IN THE DOMINION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 20, 13 May 1908, Page 5

IN THE DOMINION.

Blackball miners still continue idle, a conference held at Christchurch having failed to adjust the matters in dispute.

An information has been laid against Max D. King, late secretary to the Waihi Hospital Trustees, charging him with misappropriating £2O. The self denial fund of the Salvation Army in Australasia shows that last year £30,981 was raised in this way, £ 10,435 coming from New Zealand. The Wellington City Council has decided to extend the closing hour of billiard saloons from 10 p.m. until 10.30 p.m.

Among articles recently picked up by conductors in the Auckland trams were a rooster in a crate, 31bs. of butter, and a purse containing a diamond ring and money.

At Oamaru, the North school has had to be closed owing to an epidemic of measles. On assembling after the Easter holidays 142 out of 367 children were absent through this disease. The Health Department is engaged in collecting and analysing a large number of foodstuffs, including pickles, sauces, and cordials, in connection with the new Pure Food and Drugs Act. A. C. Elliott, a-bankrupt who absconded from Wellington some two weeks ago, returned from Australia on Sunday last, and surrendered himself to the Auckland police.

The Christchurch municipal tepid baths have just been completed in Man-chester-street, and will be formally opened by the Mayor on May 14th with an evening’s programme of swimming events. The Tyneside coal mine, Greymouth, has been flooded, owing to an influx of surface water. It is feared that the mine will have to be permanently abandoned. In the meantime 1-50 men are thrown out of work. The brewery business of Strachan and Co., Dunedin, one of the oldest in the colony, has been purchased by prominent shareholders in the business of Speight and Co. It is understood that" the price paid was something over £ 10,000.

A Hastings settler, starting with very small capital 11 years ago, cultivated 8 acres of land, and is now in an independent position. He attributes his success mainly to the profit from one acre of rhubarb which lie has grown annually. The little strike of bricklayers at Gisborne lasted only a couple of days. The men resumed work on an amicable agreement, under which competent men are to be paid 13/ a day, and the others on a sliding scale.

The sum of £2500 has been voted by Cabinet for the Burnham Industrial School to enable the department to be established for incorrigibles, and for a receiving place where classification can be undertaken.

The New Zealand Employers’ Federation has decided to urge the Minister for Labour to proceed against any unions which had aided and abetted the Blackball strikers, so that the position may be made perfectly clear.

The Wellington branch of the Navy League has sent to the Japanese Consul in Wellington a letter of sympathy in connection with the recent explosion on the Japanese cruiser Matsushima, which resulted in the loss of 206 lives.

At the Taviuni inquiry the Court found Captain Brophy guilty of negligence, and suspended his certificate for three months, ordering him to pay the costs, £35 11/. No blame was attached to the other officers. It is stated that the Government intends to institute a system of moneyboxes, to be worked in conjunction with the Post Oflice Savings Bank, and in this way to meet the alleged! want of a savings bank in the home.

Workers at the Burnside Freezing Works, Dunedin, have been granted an increase of wages. The men hero have not been working under any award of the Arbitration Act, but the company, on ascertaining that higher rates were paid elsewhere, agreed to the men’s demand. At Christchurch the other day, Mr. Ronayne, General Manager of New Zea-

land Railways, stated that he was confident the Hon. W. Hall-Jones’ statements would be verified, and that the North Island Main Trunk line would be opened as promised, by December 31. It was suggested at Auckland City Council meeting on May 9 that ex-Mayors of the City should be appointed as aidermen, or receive some other designation, and thus enable them to take part in the deliberations of a greater Auckland Council

Mr. Dinnie, Commissioner of Police, who has just returned from a tour of inspection in the North, stated that his Visit had convinced him of the necessity of affording more police protection in Auckland city and suburbs. That course would be followed out during the present year.

Webb, the champion sculler, who is in Wanganui, has received a communication from the backer of Welch, asking him, in view of Arnst’s challenge for the championship being declared off, would Webb meet him. Webb has replied, advising Whclch to lodge his deposit, and the challenge can follow should Arnst withdraw.

The s.s. Morayshire, which arrived at Auckland from West Coast of United Kingdom ports on May 6, brought 76 immigrants for the Dominion, the bookings being as follows: Auckland 24,Wellington 23, Lyttelton 18, Port Chalmers 10. The day before the vessel reached Capetown, Mrs. Burness, who, with her husband, was proceeding out to Canterbury, died from natural causes.

