TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

(I‘or Press Association.)

RUN OVER BY TRAM. AUCKLAND, Dec. 13

The inquest regarding the death of William M’Matfi, who was run over by a tram at Takqpuna on the evening of December 4, and died in hospital early next morning, was Concluded before the Coroner, Mr M’Kean, S.M., to-day. In commenting on the case the Coroner said the facts were fairly clear. The unfortunate man was a stranger to Takapuna, and did not realise that lie was on the tramway track until it was too late for him to get out of the way. There was nothing to suggest negligence in any way. There seemed, however, to bp room lor improvement in the lifeguard used by the company. Evidence showed that the lifeguard might easily become, detached if one corner struck an object. Apparcntjy that ivas what happened in this case. The Coroner then returned a formal verdict on the lines of the medical evidence, and added that it was? quite an accidental occurrence. RATING GAS MAINS. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec; 14. The City Council propose to collect rates on the Gas Company’s mains which reticulate the city. The l 1 Lnance Committee reported to the Council last night that a demand had been made upon the Christchurch Gas Company for .rates amounting to £949 18s Id in respect of the Company’s mains, but the solicitors for tho company had given notice that the company objected to the mains being rated. With a view to deciding the question of whether the mains were rateable, the Committee recommended the Council to test the matter by instituting a friendly action against the compnay for the recovery of the rates.

The Council agreed to the recommen .dati.on.. .

CAMP AT IHJRNHAM

NEW DEFENCE PLAN

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 14

An important change in the New Zealand military training scheme was announced to-day.

The Burnham Industrial School, eighteen miles from Christchurch, has been bought by the Defence Department, and will, in future, be known ns the Burnham Military Camp. Huts will lie brought down from Fentlicrston, and the Ordnance Depot, as well as the equipment and stores now in Christchurch, will he transferred. Classification courses for Territorial officers and non-commissioned officers have already been held at . Burnham, which is reported to have proved a satisfactory site in every way.

MAORI CLAIM TO LAKES. ROTORUA, Dec. 14

A conference between Sir F. D. Bell and the Arawas regarding the latter’s claim to ownership of lakes concluded to-day. Mr Earl (counsel for the Arawas) stated that when tho Government suggested a conference with a view to finding ground whereon tho case could ho settled, amicably. Mr Ngata was called upon to assist tho Arawas in fram ing proposals, who decided that any settlement should take into consideration the Arawas’ loyal services, and that any money awarded, if their claims wore consented to, be devoted to the public utilties for the tribe, to edueaion for them in secondary schools, to a nursing home, to assistance in farming, and to loans for dwellings. Some differences arose among tho Arawas regarding these terms. Eventually the scheme was accepted. The Rotoiti Natives stipulate that matters of detail ho settled at a conference of representaties of the Crown and themselves on January 29th. Hon Bell agreed to this. Ho said the Crown claimed the lakes on behalf of the public, hut was prepared to settle out of court if the Arawas agreed among themselves what they wanted. If n 0 agreements were mode, tho Crown was prepared to fight. The Crown owed a debt to tlig Arawas for their unbroken loyalty. The scheme had the merit of subordinate individual and sub-tribe claim's to the general good. He could not commit the Government, but would submit their proposals to Cabinet. The prospects of ft settlement are regarded as decidedly hopeful.

LOAN POLL. DUNEDIN, Dec 14

A poll of ratepayers in the city was taken to-day on tlm question of ihe purchase of the Roslyn Caple Trams from tho Company for £35,000. 1075 voted in favour of the proposal and 1063 against. The majority . ii [avoiit being twelve. A scrutiny and recount of votes may alter the result.

Very little interest is taken in iii° poll.

“SILVER GRID” MURDER

ROBERTS TO BE (RELEASED

CHRTSTCHURQH, Dec 14

In Christchurch, on November 17t1i., 1000, Arthur J. W. Roberts was found guilty of tile murder of a waitress in tho “Silver Grid” restaurant in Manchester St. Roberts was sentenced to death, hut the sentence was afterwards computed to imprisonment for life. The Prisons Board lias now decided to recommend Roberts for release, on probation in 12 months time, provided his conduct and industry give satisfaction in the meantime, and liis mental condition remains as at present,

At Robert’s trial it was disclosed that he was in love with the gill he murdered, but that lie was not the only suitor. Roberts apparently became jealous, and after gaining admittance to the girl’s room committed the crime. He then bolted, hut was arrested a day or i two afterwards.

