TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 10006, 24 November 1908, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(Per Pkess Association.) DUNEDIN. November 24. At the criminal sittings, Henry Blair (18) and Daniel M'Cbrkiiidalo (16), who had pleaded guilty at Milton* to forging a school certificate with the object of obtaining employment in the .Government railways serviioe, were brought up. In sentencing them Mr Justice Williams said his opinion was that any person of the full age committing such an offence ought to be imprisoned, but ho would be sorry to send boys like the accused to gaol. They would both be admitted to probation for six months, conditional on paying £5 2s, the cost 6 of the prosecution.

OHRISTCHURCH. November 21. Last evening tho City Council received a. letter from the Inspector of Police stating that the police were quite' willing to enforce a iby-law regarding the obstruction of Cathedral iSquare by mass •meetings by bringing a test case if evidiencc of obstruction could be procured. The letter stated that a difficulty was likely to arise in proceeding under the present by-law against persons holding meetings in the square, and suggested that the by-law be amended to prohibit people from meeting without permission being first obtained from the Council. Such a. by-law seemed necessary for the protection of citizens from the disturbances that frequently occurred at night when large crowds assembled to hear speeches on matters that should be discussed in halls where there would be ample power to deal with, disturb - hers. Councillors seemed to think it absurd that the by-law should allow a constable to "move on" a man in the street, but not in the Square. The matter was referred to the By-laws Committee. Rain fell overnight and during the early part of the day. It will be very welcome, but was not enough, as it would require two days more to put the gardens, pastures and crops just right. The Ruapehu brought a number of stud sheep from England, and they went into quarantine. The consignment includes two Leicester ewes and one ram for Mr A. Archibald, from the Barrelwell flock ; a Romney ram, from Mr C. Files' flock, for W. Grant, and two Romney rams from the same flock for Sir Joseph Ward. At the Supreme Court to-day, in the divorce case, .Hounsell v. Hounsell and another, a decree nisi to be made absolute in three months was given, with cost:; against the co-respondent. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Shipping Company to-day the annual report recommended the payment of a dividend of 10s per share for tho year, of 4s per share is to he paid in April. The report proposed tarrying forward £15,508 15s sd, a distribution equal to 5s per cent, per share. It stated that after transferring £20,000 to the insurance fund, the balance to the profit and loss account was £12,383 8s 3d in excess of last years profit. A contract had been lot for the construction of a 8000-ton steamer to steam 13 knots with improved passenger accommodation. Wool and freight rates would not he increased and the rate in flax was fixed at 45s and low 60s per ton, till 31st October, 1909. The report was adopted.

AUCKLAND. November 24. A split has occurred in the vestry of St. Paul's Anglican Church, opinion being divided on the questions of ritual and also regarding license matters. Home members objected to the minister, the Rev. C. A. B. Watson, who is a strong no-liccnse advocate, having expressed from the pulpit an opinion on the local option question. As the outcome of a meeting last night, three vestrymen resigned. Brown's boatbuilding premises at Takapnna, including a new launch and valuable tools, was destroyed by lire this morning. TIMARU. November 21. The first wool sale will be held to-mor-row, when'si. total of 3752 bales will bo offered as-compared with 2155 for the corresponding sale of Hast year, the- bulk catalogue comprising farmers'" clips oil' dry shoe]). The season has been a favorable one, the plains growing wool clips of «•' much better class' tha.ni offered last year. The sale is expected' to bo n- 'satisfactory on.e, with prices in advance of those ruling at> the close of last season, and par to a, halfpenny higher than London SeptemberOctober sales.

To-day is dull though dry for the second ballot. Polling is not nearly so heavy as last week. Both candidates addressed Inrge meetings Inst evening', and a very close poll is anticipated. WANGANUI. November 24. A steady rain set in last night and continued till near midday, over an inch falling. It will be particularly welcomo to farmers, -whoso pastures snowed the effects of the dry weather experienced during last month. STRATFORD. November 24. A fire at 1 a.m. to-day did considerable damage to Nurse M'Quay's private hospital. The patients were safely removed. The loss was covered by insurance. NAPIER, • ■ November Wt The magistrate gave judgment for Nurse, limwn in the claim against the Hospital Trustees for £125 for wrongful dismissal. The amount of the claim was £2OO. Splendid rain commenced during the night and continued throughout the day. The fall will do incalculable good.