During its existence of twenty-one years, the profits of the Dunedin United Friendly Society’s dispensary total £ 10,687, or over £5OO a year. There are 29 societies in it, representing 5091 members; over 535,000 prescriptions have been dispensed!, and cash sales total £27,993. The annual levy per member for medicine has been reduced from 7/ to 4/.

The particulars of the New Zealand Research Scholarship of £ 100 per annum, instituted by the Government, are advertised. The scholarship has been created for the encouragement of investigation more on industrial than scientific lines, and this year is awarded to Auckland University College. Applications for nomination have to be lodged by May 28.

In reply to a question put by the “Auckland Star” representative this morning, Mr. Hall-Jones said that as the outcome of his recent visit he was satisfied that cars would be running over the Main Trilnk line in November. This Is an advance in the previous statements on the subject by the Minister, who also states that provided nothing unforeseen occurs, the line will be available for next Christmas and New Year holiday traffic. The Wellington City Council has received a report from Mr. Hugo, superintendent of fire brigades, suggesting the substitution of motors all-round for horses. He furnished figures showing that a motor service would cost the city £350 less per annum than one in which horses were partially used. In addition greater expedition could be attained in getting to fires. He advised the purchase of three new motors and proper facilities for fire prevention in the suburbs. The Ashburton Boring Rights Syndicate, which has secured boring concessions over 125,000 acres in the county (100,000 of them east of the railway) between the Rakaia and the Rangitata, proposes to form a company with a nominal capital of £25,000, of which £15,000 is to be subscribed, to put down bore wells to test the country for petroleum. The subscribed capital will, it is estimated, enable three or four wells to be sunk to a depth of about 2500 feet.

O'he contractors for the construction of the Wanganui electric tramways are pushing on with the erection of the carshed and power house, and other preliminary work. The Mayor states that he expects the trams to be running by Christmas. A public meeting of residents of Aramoho, held on Wednesday night, resolved

to take steps to form that suburb into a borough, and appointed a committee to give effect to the resolution. This will make three boroughs within Wanganui’s area, in addition to the town district of Gonville. The population of the new borough will be about 1200.

Mr. J. C. Dromgool, B.Se., master of the secondary department of the Tauranga District High School, has patented an invention for an improved method ot filtering the cyanide solution from the

slimes in the metallurgy of gold by tne cyanide process. The improvement consists mainly in the application of the centrifugal principle in the process of filtering. Mr. Dromgool has carried out extensive experiments in the laboratory to prove the elficacy of his patent, and is at present in treaty with Messrs. Thos. Broadbent and Co., of Huddersfield, England, with a view to putting his invention to a practical test.

