TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1922, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

I BY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION

SEAMEN’S WAGES. WELLINGTON, March 16,

A counter claim has been filed by the New r Zealand Seamen’s Federation against the proposals of the shipowners for an Arbitration Court award in respect to' seamen engaged in New Zealand ships. The “Post” is informed that the proposals of the shipowners to carry wages back to the rates under the agreement in operation! 'n 1917, and represent a reduction of £1 16s 8d per month on the wages now' paid, exception in the cases of ordinary seamen where a reduction of £3 6s 8d is asked for.

The Federation’s counter proposals suggest a daily rate of wages, which is equal to an increase of £2 per calendar month, of wages current last November. or an increase of 13s Id iriomhly on wages now r paid.

FIRE BIHGADET DEMON STRATI ON.

DAXNEYTRKE, March 11

A total of 184 teams have entered for the United Fire Brigades district competition to bo held at Dannovirke at Easter. Districts arc represented from Wellington to Napier.

THEFT OF OPIUM. WELLINGTON, March 15

A youth named Charles Aloysius 'Wilkinson, laboratory assistant at Victoria University, was charged at the Police Oourt to-day with the theft of opium valued at £SO, the property of the Government. Another youth, Harold Fairchild Pobar, was charged with receiving.

According to the prosecution, the Customs’ Department in 1915 forwarded a quantity of opium lo the University for alkaloids to be extracted for use in the military hospitals and hospital ships. Wilkinson had access to the opium, the residue of which had been left in a barrel locked in the storeroom. The accused admitted taking several, tins, stating that lie had heard students sav that a lot of money was going to waste. The opium was given to Pobar, who sold it to Chinese, the proceeds being divided. The police visited the promises of certain Chinese who were alleged nr he purchasers of the opium, hut found nothing. Wilkinson pleaded guilty. He said he was 17 years of age. Pobar gave him £3O as a .half-share of the sales. The actual value of the opium was about £4. Pobar also pleaded guilty. Both were committed to the Supreme ('mill for sentence.

THE LICENSING COMMISSION WELLINGTON, March 16.

Interviewed by a reporter to-day, Mr F. E- Hockly, M.P., chairman of the Recess Parliamentary Commission, appointed to consider what amendments in the Licensing Act may he necessary should no-license not be carried at the poll at the end of the year, stated definitely that the proceedings of the Committee would not be open to the Press.

MINERS’ TEST OAOT. MINIMUM WAGE, REFUSED. INVERCARGILL, March 16. An important case to mining interests was decided by Mr G. Cruiok--1 shank S.M., to-day. A miner sued the | Nightcaps Coal Company to recover the j difference between £8 11s. being wages due for 81 days working at a minimum wage of 18s, and G 5 3s 5d being th P amount earned at the tonnage rate being paid by the company. The case was a test one under the new award, by which a considerable reduction has been made in the earnings of the miners The Magistrate said that the difference in the output and earnings of men under the old agreement and the new award was very, very striking The plaintiff, before Christmas had averaged 3$ tons of coal hewn, and made a daily wage of £1 16s. Now his average output was 2\ tons. FTis average wage was only 13s lOd. Generally each was sending out one ton less per day, bub was earning less than half the former wages. No one could say 13s. was a fair wage for a conscientious miner. The award had fixed the wage at 18s per day, when the men were on piece work. Clause 25 of the award compelled the company to make the men’s earnings up to 18s a day when working on a tonnage rate if tK* man through no fault of his own was unable to earn 18s pe r shift. The company he said, had refused to make up the extra payment, alleging that the men, being dissatisfied with the new award, were going slow. The onus was on the company to prove , that. The plaintiff seemed to His Worship to he a fine type of miner, with a long experience in Wales and in America. If the company considered that a miner was not earning an average of 18s at the tonhage rates, through malingering or limiting output, it should dismiss him. The award tonage rates were so low that, to his mind, a miner could not earn a minimum wage. The company, said His Worship, had failed to convince him that the man’s failure to earn 18s was through any fault of his own, and judgment must be for the amount claimed, with costs. POSTAL EMPLOYEE ARRESTED. WANGANUI, March 16. Detective Sergt. Cameron to-day arrested a young married man named Cecil Harold Pugh, a postal employee, on a charge of theffj of £lO5 10s., the property of the New Zealand Government. Accused was brought before the Court and remanded for a week, hail being fixed at £SO.

