TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8537, 18 March 1908, Page 8

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Par Press -Association. INVERCARGILL, March 18. Patrick Troy was yesterday sentenced to twelve months' hard labour for being a rogue and vagabond. He was described in Court as a profressional swagger and loafer, who travelled from end to end of Southland begging food. He seldom worked, and some farmhouse people were afraid to turn him l away for fear lie would burn stacks or do other damage. AUCKLAND, March 18. There has been a distinct shortage of small vessels, especially of the scow class, for coastal trading about Auckland for some time past. In the course of conversation with a gentleman connected with this class of trade, a Herald reporter was informed that though trade was increasing the number of vessels was decreasing. This was to some extent accounted for by a number of scows being engaged in connection with the harbour improvement works. The few vessels not doing' this class of work cannot, it is stated, cope with the ordinary traffic. It was also stated that no scows were being built, the reason given ■ being that the trade for scows and other small vessels along the coast is not so profitable as it was before'the present strict regulations were brought into force. An interesting addition to the collection of old New Zealand records in the Auckland Public Library has just i been made in the shape of the first piiblican's license issued in the Dominion. It was granted at Kororare- : ka., now known as Russell, to one i John Johnston, in the year 1840. The ] fee charged was £30. The license authorises him to sell "at the sign of i The Duke of Marlborough" various 1 liquids, including " ginger beer and spruce beer."