TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

l5*R Pllßflp A9BQOIM’IOI^.—OOPYIUIiUT.] . INDUSTRIAL UNREST. AUCKLAND, August :i. At a public meeting convened by the Welfare League to-niglit the following resolution was carried:—“That this public meeting, fceliug that the prevailing social and industrial unrest in the Dominion is a matter of public concern, and being desirious in the general interests of seeing better relations established between employers and ■workers, aftirm the desirability ot the Government calling a joint industrial conference, representative of those actively engaged in the main industries of the country, on the lines outlined by the Welfare League.” THE SUGAR MARIvET. AUCKLAND, August ;i. The demand for sugar lias fallen con. siderably, consequent upon the increase in price, and whereas formerly grocers were asked for 41b and 51b lets, they now receive orders for lib and 21b only at a time. In future supplies of sugar are to b e based upon the grocers’ turnover. It was thought that the higher price would result in a surplus stock being accumulated, but manufacturers are willing and able to absorb all the sugar available, and this Implies that there is no immediate prospect of reserve stocks being gathered.

AUCKLAND HIDE SALES. AUCKLAND, August 3 There was greater competition at today’s hide sales than has been the case for a considerable period. In addition to an improvement in prices for the b£st quality hides, those of second grade, which recently have been very little in demand, were the medium of considerable business. Stout ox hides realsed up to lofd, medium 13d to 14d, light lid to 12£d. CONSIGNMENT OF BENZINE. WELLINGTON, August 4 A cablegram from art American firm offering to sell and deliver at two New Zealand ports 30,000 cases of benzine in September and October next at 5.57 cents a. case, e.i.f., was read in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Mr Wilford. He said the firm to which the offer was made was not able to accept it, and could not get any other firm to close with the offer. His suggestion was that the Government should buy the benzine and bring it t,o the Dominion, and he asked the Prime Minister whether this could not be done. He wished to point out that it was a matter of great importance to get supplies of case oil. There was no doubt that there was going to be a serious shortage, particularly as there was a debit balance in the supplies in America. The Hon. E. P. Lee (President of the Board of Trade) : My Department controls that. Mr Massey said he had just been informed that the Board of Trade had asked for a written offer for the consignment in question. THE DAVIS CUP. WELLINGTON, August 4 The Davis Cup contest will take place at Auckland on December 28tb, 29th, and 31st. Arrangements to get the court in good order and for the building of a temporary stand are already in hand, Australasia’s first player will of course bo Patterson. Brookes may play with him in the doubles, but it is recognised that he is no longer to be relied upon for a realty strenuous effort in the singles. The date of the New Zealand Championships Meeting has not yet been fixed, but it is likely to commence on New Year’s Day. It will be unusually interesting this year, owing to the presence of the leading Australian and American players. Judging by the form displayed by the Americans in the recent contest in England,. they should have quite a good chance of carrying off the Davs Cup. • Tennis enthusiasts are already booking rooms in Auckland, and there is every indication that accommodation in the principal hotels will be fully taxed.

AUCKLAND LOAN PROPOSALS. AUCKLAND, August 4. The city ratepayers to-day sanctioned the City Council’s proposal to borrow £50,000 for electricity extensions, but rejected a proposal to borrow £20,000 for Domain improvements. The former loan was carried by a majority of 401. Of 15,340 ratepayers entitled to vote, only 1337 exercised the franchise. The Domain loan is th e first in the history of the city to be rejected by the ratepayers, while the poll was the poorest on record. POUND DEAD. MARON, August 4. At the inquest on Haddock, the Auckland commercial traveller, who disappeared a fortnight ago, the jury found that the deceased, John Haddock, whose body was found in a watercourse on the side of the road leading from Crofton to Greatf'ord on August 2nd, met his death on or about July 19tb, by drowning, but there was no evidence to indicate how the came to get into the water course. The jury added that it was decidedly of opinion there was no evidence of foul play.

YOUTHFUL BURGLARS. TIMARU, Aug 5. At tlie Magistrate’s Court two youths named Allan M. Rudge (19) and William O. Rooney (18), pleaded guilty and were committed for sentence on seven charges of breaking and entering and theft, on various dates from November last to July, viz: Randle, jewelley and money, value 11127; Lamb and Co., tailors, £221; Mrs G. Watts, jewellers, value £105; T. Iv. Elder. £3 8s; Briscoe and Co. £ls 10s; Priest and Holdgate, £6l, and New Zealand Clothing Coy. £9B. Detective Connelly arrested Rooney in Christchurch on another charge, and from the statements he made much of the property has been recovered. Two cases, full, were stored with the New Zealand Express Co., and others were found at Rudge’s house. Some suit lengths had been sold in Christchurch and several articles which he had given to his mates were recovered. Rooney was also sent for sentence for robbing an old man when drunk on the roadside near St Andrews.

- WELLINGTON CITY, WELLINGTON, Aug 6. The City Council adopted a schedule of improvements for submission to ratepayers calling for loans to the extent of seventeen hundred thousand, to include extension of water supply £522,738; paving £120,000; trams £232,500 ;now electric station £380,000; tunnel £150,000. Labourites are-protesting to Government against the City Council’s proposals to abolish workers’ concession tram tickets. The Council explain they want to be put in the same position as other tramway authorities, who are not obliged to issue such tickets, but will after the revocation, consider the issue of general concession tickets available to all classes.

