NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1286, 15 November 1911, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

IBy Tcloeraiih-PrcEfl AmoclatlonJ <, GASWORKS IMPERILLED. RATHER THRILLING TIME. Christchurch, November Ik Iho Rjingiora gasworks were in gravo danger from fire this morning about seven o clock. Coal in a shed attached lo tho retort house was found to bo ablaze. The brigade soon quenched tho flames, and the only serious damage was the destruction of the roof of tho shed and tho loss of tho coal, but the prospect was sorious for a. tune. The Commercial Union office carries the insurance risk.

DISPOSAL OF SAIL CRAFT. Auckland, November 14. Owners and agents of coastal vessels in Auckland have, for n long time, been complaining of the restrictions placed upon, the trade by the Government, and (ha trouble has now reached a somewhat aculo stage. Katlicr than carry on under the present conditions, many owners aro taking advantage of opportunities to sell small sailing vessels, and, within "tho past week or two, three scows, that had been regularly and profitably employed, havo been sent to Sydney, and four others havo been converted into lighters. BAND CONTEST. Gisborne, November 14, The secretary of tho band contest received information to-day that the following test selections havo been decided on:—A Grado: Grand selection, "La Mascotte" (Audron), selected and arranged by Mr. "William Short, L.K.A.M.; grand selection, "Hoberto II Dinvolo" (Meyerbeer), selected and arranged by Mr. Win. Short. 13 Grado: Selection, "Leg Hugcnots" (Mcycrlieer), arranged by Mr. W. Riinmcr; selection, "Maritana" (Wallace), arranged by Mr. W. Kiminer. THE LIQUOR BATTLE. Dunedin, November 14. At a special mooting of the committee on temperance and public morals, set up by the Methodist Conference- of New Zealand, a motion was parsed to the effect that tho liquor traffic was a sourco of innumerable evils, tho chief enemy of tho Kingdom of God, and tho most (treaded danger of tho youth, whilo economically it was tho worst possible form of capitalism, and strongly urging members and | adherents of tho church to strike out the top lino in both issues at tho coining poll. ■

A JUBILEE ISSUE. Dunedin, November 14. Tho "Otago Daily Times" will publish a jubilee issuo in the morning. Tho editor has received nearly 200 congratulatory messages, which aro being published, from prominent figures in political, religious, educational, industrial, commercial, and journalistic circles, these including messages from persons of exalted station.

ESCAPE AND RECAPTURE. Auckland, November 14. A prisoner named Salyotti Dario os« capen from custody by jumping off the Main Trnnk express this morning near Mercer. Ho was recaptured thi6 afternoon by Oonstablo Sherman, at Otahuku.

PROPELLER LOST. Gisborna, November 14. Tho Wellington trawler Energy put in hero, having dropped'her propeller oil the coast. LUMPERS ASTIR, Wcstport, November 14. A conforonoo is proceeding between w» preservatives of the shipping companies and tho Westport Wharf Labourors' Union regarding a proposed new industrial agreement submitted by the unionIncreases in rates of pay and other cor cessions are asked. PRISONER'S WISH. Cliristchurcl), November 14. In the Supremo Court (his morniuj Thomas Veitch, who was convicted the previous day for receiving a stolen cheque, applied for a new-trial on tin ground that tho verdict was against tha weight of evidence. Tho Judge refused the application but deferred sentence to permit tho prisoner to make application to the Attorney-General. SEAMEN AND REGISTRATION. Duncdin, November 14. The Dunedin Seamen's Union voted' ■120 in favour of cancellation of registration, and only fivo for retention. SUMNER CANAL. Christchurch, November 14. Tho lion. K. Jfitchelson, Messrs. W. Ferguson, and J. E. Watson, the "special commission appointed by tho Harbour Board to report on the commercial aspect of tho Sumner Canal proposal, met in Christchurch to-day. Mr. Mitchclson was appointed chairman. Tho commission will probably sit for a week.