NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1303, 5 December 1911, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(Bj Telesraph—Prero Aaioclfctloa.) 9 BOARDINGHOUSE BRAWL. .MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED. Gisborne, Decctnl>or 1. A serious altercation took placo in a boardinyhouse here 011 Saturday evening between two labourers named Thos. Fitzgerald an<l Win. Brown. They were disputing over money mutters, and were advised "to settle the dispute on the lawn in front of tho house." Fitzgerald declined to fight, and went upstairs, followed by Brown. Some time later a disturbance was heard, and the other inmates rushed to Fitzgerald's room. It is alleged that Brown forced Fitzgerald on to the bed, anil badly treated him. Fitzgerald was found in a semi-conscious condition and a doctor was called in, and ordered his removal to tho hospital. Ho is suffering from injury to the spine, and all yesterday remained in a semiconscious condition, but he shotted some slight improvement this evening. Brown was'arrested and charged witn assault at the Police Court this morning, and remanded until next week. BETTING MAN CAUGHT. Auckland, December 4. During the progress of tho trotting races at Alexandra l'ark on November 22, George Parkes was seen by Detective Powell to go up to saveral people, and apparently receive money from them. Ttio detective questioned him, and found a book with a number of bets. I'urkes admitted making tho bets, and that he had also been warned off tho Ellorslie Racecourse on suspicion. This was the story which Chief Detective Marsack told wheD Parkes was chargcd with making bets. He was fined XIU, in default one mouth in gaol, HOMESTEAD BURNT.

Hastings, December 4 The homestead at Te Jlahauga station, owned by Messrs. Douglas Bros., was totally destroyed by lire this afternoon. The particulars aro not available. ■ I CROPS RETARDED. Eltharr., December 4. Tho continuous bad weatner is viewed seriously by tue larmcrs. 'lhe coid winds tiiat .accouipameu tne heavy rains retarded the growth ot the grass, mangel crups also sutlering severely. Some mangels nave been sown twice only to be b.own about and destroyed by wind as soon as they are above tne ground. Unless there is an eariy improvement in the weather, the outlook for autumn and winter feeil will be very bad. 'lhe milk supply is considerably below what it was this time last ytar.