LATE TELEGRAMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 71, 23 March 1908, Page 5

LATE TELEGRAMS.

(By Telegraph.—Eiess Association.)

EGG-LACING COMPETITIONS.

CHRISTCHURCH, this day.

The New Zealand -Utility Poultry I"■ Club's third competition at Lincoln College terminated on March 18. White Leghorns, filled the five highest places, Mr. Allen Petrie's pen laying 1220 eggs in ten months. Mr. Knight's Black Orpingtons won the winter -test, and Mr. Milikin's Black Orpingtons the Studholme test. " : ...,." OTAGO'S DIAMOND JUBILEE. ; ; , DUNEDIN, this da 7. Otago's Diamond Jubilee is being observed as a. close holiday. Kairi .fell ■throughout the night and early thia morning, causing the abandonment of all functions except the official opening of the Early Settlers' Hall and the regatta at Port Chalmers. - ' Mr. Donald Reid, president, occupied the chair, and several addresses were delivered reminiscent of early identities, trials, and tribulations. • OTEKATKF. LAND CASE. DTJNEDIN, this day. . The Otekaike case, in which Mitchell and McKellar are seeking a"mandamus and injunction against the Otago Land Board, will be taken before Mr. Justice Williams to-morrow. Messrs. Hosking and White appear for applicants, and Messrs. Solomon and Macasey, for the Crown. :,Some interesting legal questions are involved. THE STEAMER MAITAI. DTJNEDIN, this day. ' Owing to the late arrivalof the steamer Maitai, she will probably sail to-mor-row night from Port Chalmers to Melbourne direct.. WATRARAPA CROPS IMPROVING. • : ■ MASTERTON, this day. Five inches of rain have, fallen since the drought broke up, but it has riot penetrated the soil to any depth. The weather is milder, and crops and: feed are coming on rapidly. FERE AT ASHBURTON. ASHBURTON, this-day. A five-roomed house at Staveley, owned and occupied by ; Mr. G. S: Mcßae, was, together with His contents, totally destroyed by fire early this morning, the occupants barely escaping. The house was insured for £150, and the furniture for £75 in the State Insurance Office. PRISONERS SENTENCED.; CHRISTCHURCH, this day. At the Supreme Court this morning Mr Justice Denniston sentenced three prisoners who had pleaded guilty -in the Lower Court to charges of theft of bicycles, perjury and forgery and uttering. Ernest Vaughan was sentenced to eighteen year's on three charges of forgery, and was admitted to probation for two years on condition that be should remain under the control of the Samaritan Home authorities for six months. Arthur Duffy, aged 24, on eight charges of bicycle thefts, was sentenced in all to three years. James Albert Sheard, for .perjury in connection with an affiliation case, got three .months' imprisonment. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.' ' : - . WELLINGTON, this day. Although the southerly gale has moderated, the "weather is still unsettled, and rain falls intermittently. So far this month 2.89 in of rain has fallen. ; : INVERCARGILL, .this day. • At the annual meeting of the Southland Trades and Labour Council, the Blackball strike was discussed, but no action was taken, the general opinion expressed being that the Arbitration Act must be preserved and upheld. " /.-:'