TELEGRAMS.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 527, 21 March 1908, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

S.PKB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] A TRAMWAY WANTED. Gisborne, March 20. The Cook County Council haa decided to instruct its engineer to report on a proposed tramway from Gisborne to Patutahi for the attainment of metal and the carriage of passengers and goods. TWO DIFFERENT FALLS. Christchurch, March 21. Rain was general in Canterbury throughout Thursday night and yesterday morning, the fall being sufficiently heavy to give the land a soaking that will do much good to grass and feed crops. • , Rain fell heavily all last night and still continues. . A fatal accident occurred to Kalpn Baird, a Sydenham resident, at Andrew's quarry, Heathcote, yesterday morning. Baird was working on some scaffolding, when he fell, receiving severe injuries. He was removed to the Christchurch Hospital, where he died this afternoon. THE BOY TRAIN-WRECKER. Invercargill, March 20. Adam Middlemen, a lad, was remanded to-day on a charge of having placed on the Kingston line (at Garston), a quantity of material sufficient to have derailed the train. A SHEEP STEALER. Dunedin, March 20. At Milton to-day, John McNeill, farmer at Circle Hill, was fined £10 and costs on a charge of having in his possession a carcase of sheep, not having lawfully come by the same, and on a charge of being in possession of a sheepskin, from which the ears had been removed, he was convicted and ordered to pay costs. ADVICE TO HOTELKEEPERS. Dunedin, March 20. At the Police Court, to-day, James Geddes, licensee of the , Douglas Hotel, was charged before Mr Widdowaon, S.M., with unlawfully permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises .and with selling liquor to persons already in a state of intoxication. The case was dismissed on the ground that there was no evidence that the person obtained the liquor which made him drunk at the hotel in question. The Magistrate said, however, that this case emphasised the prevalence of juvenile drinking. It showed a deplorable state of things in regard to the young men of Dunedin and to the young men of the dominion. To all hotelkeepers he would say it would be better for them if they gave young fellows only one drink. That young men were entitled to drink there could be no question, but it would be better to serve them with only one drink and no more. NEW REGULATIONS FOR CADETS Wellington, March 20. N&w regulations under the Defence Act are published in the Gazette. In respect of cadet companies the minimum strength is fixed at 35 and the maximum at 63. Cadet companies in joonnection with colleges and high schools may be formed into battalions, the minimum number of companies forming such battalion being three. On the formation of battalions the staff shall be provided by the schools. Two companies of Artillery Cadets and one company of Engineer Cadets may be formed ia each of the four principal districts. Where such companies are formed one company of Artillery Cadets shall be attached to the division of the Garrison Artillery Volunteers and the other company to the battery of Field Artillery Volunteers in the military district to which it belongs. Both the Artillery and Engineer Cadet companies are to be exercised in the same military course as laid down for Infantry Cadet companies. AN UNFAITHFUL MATE. Wellington, March 20. At an inquest at Wairoa on the body of Thomas Dillon, who met with an accident on Turioa road on Tuesday, very conflicting evidence was given. The chief witness, a mate of deceased, gave evidence which was upset by deceased's son, who stated his father was lying asleep on the road and he near him. His mate Redd had. an argument as to whether to fo on or turn back, and pulled his orse, which backed the dray over Dillon, rupturing his liver and bladder, and breaking the boy's thigh. A verdict of accidental death was returned. ' The jury censured Reid for not rendering assistance. THE PREMIER IN THE NORTH. Tauranga, March 20. Sir Joseph Ward continued his country tour yesterday, when he travelled from Rotorua to Tauranga by motor-car, visiting Tepuke en route. At Tepuke he was entertained at luncheon, and delivered a short address. He also received a number of deputations. After luncheon Sir Joseph Ward went on to Tauranga, and in the evening addressed a crowded meeting. To-day Sir Joseph goes through to Te Teko, Matata and Whakatane, and then to Opotiki to complete his Northern tour. THE NORTH MAIN TRUNK. Wellington, March 20. At the request of a number of sawmillere, Mr W. H. Field, M.P., waited upon the Minister for Public Works and Railways this morning, and asked when the Railway Department would take over the North Island Main Trunk Railway line, as far as Ohakune or Rangataua. Mr Field pointed out that millers were paying Is 4d per hundred feet on all timber which they sent over the section of the railway still in the hands of the Public Works Department, and they were anxious to know when the line would be under the control pf