The manner in which professing Christians spend their Sundays was made the subject of cutting comment by the Rev. Dr. Wadklell, of St. Andrew's (.'hunch, Dunedin, on Sunday night. “it is,” he said, “ a day on which they may sleep more, and smoke more, and eat more, and lounge more. It is clean-shirt day, 101 l about day, visiting day, gossiping <la .Y- generally vacant and self-indulgent day. And if these men and women go to church,” he added l , “they go to see or to be seen, to hear the music and criticise, to look bored at sermon time, and yawn and consult their watches, and neave a sigh of relief when the wholo thing is over.” Petition of Chinese Residents. The Chinese residents of New Zealand through the envoy of the Chinese Empire, who recently visited Auckland, are forwarding a numerously signed petition to the authorities in Pekin, pointing out what is described as “the present 'painful position of Chinese in the Dominion.” The main object of the petition is to induce the Chinese Government to “exercise its powerful influence with the Government of Great Britain in order to relieve the Chinese in New Zealand from an embarrassing position.” The petitioners state that their grievance has been brought about by the enactment by the New Zealand Government of the Chinese Immigrants Amendment Act, 1907, which prescribes an educational test in the English language for al! Chinese landing in New Zealand. Afterquoting the provisions of the Act the petitioners go on to say that whilst they have no objection to the original Act passed in 1881, the provisions of that of last year “are directed solely against Chinese, and are of such a character as to constitute a most painful position torus.” No provision has been made for v..„ exemption from last year's Act of Chinese who have already resided in New Zealand, and who have left it temporarily, after paying poll tax amounting to £lO or £lOO, according to the legislation in force at the time of their original arrival. The petition further makes reference to the bill brought f orward last- session for the purpose of regulating the hours of labour of Chinese, and enacting that no further factory licenses'be granted in respect to Chinese premises. A protest against this measure had been addressed to the Governor, asking him to refuse to give his assent to the bill, the result being that it was withdrawn. The various times at which the stringency of the law relating to the entry of Chinese has been increased are referred to, and it is also pointed out that the number of Chinese in the Dominion has steadily decreased from 5004 in 1881 to 2570 in 1906. It is suggested that the present is an opportune time for the appointment of a Chinese Consul in New- Zealand as a protection against the strong anti-Chinese feeling which has lately made itself evident throughout the Dominion. Masonic Grand Hodge. The New Zealand Grand Lodge of Freemasons met in Auckland last week for the annual communication, when there was a large attendance of Masons from all parts of the Dominion. The Lodge sat from 2 to 5 p.m. on May <> dispatching the business, the MAV. Grand Master, Bro. Lord I’lunket, presiding. V. W. Brother A. C. Hardy proposed the re-election of the MAV. Grand Master, Lord Plunket, for a third term of- office, and in doing so said that Lord I’lunket was a worthy representative of their Sovereign, and one who had shown great interest in the craft. Bro. Lord I’lunket was re-elected unanimously. The only brother nominated l for the office of Tro Grand Master was KAV. Brother Oliver Nicholson, who has tilled the office of Grand Superintendent ol the

