SOUTHERN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 199, 20 August 1904, Page 3

SOUTHERN NEWS.

(By Telegraph. —Press Association.) N.Z. FARMERS' DAIRY UNION. WELLINGTON, Friday. The annual report of the New Zealand Fanners' Dairy Union states that after allowing for depreciation and fully maintaining the plant, there is a balance to profit and loss account of £647 9/4, but in face of the large quantity of butter carried forward it is not proposed tc divide that surplus at present. The turnover had increased during the season, the total quantity manufactured being 1185 tons, against 1130 tons for the previous period. Tbe cost of manufacturing had been decreased. The milk supply for the season of 1903-4 was aver five and a half million gallons net. The proceeds of the sales were £74,244. The London consignments unsold to June 30 last- represented £32,719. ACCIDENTAL DEATH. WELLINGTON, Friday. The jury returned v verdict of accidental death by drowning at the inquiry concerning the death of Jacobsen, a tailor's presser. whose body wa.s found yesterday in a hole in Mercer-street. The evidence showed that a light was kept burning over the hole, and that the hole was covered by boards, one of which had been displaced. ALLEGED SLY GROG-SELLING. ASHBURTON, this day. Mr. Wray, S.M.. delivered judgment in the sly grog charge against R. Elston, for an alleged illegal sale, the case being dismissed. The Magistrate entered a conviction for keeping and > exposing liquor for sale contrary to subsection 4. section 33, of the Liquor Sales Control Act, 1895. and fined the defendant £30 and confiscated the liquor. A fortnight was allowed to pay the fine in. DECREES NISI. WELLINGTON, tmic day. Decrees nisi were granted in the Divorce Court to-day in the cases of George W. Bowater v. Bowat-er aDd Hansen, being the husband's petition on the grounds of adultery, and that of John McCarthy v. McCarthy and Horton, being the husband's petition on the ground of adultery. WELLINGTON, this day. A divorce case. Gray v. Gray, in which the petitioning wife recently secured a decree nisi, was again before the Court to-day on a question of alimony. Respondent offered £36 per annum, in addition to half of the marriage settlement (£B4), making a total

allowance of £78. Petitioner's counsel contested this amount, as under the marriage settlement tbe wife was entitled to £84 while living with her husband, and now he was only offering her half. She claimed £ 150 per annum as i a suitable allowance. Judgment was reserved. SUDDEN DEATH. WELLINGTON, this day. Joseph William Wilson, aged 50, a cook, was seized with a fit in Wiliisstreet last night, and expired in a few minutes. He was a married man with a large family.