SUPREME COURT. DUNEDIN, Aug 5. In the Supreme Court, Thomas Grice was found guilty of assaulting a man with a knife, causing actual bodily harm. The Jury added that the offence was committed under great provocation. His Honour imposed a fine of £2O. Matthew Hamilton Barnes was found guilty of theft from a dwelling. Sentence was deferred until to-morrow morning. The charge of murder against John Sharp will be taken to-morrow. It is understood that medical testimony on the question of the insanity of accused will be a feature of the evidence for the defence.

N.Z. INSURANCE COY. AUCKLAND, August, 3. The balance sheet of the New Zealand Insurance Company, Ltd., for the half year ended May 31st, shows that the net increase from premiums, interest, and rents amounted to £678,233. The profit on the half year’s transactions amounted to £75,672. The directors recommend placing £30,000 to the reserve fund. They also recommend the payment of a dividend at the rate of 8d per share, absorbing £SOOO, leaving, with the balance brought forward, a net balance of £72,244 to Inearned forward. -

ROTOR UA-TA UPO LINE. „ WELLINGTON, August 5 A deputation from the Rotorua Railway League and the Waiotapu settlers met the Prime Minister and the Minister of Lands and Public Works, requesting the right to submit evidence before a Commission regarding tile extension of the Taupo Timber Company’s line. The Ministers stated that there was no objection to this, but the Commission was not set up to decide the main line question. It was not suggested that the Taupo line would even become a main line.

Mr Guthrie said that the deputation would do no good by raising the question of rival routes us this would only stir up the Rangataiki settlers, whose claim was a strong one. The request by Mr Hockley for a Commission to decide whether the Ro-torua-Taupo line should be constructed was favourably received, but the Ministers said that there was no hope of commencing the line in the immediate future.

HALL OR RESTAURANT?

WELLINGTON, August 5

Judgment was given by Mr Evans, S.M., to-day in a case brought by the police against D. Dustin for allowing liquor to be consumed in Dustin’s Hall during a social held there by a Government Department. The prosecution contended that the hall was part of Dustin’s restaurant, and it relied on the definition of “licensed premises” in section 4 of the Lcensing Act. The Magistrate held that on the facts the hall was not a part of the restaurant. It was never open to the general public for meals, and was separately let to persons who used it and had the sole right to occupy it for the time it was held. He decided that no offence had been proved under section 11. He dismissed the information.

MAGISTRATE’S DECISION. AUCKLAND, August 5. Judgment was given by Mr Cutten, S.M., in the case G. P. Coles and Co., Ltd. v. W Cook and Son, a claim for goods which plaintiff stated were delivered to defendants, to which defendants claimed that the cases in which the goods were shipped had been pillaged, with the result that they did not receive the goods. The facts .were that boots ordered by defendants, merchants in Blenheim, were shipped by plaintiffs, but were stolen en route from the pillaged cases, and defendants declined to pay for hoots of a consignment that they did not receive. His Worship said that defendants held that delivery of the goods to the carrier in Auckland was not delivery to them. Agreement’by plaintiffs to pay freight to Blenheim was a usual trade concession, and was overborne by the fact that defendants had requested plaintiffs to insure the goods en route for them. They held that insurance was against pillage as well as other risk, but the contract was for “ordinary insurance.’'’ and he held that could not be held to include insurance against pillage. He held that plaintiffs had proved delivery, and gave judgment for them for the amount claimed, £35 6s 6d, and £4 18s 6d costs.

BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, August 6. The Masters Builders’ Association resolved it will do all in its power to assist in building homes for workers by tenderng, provided Government guarantees to supply . materials at a fixed price. The Association is strongly of opinion that the tendering system is not satisfactory and cheapest. The Association strongly protest against the action of Government in allowing the Board of Trade to issue permts for the export of so much New.Ze'aland timber and also urges Government to arrange for a sufficient supply of coal to cement manufacturers. MAN AND WIFE KILLED. MASTERTON, August 4. A shocking fatality occurred on the Tinui road this afternoon. Mr Lewis Wilton and his wife, with friends, were returning to Mastcrton after attending a wedding, when the motor-car upset. Mr and Mrs Wilton wero killed outright, but the other occupants of the car escaped. Mr Wilton was a farmer residing at Terangituman. An inuqest will bo held to-morrow.

SUPREME COURT. CHRISTCHURCH, August 5

Ronald Charles Livingstone was presented for sentence in respect of forgery and uttering. His Honour postponed sentence till the criminal sessions to bo held'in February, 1921, prisoner, then to appear, and if he had not behaved himself to be then sentenced; in the meantime prisoner to refund £lO, the amount of the cheque forged by him. Charles ’Edward Durrant, for theft from a dwelling was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment with hard labour. I connrd George Lyne, for forgery and lettering, was admitied to probation for two years aiql ordered to repay £6 15s. '

William McMillan, for theft, was sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour.

John Astern, against whom were five charges of breaking, entering, and theft was sentenced to three years 7 imprisonment with hard labour on the charges of breaking and entering, arid two years with hard labour on the charge of simple theft, the sentences to run concurrently.