NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 71, 17 December 1907, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

[BY ' TELEG It A PII. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] <■ THE UNIVERSITY ItE-EXAMINATIONS. STATEMENT BY SIR ROBERT' STOUT.. Auckland, Dccembcr 16. Sir Robert Stout, Chancellor of the University, stated that the re-examination for matriculation applies to Wellington candidates only. Scholarship examinations, which coucorn about one hundred candidates, must be reheld all over the Dominion, as all candidates must have tho same papers set them. The fact that examiners and candidates aro in all parts of tho Dominion, added to tho time required for preparing tho papers, etc., renders it practically impossible to hold the examination before Christmas time. The necessity for preparing a second matriculation examination for Wellington candidates would likewise prevent it being held till after Christmas. CANTERBURY % HOLIDAY: Glirislctwrch, December 16. Yesterday was a blistering hot day, ■ and provided the highost reading of the thermometer for the season. To-day is also warm, and promises to be as hot as yesterday. The cricket match besnn at 11.30. Being-Anniversary Day a close holiday is being observed. Many excursions to the country are. being enjoyed, and thousands aro also going to neighbouring watering places. . / CHARGE OF WOUNDING A CONSTABLE. I Palmerston North, December IG. ' At tho Stipendiary Magistrate's Court, W. Waugh, charged with wounding Constable Connor with intent to, do grievous bodily harm, was remanded till Monday next. Bail was opposed by tho police, but granted, ac.cused in £200 and two sureties-ot £200 each. It was forthcoming. Constablo Connor is progressing satisfactorily in the hospital, but it will not be known whether lie will bo out of dnngcr until another 2J hours. i SCIENTIFIC APPLIANCES. Auckland, Decomber 16. At a meeting of the University College Council this afternoon it was decided to urge that the scientific appliances and chemicals used for scientific purposes be admitted free of duty. ANNIVERSARY DAYS. Christclturoh, December 16. At a meeting of Canterbury'pioneers held fco-clay (Anniversary Day),, a motion was passed protesting against the proposal to merge tho provincial anniversary (lays-into Dominion Day. It was resolved to forward a copy of the resolution to the Premier. CHARGE AGAINST A CONSTABLE. Auckland, December 16. In tho Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr. Kettle, S.M., Roderick Einlnyson, police constablo, of Newmarket, was charged on throe indictments with having assaulted Thomas Henry Piker, at Newmarket, by striking him oi> the head several times with a police baton, and by grasping him from behind by both shoulders, ami kicking him on the leg,-thus'causing him actual bodily harm. Accused, who pleaded not guilty, and reserved his defence,' was .committed for trial. NEWS IN BRIEE. Napier, December 16. Cable advice hfa.s been received stating that Postle, tho champion athlete, has postponed his trip to the D';minion indefinitely, owing to a strain sustained in u recent jumping match. Bargaville, December 16. At a big meeting hold hero on Saturday a large number of Dalmatians and Croatians, employed as gumdiggers, formed a Croatian Benefit Society, which is tho first of the kind in Nov/ Zealand. Palmerston North, Decomber 16. .Tames Long, charged with assaulting William Jack by striking him on tho heai.l with a bottlo, was remanded till Monday next. Bail was allowed, accused in £100 and sureties to tho extent of an additional £100. Jack is in tho hospital suffering from tho effect of tlio blow, but is doing well. NEW PLYMOUTH RAILWAY DEVIATION. (BY TELEGRAPH —SFECIAI. CORRESPONDENT.) New Plymouth, December 16. Tho now railway lino, doviated to obviate tho necessity of all trains passing over several level crossings, including tlio main street of New Plymouth, was opened this morning without corcinony, and, in fact, without even notice being given of tho initcntion of the Department to discontinue the uso of tlio suburban Eliot Street station. Tlio altera! routo does away with the very stcop grade leading out of the town on a very sharp curvo, which has necessitated threo engines to take tlio oxpross and two engines to tako ordinary mixed trains out of New Plymouth. The old Devon Street crossing has been very dangerous, passing right through tho ccntro of the town, and has boon tlio causo of fatal accidents and many minor casualties. A fair crowd mustered at tho railway station, and knots of people along tho route to see tho first train pass over tho metals.