alagistrate’s Court, has been appointed acting-secretary to the Commission, to finish up the business of the Commission. He went South last night, and Dr. McArthur, S.M., and Captain Blackburn and Mr. AV. G. Foster, members of the Commission, proceed South this evening. Mr. D. AlcLaren, secretary of the Waterside AVorkers’ Union, lias received a reply from the Alinister of Alarine, in reference to the question of more frequent and more efficient inspection of hatches and deck gear of ships, apropos of the recent accident on the steamer Surrey. The letter reads: “I,may inform you that I am calling for a report in connection with the Surrey accident, and I will personally look into the papers.” The Rev. Coffey, curate of St. Mark’s, who died yesterday afternoon, was born in Ireland 71 years ago, educated at San Troy school and college, Dublin. He gained his B.A. degree in his 29th year, and became a Alaster of Arts in 1873. Air. Coffey was ordained deacon in ■ 1866 by the Bishop of Tuam (Lord'- Plunket) in Tuam Cathedral, and as priest by the Bishop of Cork (Dr. Gregg) in Cork, in the same year. It was whilst filling the curacy of AVestport, Sligo, that Mr. Coffey decided to settle in New Zealand, and he landed from the ship Chili in Port Chalmers. in 1868. He was appointed to Queenstown, Lake AVakatipu, where he was minister for several years; then at Milton, where he was serving when he received his call to St. Alark’s, to which parish he was a faithful minister for over thirty years. The deceased clergyman was strictly upright, a strong Sabbatarian, a strenuous supporter of the Bible-in-schools movement,and greatly admired for his outspokenness‘and tenacity of purpose. He endeared himself to tho sick and poor of his parish. Air. Coffey had been ailing for a period of five months, a second “stroke” which occurred when he was in the street, having paralysed his power of speech. The directors of the AlanawatU Railway Company have decided to recommend a dividend of 4 per cent, for the half year, making 7 per cent. for tho year.

Alex. Njcol, one of the oldest settlors in Horokiwi Valley, was found dead in bed last night. Heart trouble is supposed to he the cause of death. BLENHEIM, yesterday. ’ George Ellis Allen,, who confessed to two charges of forgery in the Lower Court, came up before Mr. justice Button this morning, and received a sentence of 12 months’ hard labor. CHRISTCHURCH, yesterday. * Speaking at Loburn on Wednesday evening, Mr. Rutherford, M.H.R., recommended the electors to return their member with a much smaller majority if they desired consideration from the Government. When the majority was large, the Government, secure of (the district, neglected its wants. He instanced lvaiapoi. Mr. Buddo was returned by a narrow majority, and soon after the Premier went through . the district and promised a new railway station at Rangiora, and other good things for the district. A tram service on the new Opawa lino was inaugurated yesterday. Owing to a shortage of rolling stock, an hourly service with steam will . be run till the close of the Exhibition. From Monday a daily express tram will be run on the Christchurch-Sum- - nor line by electric cars in the morning and evening. Steam trams will bo used on other runs till tlic close of the Exhibition. The Heathcote bridge, on the Christclnirch-Sumner tram line, has dropped three inches, owing to holts through the uprights, holding the back girders of the opening spans, breaking. Traffic on the

bridge has boon stopped. The bridgo will be joisted up till repairs, taking two days, have boon effected. Iloavy rain fell from 8 o’clock last night till 8 this morning. Tho sky is ovorenst, and further rain is threatened. Tho rain is woleomo for pnsturo of rnpo and turnips. DUNEDIN, yesterday.

A private cablo states that tho Australasian squadron definitely loaves Sydney for Now Zealand waters oil April 10th.

