NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1746, 23 August 1905, Page 54

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

AUCKLAND, August 16. Mr James Mills, in the course of an interview; said the Union Company recognised the necessity of daily connection between Onehunga and Wellington, and it would endeavour to meet the demand. The company would not be warranted in placing a turbine steamer on this service. It must be recognised that at some future date the company would have the Main Trunk Railway competition. He believed a fortnightly service with San Francisco was possible. Six new steamers would be added, said Mr Mills, to the Union fleet, this year, largely replacing the old vessels. AUCKLAND, August 17.

At the Supreme Court to-day James Mills Green was sentenced to three y ears for receiving .£l9 15s, knowing it to have been stolen. The evidence showed that prisoner had been “ keeping company ” with a neice of complainant, and had instigated her to steal the money and give it to him. Edward Percy Palmer, on a charge of obtaining money under false pretences, was found not guilty and discharged. Tane, a half-caste Maori, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour for indecently assaulting a girl under seven years of age. A proposal to inaugurate a superannuation scheme\for City Council employees has been referred to the Finance Committee.

At a meeting of the City Council tonight, a lai’ge deputation waited on the Council to request that placards setting out the evils of drink, similar to placards issued by the Government of France and the municipality of YVoolwich, should be issued by the Council. The deputationiets said they were not there in the interests of prohibition or any temperance party, but simply as citizens anxious to check one of the causes of race deterioration. The Mayor (Mr A. M. Myers) said he considered the request was a gratuitious insult to him personally. Members of the deputation knew he was a member of the firm of Campbell, Ehrenfried and Co., well known brewers, and apparently desired to place him in a difficult position. He moved a resolution declining the request of the deputation. The resolution was carried unanimously. The Rev Mr Garland said he regretted the mayor had taken this action. The deputation personally had no intention of raising any difficulty for the mayor in the matter. At the annual meeting of the North Island Main Trunk Railway League, Mr Vaile was requested to move —“That this league has seen with great pleasure the unanimity of Auckland members in asking for justice to Auckland in the matter of railway votes, and, while tendering them the league’s thanks, desires them to use every constitutional means to have the work; of the Auckland trunk line placed on the same footing as the Midland and Otago Central branch lines.’’ Mr Vaile said he agreed with the whole motion except the last few words. He would like to see the railway lines north of Auckland placed on a better footing than the Otago lines. The motion was carried unanimously. AUCKLAND. August 17. News from Tonga states that the High Commissioner recently visited the Islands in the Torch.

It is announced that the return of the deported Premier has been postponed indefinitely.

Though the King is depressed owing to his protests to the Imperial Government being'ineffectual, affairs are working smoothly under the new Government. AUCKLAND, August 18. There appears to have been some sort of expectation in the city that the Orpen case would be begun in the Supreme Court this morning, and consequently a large crowd of men gathered behind the spectators’ barrier to watch, the case. The presence of the crowd was commented upon by Mr Justice Edwards, who observed that he_ had on previous occasions expressed the hope that the Legislature would give him power to clour the Court for certain cases. He should luivo thought people could find something more respectable to do than listen to these unfortunate stories. “All who are respectable,” he added, “will leave the Court. Those who are not respectable may remain.” Nobody remained. Further evidence for the defence was taken to-day in the charge against Willian Reid of attempted murder of Mary Kate Donovan on the fishing-beat Christina on Sunday last, by seizing her by the throat and holding her under water. The evidence was very contradictory. The Alagistrate, in committing accused for trial at the Supreme Court, said he had doubts whether the attempted murder charge had been sustaned sufficiently for committal, but he was quite satisfied that the evidence was sufficient for commitment on a charge of- aggravated assault. It would be competent for the Crown Prosecutor to indict accused on either charge, or on both. On bail being asked for, the Chief Detective alleged that several witnesses would “ would go in fear ” of the man if he were liberated. Bail Avas granted, in two substantial sureties of £75, and prisoner’s OAvn recognisance of £IOO. GISBORNE, August 18. The Cook County Council at its meeting to-day found itself unable to pay accounts until the Chairman and some of the members had guaranteed the funds for their payment. It Avas stated that the position was owing to delays of the Government in forwarding moneys due on road grants authorised, subsidies on rates, and land fund moneys, amounting in all to over £2OOO, some of which was six months The Council decided to send a telegram to the Government stating the facts, and pointing out that the Council had i>o pny interest on the extension of the overdraft rendered necessary by the payment of the money. _ „ . . „„ PALMERSTON, August 16. A two-storied building in Cuba street Avas destroyed by fire at 1.30 o’clock this morning. The building was recently vacated by the Working Men’s Club, and

