TELEGRAMS.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 760, 22 December 1908, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

CPU Fft-M ASSOCIATION.] A COMMISSION ON LICENSING. AuckSand, December 22. A deputation representing various tempeance and religious bodies interviewed the Premier this morning, requesting the Government to appoint a Roy«l Commission to investigate allegatons made respecting the ■administration of the law in connection wtih the granting of hotel licenses. Sir Joseph Ward said that grave charges had been made against certain magistrates and Justices of the Peace, and it was the duty of the Government to nave these charges investigated, to ensure that the people of the dominion should -have pure administration of ujstice. He promised that a Royal Commission would be set up lafe) poon as possible to investigate specific charges made; but he would not agree to the Commission tindertaking a tour of the country to investigate the general administration of the licensing Jaw. ~* XI) oOMPKN.^iION FOR GAOL. West-port, December 22. With reference to the dftaim made on behalf of Ilaf Hallinen and the late Anders Andersen, for compensation in respect of their false conviction in connection with the death of Burke, the Mnister of Justice intimates that the matter has received the careful consideration of Government and lie regrets Government is unable to recognise any claim to compensation or payments in connection therewith. The matter wil probably be made a subject of a strong local petition. THE POPE'S DISPENSATION. Christohurch, December 22. His Holiness the Pope has informed jJiahop Grimes that all Roman Catholics have been dispensed from the obligation of abstinence on- Now Year's l»*y, whic_ this year tails on & fc'raday* TAXATION .EXPENDITURE. The Suinner Dorougii Council -us decided to support the Petone hoiougn Council a ettorts to nave toe law amended to ma—© unouupied land that mas been acquired by the Government ror workers' homes subject to the -same (local rating as private proper* • ty. iJOi AND GIRL SCOUTS. Tiie iioy Scouts' movement is progressing rapidly in Canterbury under tiie general leadership of JUajor i> i/ossgrove. Several patrols ot girls scouts are now in existence. The movement ior both girls and boys promises, to be a very big thing before the close t of summer. CHAMI'IOiN SCULLERS. Arnst, the champion sculler, will be officially received by the Major of the city to-morrow at noon, in the City . Council Chambers. In the evening he will be entertained by the residents of Tai Tapu, who will make ihim a presentation to commemorate his victory. GRAIN CROPS. j The bulk of tne grain in Canterbury this year is the largest ior several years, and a good many more men than usual are wanted for the field. Uiarlv sown crops of oats were threshed at Elgin yesterday, the first of the season. HOUSES. Owing to the very large increase ot houses in the city, re-numbering has become necessary, and thirty-three feet will be allotted per number, full allowance being made for land not at present occupied by buildings. Streets are to be numbered west to east and south to north, according to direction. SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL. Hastings, December 22. A ' banquet was tendered to Sir Wm. Russell last night by his supporters. Among those present were Messrs W. C. Buchanan, M.P., J. Dnthie, F. Y. Lethbridge, R. D. D. McLean, A. L. D. Fraser. j The Chairman (Mr K. H. Will iams) said it was to be hoped that Sir William would yet again take an active part in guiding the destinies of New Zealand. In the course of his reply { Sir William said he had spent his life in the district, and in every possible way had striven to serve its interests. He made it a - principle to first consider the welfare of the country as a whole', and had nevergrovel. led to Ministers or sneaked to their doors with application's for small grants for his constituency. When he was Leader of the Opposition Party he had no more loyal supporters than Messrs Duthie, Buchanan, and Lethbridge. All had worked amicably and loyally in what they believed to be the benefit of the country. A MILITARY SCANDAL. Oamaru, December 22. The statement of the Military Court of Enquiry which exonerated the officers implicated is doubted by many in view of the declaration made by the members of the Court. Whatever may be the result of the enquiry, there is absolutely no doubt that the alleged offences which were preferred' at the instance of the Office Comanding jthe District were sufficiently serious to warrant investigation. It is rumoured that a certain document relative to the Enquiry has mysteriously disappeared, and it is stated on authority which cannot be ignored that, with regard to the attendance of the Oamaru Rifles at the Easter manoeuvres, the number fell short of the requisite half-muster to earn personal payment by a good many, and this must have been known to every officer connected with the battalion in camp. With regard to the paid daylight parade, it is also stated that it can be easily proved that at least one "man returned as present was working many miles away from Oamaru on the afternoon of the parade which was stated to have been held. Feeling is running high i_ volunteer circles, and it is understood that unless the matter is treated with due significance at least one company and three officers will resign as a protest.