GIFT OF CHAAIOIS. AVELLINGTON, yostorday. Tho Now Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer Turakina, which arrived from Loudon yestorduy, has on board eight chamois, tho gift of tho Emperor of Austria to tho New Zealand Government. Tho- animals, who aro in charge of Air. Bolt Ling, of London Zoological Gardens, are to he liberated in tile Southern Alps. The introduction of chamois to Now Zealand is really due to Commander L.'Ritter A T on Iloclinol, who was in Now Zealand two years ago in tho Austrian cruiser. Panther. Commandor A r on Hochnol, who has done a groat doal of exploration ill East Africa, and who is a keen obsorver of tho flora and fauna of the countries which ho visits, was much struck when in sontliorn Now Zealand with tho suitability of tho Alps for chamois. In AVcllington ho mot Sir Jos. AVa rd, and mentioned tho matter to him. Sir Joseph took the projected introduction of chamois most warmly, and Commander Von Hochnel, in order to make somo return for the groat kindness which he received in Nw Zealand from the Government and people, promised to bring the matter before the Emperor. Arrangements were accordingly made, and the chamois which camo to hand yesterday are the result. Twentyfour chamois were caught in the. Tyrol after groat difficulty, hut some of tho animals wore old, and therefore unsuitable for shipment, and others again wore so wild that they died, hastening their death by their violent behaviour in confinement.

CROZETS’ CASTAAVAYS. AVELLINGTON, yesterday. Tho s.s. ( Turakina, when she arrived at the Crozots in search of the shipwrecked crew of the Norwegian schooner Catherine, had some difficulty in finding the locale of the men, owing to hazy weather. Detonators were used, but still there was no sign of life. The vessel then shifted to tile larger island, and discerning a hut on the beach, again fired detonators. This had an effect, and the castaways came on the beach and danced in exuberance of spirits at being rescued. A couple of boats were lowered from the ocean liner, and in a short while the men were on the deck of tho Turakina. The castaways told a strange story of a dog, which was attached to the party. Early on the day of the rescue, long before the appearance of tlio steamer, the canine capered in an extraordinary way, which contrasted strikingly with its woe-begono deportment of some time before. This is attributable to the animal’s wonderful sense of smell of the chamois, housed on the foro deck of the Turakina.

A SERIOUS FALL. AVELLINGTON, last night. A stevedore named Henry Tobin, working on the steamer Turakina, this evening fell down a hold, about 56 feet, falling on some bundles of rolled steel. He was removed to the hospital, where it was found that ho suffered from concussion of the brain, a broken collar-bone, and contused spine. He is in a precarious condition. DEATH OF A CHILD. AUCKLAND, last night. A child named Thomas AVilliam Byron, aged two years and foul months, wandered away from his homo in Westmoreland street, Grey Lynn, and on his parents searching they found his body floating in a creek in Sackville street, Grey Lynn. Tho child was then quite dead. -

KETCH .ASHORE. AUCKLAND, last night. Tho ketch Isabella Deframe, bound from Dunedin to Herekina, went ashore on the beach at Kaipara Heads this morning. She was putting in, short of provisions, owing to a long passage, when the wind fell away and the flood tide carried her on to the beach before the anchors held. Tho vessel is in a good position, and should float off on to-nght’s tide, with the assistance of a tug. The weather is fine and the sea smooth. Tho vessel was just touching the beach at half-tide to-day at noon.

BOY -ROAVNED IN SEPTIC TANK. DUNEDIN, last night. The Coroner held an inquest this mornng on the body of Robert Finest Melrose, a boy seven years of age, who was drowned by falling into a septic tank at Mosgiel. Mr. AVilliam Allan stated that efforts to restore breathing were continued for about an hour, but without avail. The sink was not jet in working order; consequently the watcr was in a state of purity, and the muddiness was caused by the delay in the finding of the body. The sink was quite open, and there appeared to be no protection to prevent access to the water.

John Dicker Gardiner, residing at mosgiel, deposed that on - Wednesday he was informed that a child had fallen into tlio septic tank. AA itness dived into the well, but on account of tlie muddiness of the. water experienced great difficulty in finding the body. The tank was 40ft square, and belonged to the Borough Council. The jury were of opinion that the deceased was accidentally drowned in a septic tank belonging to the Mosgiel Borough Council, and added to their verdict that immediate stops should be taken to fence in the said tank for the prevention of similar accidents.