at the time of the fire was occupied by J. Graham (electrician), Nott -(billiard saloon). Leigh and Co. (Land agents). Roberston (watchmaker), Beattie, Lang and Co., and Miss Culling (Sandow exponent). The building belonged to H. S. Munro, and was insured for £SOO in the Standard office. The loss is estimated at £4OO. The stock of the various tenants was practically covered 'by insurance, " with the exception of Miss Culling, who lost all her property. FEILDING, August 16. After occupying two days, an inquiry into the recent fire, resulting in the destruction of business premises in Manchester street, was concluded to-day. The jury returned a verdict that the fire commenced in the premises of Milson and Coles, but there was not sufficient evidence to show how it originated.

PAHIATUA, August 17. At a sitting of the District Court, Ellen Coe was found not guilty on a charge of perjury.

Attention Avas directed to the fact that no bailiff resided at Paliiatua, and Mr Haselden directed the Clerk of the Court to write to the Under-Secretary on. the matter.

HOKITIKA, August 17. A very enthusiastic public meeting was held here to-night with reference to taking steps to improve Hokitika harbour. Resolutions were carried to make every endeavour to raise sufficient funds to pay off the present indebtedness to the Postal Department and proceed with necessary harbour ivories. The meeting affirmed the desirability of placing a special rate upon the town and portion of the County of Westland as security for any loan that might be necessary. A deputation will be sent to Wellington, with a view to getting legislation passed this session giving rating power. CHRISTCHURCH, August 16.

The North Canterbury Education Board has decided to convene a conference of members of Education Boards to be held at Wellington on September 11th for the purpose of discussing and giving united expression to the desirability of alterations and amendments in the administration of the primary education system.

In reply to the Board’s inquiry whether the restrictions placed on Education Boards regarding the expenditure of building grant are unnecessary and calculated to hamper them in endeavours to meet the varying needs of their respective districts, the. Hawke’s Bay, Otago, Nelson, South Canterbury Southland, and Wellington Boards have written endorsing the views of the North Canterbury Board, and expressing willingness to join the Board in any action taken towards restoration of the powers previously possessed by Boards. The Westland Board replied that as the needs of the district in regard to new buildings were very small, and had been uniformly provided by the Department, the Board had no reason to offer objections to existing conditions, though the Board could understand that in larger districts restrictions .might prove irksome. CHRISTCHURCH, August 16.

The annual report of the Kaiapoi Woollen Alanufacturing Company states that the year had been a difficult one for wollens, but the policy adopted by the directors enabled them to recommend the usual dividend. Steps have been taken to reduce the output and diminish the present heavy stocks. After paying the usual interim dividend and providing £2OOO for depreciation, the sum of £4023 18s 5d was available. The directors recommend a further payment of £3500 as dividend, making 7 per cent, for the year, the balance to be carried forward. CHRISTCHURCH, August 17.

“Arbor Day” was observed here to-day. About a hundred pupils from the Addington school planted evergreens, shrubs, hedge plants, and flower seeds, and at the Waltham school a couple, of roAvs of trees Avere planted. The children from these schools also assisted in tree-planting on Cashmere Hills.

CHRISTCHURCH, August 18

An official trial of an,automatic tablet exchanger Avas made to-day on the railway between Christchurch and Rollesthe stations between the places mentioned having been fitted Avith apparatus which is the adaptation of an idea of Mr Wynne, signal and electrical engineer. In every case the exchange was complete, the train at times attaining the high rate of speed of fifty miles an hour. The invention does away with the present risk run by stationmasters and enginedrrters in exchanging tablets Avhen a train is travelling at a high rate of speed, and at night. A Avrit in a libel action, T. E. Taylor, M.H.R., v. -J. M. Tworney, publisher of the “Temuka Leader,” has been issued by Air Taylor’s laAvyer in this city. Plaintiff claims £IOOO damages.

The Canterbury College students responsible for breaches of discipline before and on degree day have submitted themselves to the Professorial Board, which will deal with the offenders at its meeting on Wednesday.