SOUTHERN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 230, 26 September 1906, Page 5

SOUTHERN NEWS.

(By Tclegrapla.—Press Association.) » POINT ELIZABETH HARBOUR. GREYMOUTH, Tuesday. The reply of the Premier to the public request to -complete the survey of the Point Elizabeth Harbour is anxiously awaited. If the reply is unfavourable it is likely a public meeting will be held to protest against the Government's action in not completing a necessary work. FERE AT GORE. GORE, this day. A fire at Mataura this morning completely destroyed two shop* and dwellings occupied by Messrs. Cross (fishmonger) and Englehardt (draper and general dealer), with their contents. The insurance? are; Cross, stock and furniture, £120. in the Sun; Englehardt, £400, in the Royal. The promises, owned 'by Biichop. were insured for £200 in the .Nov.- Zealand Office. SUPREME COURT SENTENCES. NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. In the Supreme Court to-day John Comrip was sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment for horse-stealing. WANGAKUI RIFLE MEETING. WANGANUI. this day. The annual shooting of the Wanganui Rifle Association will be held on the 27th and 28th December, the meeting bein<* open to all shots in the North Island! The amount of prize money has been increased, including the Grand Aggregate and Teams' Matches. About £20(T in cash will be given, together with trophies and a champion belt. A number are expected to compete. , & •: COMPENSATION CLAIMS. r>:. GREYMOUTH, Tuesday. ! A Compensation Court, consisting of Mr. Justice Edwards, Mr. T. Pavitt°(as- I sessor for the Department), and Mr. G. j T. Moss (assessor for the olairaants), ' concluded.the hearing of claims for land taken for a rifle range and injuriously • affected. Mr. Perotti claimed £2GG6, i tho Department offered £13000, and theCourt awarded £000. Mr. Smith j claimed £ISB6, the Department offered £300, and the Court awarded £225. CHINESE IN COURT. BLENHEIM, this day. ' A Chinaman named Philip Falkner was fine £10 on a charge of being illegally in possession of a preparation of opium. A mixture seized hart been analysed by the Government analyst as sucti; A second charge of smoking opium , was dismissed-

Charley Chow Sing, a market gardener at Picton, has been committed for trial on a charge of committing an indecent" act with the intention of assaulting a boy aged 10, a resident of Picton, who had gone to his place for vegetables. This is tho first case of the kind against a Chinaman in New Zealand.