TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1921, Page 4

TELEGRAMS

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT.

FALSE DECLARATION. AUCKLAND, Feb. 8

A line of £2 was imposed at the Supreme Court on Edith McKay, charged with having wilfully made a false declaration in respect to the registration of a birth. The charge arose out of a case heard on January 24th in which the chief witness admitted that he bad gone through a bogus marriage with accused and that she did not know of the deception until after registering the first child’s birth, the offence being in connection with the second birth. In returning a verdict of guilty, the jury added that accused had not realised the seriousness of her false entry and was therefore entitled to mercy. His Honour said the verdict was extremely proper and sensible. The ease was really a trivial one of its kind.

PROSECUTION OF BOOKMAKERS

WELLINGTON, Feb. 0. In both hookmaking eases before the Supreme Court, the jury failed to agree. Now trials were ordered for Monday. In the Livingstone ease the jury was out for six hours. In the Martindale case, the foreman intimated that it the jury was out for a week, there was no chance of agreement. SUSPECTED SM ALL PON CASE. WELLINGTON, Feb. 9.

The steamer Moana, from Sydney, arrived this afternoon, hut as a suspicious case is reported on boaid, the vessel was not allowed to berth, and remains in the stream. Jhe Health Officers visited the vessel and examined the patient. At the time of telegraphing they, had not diagonised the case. It is suspected small pox, and sufficiently so to warrant making a public pronouncement turther investigation will be made to-morrow.

NO OVERTIME

WELLINGTON, Feb. 9

The watersidors here put into operation the no overtime system to-day. They decline to work large vessels. It is understood sonic smaller vessels will he worked, but the men say that as a general rule they will decline to work after 5 p.m.

SEAMEN’S BONUS

WELLINGTON, Feb 9,

No further move has yet been made by the seamen in connection with the failure of yesterday’s conference to agree to the amount of the cost of living bonus. The position is being considered by the Executive of the Seamen’s Federation. Mr Young (general secretary of the Seamen’s Union), stated to-day there were no further develop monts to report. The men were recently offered ten shillings a month, but do not regard it. as adequate.

COAL DISPUTE

WELLINGTON, Feb. 9. Confirmation of the report that the Kaitangaka. miners have decided to resume work unconditionally was received in Wellington to-day. This clears (lie mining air. The Committee set up at the instance of the Prime Minister can now assemble and adjudicate upon tuo alleged victimisation of Mr Henderson by the Blackball Company. Th date for the meeting of the Committee has not yet been fixed, but it. is understood the Prime Minister will call a meeting about tho middle of next week.

It iis reported work at the other mines is proceeding briskly, so that n full output should be restored for a week before the meeting.

PATENT SLIP DISPUTE

WELLINGTON,. Feb 9

Tho trouble which arose at the Patent Slip a fortnight ago, regarding payment of “Dirt Money,” has been settled. The boilermakers are to return to work to-morrow morning, and make a subsequent application to the Arbitration Court for an interpretation of the clause in dispute. SHEARING HANDS WAGES. WELLINGTON, Eeb 9. A dispute has arisen between the Sheepowners’ Federation and Shearers and Shed hands, concerning wages to be paid to pastoral workers in the 19-1 season. A conference between repiesenlatives of the partial took place today, but no decision was arrived at. The President of the Owners' Federation (H. D. Acland) pointed out there bad been a large depreciation in the wool market. He quoted the following offer to tho shearers representatives in reduction of present rates:—Shearers £1 per 1(X); pressers £2 ‘2s tid weekly or Is 3d per hour; other shed hands £2 per week, or Is 2d per hour; cooks £3 a week; cooks assistants £2 a week. Other working conditons to remain unaltered.

The Union delegates presented the following demands:—Shearers £1 15s per 100 ; pressers, £5 per week, or 2s 6d an hour; all other shed hands £4 5s a w'eek or 2s 3d per hour; youths £3 per week, or ls 9d per hour; cooks £5 10s per week; cooks assistants £5 a week. A complete deadlock was arrived at but the claims are to bo considered beforo the Conciliation Council.

TP AINING TEACHERS. WELLINGTON, Feb. 9. At the Education Conference to-day, Mr W. Brock (Canterbury) suggested tlu> abolition of the existing system of pupil teachers and probationers, and that trainees should first go to a Normal School for training before commencing teaching. Mr Caughley (Assistant Director of Education) and the Minister pointed out the financial difficulties of the piesent position, and said that now they had pupil teachers they must make tho best of it. The former said that already a move rvas being made in the direction indicated by Mr Brock.