DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 79, 30 March 1912, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(Per Press Associated ) Auckland, Mrach 29. A meeting under tlic auspices of the Auckland branch of the International Arbitration and Peace Association, held in the Town Hall, was attended by about nine hundred. The Mayor presided. The meeting carried a resolution that international arbitration was desirable in all cases before resorting to war; and endorsing the world petition to the next Hague Conference as a desirable means towards securing international arbitration before resorting to war. The latter resolution was moved by the Hon. G. Fowlds and seconded by Professor Mills. There was some interruption during the meeting, a section of the audience trying to divert the discussion to the threatened strike in Auckland and the Mayor’s attitude towards the Labour Federation. An amendment moved with this object was ruled out of order. Auckland, March 28. Kawau Island, the popular holiday resort in the Hauraki Gulf, has been sold for £30,000, which is a considerable incro iso on the previous price paid. The island will be subdivided into residential allotments. Another burglary was reported today. Last, night a grocery store at Ponsonby was entered and the contents of the till were taken. The police arc investigating, but so far no clue has been obtained. At the inquest on diaries Edward Lees, who died as a result of burn,:; received through his night-clothes catching fire, the jury returned a verdict, that death resulted from shock, caused by burns accidentally inflicted. Auckland, March 29. iA't the inquest on Mrs Catherine McGill, who died in the hospital under somewhat mysterious circumstances to-day, the Hospital Superintendent stated that deceased was admitted on Tuesday. The hospital doctor could not certify as to the cause of death, consequently a post mortem was field which revealed evidence of an illegal operation. The jury returned a, verdict of manslaughter against some person unknown. Hamilton, March 28. The inquest into the death of Geo, France, who was killed while coaling an engine at Frankton Junction on Wednesday, was held to-day. The jury returned a verdict that death was accidental through a crane falling on him, the safety clips not being fixed to the rails. The jury added a rider that the coaling of locomotives should be done by special men, as drivers coming in from long runs are not in a fit condition to make a close examination of the cranes; also that the department should issue specific rules;; and . regulations for working •these cranes, the evidence having shown that there was some doubt as to; whose duty it was to see the cramps -fixed to the rails." 1 Palmerston, March 28. Mr C. A. Loughnan yesterday issued a writ for £IOOO damages for alleged libel on behalf of Mr Thomas Stagpoole, against Frederick Pirani, journalist, and Frederick Pirani and Co,, Ltd., proprietors of the Feilding Evening Star. The alleged libels are contained in the Star of Monday, March 18th, in which a heading to a report of The conclusion of the Stagpoole case read, “A fraudulent return sent by Mr Stagpoole.’.’ An editorial was prefaced by a statement by Mr Pirani that Mr Stagpoole would be debarred from bolding any position as a teacher, and would find it impossible to obtain any position of trust. Also, in the report already Iref erred to, Mr Pi ran: is reported as saying that the Boaid had been defrauded. AH these matters and the articles referred to form the subject of the action. There is to be a band festival for the Wellington province of the Salvation Army, to he held at Palmerston at Easter. Some 130 to 140 bandsmen are expected to arrive on Easter Saturday, and on that, night there will he an open-aif demonstration. Among the officials present will 7 be; Staff-Captain Ec whole! (Provincial Chancellor), Major Rowley (the young people’s secretary), Major Colvin (editor of the War Cry), Major Kirk (trade manager for New • Zealand), as well as some 40 or 50 other officers from the Wellington provincial district. Under the new scheme Now Zealand is divided into four province s, each with its provincial head and staff, the North Island being divided ■ between Auckland and Wellington. All the visitors are to be billeted with friends of the Army. Wellington, March 28. The official statement issued of the re-arranging of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Co.’s share and debenture capital shows that it is proposed to increase the- shave capital to £2,000,000, divided into preference and ordinary fully paid 'shares for I £1,000,000 each, the former carrying j a fixed dividend of 5 per cent. The debenture capital will be reduced from i £3,296,339 to ,£2,000,000, carrying interest at 4 per cent. ’The share capital at present consists of fully paid shares of 10s each, and ordinary ( shares of £0 with 10s paid. In order to effect the changes proposed shareholders are asked to provide a further sum of £5 per share on partly paid shares, towards the payment of which the company will contribute from its reserve 15s per share. Ordinary shares will then stand at £5 10s fully paid, the other £3 10s to bo cancelled outright, but arrangements will be made by which any shareholder unable or unwilling to pay the call may ■exchange his present holding of shares with 10s paid for fully paid i shares of 10s, and he relieved of fnrj ther liability. The call now proposed, plus the 10s already paid, will [ amount to £1,013,052, to which will I' he added a bonus from reserve r.f j £187.929. This will be represented

by 5 per cent fully paid preference shares for £553,685 and fully paid up ordinary shares for £617,766. The remainder of the share capital will be provided partly out of the additional second debenture money and partly out of reserved profits. The bonus of 15s per share is receivable only by persons who pay the call op the existing shares. Holders may elect to pay the call in full and loccive the whole 15s, or only pay half the call and receive 7s 6d, or pay nothing further, in which case they will receive fully paid shares for 10s, the amount at present paid up. In the light of the profits earned by the company for the past five years shareholders who pay the call should receive about 7 per cent on the\capital invested, and those who elect to pay nothing further somewhat less. Just now all the shareholders are asked to do is to record their votes for or against the scheme. The question of payment of the call can be decided later, when the call is made. At a meeting of the Cabinet this afternoon, it was decided that a conference of local bodies throughout the Dominion should be held in Wellington for the purpose of considering the Local Government Bill, the measure being one of national importance. The Government will contribute £IO9O towards the expenses' of the conference, which: will take place at an early date, in order that the Bill may be fully considered before next session of Parliament. Gore, March 28. By a fire this morning part of Fleming’s flour mills was destroyed. The building was insured for £6OO. The four-roomed cottage adjoining, occupied by Mrs Potterson, was also destroyed. About 60 yards of electric cable were destroyed, and the bulk of the town is without a light or power to-day.