NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 981, 23 November 1910, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ——-o ——-'.~

ACTIVITY ON THE TERRA NOVA. ■ STEAM- TRIAL AND THE PONIES. Christchurch, November 22. Steam was raised on the Terra Nova this morning, and the engines were given a two hours' run, The steam trials were entirely' satisfactory, the engines working extremely well. , Tho boiler, engines, and pumps have all been given a thorough overhaul, and everything in the engino department is now in first-class order. The pony stalls under tlio forecastle are now completed, and are ready to receive the animals which will lie brought; on board on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. A start was mado this morning to erect the stalls for tho remaining four ponies, for whom there is not-sufficient room -under the. forecastle. The decks have been well caulked, and stalls are being built on the port sido of the main deck, between tho galley and the icehouse. The structure is . being built of very stout timber, and is firmly secured to the decks, us it will have to stand the onslaughts of tho big seas which will bo iencountered on the way south. The ponies will faco inboard, and the house is being completely boarde.d lip on three sides in order to givo the ponies shelter from tho weather. A large staff of men were busily engaged to-day in loading the supplies 'and stores obtained in New Zealand. They consist chiefly of preserved meats, condensed milk, bacon, Hour, etc.

CLAIM FOR £2000 DAMAGES. 1 Christchurch, November 22. The hearing of tho caso in which William Skinner claimed .£2OOO damages from John Bannennan. for alleged malicious prosecution was continued today. When tho caso for tho plaintiff closed, counsel for defendant raised a non-suit point, which was upheld. CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS. Christchurch, November 22. For the junior civil service and senior free-place examinations there are lis girl candidates and 113 boys. MUCH-NEEDED RAIN. Masterton, November 22. Much-needed rain has been falling in the Masterton district all the morning. It will effectually check bush fires for the time being.' ' AUCKLAND COMPETITIONS. . Auckland, November 22. Tho Auckland Competitions Society has so far decided tho following;—Mezzosoprano solo, Florence Roberta. Devonport. Contralto solo, Miss J. Evans, Paeroa. Piano solo, Miss 13. Horner, Pateo. Humorous recital, Thos. Harris, Auckland. Shakespearean recital, ladies (open), Mrs. M'Callum, Auckland. Sight reading, ladies or gentlemen, Francis Gardner, Auckland.

At tho evening session awards woro made as follow:—Humorous recital, Miss Maud F.arrell (Auckland), 1; Mrs. M'Ca'iltarn, 2; Miss Kathleen. Major, 3. Piano duet, over 10, Dorothy Henderson and Mrs. C. Ross. Violin solo, over 10, Miss Ava Syinons (Hastings) and Miss Bosworth (Auckland), 96 points each. Theso divided first and second prizes.. Impromptu speech, R. Algie, 1; T. Hill, '2; ,1. H. Luxford, 3. Song, boys under 16, Eoy Dormer,