The defence put forward by Mr WJ. (Hunter at the trial, was that of insanity. While tho jury was not convinced that insanity had been established, it had doubts as to Roberts’ mental condition at the time of the murder. It was Mr Hunter >vhp made representations to the Prisons Board for the prisoner’s release, claiming that the prison life had wrought a wonderful improvement in his physical and mental condition. If ho were released he would go "to. Scotland and start afresh there. Roberts is now about 32 years old.

DAIRY PRODUCE. DUNEDIN, Dec. 11 Present indications are that the production of buttor and cheese in Canterbury, Otago, and Southland will this season .exceed by far the production in any previous season. The changeable weather is bringing on abundant grass of the best quality. As a consequence tlie Southland Dairy Association’s outward shipments are following- close on one another. From Lyttelton 250 crates of cheese are to go on board the Surrey and 1500 crates.of cheese . and 8000 boxes of butter on the Orari. At punedin tho lonic is loading 1500 boxes of butter and 1435 crates of cheese, and the Orari will load here 1500 crates of cheese and 5000 boxes of butter. At Bluff the Port Kemble shipped yesterday 1494 crates of cheese and the Armagh is to take 2030 crates of cheese, whilst a coastal steamer will, about the 20th inst, load at Bluff 4000 crates of cheese to bring to Dunedin for transhipment to tho Orari.

EXPRESS DELIVERY CHARGES. CHARACTERISED AS INIQUITOUS. AUCKLAND, Dec. 13. The Auckland Prices. Investigation Tribunal has had its attention drawn to charges being made .for express delivery, by several complaints made against firms conducting.that class of business. As a result of its investigations, the tribunal lias come to feel strongly that the whole question of express delivery should receive the earnest consideration of the Board of Trade A report lias been prepared to he forwarded to the Board, strongly urging it to make representations to the Post-master-General with a view to the postal authorities increasing the scope of their parcel post system by the addition of an express agency. If tlie Board thinks it proper to make the representations outlined to the Postmaster-General, the report proceeds, the tribunal urges that similar representations should he made to tlie General Manager of Railways, with a view to his Department issuing through hills of lading from the North Island to the South Island and vice versa, and increasing the radius of its deliveries in all towns, thus making it possible to consign heavy parcels from Auckland to Invercargill without the assistance of private carrying firms in so far as signor and consignee are concerned. By these Departments increasing the scope of their resources as indicated, great benefit would be conferred on all classes of the community, for many of the charges made now by express delivery firms can only he characterised as iniquitous.

KING COUNTRY SAWMILLERS TAIHAPE, Dee. 14

Members, of the King Country Sawmill and Timber Workers’ Union at the Ohutu Box Mill submitted their filial demand to owners this morning. They are willing to resume work on tlie following conditions: —(l) That the employers recognise their Union, (2) That the employers’ representatives agree to meet the Union’s representatives to discuss and draw up a scale of wages and conditions for the ensuing twelve months, (3) The conference to sit not later than the seventh day from the resumption of work. The above- demands were not acceded to by the Company and the mill is closed indefinitely. The employers contend that as an award was made as recently as August 23rd last, and as the Union is not constitutionally registered and will not register under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, no lasting good can result from further conferring. |The mill is'closed and the men have received notice to quit.

SUPPLY OF FLOUR. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 14. A statement relative to the supply of flour was made by Mr W. G. McDonald (Government Wheat Controller) to-day. Mr McDonald said . that the latest figures relating to wheat showed that this year millers had bought 3,825,000 bushels of wheat grown in the Dominion. Australia had supplied 1,858,000 and there was a carry-over from last year of 510,000 bushels. This represented 0,202,000 bushels available for gristing, irrespective of quantities for seed and fowl wheat. The consumption represented an equivalent of 500,000 bushels per month, or a total for the year of 6,000,000 bushels. The distribution of stocks over the Dominion is fairly even, so that there should be sufficient flour to last until the end of February. The prospects were for an early harvest and wheat is expected to begin to come on the market in the third week of January. There is therefore no need for tho public to anticipate a shortage or any interruption in the supply of flour.

REV MURRAY DISMISSED. AUCKLAND, Dec. 14 Rev Murray attended the Presbyterian synod to-night in obedience to a summons to receive a censure. In pronouncing the censure, the Moderator said Rev Murray was now suspended, sine die from the exercise of the functions of the Ministry of the Presbyterian- Church of New Zealand, the reason being that in belief and practice, he had departed from the vital doctrine of the Church. Rev Mr Murray then left the room without making any reply.