DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 25, 23 September 1912, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

BETTERING STATE WORKERS

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, September 22. The Hon. F. M. Fisher, speaking at a dinner on Saturday night, "said that ho hoped within a month or two to effect an improvement in the conditions of employees of the Government printing office. He had visited the office and found that had the place been in charge of a private concern the conditions under which the men were > working would bo a disgrace. The place was cramped and ohowded, and work was done unde most inoanitary conditions. He hoped the Government would try to better the ooadi'tions of all State omployees.

BARQUENTINE DISABLED. Wellington, September 22

The barquentine Wanganui, late Carla, owned by Hatrick and Co., which left Wanganui on Thursday for Sydney, timber laden, came to grief, on Friday when a squall came up and she became dismasted. Captain Burquist and the crew had rather an exciting time cutting the rigging away. The vessel drifted down the coast, and was driven across Cook Strait when tho steamer Kapiti sighted her and towed her into Wellington on Saturday evening* The damage is estimated at £IOOO or £I2OO. WANGANUI'S ENTERPRISE. Wanganui, September 22., A party of members of Parliament arrived early on Saturday morning in response to an invitation from the Chamber of Commerce to spend a' week end in Wanganui at 9.30. The visitors divided into two parties, one going in motors to Mangamahu and the others to Parapara. The visitors were greatly impressed by the potentialities of the district, and predicted that when the Raetihi railway was put through and the necessary reading done the district will rank as one of the most important in New Zealand. In the afternoon the party wore taken to various points of, interest in the town. In the evening a big banquet was held. There was an up the river excursion on Sunday. The weather was very bad, and to a great extent spoiled the rally.

DOMINION DAY, IN WELLINGTON.

Wellington, September 22

Dominion Day will be observed on Monday by the Government, City Council, " banks, insurance offices, lawyers, stockbrokers and State schools as a whole day holiday. The Mayor has invited the citizens to decorate their business places and houses with flags in honour of the day. There will bo no parade of military. The Early Settlers' Association will meet in the Town Hall in the evening, and the Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Massey) and Sir Joseph Ward are expected to bo present and to deliver addresses. FIRE AT TAIHAPE. Taihape, September 23. Fire totally destroyed a four-roomed cottage and contents, owned and occupied by Mr Baird, manager of the Manawatu Co.'s sawmill. Mr Baird was recently married. The furniture was valued at £220, but all was lost, being uninsured. The cottage was insured for £72 in the New Zealand office. No one was in the house after the early morning, the fire being discovered about midday, but was then too far advanced to salvage anything. SLIP ON MAIN TRUNK LINE. Taihape, September 23. A slip on the Main Trunk between Hahitahi and Ngaruke delayed the express about two hours.