NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 73, 19 December 1907, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

■ (BT TELEBIUFH—rRESS ASSOCIATION.) ' $ . LABOURERS' WAGES. COVERNMEN'T AND LOCAL -BODIES. ~ ' ' . Hokitika, December 18: Strong disapproval was expressed at the monthly meeting of the Wostlan'cl County Council held to-day, nt the Government's refusal to increase Inbpurers' wages to I.os. a day, the same as was done by. all local bodies on the West Const, consequent on'the increased cost of living. During the discussion, ' exception was taken to the Government constantly imposing harassing conditions on private employers, ' but refusing themselves to pay the current rate of wages. AUCKLAND HARBOUR. EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME OF WORKS. ■ Auckland,, December 18. Good progress has been made : during'the past year -with- tho programme of works in connection -with • the Auckland harbour improvements scheme. The works completed or in , hand up till ■■the present! time- represent an outlay of some £400,000. Preparatory work has also been done in connection with other immediate works involving a further expenditure of' about £100,000. In addition to these - works, which account for half a million sterling, proposals have been made by a special committee of the Harbour Board, which, if adopted, will entail a further.expenditure of some £850,000. This expenditure, if authorised, will'be spread over a period of some yenrs. A DETERMINED SUICIDE. . Hokitika, December 18. John Scopinich, a well-known minor, a native of Austria, was found- dead this morning; with his head in a basin,of water on the floor, and a heavy iron trunk on the back of .his bead. It was evidently a case of determined suicide. Deceased was getting gradually blind, and was to be admitted during the afternoon to an old men's home. ■ FISHERIES CONSERVATION ACT. I nvercarglll, December 17. Joseph Gougb Thomas, Davis George M'Chesney, William Samson, Frederick George Stevenson, and Francis Webb were charged to-day that on November 17, in the now River Estnary, they did net trout without a license so 'to do, contrary to the provisions of tho Fisheries Conservation Act and this year's amendments. Ranger Friend •said he had watched the men out floundering, and had detected tho • taking of two trout, which he subsequently found in -the boat. M'Chosuey said that he'alone handled the trout, and that the others had nothing to, do with it. Ho was convicted and fined £5, with £2 9s. costs. , Tho'informations'against the others were dismissed, and costs, 10s. each, were allowed to Webb and Samson, the two lads. A-second charge, alleging the use of a seine net within the radius.of half a mile seawards from the mouth of the stream, contrary to the' Act,' was adjourned till after tho'. holidays. .••..-.- MAURICEVTLLE COAL DEPOSITS. Masterton, December 18. A mining engineer, a son of Mr. Graham, S.M., Dunedin, and now holding an important position in British Columbia, visited;the Maunceville coal seam to-day. He is impressed with ■ the indications' of good coal. An ex-GoFernment inspector was also on the ground.. ~.■-':, •;..-■ ,■ , ; HOT DAY AT GJS, BORNE. /.'.'■' ' Cfsborne,' December 18. The thermometer registered, up .'to' S)9 degrees in the shade , to-day, eight degrees higher.than ever previously experienced here. On Monday the maximum register was'9l degrees. Only on four previous occasions has that" heat been registered in'-Gisborne. collection of new zealand : '■'. 'insects.; •■■•.■■■■".' Christchurcll, December 17.. Tile Canterbury Museum has just been enriched by the acquisition of the late Mr. C. N. Wakefield's comprehensive collection of New Zealand insects, presented to the institution by. his widow. The collection is rather for study than for .general exhibition, but it is hoped to show : 'it. for'a week, after which time the cases will have to be covered from the light in .order to prevent deterioration of the insects' colouring.. Thereafter the specimens may bo viewed'by students on application to the Curator.' . It is intended to keep the collection separate, and to name it "The Wakefield Collection."- . ■ . ■ . --.-■•

DEPORTATION OF TERRY REQUESTED. Dunedin, December 17. A. petition seeking the release of. Lionel Terry from the Soacliff Mental Hospital, and asking for. his conveyance' to another country, is.being prepared. ■ ..-;■. - ■-..-. ' V - ' ' ' ■_; _ ' ' "■"■■ ■ COMPENSATION CLAIMS. Auckland, December.l 7. The. ease in which Austin and'- others proceeded" against the Minister for Railways for compensation was concluded at. the Supreme Court to-day. The action comprised two-claims in respect, to ith'e , duplication -of thei Auckland and Waikato "railway. . One claim was by Loftus, Austin.... Claimant demanded : £2po in respect to his leasehold interest, £320 for buildings and , improvements, £500' for business loss prising from, the ■ necessity ;of securing business 'premises in a less advantageous position, £45 for 'removing weighbridge, and £25 for removing stock and fittings. The secoud claim ■ was •by Loftus Edward 'Austin and Charles "William.'Austin against: the Minister for Railways for taking portion of a leasehold vested in the 'claimants. . The claim , was made' up'thus: In .respect to. ground taken £25 ; in respect to-tse residue of tho land, .injuriously .affected .by noise, smoke, and vibration £10. \ In the first .claim plaintiffi was awarded £740,' and in'the second the , assessors fixed damages'at £10. .■■■■■..'•■ ' '.'■■. ELDERLY WOMAN'S DEATH. Auckland, December 18. An elderly woman named. Frances Richard, who resided with her husband in Brown , Street, J'onsonby committed suicide by hanging herself shortly after five o'clock last evening. She had been ill, and her husband went out to get her medicine. On returning to the house he found his wife's body suspended to the back door by. means of a strap. A doctor was summoned,'but efforts to induce respiration were unsuccessful. ' ' At the inquest to-day, deceased's husband stated that she had feared tho loss of her eyesight, and that a specialist had said she suffered' from a peculiar affection, the effect of which was that she feared tho light. , The jury returned a verdict of doath while of unsound - mind. . -.■..'.. r • • SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP. Wanganui, December 18. The date of the Webb-Tresidder race for the sculling championship has' been- definitely' 'fixed' for Thursday, February 20, on tho Wanganui River. THE MAGISTRACY;' '■ ■'■ . New Plymouth, December 18.' Mr. T. Hutchison, S.M., who has just 'returned from England, has received notice of transfer to Oamaru. • Mr. Fitzhorbcrt, S.M., who has relieved Mr. Hutchison' , hero, remains-permanently. ~ ■ ; . NEWS IN BRIEF. ' December 18. At a meeting of master.'bakers.last night it was decided to reduce the price'of the 2!b. loaf from 4d. to 3Jd. ' Dunedin, December 18. Advice has been received that. Mr. F. G. H; Moore, son of Mr. H. G. Mooro,,of Dunedin, has been appointed a member of the profoasorial staff of tho Royal 'Aoademy l of Music, London. • •