N.Z. TELEGRAMS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9056, 3 April 1908, Page 5

N.Z. TELEGRAMS.

BY TELEGRAPH —I'HKSB ASSOCIATION . DISOBEYING AN ORDER. A EMPLOYER IMPRISONED. INDIGNATION MEETING. AUCKLAND, April 2. A largely-attended public, meeting was held in the Drury Hall, on April Ist, to express sympathy with Mr W. Dixon, who has been committed to the Mt. Eden gaol for two months for disobeying an order of the Magistrate's Court arising from an Arbitration Court award, and also to express indignation that a free born citizen of the British Empire, and of the dominion of New Zealand should be hauled off to prison for such a cause. It seems that last May Mr Dixon was cited before the Court for employing a journeyman under the award wages. The man was allowed to give evidence upon oath while Dixon (the employer) although he requested to be sworn was not allowed to give evidence, though he says he had a good defence. He was fined £5, which was paid. The man was fined 10s. The man then sued and got ( judgment for £2l back wages, which , Mr Dixon refuses to pay. Hence his i imprisonment. j

The meeting appointed Mr J. Flanagan to see a solicitor in order that some proceedings may be taken to procure Mr Dixon's release, and if possible re-open the case. Another meeting will be held on Saturday evening.

MARKET GARDENERS AND PRISON LABOUR. A PROTEST. AUCKLAND, April 2. A large meeting of market gardners passed a resolution strongly protesting against, the Premier's proposal to utilise prison labour for the production of vegetables, urging that such a policy would be detrimental to a large number of Europeans engaged in the industry. ACCIDENT TO A DEALER. DANNEVIRKE, April 2. An elderly man named John Foster Smith, a tea dealer, who travels the district in a spring-cart, met with a severe accident to-day at thp Piri Piri Crossing, where his vehicle was slruck by the mid-day express. Smith was brought to Dannevirke by the train, and at once taken to the hospital. He is severely injured about the head, but the full extent of his injuries is not known.

A LARGE ESTATE. OVER £27,000 IN STAMP DUTY. NAPIER, April 2. Stamp duty totalling £27,628 6s 4d has been paid on the estate of the late Archdeacon Samuel Williams. % SALE OF A SAWMILL. CARTERTON, April 2. It is publicly announced that the old established firm of sawmillers, W. Booth and Company, lately controlled by the Public Trustee, on behalf of the beneficiaiies in the estate of the late William Booth, has been purchased by W. Howard Booth. It is possible that a strong syndicate will be formed at a later date.