SOUTHERN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 258, 29 October 1907, Page 5

SOUTHERN NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

COMPENSATION COURT.

GISBORNE, Monday. The Compensation Court cbriiriienced it's sitting to-day to consider the claims of the Hon. Randall Johnston (owner) and John Clark (lessee), of the'Te'Arai Estate of 10,700 acres. Mr. Johnston classified the larid as 2944 acres firstclass and 7774 acres second-class. The Minister classified 2488 acres as firstclass and 8203 acres as second-class. The total claim made is £ 119,000, Mr. Clark's claim being £12,000. Mr. Johnston's case was considered first. Expert evidence was taken, one witness taking the rest of the sitting. He assessed the value of 2867 acres of' fiats at £76.829, and the hill land (7914 acres) at £62,594. I

"RAGGING" ON THE RAILWAYS.

CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. Mr. H. W. S.M., has received a telegram advisirig him tnat the Minister for Railways desires him to hold an inquiry on the allegations of "ragging" in the railway service here. Interviewed by a reporter to-day Mr. Bishop stated that the papers containing instructions had not yet been received by him, and he could not say definitely what the scope of the inquiry wOuld be or where it wOuld be held. ' He had wired a reply to tbe telegram suggesting that tbe inquiry might be opened on Thursday;.

EARTHQUAKE AT BLENHEIM.

BLENHEIM, this day. I A severe shock of earthquake was experienced here at 12.35 last night.

ARBITRATION COURT NOMINATIONS.

WELLINGTON, this day. The Cooks and Waiters' Union decided to support the candidature of Mr. W. T. Young, secretary of the Seamen's and Tramway Employees' Unions as deputy representative on the Arbitration Court. The union also decided to support Mr. McCullough in opposition to Mr. R. Slater for the senior position.

WEATHER AND CROPS. •

CHRISTCHURCH, this day. There is beautiful weather in Christphurch. North Canterbury reports say rain is wanted, and would be of much benefit to crops and feed. Mid-Canter-bury reports that feed is abundant and crops very promising.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

DUNEDIN, this day. Archdeacon Gould, of Oamaru, has been appointed vicar of St. Paul's Cathedral in succession to Archdeabon Robinson. Obituary.—-Mr. J. A. Kirby,. a prominent Mason and bowler, and Mr. William Wright, grocer, a former member of Harbour Board and Hospital Trust; I. '■',". '__'. . DUNEDIN, this day. I OtagoUniversity has received a substantial benefaction under the wi}l of the late Mr. Arthur Beverley.