DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 21, 24 January 1914, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

A CASE DISMISSED. [Per Press Association.] Auckland, January 23. Charles George Chatfield was to-day charged with being a person held for bail on an indictable charge, and that he was about to abscond. Chatfield was committed for trial, in November, on charges arising out of his carrying revolvers at strike time, and was bailed by his brother-in-law in one surety of £IOO. He had been living with his brother-in-law since, but he decided to return to Auckland, and the brother-in-law had a warrant issued for his arrest. Chatfield declared he came to Auckland to prepare his defence in the Supreme Court case, and there being no evidence to show that he was going to abscond, the case was dismissed.

COMMERCIAL EXAMINATIONS.

Dunedin, January 23. i

The following are the results of the

commerce examinations held in NoXvember. The numbers indicate in how many of the subjects the candidates passed:— New Plymouth.—J. F. Anderson (3), S. E. Shaw. (4), A. Beatson (5). Stratford.—E. A. Wills (2). Wanganui—E. B. Jennings (3), Miss W. Neilson (1), C. P. Ryan (2), A. J. B. Sicely (4), W. D. Svendsan (4). Feildin^. —H. Rochford (3). Palmerston North—R. Tait (5).

KIRI KORUN I SHOOTL ,C.

Dargaville, January 23

Hanson, who was remanded on a chareg of shooting J. C. Allen at Kirikbpuni on December 11, was before the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, and, after extensive evidence had been heard, the case was dismissed. , . j

A SHOOTING AFFAIR.

Auckland, January 23,

On the evening of December 11, at 'the Auckland Show Grounds, a showman named William McLeod, who is described as one of the best shots in the world, had an altercation with another showman named Oxenham, with whom he had remonstrated because of the latter’s use of bad language in the hearing of women. When Oxenham walked away a bullet sang over his head, and McLeod was charged in the ‘Court to-day, after the case had been remanded several ties, with discharging a firearm with intent to do bodily harm.

Accused claimed that he had not fired at Oxenham, but that the cartridge had jammed in the rifle, which he was cleaning at the time, and he fired it off.

After hearing evidence, the charge was amended to one of discharging a firearm in a public place, and accused was convicted and ordered to pay £lO 16s costs.

WHARF LABOR CONTROL.

Wellington, January 23

A conference between representatives of the Dominions’ harbor boards and the Prime Minister was held today at Parliament Buildings, to discuss the question of the control of labor on the wharves. Those present represented the Harbor Boards of Auckland, Wellington, Otago, and Lyttelton. Mr F. W. Rowley, secretary of the Labour Department, also attended. Mr Massey presided. After a lengthy discussion and deliberation, the following resolutions were carried

(1) That this conference of Harbor Board' delegates disapproves of any proposal that involves the constitution of a new authority or commission to deal with the question of waterside labor, either ashore or afloat, being of opinion that if any steps are ultimately deemed advisable to change or improve the present conditions, the responsibility for administering the same shall rest with the respective Harbor Boards, who shall be the controlling authorities, thereby obviating anything involving a dual control of the business of the ports. (2) That in the opinion of this conference, it is desirable that the Government should introduce an amendment of the Harbours Act, enlarging to the necessary extent the present powers of Harbor Boards, so as to enable those Boards, by arrangement with shipowners, to carry r on the business of stevedores, or license persons or firms to do so.

(3). That as the employment of a large proportion of waterside workers as casuals leads to industrial difficulties, this conference is of opinion that wherever practicable, the waterside workers should be permanent employees of either the Harbor Board or the shipowners; and, further, that it is desirable that superannuation should arranged for such employees.'