DOMINION TELEGRAMS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 45, 16 October 1912, Page 6

DOMINION TELEGRAMS.

TROUBLE ON THE KATPARA. (Per Press .Association.) Dnnedin, October 15. The trouble amongst the officers on the liner Kaipara appears to have readied an acute stage recently, in consequence, it is alleged, of their being overworked during the time the vessel has been discharging on the New Zealand coast. In order to expediate the vessel's discharge, cargo operations have been Carried on night and day up north, and the officers alleged that they not only had to remain in the holds clay and night to supervise cargo handling, but had also to assist in the navigation of the vessel between ports. On behalf of the officers it is said that their objections availed nothing, and they decided to leave the ship in a body. This was duly laid before the office in Christchurch, with the result that the officers were advised to allow the matter to remain in abeyance until the arrival of the Kaipara in London, in order' that the grievance might be dealt with at headquarters. Meanwhile the officers were informed that during the remainder of the vessel's sojourn in coastal ports the day's duty would conclude at 5 p.m. The Kaipara is owned by the New Zealand Shipping Company, but is at present under charter to the Federal Shire Line. FIRE BRIGADE IN CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch, October 15. It was rumoured in town to-day that there still existed a number of vacancies in the Fire Brigade staff as the outcome of the trouble with the men and the, action taken thereon; by the Fire Board. A reporter made enquiries in regard to these rumours, and was informed.!that not onlyjhad all "tlje, vacant positions been filled, but they could have'llee'n filled over again from amongst the men applying. There were only three auxiliaries at Sydenham, and all had left, hut one had signed the requisition and practically had to go, and now two men were standing by in the interim. In conversation with the reporter. Superintendent Warner ..considered that; the, -rumours,were so ridiculous that he did not regard: them as worth answering. The Brigade received a call this morning to an outbreak in Murray Place, St. Albans, where a fence had caught alight through the owner having placed against it lighted soot he had taken from a. chimney. Two motors fully manned were despatched to the scene, and the conflagration was quickly subdued after a few feet of tho fence had been destroyed. CRUELTY TO A CHILD. Christchurch, October 15. At the Magistrate's Court to-day Mary Elizabeth Hale was charged with ill-treating her five-year-old illegitimate child, a boy. Evidence was given, that Hale thrashed the boy unmer.ifully, and one day threw him out on to the asphalt. On another occasion accused whipped him and knocked him about for twenty minutes in the washhouse. Accused was also alleged to have punished him with a broom, and he was also knocked down and kicked. Accused, in evidence, denied having punished the boy harshly or with a broom, and said that she never made the bruises on him. Mr Bishop, S.M.. fined accused £5 and costs, giving her a month in which to pay. Afterwards accused exclaimed, dramatically, that she could not pay the fine in four weeks, and alleged that one woman witness had ruined her life.