New Zealand.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3143, 18 July 1901, Page 3

New Zealand.

Per Press Association t

AN EARTHJUAKE. PALMERSTON NORTH, July 18. A heavy earthquake was felt here at 8..30 last evening; direction north-east to south-west.

THE KING’S THANKS. WELLINGTON, Julv 18. King Edward has, through the Secretary 1 of State for the Colonies, expressed to the Presbyterian General Assembly of New Zealand his grateful thanks for its address of sympathy in connection with Queen Victoria’s death, and of loyalty to the throne. . COUNTIES CONFERENCE. The Counties Conference made good progress with, its review of the Counties Bill this morning, but still has over 200 clauses to consider. It was resolved that the revising committee be instructed to make it quite clear that local bodies will still have power to borrow money under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act. The Conference unanimously agreed that the returning officers and clerks to the Licensing Committees should be appointed by the County Council or Councils concerned instead of by the Government. The amount available for extraordinary expenditure was increased from £SO to £IOO. STRIKE OF SEAMEN. Trouble between the captain and crew of the ship Beacon Rock, as to food, culminated this morning in the men refusing duty. The shipping master of the port is to receive a deputation from the crew this afternoon.

A SHIPPING CASE. DUNEDIN, July 18. At the Police Court, Captain, Tierney, master of the barque Manirewa, was charged with neglecting to enter in his official log the discharge of a seaman,a( Adelaide. This was brought as a test case, and as it was the first case of (he

kind in the colony, the Magistrate im \ posed a nominal penalty of 10s and costs,