the Railway Department, which would mean the abolition of the fourth. The Hon. Mr Hall Jones informed Mr Field that the section would be handed over to the Railway Department in June. TE ORANGA HOME ENQUIRY. Cbrifitchurch, March 20. Te Oranga Home inquiry continued to-day, when Mrs Branteing gave evidence refuting the charges. bhe stated, in reference to the girl in the Samaritan Home, that she wanted the girl back, because the situation she proposed to take was not suitable, as she would be too much on her own responsibility, and without supervision. She had her hair cut off as an abaoonder only after permission had been granted by the Department. She had ordered the girl to scrub the floors in her bare feet so as her boots, stockings and clothing would be dry when she finished. With regard to the gratuity of the postman, charged on voucher as fruit or dinners, she admitted doing^ it, but not with the object of deceiving the department. The strap was only used as a last resource after persuasion failed, bhe would like to see the classification Bystem adopted, as it would do away with a large amount of corporal punishment. SUDDEN DEATHS. Christchurch, March 20. A man named Frederick Kennard ' committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor this evening . Wellingto, March 20. At ten o'clock this morning an unknown man was found lying in shaillow water near the bridge. Life was not quite extinct, but efforts to restore animation failed. Dunedin, March 20. The body of a married woman named Marry Hubbard, about 55 years of age, was found on Tomahawk Beach this afternoon. Deceased left home about 11 a.m., stating that she was going to have a look round. James Brady, who i was found in an unconscious condition on the railway line near Port Chalmers on Wednesday week, having apparently been struck by a passing train, died in the Hospital this afternoon, without having regained consciousness. Invercargill, March 20. The medical evidence at the inquest on Mrs Garthwaite, found dying near Lumsden was to the effect thai death was due to gastritis, brought on by drink and exposure to oold and wet. A verdict was returned accordingly. AUSTRALIAN GRAPES., Wellington, March 20. A consignment or South Australian grapes in excellent order reached Wellington this morning via the South.

The cold weather, however, made fruiterers less desirous than usual of laying in larger stocks, and thiß fact, added to the further happening that a fairly large lot of Dunedin grapes i came to hand unexpectedly, made j low prices rule throughout the sale. i The bulk of the offerings had to be ! quitted at 3d, and 4d per lb. THE BLACKBALL STRIKE. Greymouth, March 21. In reference to tho statement by the Argus that Mr Jjeitch emphatically denied that the Company offered to donate the amount of the fine, the Grey Star says that the manager, when interviewed on the question last night, said he knew nothing of the matter, but had heard that the union had been informed by Mr J. A. McCullough (of the Arbitration Court) that this should be done. He presumed, therefore, that the decision was communicated by the directors of the company 'in Christchurch to Mr McCullough. The miners are very emphatic in asserting that such offers were made, and that they desired it to be made public. The Stair gives an emphatic denial to the statement that the company had not offered to pay half the fine, and says the information to the union was contained in the following telegram:- "Chairman of directors is willing to contribute half the amount of the tine, providing matter is settled forthwith.— J. A. McCullough." The miners in the State mines voted £40 and £20 weekly to assist miners. AITKEN v. HISLOJt*. Wellington, Marcli 21. Mr J. G. W. Aitken, M.P., has consented itp contest the Mayoralty against the Hon. Thos. HisJop, the present Mayor. OUR MILK SUPPLY. Auckland, March 20. The recently issued regulation of the Health Department fixing the percentage of butter fat in milk supplied for human consumption at 3.25 ' was discussed at the meeting of the general committee of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association to-day. The general opinion was that the standard fixed was too high. It was resolved: "That the executive of the Association confer with the executive of the Milk Vendors' and Suppliers' Associations and confer on the question, the Health Department being invited to attend." NAPIER'S NEEDS. Napier, March 21. On Monday, a deputation representing the Chamber of Commerce, waited on the Hon. J. A. Millar, to urge the necessity of extending the railway from Napier to Giaborne, the speakers pointing out that a large area of valuable country was only awaiting reasonable lines of communication, to become closely settled. The deputation urged that a sum of money be placed on the Estimates next session for survey, as a preliminary to the carrying out of these works. Mr Millar promised to urge on his colleagues that this sum for survey be granted. The Minister also stated that he .would advise the straightening of the Napier-Port Ahuriri line.