VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1921, Page 1

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

~, -imKGKAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

IMPERIAL BUTTER

CHRISTCHURCH, June 11

Hon. Nosworthy informed Mr .\le Combs that Government had cominuni rated with the Imperial authorities in regard to repurchase of i utter for con sumption in New Zealand, and had ie-r-eived a definite reply that it was not proposed to sell butter (rom Imperial stock at a loss for local consumption Mr Nosworthy points out that the contracts for sale to the Imperial Gove n ment takes the view that if any butter were taken in to stock in New Zealand on its account is required for home consumption, it cannot be regaled as exportable surplus.

PETONE GAS WORKERS

WELLINGTON, June 11 A crisis has been.reached in regard to the hours and wages of the gas stokers at the Petoiie Municipal Gas works. Up till the end oi last March, the men were working under a private agreement with the Council. Since then the agreement lias expired. The union has therefore asked for a fresh agreement, embodying new rates of wages and conditions. The council, however, has refused to enter into a new private agreement. It has stated that it is only prepared to pay the same weekly wage as was being paid under lie old agreement ('.Co 12s, plus :is bonus), but it has” also sought to somewhat alter the'conditions in a-way which would have the effect ol giving each stoker one day off per week, hut which would increase the hours the men worked from 42 to 48 per week. The stokers have so far refused to accept- these new terms.

The Council has now given the men seven days’ notice, and is at the same time advertising for fresh labour.

TRAMWAYMEN’S DISPUTE,

WELLINGTON, June 11

Conciliation Commissioner Newton lias been instructed to call a conference and see if a settlement is possible in connection with the local tram way men s dispute. The conference will he held on Monday. Should it prove abortive, a Disputes Committee will he set up.

A FATAL FALL. MASTER-TON, June 8. An accident resulting in the death of Edward Bottcheh occurred at tho Wellington Farmers’ Meat Company’s freezing works at Waingnwa yesterday. Deceased, who was about 40 years of age, was employed as a chamber hand and was engaged jn lowering crates ol kidneys through a hatchway. He stepped hack, overbalanced, and fell through the opening to the floor below, a distance of twelve feet. The unfortunate man sustained injuries to his head, which rendered him uncon-

scions. Bottoher was removed to the hospital, whero be died at midnight without having regained consciousness. Bottoher was a native of Riga (Russia) and, so far as is known, was a single man.

METROPOLITAN SHOW. TIM ART), June 10. At a meeting of the committee <>f the Timaru A. and P. Association to-day, a memlier stated that it was now recognised in Christchurch that the Christchurch Show was becoming a back number by reason of the fact that it- was held when the races were on, and the latter attracted the crowd. The speaker added that be believed the Christchurch Show Committee would be glad of an opportunity to alter the dates of the Metropolitan Show.

MAJOR J. O. LUSHAUCKLAND, June 11. The death is announced, of Major Daniel Henderson Lusk, aged 88.

MAN KILLED IN TAXI. CHRISTCHURCH, June 11. As the result of a collision between a taxi and a wagon, Frank Keenan single man, died at the Hospital here. According to the police report, Keenan was the occupant of a taxi whin collided with an nnlighted wagon, driven by Alfred Denton. Keenan received a broken arm and was otherwise knocked about. Tn the Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Denton was fined £2 on a charge of drunkenness and was . also convicted and discharged for driving without lights.