TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1922, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

| MY TKI.EUKAPU —PER PRESS ASSOUI X'tloS j SHIP'S PAPERS. CHARGE AGAINST MASTER OF STEAMER. AUCKLAND, Pel) 17. The master oi Die Federal 1/ne steam er, Westmoreland, S. T. Deith, was lined| £25 at the Police Court to-da.y for failing to report his ship in correct manner under Section 31 of the Customs Act. The Collector of Customs, 51r Ridings, said that the Act required all vessels arriving from overseas to supply the Custom’s Department within twenty-four hours with a manifesto and a list of bills-of-lading for her cargo. During the war many ships had failed to do this for reasons that were obvious. Since then there had been a slight improvement, but there was a great deal of scope for better compliance with the Act. The Westmoreland loaded at Bristol. Glasgow, and Liverpool and had arrived here with only 206 Liverpool bills-of-lading while it was not tiill nearly a fortnight later that some 900’- bills-of-lading were received. After the arrival of the Westmoreland, the Somerset, also a-Federal Line vessel, came, in to port and she had not’bills at all. After' this the Leitrim, a steamer owned by another company, cam'e here from the same ports and she produced all her papers. Thih made Mr Ridings think there was some slackness on the part of the Federal Line. Mr Bagnall, for the defence, said he understood it had not been the practice for a ship to bring her own papers, which were forwarded by next mail. The information against the master of the Somerset was withdrawn. MiRidings again stressed the point that the proceedings should be a warning.

IN BANKRUPTCY. STOREKEEPER’S FATLIJRE. GREYMOUTH, Feb 16. What was described by the DeputyOfficial Assignee (Mr A. Naylor) as “the most extraordinary bankruptcy h ; , had ever heard of,” was dismissed at the first meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of George Walters, storekeeper, Ikama.tua, who was adjudged bankrupt on the petition of Ashby, Bergh and Co., Ltd. The liabilities (unsecured creditors), totalled £2OOI 16s Tld, and the assets 690. Tlie assets comprise stock-in-trade, chattels and effects, £500; book debts £213 17s (estimated to produce £190). The creditors totalled 38, and the amounts range up to £2OO. Griffon and Smith being the largest creditors. The case was rendered interesting owing tot the action of Grifl'en and Smitli in taking possession of all the assets. This action caused considerable feeling among the other creditors. It was explained by Mr IT . F. Doogan (representing Griffon and Smith) that the firm had taken charge of the assets, which had not been touched, and were at the disposal of the Assignee.

After a lengthy discussion, the creditors, who were not satisfied with the bankrupt’s explanation of his affairs, decided that further investigations were necessary regarding the hook debts collected by Griffon and Smith, also regarding the whole of the assets held by Griffon and Smith.

THE SC A FFO Li ) ING A CCIDFNT AUCKLAND, Feb. 17.

The .aftermath of the recent fatal accident, in Emle'nn’s buildings was an allegation by Mr Ligbtfoot, Inspector of Scaffolding, that K. I?. Taylor (of J. Henderson and Co.) committed a breach of the Scaffolding Act by failing to give twenty-four hours’ notice of his intention to erect scaffolding. A plea of not, guilty was entered on behalf of defendant. Tt was stated that a custom had long prevailed in Auckland by which persons about to erect .scaffoldin’.' sent in notice and often pror! eded to put up stagings on the same -lay. The facts of the case could scarcely he disputed as, the Bench remarked, they were quite clear. Notice on the recognised form was produced and the Magistrate pointed out that it had been sent in on the morning of the day of the ‘(ident. At the request of counsel a. •<m of £*<s s was inflicted. Security for appeal was fixe! al £ls, plus fine and costs. DOMINION KXKCTTrVE CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, Feb. 18. The quarterly meeting of the Dominion Executive «f the N.Z.R.S.A. opened this morning, Major-General Russel! presiding. The membership return for nine months ended December 21st 1921 was as follows : —Wellington 5791, Auckland 5759, Canterbury 4748, Otago 1651, Nelson and Marlborough 948, Gisborne 298. Total 22,195. The total for the corresponding period of the previous year was 31,745 representing at decrease of over 9,000. 1

The following Canterbury remits were passed:—• I.—That the Imperial soldiers, wli • as a result of war disabilities, become service hospital patients, should, while awaiting the decision of the Imperial Government, recording their pensions, receive financial assistance from the National War Funds Council, such assistance to be repaid when the decision of the Imperial authorities regarding the ‘■•oldier’s pension is received. Tt was also decided to approach the British Empire Service League regarding reciprocity between the United Kingdom and New Zealand in these cases.