NEWS OF THE DAY.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12487, 13 March 1909, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The nominations for tho Nelson Jockey Club's races, cricket aiotes, and other interesting matter will bo found on the iirst page of this issue.

A Timaru telegram states that on Wednesday, in the District Court, an action was heard before Judge Haselden and a special jury, in which Ruth Benbow, daughter of a small farmer at Temuka, claimed from Robert John Edgar, a young farmer, £500 damages for breach of promise of marriage. The couple became engaged in 1904, but the defendant broke off the engagement in October last, only to renew it a fortnight, later. Finally he refused to marry the plaintiff. The principal reason given for the breach was that the girl was "too quiet." The jury awarded £200 damages.

A Feilding telegram states that a meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of W. M. Whishaw, farmer, has been held. The statement showed : Unsecured creditors, £2373; secured creditors, £29,413; value of securities estimated at £39,i«^. The bankrupt was examined at length and finally a committee was set up to nssist the assignee iv making a valuation of the properties.

Mr Edison's long promised new storage battery," which, if successful, would save a lot of. money in laying down tramways, is about to be practically demonstrated (says an exchange). The new battery is not the device for automobiles which has been the subject of many premature announcements, but a battery for use on street cars. The inventor is satisfied that a car will run a whole day without recharging. He expressed the opinion that the use of the new battery would revolutionise surface car _traffic._ He 'predicts that, street car lines will employ, none but cars equipped with the new batteries when he has demonstrated their commercial value ; the tracks will be without either overhead or underground 'wires or rails for the transmission, of current, and comparatively cheap stations will only be necessary, where the storage batteries may be charged after they have exhausted their store of-current.

Messrs Bisley Bros, and Co. announce the following sales: — To-day, at 11 a.m., produce, groceries, furniture, etc. ; on early dates, clearing sales on account of Mr A. Admore, Golden Downs, and Mr G. King, Clifton Downs. . ■ ■

Messrs Levien and Eollct will hold a miscellaneous sale of produce, furniture, etc., at their rooms, "at 11 a.m. to-day. v -