NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15166, 4 December 1912, Page 8

NEWS IN BRIEF.

'An eight-roomed house owned .by Peter Martin was destroyed by fire at West-port on Monday night. It was insured for £200 in the Dominion office.

A Napier to Gisborno tri-weekly ferry service was inaugurated last night, when the steamer Takapuna left Napier at 8.15 for Gisborne with 132 passengers.

The police cells were occupied last night by oue man who was arrested for drunkenness, and ft Maori , who will appear this morning or. a charge of lunacy.

Holiday excursion rates will be available on the railwavs during the period from December 18 "to January 2. The triple Main Trunk express train service will bo run from December 18 to January 6.

The old man Clarke, who was admitted to tho hospital on Monday night suffering from a slight concussion, but who was unable to give a satisfactory account of how he came by bis injury, was progressing very well last night.

The annual revision of salaries of the Harbour Board staff was included in the business for yesterdays meeting of the Board. A committee was appointed to review the position and to report to next meeting of tho Board.

At the Cambridge Magistrate's Court yesterday Thomas Reynold and Albert Allwell were each fined £2 for committing a breach of the new fishing regulations by using sprats for bait. Allwell was also fined £2 for fishing without having taken out a. license.

Tho case in which the native owners of the Orakei Block arc claiming compensation from tho Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board will be continued at the Supreme Court before Mr. Justice Cooper this morning. His Honor will also con>;jlt with the barristers interested in the civil cases yet to be hoard for tho purpose of arranging the order of hearing.