DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by telegraph—per press association.]

COAL MINING. AUCKLAND, May 15. The fact that most of the coal miners’ unions in New Zealand have cancelled their registration under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act was referred 'to with regret at a meeting of shareholders of the TJaupiri Coal Alines Ltd. The chairman (Hon. Alison) said the agreement with the mine workers expired on April 30th, hut under the Act the agreement remained in force until a new agreement was made. Prior to that date, practically all the Unions in New Zealand had cancelled their registrations. The Coal Miners Federation has nwule a demand upon the coal mine owners of the AVest Coast, lie continued, and these demands are now under consideration between the parties. I do not know to what extent the demands ol the Federation are likely to be acceded to by the AVest Coast mine owners, but if similar demands are made upon (be Waikato coal mine owners, it will be quite impossible to accede to them. He was pleased to be able to state that during the. currency of the agreement under the Act there were no disputes or difficulties of any moment and the output of coal per miner per shift had been most satisfactory. In his opinion the cancellation of their legislation by unions was a matter for regret. The directors had done all in their power to make the conditions loi the men as comfortable as possible. A village laid been established at liotowaro and lie could assure those shareholders who bad not seen the houses, that they would not object to live m them. life expressed the hope that the company would have no stoppage. That should not occur now that the men had cancelled their registuation. The company would do all it could to assist them, consistent with the miner doing his part.

ACCIDENTS. CHRISTCHURCH, -May 15. Frederick Cockrolt, of 53 Lichfield Street, was admitted to Christchurch Hospital on Saturday, he having fa 1 !- en off a bicycle. Ho was siillering from bruises and concussion, but-bis condition is not believed to be serious. Mrs Alorley, of Clyde Road, Fcnd-d----ton, was knocked down by a car on Papanui Road, on Saturday, and was admitted to the hospital in a serious condition. COAL AGREEMENT. CONCLUDED AT REEFTOX. REEFTON, May 15. Tho coal conference between the mine owners and the unions’ representatives concluded to-day. Subject to ratification by the mine owners and tho unions concerned, a settlement has boon reached, to come into operation at the commencement of the third pay, a fortnight after ratiiiclation for a period of two years. The terms include the following:— (1) An alteration in the method of payment for pillar extraction. 2) Payment of (id each for all props under 12 feet.

(3) A small inurc*se in the aduk daily wage rates.

(4) A slight alteration in tho preference clause.

(5) An amendment in the wet place clause.

(6) The question of an increase in the minors’ minimum and the question of a seven-hour shift for the men continuously employed on the “'logwatch” shift to he settled by a commute of three representatives of each side, with an independent chairman, to he agreed upon.

A committee meeting will he held at Reefton on Tuesday next to consider a local dispute, affecting only the Denniston incline workers. .MOTOR. REGISTRATION. CHRISTCHURCH, Alay 15. The Postal Department completed the handling of the motor registration bus. iness on Saturday. To date there hive been over thirteen hundred sets of number plates issued, while a large number of vehicles are still to lie dealt with. ATTKAII >TKI) .SUICIDE. AUCKLAND, May 15. Frederick ALoxoni, aged forty-three, u-as churned ill the Police Court -vith attempted suicide. He was seen to climb on the parapet on Grafton Bridge at 7.30 o’clock this morning by a man who rescued him from his precarious position, and took him to the police station. Though the accused pleaded not guilty, Sub-Inspector Lcwin, stated Moxom loft a letter for his wife, indicating, what he intended. Ho was icliyiwlcd till Tuesday. DIVORCE CASE. AUCKLAND, May 15. A defended divorce action before Judge Herdniau *uid a jury at the Supreme Court yesterday, concluded Into in the afternoon, when the jury found the respondent had not been guilty of misconduct. Ihe parties wete Gertrude Alexandra AA ebb and Atkinson Webb, circus proprietor. It was alleged by Airs AA ebb that her husband had misconducted himself with Airs Selbv, who was employed in respondent’s circus. The petitioner stated, in evidence, that slic had urged her husband to re-engage Airs Selby after she had been discharged at the instigation of witness. She thought that she would thus catch the pair, if that happened, .and would then li.ue tho evidence she wanted. The Judge: “A most extraordinary state of affairs. You were affording your husband every opportunity to commit misconduct with this woman.’* In another letter witness had endeavoured to arrange with Airs Selby to admit that she had lived with her husband as man and wife, so that she could sue for a divorce on the ground of misconduct with an unknown womail.

The Judge said that wps a disgraceful state of affairs. The respondent, in evidence, denied he had ever misconducted himself with Airs Selby, who had been connected with the show merely as a performer. Ho also denied any admission of misconduct.

The Judge said the case was a queer one'. The fact that -the petitioner lived with her husband after receiving what she considered proof of his. infidelity should make the Jury sceptical as to her actions. No woman of decent instincts would have behaved as she did. The jury returned a verdict for respondent after twenty minutes, and the petition was dismissed without costs. ART UNION TICKET THEFT. GISBORNE, May 15. Yt the Police Court, a middle-aged man, Robert Hodgson Dewliirst, was charged with obtaining two pounds front"the sale of tickets in an art tin-

ion promoted by-file Grey Lynn Labour Party, and failing to account for the money. Ho was sent to gaol for thjry days, without hard labour. POWER HOUSE FIRE. HASTINGS, May 15. A fire occurred at the Hastings power house and pumping station at eleven o’clock yesterday evening. The outbreak was confined to a shed containing a few steel drums and a small well of oil and a number of empty barrels. Tho Brigade, quickly on the scone, soon had the flames, which gave a. brilliant display of colour, under control. Had the flames reached the bulk tanks nefarby, containing thirtynine thousand gallons of crude oil, the consequences would have been serious. The loss consisted of from five to six hundred gallons of crude oil, which was covered by insurance. NEW CONVENT OPENED. GREY-MOUTH, Alay 17. The new convent was opened yesterday bvTlis Lordship Bishop Brodie. before "a very large assemblage from, all over the district. Speeches wore made by Rev. Father Long, Air W. Parfitt (Mayor), Air T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P. His Lordship Bishop Brodie, Rev. Dr. Kennedy, and Air AI. Daly. The collection amounted to £7BO. A NEW TRAWLER. AUCKLAND, Alay 17. Kn route from Papeeti to Sydney, the French steamer Tameliari arrived at 9.15 on Saturday night for fresh water and stores. It is expected she will resume her voyage to-night. She was originally built in England for mine sweeping. She is proceeding to Sydney to he converted into a trawler for use in New South Wales. CHARABANC BURNT. AUCKLAND, Alay 17. A charabanc owned by M. McCarthy was destroyed by fire near Maramar, through tho engine hack firing. The loss is estimated at £1,500. FIRE AT DEVONPORT. AUCKLAND, Alay 17. A lire at Devonport at one o’clock on Afonday morning destroyed four rooms of a six-roomed house owned by R. Fredalovitch, of Victoria Rond. Airs Frodaloviteh and children made a hasty exit, Frodaloviteh being away from home. It is understood that the house and furniture was insured.