CONVALESCENT HOME. AUCKLAND, last night,

At Ellerslie the ceremony of handing over the title deeds of the Alexandra Convalescent Home, Ellerslie, from the donors (Air. and Miss AA - I f ■ Smith), to the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, was performed by His Excellency the Governor, Lord Plunkct left in the afternoon for New Plymouth, en route to Wellington.

POLITICAL. AVELLINGTON, last night. At Mangaweka an enthusiastic meeting of farmers and others, this afternoon, asked Mr. James Georgott to contest the Rangitikei scat at the general election. The latter, uho declared himself an independent and a freeholder, consented to stand and a committee was appointed to further his candidature.

NATIVE LAND COMMISSION

Press Association. NAPIER, last night. The Native Land Cnnnission sat today to enquire into matters relating to the Poukawa block. There was a proposal to drain the lake on the block, it being estimated that this work would cost about £7OOO, and increase the value of the block by at least 1 £28,000. It was suggested that this work might be carried out by the Government oil* behalf of the natives, the cost to be met by having a portion of the block set apart either foi- sale or lease in order to provide funds for the purpose. Some of the natives expressed a desire to liave a chance to commence farming operations on the laud for themselves. His

Honor said that tho land and tho pursuit of agricultural occupation was tho only salvation for tho natives, mid instnucod tho industry of tho Maoris at Nuliuka as an example for other natives to follow. Tho Commission was adjourned until to-mor-row. WORK AND WAGES. ARBITRATION COURT FINES. Pross Association CHRISTCHURCH, yostorday. Sixt'oon strikers had paid tlioir fmos this morning. Mr. 'Justice Cooper this morning heard an application by Mr. Stringer, on behalf of tho Inspector of Awards, for writs of attachment against the strikers who failed to pay tho fines inflicted by tho Arbitration Court. Fil'toon moil wore proceeded against, the object boing to show tho position of tho strikers undor tho law, and to give othors the opportunity to show cause. Tho first defondant dealt with said ho was not in a position to pay at all. His Honor said tho question was whotlior tho lino was exempt from tho provisions of the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Act, or was in tlie nature of punishment. It was surprising that no steps had boon taken to presont through counsel arguments from the moil’s side, and so to assist tho Court. It was a very important question, and he would postpone' judgment till two o’clock. Several men, when called, did not appear; others who did pleaded inability to pay, and one said lie supposed lie would have to take it out.

To-day Messrs. Davey and AVitty, M. H.R.’s, received a reply to their telegram to the Minister for Labor, asking him in view of tlio probable amicable settlement of tlio dispute to give tho men fined any possible 'chance to pay as host they can, and stating it was a pity that any should be imprisoned. Tho Minister, replying, rogrots it is impossible to do as requested. The whole matter is in tho hands of the Court, and lie cannot. interfere in any way. “I can assure you,” ho says, “it is a painful duty I have to perform, but tlie interests of the workers of the colony as a whole must be carried out, and every npplcation for time to pay tho flues must bo granted alone by the Court. I would suggest that you advise tho men to pay their fines and leave the dispute to be settled by tlie Arbitration Court” Messrs Davey and AVitty explain that they did not ask tlio Minister to interfere with the Court, but only to endeavor to assist tlio moil by giving them time to pay. AVELLINGTON, yesterday.

