TELEGRAMS.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 532, 27 March 1908, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

I'PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.} LAND HUNGER. Hokitika, March 27. For some thirteen sections of land in Wataroa Valley, South Westland, nearly 400 applications were received, as many as forty applications being roceived for a single section. Twen-ty-two applicants were excluded from the ballot as being ineligible, already possessing sufficient hind. Tho act-ing-Commissioner announced that tlie Board had decided to enforce the provisions of the law as to improvements and residence, and the successful applicants were warned to this effect. They all agreed, however, to submit to the conditions. MR SEDDON'S STATUE. The contract was settled yesterday with Messrs Parkinson antl Co., of Auckland, for the,. erection of a statue of the late Mr Seddon in one of the principal thoroughfares of Hoki- , tika, as "a memorial for Westland, which the late Premier so long represented in Parliament. Tho statue will be a little larger than life size, in marble on a polished granite pedestal, with white granite steps on a concrete foundation. NEW ZEALAND AUTHOR DEAD. Auckland, Slarch 27. James Adam, of Bon Accord, Milton, aged 86, died at his re-sidence yesterday. The deceased took part in the Otago Diamond Jubilee on Monday last. He came out to New Zealand in tho Philip Laing, and was the author of ''Twenty-five Years of Emigrant Life in New. Zealand." TOO MUCH WET. Gisborne, March 26. Heavy rain has fallen to-day, and the fall for the month totals llinches, 4 inches being the average for March the last thirty years. The rivers are rising rapidly, and coaches are detained .n consequence of the flooded stato of the creeks. DIDN'T WANT IT. Auckland, March 27. The City Council refused an application by the Metropolitan Athletic Club for the uso of Victoria Park on Good Friday, although the applicants undertook to devote 50 per cent, of the net proceeds of the collection at the gato to the Orphan Home,. THE FLAX INDUSTRY. It is estimated that 100 flaxmills have been closed in the Auckland province in consequenco of the low Eirices prevailing for flax ; but the outook is iiow pronounced to bo a little more hopeful. MAYOR MYERS. Mr Arthur Myors has acceded to a general wish of members of the Auckland City Council that ho should continue as Mayor, - ami has agreed to accent nomination for a fourth term of oflice. IN THE COURTS, Palmerston N., March 26. The Supreme Court sittings were continued to-day beforo Mi* Justice Cooper. Ernest Larcomb, an architect, dlaimed £265 from Henry Coles for the preparation of plans and supervision of a building. Hia Honour gave judgment -for plaintiff for £20, without costs. Thos. Rodgers, land agent, claimed £243 from Samuel Greer for commission on sale of property to R. E. Bannister. Judgment was given for defendant. • Thos. Clarko claimed from tlie North Island Brewery Company, of Mangatainoka, a dividend alleged to have been declared last year. His Honour allowed plaintiff to take a nonsuit, and only allowed cost's at five guineas. LAND FOR THE LANDLESS. Auckland, March 26. Despite the faot that, under the new Land Laws Amendment Act preference is given to applicants who are landless, the' number applying for Crown land thrown open for selection is in no way lessened. Applications dlosed at the Auckland Lands Office yesterday for an airea of 1t3,993 acres, open for selection and the total number of applications recoived was quite 700. The land in question is situated chiefly in the Kawhia and Watomo countries. The Land Board sits on Monday morning to consider tlio applications, and on Tuesday a ballot will be taken. Preference will in all cases be given to thoso who are landless. FORFEITURE OF LEASE. Dunedin, Maroh 26. The Otago Land Board gave a decision to-day in the case of W. 0, Pitches, who had been called upon to show cause why his lease over a small grazing run in the Tiger Hill district should not be forfeited for non-fulfil-ment of conditoins. The Board decided to forfeit the lease, and tbat the section again be offered for selection. INCREASING THE RENTS. Wellington. March 26. During the hearing or the Drivers' dispute at the Arbitration Court today, considerable evidence was called in support of the demand for the increased wages asked for by the Onion. Mr Eggers, a land agent, who controls the renting of 300 houses, was called by the Onion. He read a statement showing an detail how the rents of various houses, occupied by labourers, had risen during the last 18 months. Tlie increases amounted from 3s to 5s per week. Witness said rents were likely to further increase, owing to tlie operation of the new city by-laws, which he said are more stringent than the old ones. People came to witness frequently and offered him 2s more than existing tenants paid if the would turn them out. Workers were obliged to sublet, and take in boarders. He was sorry to admit he had known four families in one house. Tho tiling was a perfect disgrace. NATIONAL' DAIRY SHOW. Palmerston N., March 26. The Agricultural Department will have a large exhibit at the forthcoming National Dairy Show, occupying some 3000 feet of space. Experimental farms will be represented with fruit, flax, grain, poultry, butter, and various products. The departmental sections of biology, veterinary departments, etc., will be represented with comprehensive and instructive * idfijsplays. The A. and P. Association has accepted tenders for adding a further section to the large exhibition building, whioh Svilt give it an additonal 4000 square feet of covered space. FACILITIES FOR TRAVELLING. Wellington, March 26. The Wellington Harbour Board today decided to obtain a report from its officers on the matter of providing improved facilities for mail (and therefore passenger) connection between tho railway trains and steamers trading between Wellington and Lyttelton. The Board was prompted iv the matter by a letter from the Postmaster-General, asking what improved facilities would be given for the delivery of mails from vessels engaged in the ferry service. THE DRIVERS' DISPUTE. Wollington, March 26. The hearing of the drivers' dispute was commenced at the Arbitration Court to-day. Mr Pryor sat as the employers'" representative in place of Mr Brown, who was personally inIn outlining the demands of the Union, Mr Blackie said he hoped the Court would deal with the case on its merits. , „ . , Jt His Honour : Don't you think that that is how- the matter has been dealt with in the past? # Mr Blackie Baid he did not wish to convey this meaning. His Honour: Well, you have a very unfortunate way of putting it. Mr Scott said this was the tweltieth time the drivers had been before the Arbitration Court, yet the Union waa still discontented. Wellington drivers were the best paid in the dominion. The case ie not concluded. WERE THEY THIEVES? Wellington, March 26. Two men were captured to-night rifling the contents of a trunk stolen from the New Zealander Hotel, and consisting of ladies' expensive apparel. They will be before the Court in the morning. A PRIEST DEAD. Wellington, March 26. The death occurred this evening, at the Redemptorist Monastery, of the •Rev Stephen Pidgeon, a well-known member of the Order. Father Pidgeon was born in Dublin 56 years ago. He came to Wellington from Ballarat three years ago.