NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 474, 5 April 1909, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(BY TELECUAni—ritESS ASSOCIATION.) ~ *-~ — AUCKLAND CUSTOMS RETURNS. .A FALLING .OFF. Auckland, April 3. Tho Customs returns for Auckland for tho year ended March 31 discloso a falling off in value both in imports and exports. Imports totalled £4,539,377, a falling off of £264,091 compared with the previous year, when tho total was £4,803,468. Tho export figures were £3,029,657, against' £3,355,612, a decreaso of £325,955. A comparison of tho two years' exports show a decline in wool of £67,057, gold £127,400, beef £17,296, flax £140,311, tow £12,095, tallow £10,973, gum £66,662, skins £8509, timber £6330, silver £24,442, mutton £3636, lamb £25,940, butter £54,355, cheese £5287. LAWRENCE-ROXBURCH RAILWAY, THE PRUNING KNIFE. Dunodln, April 4. There is a great deal of feeling;at Lawrence over the application of the'pruning knife in connection with tho Lawrence-Rox-burgh Railway Works. Yesterday thiityfivo out of seventy-five men were paid off, and instructed te proceed to Catlins, where work would bo found. In about a month's timo the balance will be transferred to Catlins, tho intention being to carry on ballasting only as far as the lino has been completed. The boring plant lately brought from Broken River and set in motion on' Monday is dismantled for removal to Waimahaka, on the Catlins line. A public meeting will bo held to offer a strong protest against the suspension practically of the work on the lino. MISHAP TO A TRAWLER. Nelson, April 3. Tho steam trawler Nora Nivcn entangled her trawling gear with her propellor this morning, while some miles out in the bay, and the Koi towed her in. No damajo is anticipated. THE TIMBER COMMISSION. Dunctfin, April 3. The Timber Commission this morning concluded its Dunedin evidence. Tho principal witness was Mr. Barron, Commissioner of Crown Lands, who gavo details of tho approximate amounts of bush lands suitable for sawmilling in Otago. The total amount of the various kinds of timber was 585,815,000 superficial feet. Hunter Macandrew, District Engineer of Railways, supplied details of the life of various timbers used for railway purnoso-s. Ko held imported hardwoods were better adaptci than New Zealand timbers, creosotcd or uncreosoted.

The commission will meet in Christ-church on Tuesday, at 9.30 o'clock.

NEWS IN BRIEF. ~ , , , Chrlstchuroh, April 3. ~ March was the busiest month on record at the- Belfast Freezing Works, 116,000 sheep and lambs being slaughtered. The heaviest day was on the 24th, when SSGO were killed t> txt r> Mastcrton, Awil 3. K«v. J. A. Buttle was presented" with n purse of sovereigns by his congregation and others last evening, prior to his removal to Ins new district, Durham Street circuit Christchurch. Many tributes of appreciation were spontaneously accorded by speakers at a crowded valedictory gathering.