VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 March 1910, Page 4

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

; V 'BT TELEGRAPH—PEK PILES 3 ASSOCIATION.] TEACHER’S SALARIES. DUNEDIN,. This Day.—The Otago 'Education Board at yesterday’s meeting considered the action of the Education Department in attempting *o reduce the staff of some schools in j terms, of an order-in-Couiicil dated in December last. The Otago Board was advised that, this order is ultra vires, Lhe Minister having no power to calculate the attendance except under the -Act and under table A of the order in 'Council. The Board intend to test the case in the Supreme Court, if necessary.

FIRE AT MOUNT EDEN. AUCKLAND, This Day.-A lire on a terrace at Mount Eden destroyed a house owned by H. Paltridge, of Napier. Arthur Hodgson had moved in a few hours before the outbreak. During his absence a fire occurred. The origin is a mystery. THE NEW ZEALAND DREADNOUGHT. WELLINGTON, This .Day— The tender of the Fairfield Compa.iy f London and Clyde at £852,999 fits been accepted for building the N« w Zealand dreadnought. The auxiliary machinery will "cost £22,000 uwe. The contract time is 24 months. ASSISTING PROFESSOR BICKERTON. WELLINGTON, March 18.— As a result of a deputation, which waited on the Premier some time ago, Cabinet has decided to aid Professor Bickerton, of Christchurch, to proceed to England and Europe to lay before the scientists there his "partial impact theory.” It was decided to subsidise up to £3OO any amount to be raised by subscriptions for that purpose. The subsidy will bo on a £1 for £1 basis. A GRANT TO CAPTAIN SCOTT. WELLINGTON, March 13.- The New Zealand Government has decided to render aid to the new British expedition to the Antarctic regions. When Sir Ernest Shackleton was

fitting out his expedition three years ago he received a grant of £IOOO Yesterday Cabinet decided to make the same grant to Captain Scott, who is preparing for an onslaught on the Pole next year. THE ‘TRUTH" LIRE!., CASE. WE IXIXI.iTON, March 18.-- The case in which Albert Ernest Louis Bert ling. .superintendent of the Wellington Zoo. claimed £2OOO damages for libel from Joint Norton, proprietor of the newspaper New Zealand Truth was concluded to-day in (he Supremo Court after three days’ trial. The jury found that plaintiff had been libelled and awarded him £IOOO. The jury wtis an hour considering ils verdict The jury added to its verdict a rider tlnal the evidence had not only failed to establish the charges against the plaintiff, but. had fully proved his competency for the post he holds. Judgment was entered for plaintiff for £IOOO damages, and an order was granted to stay execution for four days pending an application for a new trial on the grounds of misdirection by IJ is I foiioili the Chief Justice, before whom (and a special jury) the case was I heard.