TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 April 1917, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

Per Presg Association.—-Copyright. Military Service Appeals. WESTPORT, March 31. At a sitting of the Military Appeal Board to-day, after hearing evidence concerning the reduction- of output of tlio mines, the chairman, Mr u. *3. Evans, said with regard to- tho ex- [ emption of minors the evidence shows that a “go slow” policy was not in vogue at the- Millcrton Mine, but invoguc at Denniston and the WestportStockton Mines. The Board has already indicated its A policy, and- as the mine manager at Millorton has given his assuranco that

the policy does not obtain at Millorton, these appeals will be adjourned sine die as before, but with tho express stipulation that the appeals will be adopted, or if the men are unreasonably dnd unnecessarily absent from work. With regard to Denniston, tho Board wishes to give the miners concerned every opportunity of reconsidering their position, and also give mme consideration to each man’s case than can be given hurriedly, while the Board is sitting. The appeals from Denniston and Westport-Stockton will bo further adjourned to enable the Board to carefully check each man’s case, and the miners will have further opportunity of defending or justifying their positions, if such bo possible. The Board wishes to repeat its warning that it intends t ocarry out its policy and refuse exemption unless trio output is kept up to normal, and this will he a .serious matter, both for the country and the inon who will irrorooably become soldiers. If there appears, and the' Westport Btodfton miners’ evidence is fclear, that tho “go-slow 7” policy is in vogue in these mines, but the extent aim effect thereof is contained in detail in statements and returns of time, wages and output submitted by the managers and the Board has not had opportunity of going carefully into this dc-. tail and noticing the result in each miners’ case.

BLACKBALL MINERS STRIKE. . Dismissed cii Technical Grounds. GREV MOUTH, April 2 Mr Hutchison S.M. gave a lengthy reserved judgment in the ease of Inspector of Awards v Blackball Coal Miners’ Union,a claim to recover £2OO penalty, in respect to each of two strikes in January and February last. At the hearing, the faots in regard to the strike were admitted bat a teohnica! point was raised by Mr O’Regan for the defendants, that the agreement under the Act was not binding, in that the dating of such agreement made it for a period of three year* and ten days, whereas the Act provides for a maximum of three years. The Magistrate upheld this contention and gave judgment for defendants, regretting having to do so, as the defence had no merit in fact. Found Dead. Christchurch, April 2 The police are informed that George Lloyd, aged 89 years, was found dead in a house at Methveu,