LATE TELEGRAMS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 81, 26 May 1911, Page 6

LATE TELEGRAMS.

OUTBREAK OF MEASLES. (Per Press Association.) Blenheim, May 26. The local school has been closed for a month owing to an outbreak of measles.

OBITUARY.

(Per Press Association.') Blenheim, May 26. The death has occurred of Mr. William Bsnoni Parker, He arrived in New Zealand in 1861, ,ind had resided in Marlborough since 1361. He leaves a widow and live sons. Auckland, May 26. Makca Takau, Quen of Raratonga, died on May Ist, after a long illness, aged 72. She reigned for forty years. The Resident Commissioner visited the palace on- several days, and was with Makea when she died. When Makea was appointed Rangi was also nominated. Before she died Makea expressed the wish that Rangi should succeed her. This wish will probably bo given effect to by the Federal Council. The body lay in state for three days, and the funeral was an imposing one. The usual fcangi was also held.

CRICKET.

(Per Press Association.! Dunedin, May 26. The “Star” states that there is a possibility of the Marylebone cricket team visiting New Zealand between the third and fourth tests and playing at each centre.

SLY”GROG SELLING.

A CHINAMAN CONVICTED

(Per Press Association.) Wairoa, May 26. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day, a Chinaman was convicted on two charges of sly-grog sell mg, and was fined £ls, and costs £22 IGs, in default a month and fourteen days, respectively.

THE DEFENCE SCHEME.

(Per Press Association.) Oamaru, May 26. At a meeting held last evening, the North Otago Mounted Rifles decided to disband on the ground that it was impossible to comply with the Territorial regulations as regards the number of parades. DENOMINATE NAL COMPANIES Wellington, May 26. The Acting-Minister for Defence (Hon. G, Fpwlds) said to a “Post’’ repoj'tdi’i srig morning:—“There seems to be an impression that the Defence Department or the Government is encouraging the formation of denominational companies. That is not so. The idea started originally with the concession that hoy scout units were to be allowed to keep their organisation. From that it has spread to various organisations and churches suggesting that they may have similar units amongst their own people in the senior cadets. The fact is that we have not in any way encouraged the idea, and under any circumstances officers of such companies could not bo appointed by the organisations or church, but must in every case be appointed by the Defence Department.” The Minister added that such companies could only be for senior cadets in large towns. The conditions of the defence scheme were primarily geographical, and the force is territorial. For the Territorials, any idea of denominational organisation was quue impossible, and had never been entertained for a moment by the Department, as recruits will ho drafted into one of the existing companies, which are net now, and cannot in future be, in any sense denominational.

EVADING DUTY.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, May 26. Thomas Hoult, of Feilding, was fined £36 in the Magistrate's Court for evading duty on goods to the valuo of £l2, consisting of gloves, cigars, cigarettes, a set of harness, and a rug. The fine was reduced to £9, and the goods ordered to be confiscated.

THE HON. T, MACKENZIE.

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, May 26. The Ron. T. Mackenzie was waited upon by a deputation of Government supporters and asked in the event of Taiteri being cut out in the redistribution of electorates to contest a northern seat. He said it was only fair to hiS constituents in Taieri to take no action until the electorate was actually cut out. In any case he wojuldi do ilfflthina ulitill hfti ifliiiitisidifi the mtid frith oii iilleagllM.