NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 457, 16 March 1909, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

IDT TELEGRAPH —rRE33 ASSOCIATIOH.) — i BOOKKEEPINC IN BUSINESS. A BANKRUPT ARRESTED. Naplar, March 15. Last week Tudor Baker, a and commission agent, filed' a petition in bankruptcy. His statement allowed liabilities totalling £11,191 and , assets £3307. Arising out of an examination of tho bankrupt at a meeting of creditors, the Official Assigneo issued n warrant for tno arrest of Baker on a charge of failing to keep proper books of account. Accused was arrested at Takapau on Saturday and brought before tho Magistrate to-day, being remanded for seven days on bail £200. At tho meeting of creditors Baker admitted he had not kopt any books and did not know how to keep them.

OUR PREMIER MARKSMAN. Westport, March 10. Lieutenant Duncan, tho champion rifle shot, who returned to Westport by the .Arahura last night, was by a. large gathering of townspeople, including the Garrison Band, which played suitable selections Tho champion was borne shoulder high by his comrades from Millerton.

BURNED DOWN. Ashburton, Marsh 15. A five-roomed house in Cambridge Street, Hampstoad, owned by D. M'lntosh, and for some time occupied by W. R. Shattock, was with part of tho contents completely destroyed by fire at 3.30 this 'mornmg. Shattock was about to leave the house and had some fnrnituro removed. The origin of the fire is unknown, tho houso being unoccupied at the time. Insurances: —House, £175 in the London and Lancashire; furniture, £100 in the North Queensland.

. YACHT'S CREW IN JEOPARDY. Wanganui, March 15. Four yachtsmen had a narrow escapo from drowning yesterday, when their boat capsized during a heavy southerly blow near the entrance to the river. A heavy sea was running, The pilot boat put out and rescued the men, who were clinging to the upturned boat, which was drifting towards tho surf. A "FRESH" IN THE WANGANUI. Wanganui, March 10. Recent heavy rains have not only had a very beneficial effect upon grass lands, but have proved advantageous to tho tourist traffic. The water in the river has risen several feet and the difficulties experienced by some of the up-river steamers during the dry summor months are now all ovor for this season.

CANADIAN AND CALIFORNIAN THISTLES. . Durrcdln, March 15. A large number of land-owners were charged at the Police Court to-da,y with failing to cut Canadian and Californian thistles on their-lands in country districts. In tho .majority of cases tho defendants were fined 10s., and in the remainder 20s.

MINING DISPUTE. Auckland, March 15. The Kiripaka Miners' Union recently filed a dispute with the. Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. T. Harlo Giles), making certain demands for increased wage and improved working conditions. Mr. Giles visited the mine . to. gain information on the points in dispute, and also with a view to seeing whether the dispute might be settled ont of Court. ' Ho was well received by. the delegates of the union, and had a long interview with them with a view to arranging a conference between the representatives of the union and the directors of the company. This conference, Mr. Giles states, is likely to eventuate shortly, and there aopears to be eyory disposition on the part of the men to discuss matters in an amicable spirit when they meet the directors.

DESTITUTE PERSONS ACT. Dunedin, March IS. The Benevolent Institution Trustees to-day Considered the ease of a man who hud been brought back from Tasmania on a charge of wife desertion, and resolved, "That the Minister for Justice be respectfully requested to take such steps as to him may appear advisable to arrange with othf>r Australasian Governments to facilitate the execution of orders under the Destitute.Persons Act in other, colonies, and to have necessary alterations made in the laws of the various colonies accordingly."

j "HARD SWEARING." Tlmaru, March 15. Some hard swearing was heard in a case, dealt with by two Justices this morning, in which Patrick Gormley charged three brothers, named Chisholm, with assaulting Jiim at Sutherlands, causing rupture and a fractured rib, besides numerous minor injuries. Complainant's story was that one of the defendants drove some of his cattle on toa neighbour's property, and then called the latter's attention to them. In consequence, they were driven off to the pound. Gormley rescued the stook, but, when Bearing home, was attacked -by defendants with i stock-whip, a heavy stick, and stones. His evidence was corroborated by hk son, and medical testimony. Defendants, however, gave an absolute denial of the charge of assault, and tho case was dismissed.

CASH BREAD PRICES. Chrlstohurch, March 15. Tho master bakers have decided to adopt tho coupon system. Twelvo coupons are to be sold for 3s. 3d., and the prico of bread is fixed at 3Jd. The new system Operates from the beginning of next month, and tho price of bread is to alter according to the prico of flour on tho following scale:—When flour is at £8 per ton, bread will be 6d. per large loaf; at £9 65., bread will be 6|d.; at £10 10s., bread will be 7d.; at £11 55., bread will bo 7Jd.; at £13, bread will be Bd.

NEWS IN BRIEF. Thanras, March 15. Some large timber contracts have been let of late. It is estimated that some will take ten years to_ complete. Piako land drainage is progressing satistaken Ira P° rtant w ork is being undor- . T CteFstchuroh, March 15. Christopher Isaac*Denby, ex-stationmaster, Leeston and Watkari, has been committed for trial on a charce of stealing n lady's blue costumo and quantity of blue cloth, valued at £5 19s. 9d., consigned by Ballantyne and Co. to Mrs. Cook, of Lincoln. Bail was allowed in one surety of £100. HoMtika, March 15. At tho Supreme Court, Thomas Bust, convicted of theft of two coats at Greymonth, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment! Annie Anderson, charged with forging and ottering, was acquitted.