WEST COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 34

WEST COAST.

I A -fire /broke out on the 19th in the Town I .Hall',f3£umiara. 1 Damage ,to -the .extent of -£100} was Tdone before the' fire- was extin- , guished. • It is understood that the insurances w«re allowed to lapse/a few days ago." Wah Sing, a recent arrival from Blenheim, pleaded guilty to having opium in his [ possession at Westport on Friday, and was N fined £10 and costs (£l< 10s). The money was paid.

At Hokitika Supreme Court the breach of promise case Stratford v. Larsen, a claim for £1000, was concluded. The jury awarded £590. Application was made for a new trial on the ground of exoessive damages.

In the Divorce Court the case of .Bain v. Bain, a husband's petition on the ground of desertion, was adjourned. In thp case of M'Cartney v. M'Cartney. a husband's petition on the ground of desertion, his Honor reserved decision. In the "case of Kyle v. Kyle and Hollow, a husband's petition on' the ground of adultery, a decree nisi was granted, with costs against the co-respondent. In the case Harley v. Joyce, a decree for accounts, an order- was made. The oase of Overtoil v. Webb, a claim for £119 for wages-, was adjourned to the next sitting of the court. At the Supreme Court at Hokitika the divorce petition Phillips v. Phillips, on the ground of drunkenness, was lefused. Bain v. Bain, a husband's petition, was granted A degree for accounts in Outram v. Seaton was also granted. Several applications for probate were granted. This concluded the business of the session. As a result of a conference between representatives of the North Canterbury Timber Merchants' Association and th© West Coast Timber Trading Company, it is probable that the timber to be used in buildmg the New Zealand International Exhibition will be obtained from the West Coast. It is estimated that 4,000,000 ft will be required, costing over £20,000. Tho West Coast band contest has been fixed at Hokitika for May 1 and 2, next > r ear, Tho total prize-list is £165. For tb©

test selection £90 is given in throe prizes, and £40 in three prizes for the test march. Gold and silver medals arc to be given for solo playing, etc. A strong executive has been appointed to carry out the function, and the townspeople have responded very liberally to tho request for a guarantee, upwards of £200 having been promised.