GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2111, 10 February 1908, Page 1

GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON. A deputation from tlio Wellington Dairy Earmers’Union of Employers waited on -ho Minister of Agriculture to-day in regard to tlio dairy legislation gazetted under the Dairy Industry Act on January 10, 1007. Mr C. McCurdy, for the Union, represented that farmers had been kept waiting for a long time after they had applied for registration of dairy premises; that in cases bolero tlio Court inspectors should not be rested with such wide powers, and that mag .itrates should have the usual power of discrimination; that great annoyance had been caused by one inspector approving a course that wus condemned by another; that tho time for cleaning milking sheds shou’d bo extended to lour hours alter regular milking time; that tho Union should be asked to arbitrate in certain cases, or at all events consulted; and that better provision shou’d be made for keeping milk vans on l':o railway thoroughly clean. Tho Min.ster replied that tho officers of tho Department would give careful consideration to tho representations made. The desire of the Department was to improvo the conditions of tho industry, and ho was satislied Ih it tho Union was Similarly situated. The inspectors were all competent men, and their qualifications had been carefully looked into. The new regulations to be issued would be framed with the idea,' not of making t hem punitive, but educative, and at tho end of the year they could be reviewed. Da' did not suppose tlioy could reach the stage of absolute satisfaction at the lirst attempt, but could see whore the shoe pinched at the end of the year. It is understood that the Hon. J. McGowan will retain Ministerial control of the Hoads and Bridges Department, which lie took over when the Hon. Hall-Jones left for EnghUHl' DUNEDIN. Trembalb declines to moot Buiko till after the Australasian championship meeting, so there is little likelihood of the' half-mile test match, fixed to take place in connection with the D.A.A.C. sports on Saturdav next, eventuating. The Star predicts that at a conlerouoo between delegates of the Seamen’s Union and New Zealand shipowners, to be held at Wellington this month, a satisfactory arrangement will be arrived at, whereby an advanco in the men’s wages will bo granted. 0 AMARU. Following on the subdivision of Otekake, the Oamaru Mail advocates resumption for settlement purposes at Hakataratnea Estate, South Canterbury, the property of the N.Z. and A. Land Company, comprising over 100,000 acres. INVERCARGILL. R. Murie, a local balloonist, made a successful ascent of about / 00ft todav, landing on a mud bank in the Estuary- The weather was calm. Tho annual meeting of the Southland Frozen Meat Company was held to-day. The rewort showed a net wrofit- of £14,760, and declaring a dividend of 5 per cent.., and a bonus of 1 per cent., was adopted. Eight thousand wounds were transferred to the reserve fund, and £4OOO earned forward. The reserve now amounts to £25,000. Tho sheen and lambs put through totalled 4,068,621, an increase of 150,000 on the previous vear. AUCKLAND. Air. Kirker, general manager of the South British Fire Insurance Company, interviewed by an Auckland Star representative asserted that New Zetland had never been a profitable field for insurance companies. During 1904, 1905, and 1906 the companies as a whole had ma_de loss over that period of £112,876. The loss for 1907 he believed, would be £50,000. The year 1908 had opened badly. The Tiinaru and Christchurch fires would cost tlio companies quite £300,000 under the most favorable circumstances. The loss on the insurance business this year must bo at least £200,000. In reply to a question as to' whether the rates would be increased. Air. Kirker said he hoped all engaged in lire business in tho Dominion would find themselves able to obtain such an improvement in the rates us would enable the companies to make some small profit. He would not bo surprised, if the condition did not improve, to see a number of companies considering the question of withdrawing altogether from the Dominion. The fire brigade legislation had further increased the burden, in some cases the charges amounting to nearly 10 per cent, on the present income of companies. Altogether the insurance business in New Zealand' was in a most unsatisfactory condition, and unless rates were raised to a paying point all must suffer heavy loss. The Talisman Consolidated returns for the month is £18,216 from 3350 tons. Captain Dykes, of tho Tutauokai, lias been appointed examiner of masters and mates at Auckland. TAI.AIERSTON-. Tho Conciliation Board met this morning to consider the painters’ dispute. In discussing the claims tho employees’ representatives said they had decided not to work more than 44 hours. The employers’ representative said that in face of the demands he did not think it worth whilo wasting the time of the board considering them further. The chairman of the board said the time had now gone past when they could talk of carrying, the dispute to tlic Arbitration Court. The board had now to proceed with the matter, and he suggested a conference between. the parties. The suggestion was adopted. Air. D. G. Mon rad, a well-known Alanawatu sottler, died suddenly last night. Deceased was the'grandson of° the late Bishop Alonrad, once Prime Alinister of Denmark, who came to Now Zealand with the earliest Scandinavian settlers. PA'H lA'l Tj A. Frederick Greaves, aged 10 years, . son of Air. Greaves, of Mangatmoka, met a sad death. He had ridden a horse into the river near a bridge. Observing a shiny substance iiy the water he picked it up, Macing it in his blouse, and rode off. The substance proved to be a lump of phosphorus, which ort being exposed to the air instantly ignited. . lhe hoy s clothes were soon a mass or names, which were extinguished by a constable. I The lad was burned from the neck to the knees. He was in intense agony, and died tins morning.