SOUTHERN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 37, 12 February 1910, Page 8

SOUTHERN NEWS.

(37 Telegraph.—Press Association.) KDOCATION CONFERENCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this. day. The following resolutions were passed at the Education Conference to-day:— " That the age-limit of 13 (below which pupils may not be admitted to technical insitructlon) be abolished so far as day technical classes are concerned in case of the holders of proficiency or junior free places; that, in the award of junior free places tenable at schools other than that of a purely secondary type, credit should bo given for proficiency in manual and domestic science subjects; that in reference to the Defence Act the Minister for Defence he asked to make such arrangements for military drills of students attending evening classes recognised by the Minister of Education as will not interfere with their regular instruction; that this conference suggests to the Minister for Defence that, in the case of boys under fourteen, systematic physical exercises may be substituted lor military drilL MARINE ENGINEERS' INSTITUTE. WELLTNGTON, Friday. A very fine bunding, erected in Mul-grave-street, for the Australasian Institute of Marine Engineers, was officially opened this afternoon. The Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Marine, declared tho building open in the presence of a large attendance. Mr. Jas. Darling, president of tfhe Institute, presided, and short speeches of congratulation were made by the Minister and the Mayor of Wellington, Dr. Newman. iFERE AT GISBOETNE. GISBORNE, this day. A six-roomed house owned (by J. S. Hinton, and occupied by Hairy Aston, was destroyed by fire last night, the origin Ibeing unknown. The insurance on the frirniture was £210 in the Australian Alliance. A DIFFERENCE SETTLED. GISBORNE, this day. The difference -between the Spiral Steel Pipe Company and the Gisborne Borough Council is not in connection with the Company's pipes, .but in connection with the construction work. The Company undertook pipe laying along the Arai stream, crossing that riverbed 58 times. When the work was just completed a heavy Tecord flood took place, damaging and destroying the river crossings. This the Company reinstated to the satisfaction of the engineer, who has now given a final certificate for completion of the work. FORGERY AND UTTERING. CHRISTCHDBCH, Friday. At the Magistrate's Court today D. A. Hamilton pleaded guilty to three charges of forgery and uttering in May and June of last year. He was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. ALLEGED DEFALCATION. LWERCARGILL, Friday. At the Police Court to-day, Joseph William Lance Lantsbery was charged that on or about January 7, being then town clerk at North InvercaTgill, he stole £39, the property of the borough. Accused was remanded on bail. UNION COMPANY CHANGES. DUNEDIN, this day. Mr. J. C. Leggins, for many years traffic manager of the Union Steamship Company, has resigned owing to illhealth. Mr. J. K. C. Bond (formerly assistant traffic manager) succeeds him. Mr. N. S. Falla becomes assistant to the traffic manager, and Mr. A. W. Wheeler auditor of branches in succession to Ms. FaUa. WANGANUI GRIEVANCES. WANGANUI, Friday. A public meeting held to-night passed resolutions protesting strongly against the inconvenience. of the railway timetable, as affecting Wanganui, and also against unfairness of the differentiation on long-distance freight rates, more particularly the discounts, which operate only after 75 miles. The matters referred to will be brought under the notice of the Minister for Railways. EMBEZZLEMENT. WELLINGTON, this day. To-day, in the Magistrate's Ooart, William Williams pleaded guilty to embezzling certain sums of money belonging to the Wellington Iron and Brass Moulders' Union, of which society the accused was secretary. He was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. SYMPATHY Wim BOTOLTJHi WELLINGTON, this day. The conference of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, sitting in Wellington, passed a motion expressing indignation at tho severity of the sentences inflicted on the leaders of the Newcastle coal strike. The conference also decided to take up voluntary subscriptions amongst members of the society in aid of the Newcastle Btrike fund.