DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1923, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

MI)TORTST ACQUITTED

[BY IBLECRAI’n —PUR PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CARPENTERS’ DISPUTE. AYELUNGTOX, May 30. The Conciliation Council sat tiyis morning to consider tho Dominion carpenters' award, filed by tho Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners. Mr T. Bloodworth, representing the workers, said that two sides of the table were in agreement on 75 per cent, of the claims made, the main questions remaining being those of hours and wages and new proposals regarding apprentices. They were suggesting a five-day week. This already applied in Auckland to a large .extent, but not on tho same lines as proposed in the claims. Another principle they were seeking to establish was a weekly wage. At present men lost their wages every time the weather interfered with work.

BLENHEIM FLOOD. DANGER, RECURS. BLENHEIM, May 29. The carrying capacity of the AYairnu river was much reduced hv the breach made in the protective honking at Spring Creek, on tile occasion of the high flood, and the swollen state in which the stream had been kept by the continuous rain has caused llic settlers in the neighbourhood much apprehension. The other night, it is reported, the river'had assumed so threatening an appearance Hint- residents in the danger zone tied their horses near their doors, so as to be able to escape quickly in the case of a sudden invasion. However, nothing worse happened than the inundation of a limited area, comprising about a dozen farms. No great damage was done, in fact the big visitation leit- very little to be done, but the occurrence brings out the seriousness of tho fact that between 3003 and -1000 acres of good agritculturo land will be subject to attention hv any moderate ilood. so long as the broach ill the hank at AA'hil tie’s Bond remains open. The position "makes it impossible for the farmers to put- ill their crops.

BAND CONTEST. CHRISTCHURCH, May 30. At a meeting of the 'Christchurch Band Contest Committee, it was decided to offer prize money totalling £ISOO. This amount exceeds that of any previous contest in Australasia. Tiie contest- will he held in February next. Lord Jollicoc advised that lie was pleased to accent the office of patron. It was agreed that there should he selections for A and B grade hands, and that the same should apply to tlm quickstep, and that the "own choice” should he open to both grades. The Publicity Committee was instructed to circularise all hands in the Dominion ami the Commonwealth, giving full details of the contest.

AYELUNGTOX, May 30 At tho Supreme Court, Thomas Francis Bailey was charged with manslaughter, in consequence of the death of a lad named Herbert; Reginald Johnstone, arising out .of n motor accident at Karori, It was contended hv the Crown that the accused had driven in. a negligent manner. In order to avoid a- tramear, it was alleged, he had swerved too much, striking and killing the lad on the side of the road. Tt was stated that the corner was known to he a particu-lai-lv dangerous one, though no bylaw dealt with the speed around this particular corner.

The Crown maintained the sliced there was sot down by tlic general City by-law at six miles an hour. For the defence, it was stated that there had been no speeding, or acting in an unreasonable manner. The accused bad suddenly swerved to avoid a tram, and did all possible to avoid a collision. The jury found a verdict of not guilty.