NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 188, 4 May 1908, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

. (BT TEf.EGRAPH —FRES9 , ASSOCIATION.); . THE LATE MR. STEAD. ' Christchurch, May 3., The following motion relative to the death of Mr. Geo., G. Stead was passed at -last night's meeting of the Christchurch Tramway Board: —"That this Board wishes to place on . its . minutes its sincere regret that Mr. Geo. GUStead has been cut off in'tho midst.of'' his-carecr, while still at the head of , many important enterprises; that we record oiir ap-: preciation of the good work., done; by him while, oil the Board of tlie, Christchurch Tram- : ways, and of the great assistance" his wiile - experience-'was in the promotion-of tlw.'sys- - tern.-' 1 ' ' : /.■' .... THE SHOOTING SEASON.- , Christchurch, May 1. The'shooting season opened at'six o'clock this'morning, arid numbersof sportsmen com-; mfenced operations. -At Lake Ellesmere.and- . other' favourite' spots game are -said _to-:be fairly.plentiful this year, and spme. good bags are 'anticip&fced. \ Tlio restrictions placed; on sportsmen by the new game laws are cal- \ culated to minimise'the; evils of "pot* iiig,'' and tlicro are: also drastic regulations regarding protected birds. Californian quail are the only'-imported gaime l that, it; is permissible to shout'in Canterbury, and- the bittern; paradise duck, and red bill have been' protected. .LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION., .< • >" Napier, May 1. Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition,'left this evening for Gisborne, 'whence he will go; inland with Mr. Hemes, M.P. MASONIC'GRAND LODGE. Auckland, May 2.' A big gathering of the brethren'of the Masonic Order will take place 'ifext week in connection- with' the' annual ■ communication'. of the Grand 1 Lodge of New Zealand. .There! f are ■ now- ■ over 10,000 _ members-'of, the . New Zealand Order belonging to 155 lodges, con-' sequently there will be J a large ' gathering of representatives from all .; over - the ' Dominion. It is anticipated that, between - commissioned delegates and other brethren who are known to be coming, together'with' the wives of-'some'who are'-taking the'oppor-. tuhity.of a trip, to . Auckland,; there will. be. fully .500 visitors. The Grand Lodge will sit-. for business at 2 ; p.m. next Wednesday, and in the evening-the M.W. Grand Master, Bro. Lord Plunket,\will ■be : installed for-: a third term in that position., , GISBORNE BRICKLAYERS' 1 STRIKE., Auckland, May 2. Local bricklayers recently issued a demand for''an. increase of wages to thirteen shil--lings.' .- . \ • - . ' Tho master builders - met. yesterday, and ' 7 refused the demand, adhering .to the'twelye , shillings rate.. As a consequent, the men . at'noon to-day decided to strike. . THE WAIRUNA-MOONAH COLLISION. • Auckland, May 2. Mr. Kettle, S.M.j gave the decision of the , Nautical Court to-.day in the coUision between the, steamer Wairuna : and . the'. Bcow- • Moonah, in-which Seaman Fred' Smith' was- . drowned.- The Court was 1 unable ,to cqn-' elude that the Wairuna was-in any way re-: sponsible for the collision, and was of opiriionthat the master of the ketch- was ' solely? .re- . sponsible. :It ordered costs ;to; be' paid, by the master of the Moonah, and that his certificate bo suspended for sis months."ALLEGED FORGING AND UTTERING.' " . Auckland, May 2.;At - the r Police Court,-John Simpson; was > remanded for,' eight days on : charges,' of forgery, and- or uttering at Napier, a cheque* • for £20. ,10s., 6d. j • and ' at. Christchorch i a , cheque' for £20 Bs. lOd: - ■' .' : ::r NORTH OTAGO A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.: Oamaru, Ifay 3. . • At the annual meeting of thJ North Otago' A. and P. Association, - Mr. H. S. Orbell was elected.president, and Mr. . Basil Seth; Smith" Vice-president. The retiring president: said „ that, ■ owing to .the , sale , of the old show grounds and part of tljo area of the new grounds (not required for show, purposes) -! at higli prices, the Association was now in a stronger position financially than it - was at ' first hoped. The Bank guarantors wero.' relieved from their responsibility. ■ — ■ i '■ ■