TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8542, 24 March 1908, Page 5

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Per Press Association. WESTPORT, March 24. Mr A. C. Hansen has definitely decided to offer himself as a candidate for the Mayoralty of Westport. Mr Greenwood, the present Mayor, will again be a candidate. Resignations from the local railway service are frequent, and some half a dozen young men have their notices in at present. The rate of pay seems to be the chief cause of complaint. INVERCARGILL, March 24. At a meeting of directors of the Southland Caledonian Society it was decided to secede from the New Zealand Athletic Union. The motion was carried almost unanimously, 19 members of a directorate of 25 being present and two only opposing the motion. . AUCKLAND, March 24.

A gum store at Mangawai, owned by D. Bowman, was destroyed by fire. The damage is about £1000 to £1200. The building was insured for £150 in the Guardian, and the gum for £500 in another office.

The Auckland Licensed Victuallers' Association has resolved to write to the Minister for Justice alleging that the police report on drinking by women in hotels was unwarranted, unproven, vague and general in character, unjust to licensees and unfair to the citizens of the Dominion. The Minister is asked to issue instructions to prevent what they regard as indiscreet and grossly improper proceedings. DUNEDIN. March 24.

In the Divorce Court Mr Justice Williams granted a decree nisi in .the case Porteous v. Port nous. wife's petition, based on the husband's ncn-compliance with an order for the restitution of conjugal rights. V.: WELLINGTON, March 24.

A test case involving a question of infant adoption was dccided to-day by Mr Riddel), S.M. Defendants were charged with receiving in consideration of payment or reward and retaining in their charge an infant for a longer period than seven consecutive days without, being licensed as foster parents. For the defcnce it was contended that no license or exemption was required if the premium or consideration paid to the adopting parent was received, as in the present case, solely for the benefit of the child adopted. The magistrate convicted defendants, but as they acted bona fide a nominal penalty of Is only was imposed. GISBORNE. March 24.

The Harbour Board discussed reports presented by Mr Marehant, (Timaru) and Messrs Coode. Son and Matthews (England) on the proposed new harbour. Both reports were in agreement on the main features of the work, but differed somewhat. in details. The cost will be about £400.000. Members; agreed that the Board was in a sound position to go on with the works, and decided to refer the scheme to the superintendents of shipping companies for their opinions.