INTERPROVINCIAL.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 361, 1 November 1898, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

(BY TELHOEAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION*). Wellington, Last Nigh.t The Union Company and Messrs Huddart Parker Company have decided to advance their intercolonial and a fe.v of their coastal fares. The reasons given are that the scale of fares that has been in force during the last three years lias been unremuuerative for the high class ships now employed, particularly when taken in connection with the increase made last year in the rales of wages paid to engineers and crews and the advance of la per ton in the price of Newcastle coal, which is to take effect at the end of the year. The companies claim that on the tnsis of the amended rates the fares will still be considerably belcw one penny per mile. The Conciliation Board has been convened for November 21st to hear a dispute in the Wellington paiuting trade. Some 2,200 Martini-Enfield rifles came to hand by the Tokomaru ou Saturday. The rainfall iu Wellington this month was 2'Bsin, mo3t of which fell last week. This record is a good deal below the average. Ramish, of Wright, Ramish and Co., billiard-table manufacturers, appeared in Court to-day to answer nine charges of evasiou of Customs duties in each of which £IOO penalty was demanded. The first case was the alleged use of false invoices, but after two witnesses had been heard the case was remanded. Daxevirke, Last Night. Patrick Harding, aged 35, employed on the co-operative works at the Ngapaeruru Block, was killed instantly on Saturday by a large log rolling do.vn a sideling and crushing his head and chest. Dunedix, Last Night. The directors of the National Insurance Company in their annual report state tint the net revenue for the year was £100,958 8s ud After raying an interim dividend there is a surplus of £3,019 lis o'd, which, with the balance from the previous year, amounts to £17,630 6s lOd. The directors now recommend a further dividend of ninepence per share, making the total distribution for the year Is 3d, leaving £10,277 10s 7d to be carried forward.