TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

(run PKKBS ASSOCIATION.—COrVRIOHT

A COMPENSATION CLAIM

AUCKLAND, Feb. 16

The widow of a waterside worker, Walter James Bedford, who died through falling down the hold of the steamer Ayrshire at Auckland early last year, brought an action in the Supreme Court to-day to recover .-£2OOO damages from the local agents for the vessel, A. H. Nathan, Ltd., alleging negligence and breach of duty. The ease was heard by Mr Justice Chapman and a jury of twelve. The agents were sued under the provisions of the Shipping and Seamen Act. 'The New Zealand Shipping Company, which was doing the stevedoring by arrangement with the agents when the accident occurred, was struck out as a defendant, counsel reserving the right to take separate proceedings under the Workers’ Compensation Act against this company. The hearing was not concluded when tho Court adjourned. SHORTAGE OF BENZINE. TE AWAMUTU, Feb. 16. A. representative meeting of farmers and other users of power to-day considered the position arising out of the acute shortage of benzine in this district. Complaints against the Board of Trade’s method of distribution ended in a resolution, directed to the Prime Minister and Board of Trade, being passed, pointing out that, unless supplies were in sight in two days thousands of cows would have to be dried off, and great loss of production would be suffered. Already a great many milking machines are idle, and it is difficult to get labour for hand-milhjing. FRUIT FROM AMERICA. WELLINGTON, Feb. 16. Tho Moana brought over 7000 cases of fruit from San Francisco to Wellington. There are over 3000 cases of Californian oranges in the consignment. In addition the cargo includes 330 tons of dried fruit and 24 tons of tinned fruit. TIMBER EXPORT. WELLINGTON, Reb. 17, Mr Massey referred to-day to the blame cast on the Government in some quarters for permitting the export of timber to Australia while there is an apparent shortage of timber in New Zea land.

He said that the position did not appear to be generally understood. It was a fact that certain qunntites of timber were being exported to Austra lia. The reason was that the New Zealand Government, at the express request of the Australian Government, has entered into a reciprocal arrangement, by which the Commonwealth has to allow the export of coal to the Dominion, in return for certain New Zca_ land timber that is essential to the Commonwealth butter industry. Not merely coal, he says, but also salt, superphosphates, wheat and hardwood are re (flitred in New Zealand. “Wo have,” he added, “to look to Australia, where exports are all under the control of tho Commonwealth Government, for a large proportion of these supplies. Another point is that the boats bringing coal from Australia to New Zealand have to be back loaded. On the return voyage they take timber cargoes, in accordance with the arrangements, made with the Government.

Tt is interesting to note our timber production, said the Premier. For the four months from July Ist last, a total of 8,438.000 feet of timber was produced, which is equivalent to upwards of 25,000,000 feet for a year. The export of timber for this period, be said, amount_ ed to 1,245,000 feet. ..This only was equivalent to about 3,500,000 feet for a year, as compared with an export of 10.454,000 feet for the year ended AT arch 31st, 1018.