NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1018, 6 January 1911, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Teleeraph.-rres3 Association.) - 4 FIREMAN'S BREACH OF DISCIPLINE, Christchurch, January 5. At the Lyttelton Police Court to-day a defaulting/ fireman, one of a class who have been causing trouble on Homegoing vessels, was dealt with. Matthew Heffy, fireman oil board the steamer Delphic, was charged with having been absent without leave from his ship on Tuesday last. Evidence was given by the chief engineer that accused had been employed in Timaru at £9 per month. The vessel left that port about four a.m. op Sundav,. and accused was signed on tho ship's "articles on the passage up as the shipping master's office was closed on the Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday morning accused went ashore without permission, saving that he was going, to thoi shipping master. He did not Teturn to the vessel, and' was arrested on Wednesday morning. The chief officer stated that accused had been mora than two hours on shore beforo he went near the Shipping master's office. He did not return to the steamer. Accused, who was continually interrupting and was extremely talkative, stated that ho had gone ashore to make a complaint to tho snipping master He admitted, however, that he had been told not to go ashore, that he had had drinl: ashore, and that ho did not return to the ship. The Bench sentenced him to seven uays' imprisonment, and ordered him to forfeit two days' pay (125.). The Delphic will leavo for Wellington on January 10, for London, and the man will be put on board the vessel before she sails. VESSELS AGROUND, BUT FLOAT

Dargaville, January 5. . A heavy dense fog and a low tide were responsible to-day for tho grounding in' the riwr of tho barque Jessie Craig, timber-laden for Australia, and the s.s. luga, .on the way from Hoanga to Tangowahine. . Doth vessels grounded fairly close to each other, but floated off a train on the rising tide. No damage whatever was occasioned.

LIFE-SAVING CLUB FORMED

Wanganui, January 5. In view of the dangerous nature of tho CastleclilT beach anil the number of accidents which have been narrowly averted it has been decided to form a lifesaving club, the Castlecliff Surf Bathing Club being inaugurated to-night. A lifeboat, bolts, anil buoys have been presciitnl bv Mr. \Y. R. Tuck, and funds are being raised for the necessary appliances.