NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 473, 3 April 1909, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(dy teleguapu—rnESS absociation.) » AUCKLAND CUSTOMS RETURNS. A DECLINE. Auckland, April 2. Tlio Customs duiicß at tho port of Auck« land for tho year ended March 31 Amount to £652,930, less by £115,312 than tho previous year, but in. 1908 £70,000 was collected in sugar duties alone. This suni disappears under tho now tariff, making an <w> tual shrinkago of about £45,000.

A MtSSINC BANKRUPT. Auckland, April 2. At a meeting of creditors of William Wolf Benjamin, it was stated that tho bankrupt left for Wellington on March 3, and it was believed ho proceeded to Sydney, his presenti whereabouts _now< .being unknown. Tho liabilities are estimated at £1000, a littlo over £800 being secured. Tho assets would not realiso £800, so probably tho unsecured creditors will lose over £1000. Tho question of proceedings for tho apprehension of tho bankrupt was left in abcyanco pending tho Crown Solicitor being consulted. Y.M.C.A. WORK. CisbornCj April 2. A banquet wns held last evening to' commemorate tho completion of a successful membership, campaign of tlio Y.M.C.A., which organisation enters into its now club rooms next week. In threo weeks, by activo canvass, tho membership was raised to 313. Napier, April 2. At a meeting t-o-night it was reported that inability to secure suitablo premises had so far stood 111 tho way of establishing a branch of tho Young Men's Christian Association in Napier, but tho Provisional Commilteo was continued in offico in tho hope that tho diffi-. culty would cro long bo overcomo. LAND HOLDERS AND VALUATIONS. Fellding, April 2. A publio mooting of farmers was held today to consider tho question of supporting tho • Wairnrapa proposal _ for co-oporativo freezing works. The meoting' showed 110 favour to the proposal, it being pointed out that previous experiments had not been very successful. 1 CLAIM FOR DAMAGES. Chrlstchuroh, April 2. Mr. Day, S.M., to-day delivered reserved judgment in tho case F. Emerson v. _ tho Rangitata Road Board, 111 which tho plaintiff claimed £20 for damages sustained in a trap acoident owing to tho horso _ shying at stfallon signboard, whioli was_ lying 011 ono of 1 tho roads under tho board's jurisdiction. The 1 magistrate said he had como to tlio conclusion that tho defendant board was liablo, and would allow £7 6s. 6d. damages. Leave of appeal was granted, tho case being of iniportanco to local bodies. ' . Dunedln, April, 2. ; Judgment was given to-day in a caso in which tho Calton Hill Brick, Tilo, and Township Company, sought to recover dam-' agos from tho Crown. Tho company assorted that,'in consequence of tunnelling in ! connection with tho duplication of tho Mob» giel Railway, tlio brick kiln gradually weakened, and was finally destroyed, and tho 1 company thereby hampered and injured in. tho conduct ~of business as bookmakers, and ultimately deprived of business. Tho claim was originally for £9500, but an item of £1500 for depreciation was abandoned., The Court awarded tho claimant company: £1500. Mr, Justice Williams, who lias ueen detained liero owing to this caso, leaves for Wellington to-morrow, to attend tho Court ■ of Appeal. TIMARU MAYORALTY. ' Timaru, April 2. 111 response to a requisition presented by; a deputation, Mr. Jas', Oraigio consented to'" nomination for tho Mayoralty for tho seventh i consecutive term. Although his > Parliamentary duties, added to membership of other local bodies, filled his hands very_ full, ho 1 said, 110 Would like to see tlio important works ho saw initiated completed—under- ; ground drainage, duplication of tho water ' supply mains, a publio library, and tho consolidation of tlio borough loans. ASPHYXIATED. Dunedln, April 2. An inquest was held this morning on thfl body of Albert Edward Burden, who died\ suddenly yesterday when clearing out a) gas-holder. After hearing evidence, tho ■' coroner said: "I hnvo no hesitation in oom-Jj ing to the conclusion that death was solely ] due to_tho_ effect of gas poisoning, also no* hesitation in saying that thero is nothing) to show that thero was any nogligcnco or want of proper precautions. Tho death is I purely ono of inadvortance, no blame being attachable to anyone. Verdict accordingly." ' SCHOOL HOURS ON HOT DAYS, Invaroarglll, April 2. . In reporting to tlio Southland Education Board, Inspector, Wylio touched on 0110 as-. pcet of tho daylight-saving' question.. ,Ho 1 skid that it wouid be a decided benefit 1 to open and close schools in summer earlier than was tho caso at present Tho heated atmosphero 011 summer afternoons induced languor of mind in pupils, and a combination of heat and apathetic pupils was calculated to excite in the teacher instability and i irritability of temper. This could be modified by using the cooler part of tho day for school work. Tho experiment had been tested in a small way, summer hours in tlio samo schools having been changed from 9.30 a.m.3.3Q p.m. to 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tho chango had resulted in a benefit to education and in tlio relief of teachers and taught.