SOUTHERN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 183, 1 August 1908, Page 7

SOUTHERN NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DISORDERLY CHINESE HOUSE. • WELLINGTON, Friday. George Howe, a Chinese, pleaded guilty to-day at thus Magistrate's Court, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence, in respect, of a charge of Ueeping a disorderly house. After evidence had been given by two European girls, Mr Buddie, who appeared for the accused, said he. found the case so bad that he would withdraw. A FARMER'S SUICIDE. PALMERSTON NORTH, Friday. One of the early Manawatu settlers, Andrew McEwen, drowned himself in the Manawatu river to-day. Deceased was a dairy farmer. He met with an accident some time ago, which is said to have affected his brain. CROWN LAND BOARDS. WELLINGTON, this day. . Replying to a deputation from the New Zealand Farmers' Union Conference the Minister for Lands said that it had been his intention when the land legislation was before Parliament last year to insert a clause increasing the remuneration, of members of land boards, but the matter had been lost sight of. Ha recognised that the present remuneration -was not sufficient, but a difficulty ■was presented by the fact that, in this case the allowance was fixed by Statute. He would see what could be done. Mr McNab then referred to certain alterations, proposed in the direction of facilitating the dispatch of the more routine business of boards, which he hoped would do away with delay. He had frankly to admit that the proposal to hold fortnightly meetings of the boards had been j before him previously, but he had not seen his way to approve of it. While some land boards such as Auckland and Otago, had much to do, others had very little. He would see if fortnightly meeting for the larger boards could be arranged. UNEMPLOYED IN CHRISTCHURCH. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHEISTCHTJKCH, this day. Few applications for work are now being received by the Labour Bureau. Arrangements have been made to send a dozen men to the Midland Railway Works next. Tuesday, or as soon as the engineer in charge, has advised that camp accommodation is ready. The City Purveyor, who found work on behalf of the City Council for forty men, states that tlie number cannot be continued after this week, and nine or ten will finish on Saturday. The total number will be reduced gradually as the amount voted by the Council for the relief works decreases. The acute stage of scarcity of work has passed away with the wet weather.