TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1919, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

(PER PRESB ASSOCIATION.—OOPYHIGHIA

TAINUI ENQUIRY

CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 13

The nautical inquiry into the loss of the Tainui was continued. John Buchanan Hay gave evidence that the insulation was airtight. No complaints were made to him by the Captain or Engineer as .to fumes from the leakage of benzine.

Robt. Hogan, formerly a seaman on the Tainui gave evidence that he heard ■ in March that the vessel was to load benzine. He considered it was not lit to carry benzine and he spoke«to the captain, and subsequently made statements at the office at Christchurch of the repairs required before the* Tainui could be considered seaworthy. He had previously complained to the captain. Robert Logan, continuing, said the manager offered him a bonus to make the trip and the matters complained of would he attended to on his return, but witness refused and was paid off next day with the crew, none of the deck hands being re-engaged. The deck hands left the ship as the result of a protest regarding,repairs. No boat drill was done. ; Wm. B. Dounham, a fireman formerly on the Tainui gave evidence that when a benzine cargo was taken aboard, he did not go along the tunnel, or into the bunkers with a naked light, as the fumes were too strong. Boat drill had been done twice while he was on the vessel.

alleged worngful dismissal.

BAWERA, October 10. A case of considerable interest was begun to-day in the Magistrate’s Court before Mr W. Wilson, S.M. ; in which Alfred William Osborne, factory manager, claimed £2OO damages from the Meremere Dairy Company for alleged wrongful dismissal. The factory, it was stated, closed down at the end of May and the plaintiff continued as manager until June 11th, when he was called before a meeting of directors, and notified that he had been engaged for another season. (Plaintiff continued as manager during the off season, but on July 14th received a letter from the directors that they were very dissatisfied with his management, and stipulating new terms and conditions, failing compliance with whijeh his engagement would terminate. Plaintiff did not sign the document, and replied with a spirited letter on August 14th. The chairman of directors thereupon wrote to plaintiff handing him a cheque for a month’s salary in lieu of notice, and also the amount of his wages from August Ist. to 14th. Plaintiff’s counsel said that plaintiff had been unable to secure another factory engagement this season, and be contends that his refusal to sign was not sufficient grounds for his dismissal. The cross-examination of the plaintiff was not concluded when the Court adjourned.

RIFLING A MAIL BAG. WHAKATANE, October 10. Sam Karaka, a Native taxi-driver, pleaded guilty at the Magistrate’s Court to-day to a further charge of robbing a mail hag of two registered letters. The evidence disclosed that the letters in question were posted at Taneatua and contained £5 and £3 respectively, the addressees residing in Auckland.

Accused, when arrested on other [charges confessed that he found a mail bag lying, on the road and that he rifled it and left the contents exposed to the weather. He assisted the policeman to recover the bag. Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

QUARTERLY BANK RETURNS. WELLINGTON, October 13. The total bank returns for the September quarter are as follows : Circulation ( £7,357,046 Coin and. Bullion £775,466 Government Deposits £5,995,119 Free Deposits £30,331,316 Fixed Deposits £15,042,567 Adlvan,ces £28,785,868 Discounts ;. £1,353,901

PRISONER RECAPTURED. CHRISTCHURCH, October 13. Robert Nixon Warden, the dangerous criminal who escaped from Mount Eden Gaol, Auckland, on September 29 was arrested this afternoon by Constable Williams, of Sydenham. The police were advised that a man answering to Warden’s description had been seen in this district, and Constable Williams accosted him this afternoon. On being asked his name, the man replied, ■ “Maggon.” Constable Williams then said, ‘‘What is your correct name.” In answer, the men drew’ a revolver and covering the constable said, “That is my name.” Williams immediately closed with the man, and though the sight of the revolver persuaded most of the onlookers to keep out of harm’s way, a postman went to the constables’ assistance, and before long the man was overpowered and securely roped in which condition he was taken to the police station. The revolver was found to be unloaded, though the prisoner had a box of cartridges on his person. His identity was established as the missing prisoner. Warden, as he was being taken to the cells, remarked to Senior Sergeant Cummings, “Hell! -You’ve now got another chance to put me up.” Warden’s people, who were wellknown to the police, previously lived in Christchurch, in which city the prisoner was brought up, which probably accounts for the fact that on each occasion he escaped, he sought refuge there.

BIG HOUSING SCHEME. CHRISTCHURCH, October 13. The City Council to-night adopted a scheme for the acquisition of sufficient land for the erection of at least two hundred houses. Provision was made for the sale of the houses when erected, on easy terms, spread over every ed, on easy terms, spread over varying periods of years, to suit the circumstances of the applicants. It was stated the expenditure involved was between £150,000 and £200,000. There was plenty of land within easy access of Cathedral Square which could easily fill the bill.