NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1086, 27 March 1911, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph— Press Association.) A

THE WAIKAREMOANA SCHEME. GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS. Napier, March 20. Mr. G. Nelson waited on the-Minister for Public Works (Hon. R. M'Keiizie) yesterday, on behalf of Napier and Hastings, relative to the AVaikaremoana hydro-clech-ic scheme, and other speakers also urged its claims. Mr. M'Kenzic replied that tho Government was quite familiar with all reports. If the chambers were to get to work, and show what power their communities were prepared to take, and what they would pay for it, they could then talk from a business point of view. If the chambers decided to take SOOO horse-power, it would l>o a very Rood start, and, if it were shown that their districts could take 8000 horse-power at ,£8 nor horse-power, they could then deal with'tho Government from a business standpoint. The supply of hydro-electric power was a national undertaking, and the Government did not intend to let anyone step in, and then have to buy them out afterwards ]f local bodies guaranteed to take a certain amount of power at a given rate, they were pretty safe in reckoning that, the Government would proceed with the work at Waikaremoana.

THE W.C.T.U. CONFERENCE, THE "WHITE RIBBON" JOURNAL. New Plymouth, March 25. The W.C.T.U. Convention resumed this morning. An address on Maori work was given by Sister Nellie, who stated with some degree of indignation that the law was evaded in Maori districts and drink purchased for Maori women. The report on the "White Ribbon" paper showed an increase of subscribers, and a good credit, balance at the bank. Tho paper is to be enlarged by the addition of four pages, one page being printed in Maori.

AGRARIAN OUTLOOK FOR WINTER. NOT VERY CHEERFUL. Timaru, March 25. Farmers in town to-day state that tho outlook for the winter is discouraging owing to the long spell of dry weather. The turnips and rape arc very generally destroyed uy blight, and the pastures aro eaten bare. There is no prospect of winter feed except from straw stacks and bran, with sheep in low condition to stnrt with. Old settlers say that the present condition of things is worse than that which has been experienced for many years. SERIOUS FIRE. OCCUPANT BADLY INJURED. Gisborno, March 25. Mrs. Lorry's six-roomed house at Makaraka was destroyed by firo at two o'clock this morning. The occupants had a narrow escape, receiving painful burns. Tho inmates were Mrs. Lorry, her brother (Mr. Hay), Mrs. Ball, and Mrs. M'Bride, a daughter, visitors from Napier. Mr. Ball was so badly injured that he had to be sent to the hospital. There was an insurance of .£125 on tho house and .£IOO on the furniture in the Atlas Office. DEPUTATION TO ACTING-PREMIER. Dannovirke, March 25. The Native Minister yesterday met the Maori owners of Mangatoro Block to confer with them with a view to the Government purchasing for close settlement. In tho evening the Minister received two deputations—one from the Chamber of Commerce, asking the Government to resume the Tiratu, Tahoraiti, and Mangatoro Blocks for settlement. The other . from the A. and I'. Association, asking for the extension of (he tenure of tho domain. In both cases the Minister indicated that the Government would tako the necessary steps, it being understood that the rights of the Natives would jiave to bo considered and their consent to J the' sale obtained' iuUhe case of tho blocks. SHOCKS OF EARTHQUAKE. ' Feitding, March 25. A very sharp treble shock of earthquake was felt hero two minutes before 4 o'clock this morning. Pahiatua, March 25. Earthquake shocks have been very frequent of late. Two sharp shocks were felt about four this morning. MR. SEDGWICK AT TIMARU. Timaru, March 25. Mr. Sedgwick addressed a meeting of about thirty farmers on boy immigration for farms. He urged that farmers should induce the Minister for Labour to withdraw his refusnl to give further support till the first batch had been here twelve months. DOWNPOUR WANTED. Feilding, March 25. The weather continues beautifully fine, and there is no sign of rain. Dairymen and stock owners view tho position with something like alarm. RATHER GOOD OFFER. Dur.cdin, March 25. Messrs. Thompson and Co., who have an artesian bore, have offered, during the continuance of the drought, to supply the City Council with water Uv the streets, in order to abate tho dust nuisance.