A suggestion made by Messrs Davey and AA’itty, M.H.R.’s, that in view of tlio probable amicable settlement of the Canterbury slaughtermen’s dispute, the men who were fined should be given every possible chance to pay as best they can, has been considered by the Minister of Labor, who lias decided that ho cannot interfere in the matter.

last night. There is little fresh to report with regard to the position of the strike in Southland. At Matanra tho butchers aro killing 100, and it is hoped that next week tho number will bo increased to 110. Several of tho six men at work at AA’allaceville are reported not to be killing moro than fifty a day apiece, Enquiries for butchers aro now being made in tho North. A Morton Mains farmer told a Southland Times reporter yesterday that the strike would cause export growers to lose considerably. Many had found it necessary to turn lambs on to half-matured turnips, , which were wasted. They woro not in sympathy with tho strikers, but would have cheerfully paid extra money to have their stock taken off their lands. THE STRIKE ENDED. AVELLINGTON, last night.

The Minister of Labor announced to a deputation this evening that he had received information that the strike was ended, the slaughtermen having decided to return to work on Monday. Representatives of the Union and employers, he said, had agreed to leave the matter in dispute to the Arbitration Court to adjust. CHRISTCHURCH, last night.

AA’hen the Slaughtermen’s Union passed their first resolution that they would have nothing to do with the Arbitration Court tlie secretary, one of tho vice-presidents of the Union, received a message from Mr. Mackay, of the Labor Department, asking them to hear him, and he then talked tlie matter over with them. They told him that they had no faith in tlie Arbitration Court because the Court did not know the facts of the trade, and Mr. Mackay then pointed out tiiat the Court had power to appoint expert assessors upon whose recommendation they would have their decision. Another meeting was held last night, when the position was explained, and delegates were appointed with full power to treat with the companies. Tho delegates with Messrs. T. H. Davey and G. AVitty, M.H.R’s., waited upon the employers this afternoon, and after a conference which lasted 2) hours, the employers practically agreed to all the demands of tho men, except that the 25s per 100 for freezers was reduced to 235. An agreement was made out and ratified at a meeting of the Union held to-niglit. The men will return to work at all the factories on Monday morning, At the meeting of the Union to-night Messrs. Davey and AVit ty were thanked for their services, and tho Southland -strikers, who agreed to continue to hold out at the request of tho local Union, were all thanked for their loyalty. The Southland men will also return to work on Monday morning:

11.50 p.m.—The slaughtermen's strike has ended. A conference between representatives of the feezing companies and the Union was held this afternoon, and the following conditions were agreed to: Work to commence at 7 a.m. on five days in week, and cease at 5 p.m., with 10 minutes smoke-oh ill the morning, and the same in the afternoon, provided that in ordor to out out' any mob which may bo on hand at 5 o’clock, not over 3 sheep or lambs per man may bo slaughtered after that hour, or on any day preceding a holiday, 5 sheep or lambs per man. On Saturday work shall commence at. 7 a.m. and cease at 11 o’clock, with 10 minutes smoko-ho, provided that in order to cut out, 5 sheep or lambs per man may be killed after that hour. All “potter’ sheep to be paid for at the rate of 18s per 100, preservers 20s per 100, freezers and lambs 23s per 100, pgs up to 100 lbs 9d each, over 100 lbs Is each; bullocks 2s each, calves Is each. Shop sheep killed by piecework as at present, 25s per l’OO; rams other than lamb rams 4d each. No dead sheep to be skinned ; killing and dressing sheep and lambs to consist of killing, cleaning, and taking off the skin and shanks with poor pieces, taking the inside out, wiping and thoroughly cleaning, putting on neck strings anil butchers’ tags. Butchers will he supplied with gambles and tags at the hooks. Butchers to pay for damage to carcase or skin, but no fine to ho inflicted until after 2 personal warnings per 100 carcases. Permits have been given for fines to be Is for damage to carcase, and 6d for damage to skin. Slaughtermen to wait 15 minutes in the event of a cut-out, hut after that time to be paid for at the rate of Is 3d per hour. Grindstones to be provided for every 25 men. All sheep to be penned before being killed. The following to bo the holidays: Nqw Year’s Day, Good Friday., Easter Monday, Prince of AVales’ Birthday, Labor Day, Xmas Day, Boxing Day, Reigning Sovereign’s Birthday, and