DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1920, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

"?" DRAINAGE SCHEMED By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, April 15. The Hon. D. H- Guthrie stated to-day that the total expenditure for the year on land drainage had lie en £205,000. Operations in the war years were hampered by the depleted staff and the difficulty of obtaining material, but no serious deterioration had been allowed to take place. Conditions had now improved. Mr. J. B. Thompson, chip! drainage engineer, is to leave in May for a tour in the United States and Canade to inspect works there and investigate up-to-date machinery. The new works to be undertaken are:—Hikurangi area (North Auckland) 20,000 acres and 60,000 acres at Seaward Moss (near Invereargill); also the preliminary survey of an area in South Westland. Altogether tbe drainage of over 350,000 acres' is in hand. THE COURT OF APPEAL. Wellington, April 13. At the Cdurt of Appeal this morning argument in the Dominion Pictures v. Whiting was concluded and judgment was reserved. SOFT GOODS AGREEMENT. Invereargill, April 15. An agreement was reached before the Conciliation Council in the soft goods' dispute based on the Dunedin award, representing an increase of 75 to 100 per cent, in the lower grades. It also provides for closing at noon on half holidays and time and a half overtime to all.