DOMINION ITEMS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12259, 6 July 1909, Page 7

DOMINION ITEMS.

(l Jer Press Association.)

HAWERA, July 5. At a dispersal sale, T. R. Exley's Jersey herd, numbering seventeen cows, wae sold on Saturday, and averaged 30 guineas each. The six-year-old cow, Duchess Elma, headed the list at 65 guineas. Tho seven-yea.r-ojd cow Eureka was next at 51 guineas. * AUCKLAND, July 5. H M.S Challenger, with the Governor aboard, returned from a cruiee in the South Sea Islands this morning. She visited Rara tonga, Magaia, A tin, and Aitutake. and steamed about 4000 miles. Fino weather was experienced, except the last day at Raratonga, when rain somewhat mairrod the festivities. On tho return trip the Challenger overageel fifteen knots. She had been in wireless communication with tho Encounter, bound to Auckland, and with Sydney since Sunday morning. The Natuna. a small steamer belonging to the North German Lloyds, arrived at Raratonga on June 22nd, conveying a scientific party from Germany. After passing the Customs the steamer left for tho other islands of the group. She then goes to Tahiti, Elizabeth and Ducie Islands. It is surmised that the. expedition is seeking for phosphates. Raratonga news dated Juno 23rc7, says that tho Governor arrived on that dato in H.M.S. Challenger, after a delightful trip. He intended to visit Mangara, Atua, and Aitutaki before returning to Raratonga for his official reception, spending a day at each island. INVERCARGJLL, July 5. The gross receipts for the benefit concert to Miss Ella Thomson, Melba's protege, amounted to £140. The committee expect to hand her one- hundred guineas. Mies Thomson loaves for Melbourne early in August, where she ■ moets Melba. and arranges her future j plans WELLINGTON, July 5. At a meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors, reference was made to a complaint of settlement being retarded through lack j of surveyors. The Council is firmly of ' opinion that plenty of surveyors are j available, who are capable of doing any class of work required bj* the Government. ; DUNEDIN, July 5. A plip of about a thousand yards occurred on the Otago Central. A gang of men has been sent to clear tho ot> struction, and it is hoped t*> gefc the line free by six o'clock. Meanwhile traffic is suspended.