A DUNEDIN OUTBREAK. DUNEDIN, March 16. A fire in a confectionery premises in Maclaggan Street this evening resulted in the destruction of the rear portion of the building. The main portion downstairs and the top storey were slightly damaged by smoke. The building and stock are insured with the Phoenix: office, but the amount is unknown. The owners, Messrs Stewart and Sons estimate their loss at about £ISOO.

CONGREGATIONAL UNION ANNUAL MEETING.

CHRISTCHURCH, March 16.

The annual meeting of the Congregational Union of New r Zealand opened to-day, the Rev. F. Warner (Auckland) presiding. The report stated the w'ork of the various churches had been well maintained. Begret was expressed at the loss of many colleagues and workers during the year, and mention was made of a bequest of £2OOO to the Pastors’ Provident Fund by the late Mrs Daldy. of Auckland.

The Committee on Union expressed its appreciation of the courtesy and cordiality with which the Presbyterian Assembly bad received its overtures. In the afternoon Professor Chilton delivered an address on “Communities, Animal and Human,” and in the evening the Chairman gave his presidential address, his theme being “The Response of the Church to the Cry of the Times.”

SCULLTNG RACE. WANGANUI. March 16

Radfield and Paddon signed articles to-day to row for the world’s championship on April 18th. (Easter 7'uesda{y), and a second deposit of 6100 was handed to the stake-holders on behalf of each man.

TIMBER INDUSTRY

TAUMARUNUI,, March 16

A general meeting of sawmillers was held here to-day, having been convened by the Main Trunk Timber Trade Protection Guild. It was attended by over fifty executive representatives of the sawmills between the Thames and Rotorua and Hunterville. Matters of grave import to the industry and the community were considered. The main difficulty facing the industry is a dearth of orders and a slackness of trade.

After discussion, a motion wac adopted, reducing the hours of work by closing down on Saturday. If the slump continues, a further reduction of the working hours may be necessary.

This measure has been adopted as being loss likely to cause liarship than the closing down of the mills would do. Should any appreciable reduction in the production costs he attained by the contemplated reduction in wages, the benefit is to he given immediately to the consumer by reduced prices. *

LICENSING LAW. WELLINGTON, March 16 The Select Committee appointed by Parliament to review the licensing legislation and consider suggested amendments met to-day, Mr Hockley acting as chairman. The Press was not admitted. Tie committee decided to take evidence and several witnesses will be heard this afternoon. It is not antieipated that the deliberations will extend over more than a few days. The chairman stated that anybody desiring to give evidence should immediately notify him.

KAIAPOI FLOURM ILLS BURNT. CHRISTCHURCH, March 10 The Kaiapoi flourmills, a four-storied building, was completely destroyed by fire early this morning. It is thought the outbreak was due to the heating of a pulle.v-block. About 20 tons of flour were destroyed, while 11,000 sacks of wheat were so damaged as to be practically useless. The mills belonged to the estate of the late Richard Evans. The building and stock were insured in the New Zealand Co.

DANGER, TO MINERS

MTNK MANAGER CHARGED

AUCKLAND, March 16

Alexander Penman, mine manager, was fined £2O and c osts in the Police Court to-day for failing to use safety lamps in the Rotowaru mine. He pleaded guilty. Mr Meredith, for the Mines Department, stated that small portions of gas have been found in the mine. The owners were notified that safety lamps would have to be used. Subsequently the Mine Manager notified the Inspector of Mines that he proposed leaving the safety lamps out, with the exception of those in one place. He was warned that if the lamps were not put in a prosecution would follow.

Counsel for the defence said that for years, naked lights had been used, except when developing the headings. Gas had been found from time to time, but in such small quantities as not to be considered dangerous. ANOTHER PROSECUTION.

Four informations were laid against Thomas Thomson, mine manager, Henry Fox, and Deputy Thomas Young, for using explosives other than those permitted in the Wnipa mine, such mine not being open to cost working and not being naturally wet throughout.

Mr Meredith stated that during the war, no objection wag raised to the use of gunpowder as other explosives were difficult to proem e, but the mine became dangerous undei the methods adopted. The Minea Department, therefore, notified that only the permitted explosives should be used. The manager declined this, saying that there waß no necessity.

Evidence for and agaimrfc ®he contention that the mine was not wet through out was heard, the defendants pleading not guilty, the hearing was adjourned.