NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 80, 29 July 1896, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

GENERAL ITEMS. Aucfxand, -Inly 28. A tailoresses' fancy fair was formally opened to-nigbt by the Mayor in the drilLshed. Great preparations bad been made, the object being to add to the fund for improving the condition of female workers. The employers are cordially co-operating. An interim dividend of 7\ per cent, fcr the half-year has been declared by tbe New Zealand Accident Insurance Company. Gillet, an assistant teacher at the Cotomandei school, mysteriously disappeared on Friday night and has not been seen since. He visited Mr Dobbs that night and left about 9 o'clock to return home, but never turned up. Search has been made everywhere without result. He was aged 23 and of a bright and cheerful disposition. Wellington, July 28. The steamer Waihi is still ashore at the Was rail bar, the entrance to Blenheim, and the Union Company has been advised that the heavy "sea which is running is breaking over th"' vessel. It is expected that she will have to be launched over the bar into the river, a distance of 300 yards. Messrs liichardson (Hon. G. F.) and Reunion, surveyors, Ac., of Wellington, have issued a writ against the Bank of New Zealand, claiming the sum of £4OOO for alleged improper dishonoring of the firm's cheques while, as plaintiffs claim, there was a substantial sum to the credit of their account. The case will be heard before a jury at the next sitting of the Court in August. Mr A. Forbes, who represents an English syndicate, has received information from Greymouth that some excellent specimens have been taken from the Victory mine, which is under offer to his principals. At the Charitable Aid Board to-day a circular was read from the Labor Bureau with regard to th .> Board finding " sandwich men " for tradesmen, and added :—" I am directed to inform you that such action is a breach of the Servants Registry Office Act, 1894, and that informations will be laid against any unregistered person contravening the law in this respect." The circular was adversely criticised by the Trustees, who agreed that they would continue to find employment for deserving men despite the warning of the Department. Christchcech, July 28. The hearing of the action Popham v. Taylor, to recover £I,OOO damages for alleged slander, was continued today, when several witnesses gave evidence for the defence. A number of witnesses have yet to be heard. The scow Eclipse, loaded with five large boilers and fittings and about which' some anxiety was occasioned a few days ago, has been stopped from proceeding to sea by order of the Minister of Marine. It is alleged that the boilers are not sufficiently secured. Under ordinary conditions of weather the vessel would have left port over a week ago, as she had then cleared at the Customs. A survey by Captain Neal, of the Hinemoa, and Captain Marcell resulted in the vessel being pronounced unseaworthy as at present loaded. At a meeting of Freemasons to-night a committee was formed to recive subscriptions from the craft for the erection of a joint Masonic and public memorial over the grave of the late Bro. Peter Cunningham. The Board of Conciliation of Canterbury district to-day considered the dispute in the boot trade and resolved upon certain suggestions which it thought should be agreed to. These ■will lie submitted to the parties concerned before being made public.