DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1923, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRATH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.] FOUND DROWNED. CHRISTCHURCH, May 30. Matilda Barlow, 52 years of age, wife of Air J. AC Barlow, of Te Aroha, was found drowned in the women’s swimming pool at Haiinier Hospital, wiiere she was a patient. TEPI'KE GOLD MIXERS. TAUItAXGA, Mny 30. Tho miners and other employees at Aiuir's Gold Reefs, Ltd. Te Puke, ceased work oil Alny I2tii. as a result of proposed reduction in wages by the company a settlement of the dispute reached, and work will lie continued immediately. The two main conditions on which the agreement is based are: (1) On the. resumption of work tiie company will commence to pay and continue to pay until August 31st next the rates of wages which were in operation on .May 11th. and it is agreed that as early as possible the question of rates and wages to lie paid after August 31st. shall he submitted to a Conciliation Council. Failing a settlement being arrived at by a Conciliation Council, the matter shall be submitted to the Arbitration Court.

(2) All the contracts existing between members o! the union and company from Alny 12th. 1923, having become forfeited, the union undertakes to grant full freedom to all its members to lender or negotiate for any contract with the company without any restriction regarding prices.

ICS. COAIAIISSIOXER. WELLINGTON, May 30 When the subject of the appointment of a Public Service Commissioner was mentioned fo the Prime Afiuister to-day, Air Alassey said: “The I> u |,lie Service Commissioner is selected.” Tie said also that he had no other announcement to make respecting the matter. Air Alassey added that the Public Service Commissioner was appointed by the Governor-General, and that all the papers wore now before His Excellency. THE AIANGAIIAO DISASTER. PETITION DISAIISSED. WELLINGTON, May 31 Mr Justice Salmond has delivered judgment in the ease of Emma Birss v. the King, in which a special case had been stated under the code of civil procedure. Supplicant claimed damages from the Crown under the “Deaths by Accident Compensation Act, 1!)0S,” for tho death of her son Charles William Birss. Deceased was a member of the party of co-opera-tive workers who made a contract with the Public Works Department for constructing the tunnel in connection witli the Alangahao hydro eleetirc works on July 3rd. He. along with several other members of the party, met their deaths by inhaling noxious gasses which, the supplicant alleged, had been allowed to accumulate hy the negligence of the Government servants who wore charged with the duty of ventilating the tunnel. Co-operative workers were not servants of the Crown, line independent contractors.

After dealing at much length willi the law points involved, .Mr Justice Salmond said the Crown was under no obligation to the relatives of deceased under the “Deaths hy Accident Compensation Act.” lie therefore dismissed the petition with”costs according to scale.

BANKRUPT BUILDER. REAYARD FOR. IDS ARREST. AUCKLAND, .May 31 A hundred pounds reward is offered hy Winstone Ltd. for information leading to the arrest of George Alorris, builder, formerly of this city. Morris disappeared leaving, it lias been stated, debts amounting to C-'iOt'lO. These are in connection v. ifh blliMer.-,’ apple., and ai:o moneys due to his late workmen. Having ascertained. by wireless, that Morris did not leave hv iho Niagara. his creditors now hold the view that ho is still in the Dominion. This opinion would seem to bo su|>pnrted by the fact that the motor ear lie used in journeying from job to job has, apparently, been taken away l>v him, and this opens up the possibility that he may have gone on a journey and might have mot with a mishap, thereby preventing him from returning to meet his anxious creditors. The .Supreme Court yesterday made an order declaring ATorris bankrupt. WELLINGTON’S RA rXFALL. EXCEPTIONALLY WET .MONTH. WELLINGTON, .May 31 Although Wellington has escaped the Hoods which have devastated other places, this lias been an exceptionally wet mentli. If more falls to-day tiie total rainfall will he 9.05 inches, the highest, monthly record since Alay 1913. when II.S inches were registered. Rain has fallen on twenty (lays this month, and tiie average for .May in Wellington is 4.73 inches.

The present month's rainfall lias only been exceeded three times in the [last sixty years. The heaviest fall for any month was 12.94 inches n October, 1901. A GRKYAIOUTM FRACAS. CHARGE OF AIANSLAUGIITER. DUNEDIN, A lay 31. Charles Aliclmel Doyle, a fireman on the Kaitima, was charged at the Police. Court with inlansiki lighter. It was alleged that during a fight on the ship at Greyinouth on April 2nd, the accused threw William Henry Simpson to the deck, injuring him so that lie find to be taken to the hospital where he died shortly afterwards. Accused was remanded to Greymoutii on June 6th. DAIRY CONTROL BILL. lIAAIILTON, Al'ay 31. A conference of lepresentatives of South Auckland and Bay of Plenty Dairy- Companies approved of the principles cf the Dairy Control Bill. SHOT HIAISELF. lIAAIILTON, AT ay 31. A young man, George Nicholson, who was found lying with a gun beside bim and a note indicating his wishes in regard to the disposal of his property! died at the hospital to-day. WINTER SHOW. lIAAIILTON, Alay 31. The Waikato Winter Show poultry championship was awarded to a ’ utility black Orpington male belonging to N. A. Nmning; fancy Alindrac male, H. Hanson; female. W* Bailey; Buff Pekin Bantam, male, K. C. Brown; female, Betts Bros. The Governor-General visits the show to-night. Tho takings are still a record. ANOTHER CONFERENCE. AUCKLAND. Aray 31. In connection with Kikurnngi Coal Miners’ Dispute it is probable that ns a request from the New Zealand Miners’ Federation, another Conference between the parties will be held. Afr Hally. Conciliation Commissioner, expresses the opinion that if such a Conference eventuates there is every prospect of the. difficulty being overcome,

■ OBITUARY. AUCKLAND, May 31. Obi tun ry—George Court, of the firm of George Court Ltd., drapers, aged seventy-one. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. PALAIERSTOX X., Alay 31. At the Police Court, Victor Kirnen and Andrew Colt, escapees from the Weraroa Training Farm, pleaded guilty to two charges of breaking and entering local premises and stealing money and goods. They were also charged with breaking and entering premises at Levin and stealing articles of wear and food. They were committed to tho Supremo Court at Wellington for sentence. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A PPOIXTMEXTS. WELLINGTON. May 31. The following are the new appointments to the Legislative Council: James Craigie, Timarn: Francis Ainnder, Auckland; Dr. A. K. Newman. AYelliiigton ; Edward Newman, Marton; and AVireinu Rikihann, of Hokiangn., representing the Maori race. The appointments date from to-mOrrow.