TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1921, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEM'S.

BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT

INQUEST.

AUCKLAND, Alarch 22

At the inquest into the death of the victims of the accident at Henderson on March sth, when a motor bus fell through a bridge, the Coroner, Mr Poynton, S.AI., said lie intended to enquire only into the cause of death. He would not allou- evidence as to the state of the bridge, which was a subject for other proceedings. After hearing evidence, the Coroner returned a verdict in connection with the death of Mrs Anne Maiden and Miss M. Wilson, in accordance with the medical evidence. ’The Coroner added that no blame was attachable to tne driver of the motor lorry.

THE PATEA SEAT.

KEEN CONTEST EXPECTED

NEW PLYAfOUTH, Alarch 21

The gossip concerning prospective candidates for the Patea by-election lias now been removed by the definite announcement of the following candidates : Mr E. Dixon (Hawera), Government; Air AY. Morrison (Alaxwelltown), Liberal; and Ah- Lewis Mcllvride (Wanganui), Labour. The absence of official support has induced all other candidates ivho were mentioned to withdraw, and with little prospect of anyone else coming forward, the electors of Patea are now left to select their new member in a triangular contest between the three principal parties in the political world to-day. It is going to he a keen election, and each party is early in the field, thoroughly equipped for a strefiuous battle.

RETAIL PRICE OF .MEAT. j AUCKLAND, Alarch 21 I T 1 ie Pric :es Tribunal conferred wiLI j the master butchers in regard to the retail prices of meat* After discussion. Ah- Spraggs, the chairman, compared the wholesale* and retail prices ruling last September with the present prices. He said the difference at the yards was a drop of 2.(i4d, while ti e drop retail was only 1.49 d. Air Lane, president of the Butchers’ Association, replied that in September the hutphers were selling meat at a heavy loss. They could not make any reduction below these already announced. The tribunal has yet to consider if any action is desirable. The Tribunal urges the immediate reduction by ltd to l: ( ! d or lb of the retail meat prices in Gisborne, in sympathy with the" reductions elsewhere, and also recommends the refund of overcharges made dining the dispute between the butchers and the Gisborne .Municipal authorities. WESTPORT HARBOR BOARD. WELLINGTON, Alarch 22 Asked in Parliament what would be the constitution of the AVestport Harbour Board, Mr Massey said it would be controlled by the -Railway Department and the Marine Department. A Board of Control has been appointed, consisting of the. " Secretary to the Treasury, the head of the Marine Department and one other, whose name he could not remember. They were now ready to take over the Board at the beginning of the month.

A PARTNERSHIP CASE. GISBORNE, -March 20

The case Charles W. Ferris v Frederick John Lysifar, over partnership accounts, was concluded in the Supreme Court on Saturday. Defendant controlled a property, on behalf of the partnership. Plaintiff claimed that there should have been more stock and more nmol during the partnership. Defendant averred that losses of sheep Mere heavy on account ol natural causes. The jury, after an absence of six hours, unanimously decided that Lysnar did not deliberately conceal the financial position of the partnership from Ferris, hut Ferris, had he known the financial position of the partnership, would not have entered into the arrangement as made in connection with the sale of the property, and that Ferris kneu' only the hank liability, hut by seven to live the jury agreed that Ferris was not entitled to charge Lysnar any amount in respect of his claim.

UNION S.S. COY

MANAGER INTERVIEWED

DUNEDIN, March 23

Referring to the Wahine trouble, Mr Aiken, General .Manager of the Union S.S. Company, replying to criticism that the Company had made no public statement on tfie matter, said he felt after full inquiry, that a settlement of the trouble Mould not be assisted by making a statement in the newspapers, since that would probably lead to the raking up of alleged grievances, thus making a lot out of the charges, which were dropped by the men, when they were asked by our representatives to discuss them. Our correspondence on the subject sets forth in detail the steps we took to inquire into the men’s complaints and to get the men to discuss the questions. The suggestion that ue have nothing to say in self defence > s quite incorrect, hut. I do not see any good wot fid be served by making a detailed statement. Our reticence is prompted by a desire to conserve the interests of the public.