VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 February 1911, Page 5

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] THE FARMERS UNION. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 22.—The present North Canterbury Executive of the Farmers Union reported, at a meeting held recently that D. Jones, the recently appointed organiser of the Farmers Political Protection Party, would arrive on March Bth. The matter connected with the drawing up of the party's platform would be'left over till his arrival. A MUNICIPAL MATTER. GISBORNE, This Day.—The Borough Council , last night confirmed the legal adviser's settlement of the Spiral Pipe Company's claim against the Council regarding the waterworks contract. The Council pays £5,491 in full settlement. A resolution of thanks to Mr H. D. Bell, K.C., was passed. THE RUSH FOR LAND. GISBORNE, This Day.—ln connection with the examination of applicants (numbering 671) for sections in run 47 Otoko, the ballot takes place to-morrow. Ajjplicants come from all parts of the Dominion. A "PROPHET" IN TROUBLE. AUCKLAND, This Day.— At Whakatane to-day, Rua, the Maori prophet, pleaded guilty to five charges of supplying natives Avith liquor, for which he was fined £3O. For introducing liquor into a, Maori pah he was fined £lO. For selling liquor without a license, he was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. Other similar charges against Rua are to be heard on Friday. FAREWELL TO THE PREMIER. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.— Sir Joseph Wa,rd will be entertained at a farewell public gathering on Saturday evening. M;aHODISM. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.—The Methodist Conference opens formally at Christchurch this evening when the retiring President, the Rev. C. H. Laws, delivers, his address. Among the questions to be debated by the conference a,re the confirmation of the resolutions regarding the separation of the New Zealand Church, the proposal to cut: out one of the three readings of station, the establishment of a Methodist College or theological hall. The citizens meeting will be held tomorrow night in connection with the the conference. The Governor has promised to preside. Bishop Julius and the Hon G. Fowlds will be among those delivering addressed. FATAL ACCIDENT. WELLINGTON, This Day.—An elderly man who was knocked down by a train near the Petone Railway station last night and was terribly injured, died this morning. The body has not been identified. DIVORCE COURT. DUNEDIN, This Day.—ln the Divorce Court this morning a decree nisi was granted in the case of Christina Morris v. Thos. Chas. Morris, a wife's petition for dissolution of marriage on the ground of desertion. THE EDUCATIONAL QUESTION. AUCKLAND, This Day.—Bishop Cleary has issued a pastoral to be read to the Roman Catholic Churches .on Sunday. It says : "We demand a just proportion of the taxation we ourselves pay for secular education. The results our schools have achieved are testified to by State Inspectors. Our demand is identical in principle with the State system for reform of inebriates by the Salvation Army. Catholics only ask that State certificated work of education which they conscientiously do according to the State specifications and State requirements, be treated in the same way. We at least require neither State patronage nor State pay for our religious dogmas. . BANKRUPTCY CASE. AUCKLAND, This Day.—ln a case against Walter Francis Darby, found guilty of breaches of the Bankruptcy Act, the Supreme Court reserved various points raised by the defence for the Court of Appeal and granted permission to move a new trial. Accused was admitted to bail totalling £6OO.