DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1927, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

ARBITRATION RILL.

WELLINGTON, Nov. 7.

Before the Lalwur Bills Committee .Air A. Cook, General Secretary of the X.. Workers’ Fnion, on behalf of the elven Unions of the shearers, threshing machine employees, lntisterers, packers and drovers, proposed to be exempted by the Bill, said: There were about 4000 natives engaged in shearing, and if they were deprived of nrbitratio nit would inflict great hardships and lead to sweating. Tf they wer deprived of their awards, a big reduction in wages would ensue. He was opposed to the proposed amendments in toto.

ALLIANCE OF LABOUR

WELLINGTON. Nov. 2. Claiming to represent A 4.000 James Roberts, Secretary of the Alliance of Labour, gave evidence before the Labour Bills Committee to-day. He was instructed to outer an objection against all the clauses of the Bill which were provocative and would cause unnecessary industrial strife. It would kill all confidence in the Arbitration system. It would kill collective bargaining and would result in sweating. The farmers would find they had drawn a blank in the political lottery. The idea of casual assessors was impracticable.

A.X.R.S. PROTEST

WELLINGTON. Nov. 7

At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servant to-day, the following resolution was passed: “That this Committee strongly oppose any alteration in the constitution of the Railway Appeal Board, as suggested by the Prim e .Minister.”

A PLUCKY GREASER. WELLINGTON, Nov. 7

Speaking of Corby’s action, a wellknown Wellington business man said: “Tt was splendid. Corby was lightly clothed. He leaped to the rail without hesitation and dived at once. The wreckage was then already astern, and the snddennes of the whole tiling was broil,glit home by the fad that Corby’s attempt at rescue was the first thing it was possible to do.” A graphic description of Corby’s heroism is given by another passenger. This man. be said, appeared to lie Hie first to dive overlvoard and start bis heroic work. He was a powerful swimmer and within a. quarter of an hour, had assisted numerous passengers of the ill-fated ferry Iwiat. who were struggling in the water. He himself became exhausted by bis efforts and was dragged aboard one of the mail steamers' boats, which were by tlion helping, hut after a short spell he returned to Ills task, and wa.s seen to dive repeatedly in Ha' neighbourhood of the sunken ferry boat. This man was a hero, but everything possible was done by the officers and crew of tlio Tahiti to rescue the unfortunate passengers. It was some minutes, of course, before the boats could ho lowered and got awav. The Tahiti was well past (he scene of the tragedy before she could lie hove to, but remarkable ex|K!(lition was shown. Lifebelts were thrown overboard by anyone who could see one. and undoubtedly assisted many who were struggling in (lie water lo keep afloat. Tt was a tragedy, the like of which T hope 1 shall never again experience. Tt. of course, east a gloom on the whole ship, and was our solo topic of conversation. The Tahiti did not resume her voyage until long after she barl done all she could.”

DIVORCE SETT. AUCKLAND, Xov. 7

On the ground of his wife’s misconduct with a man unknown, William Livingstone TTatclnvell Sinclair Burgess, an Army officer, of "Wellington, was granted a decree nisi in the Supreme Court, the ease being undefended. Air Xortlieroft said that Colonel Burgess married his wife. Flora AfaeDonnld. in 1921. Tn July 1925, respondent went to England and on her return petitioner noticed a change in her manner towards liim. She admitted having formed an attachment on the steamer with a young man. A few days later she asked if she could go to Australia, and her husband, thinkin" Ihe journey might cure her of her infatuation allowed her to go. Afrs Burgess left a let!or for petitioner’s sislv saying that sbe bad fallen in love with a lmy of 25. and bad lost ber affection for her husband. Sbe admitted tha* sbe alone was to blame and described ber husband as a perfect gentle knight Later sbe sent a letter to the petitioner referring to a man. “ .Terry.” and stating she honed to find employment in Sydney. Petitioner persuaded her to return, but she stayed with him only ten (lays, and then went to her mother. In October. 1925. sbe sailed for England. Sbe did not return, but wrote ber husband to divorce ber. admitting misconduct. Petitioner in o'->" donee, denied any suggestion of collusion. AO Xortlicroft, suggested that there was no need of corroborative evidonoe. TTis Honor agreed and a decree was granted, to be made absolute at tlie expiration of three months.

ALLEGED THEFT. OTSBOBXE. Xov. 7. At the Police Court at Tolago Bay. John Marshall Reedy, sheep farmer. Buatoria. pleaded not guilty to theft of a bullock and was committed for trial. DBFXKEX TAXIDRIVER JAI LED. GISBORXE. Xov. 7. \ sequel to a drunken taxidriver’s crash into a man on horseback e.t To-laga Bay. on June 11th. was heard by Afagistrate Lovvey at the Tolagp Bay Court to-day. when Gilbert Schultz, who failed to appear. was charged with being intoxicated while in charge of ‘a car, a negligent driver driving without lights, failure to stop after t.’ie accident, and failure to report the accident to the police. Evidence was given to the effect that Schultz, while intoxicated, crashed into a man on ,a horse, and the rider ami animal were pitched into He roadway. Schultz drove on without stopoing. When questioned, he denied having had an accident On the first charge, accused w;is sentenced to thirty days’ hard labour. and was convicted and discharged on the remaining charges.