Auckland district with great ability tot four years. He was also reelected unanimously. \ W. Bro. Hardy next proposed the election of the following Grand Lodge officers, and the following list was adopted: — Auckland District — Grand Ciiaptara. IV. Bro. Bey. E. J. McFarlane; Grand Treasurer NV. Bro. K. V. Johansen; Grand Ke gistrar. W. Bro. E. G. H. Moss; President of Boned of Geu. Purposes. K.W. Bro. G 11. Powley; President of Board of Bette yolenee, W. Bro. Dr. G. T. Girdler; Grand Director of Ceremonies. W. Bro. C. M. Page; Grand Sword Bearer. W. Bro. W Reid; Grand Stewards. W. Bro. Ilans Rostgard, W. Bro. D. B. Wallace; Members o( Board of Gen. Purposes. Wor. Bro Arch Burns. W. Bro. VV. C. Rolfe. W. Bro. C. iL Munro, VV. Bro. Hugh G. McCrea. VV. Bn/ R. VV. Gallagher; Members of (lie Board of Benevolence, VV. Bro. J. E. Hammond. VV. Bro. J. H. Haunch. VV. Bro. 11. S. Hill VV. Bio. J. R. Hetherington, VV. Bro. T. E. N McKenzie. Canterbury. Senior Grand Deacon. VV. Bro. G. E. Coilins; Grand Bible Bearer, VV. Bro. A. Budd; Grand Pursuivant. W. Bro. S. J. Cook; Grand Stewards, VV. Bro G W. C. Smithson. VV. Bro. F. C. B. Bishop; Members of Board of Gen. Purposes. V W Bro. F. VV. Hobbs, W. Bro. E. VV. Rclph; Members of Board of Benevolence, VV* Bro. VV. A. Tribe, VV'. Bro. VV. Thomas. Wellington. —Senior Grand Deacon. W Bro. O. Neilson; Grand Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. J. A. Nash: Grand Standard Bearer, VV. Bro. A. D. Cieinett; Grand Stewards, VV. Bro. VV. J. Phillips, VV. Bro. J. Hicks; Members of Board of Gen. Purposes, VV. Bro. F. W. Weston, VV. Bro. J. 0. Richardson; Members of Board of Benevolence, VV. Bro. Richard Jenkins, VV. Bro. Geo. Hyde. Otago.—Junior Grand Deacon, W. Bro. James Quaile; Grand Standard Bearer, VV. Bro. 11. E. Moller; Grand Organist, VV. Bro. Robert John Meldrum; Grand Steward. W. Bro. A. W. Flett; Member of Board of Gen. Purposes, W. Bro. James Ritchie; Member of Board of Benevolence, VV. Bro. C. L. W. Lischner. Southland.—Junior Grand Deacon, W Bro. James Walker; Grand Pursuivant, VV. Bro. A. A. McGibbon; Grand Steward. VV. Bro. F. A. Stea ns: Member of Board of Gen, Purposes, W. Bro. G. R. George; Member of Board of Benevolence, VV. Bro. Rev. VV. C. Wood. Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne.—Grand Superintendent of Works, W. Bro. J. S. Allan; Grand Steward, W. Bro. VV. A. CarterMember of Board of Gen. Purposes, VV. Bro' Win. Haines; Member of Board of Benevolence, VV. Bro. L. Freedman. Nelson and Marlborough. Grand Bible Bearer, VV. Bro. Rev. O. It. Hewlett; Grand Steward, W. Bro. VV. P. Simmonds; Member of Board of Gen. Purposes, W. Bro. G. H. Allan: Member of Board of Benevolence VV. Bro. B. Buttle. West Coast.—Grand Superintendent of Works, W. Bro. C. M. Johnston; Gram! Steward. W. Bro. T. Eddy; Member of Board of Gen. Purposes. VV. Bro. A. A. Wilson; Member of Board of Benevolence, W. Bro. John Teasdale. Taranaki Grand Chaplain, V.W. Bro. Rev. F. G. Evans; Grand Sword Bear er. W. Bro. T. C. Fookes; Grand Steward. VV. Bro. James Kenny: Member of Board of Gen. Purposes. W. Bro. R. XV. Sargent; Member of Board of Benevolence, W. Bro. John Irvh’o. After the imposing installation ceremonies, Bro. Lord Plunket delivered an interesting address. On the motion of R. W. Bro. Corkill, seconded by R. W. Bro. McDougall, it was resolved that the next communication be held at New Plymouth. The members of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand Freemasons were the guests of the M.W. Grand Master Lord Plunket. at a garden party at Government House on May Sth. The Otira Tunnel. The opening ceremony of the Otira tunnel took place on May sth, in wet and unpropitious weather. The Railway Department had made elaborate arrange merits for carrying 3000 people, and only about 300 braved the elements, including Lady Ward and several other ladies. The Otira River was running bank high, and the walk of two miles to the tunnel site was anything but agreeable. On arrival at the scene of operations, Mr. Bruce, county chairman of Westland, expressed the pleasure all felt at the commencement of a work that was of national importance. Sir J. G. Ward stated that the work that they were commemorating was one of historical importance. The Government had experienced a good deal of opposition in sanctioning the undertaking, but he was confident that they were only studying the welfare of the community in letting the contract. He traced the great progress the West ( oast had made during the last five years, not only in population, but in industries. The timber industry had made rapid strides, and the export had reached 51 million feet annually. The resources of the West Coast were enormous, and the opening of the railway to connect Christchurch would be the means of developing the coast. Sir Joseph then touched the electric button, and the first shot of tht Otira tunnel was fired, amidst cheering.

r IMt<. M» L< an presented Sir J. G. Ward wit H a handsome silver casket, suitably inscribed, as a memento of the occasion, and an adjournment was made to the banquet hall, where a pleasant hour was Bpent, speeches in commemoration of the occasion being made. Charge of Manslaughter. The adjourned inquest on the body of the boy Alexander Edgar McPhee, who was drowned as a result of the collision in Otago Hahbour on April IS, was concluded on May 6. The verdict was as follows: — “That deceased met his death by drowning in Otago Harbour on April 18 through being thrown out of the oil launch Matakana, which came into collision with the ♦team-hip Lady Roberts, such collision living caused by the careless handling of tin launch by her owner, Joseph Coddoi, pai tivula ily so by his shifting the tiller at a critical moment, thus taking his boat across the bow of tne Lady Roberts, and we really think him guilty of manslaughter.” - Joseph Coddoi was arrested the Mme day on charge of manslaughter. brought before the Court, and remamhrl for a week, bail being iHo wed accused in a recognisance of X I (JO, and two sureties of £5O each.. Visit of tlie American Fleet. "Private information comes from Australia, telegraphs a Wellington correspondent. that-it is not improbable that four or live foreign warships will be in Au - kland at the time of the American Heit’s visit. On May G the Mayor of Auckland received from Sir Joseph Ward, who was then at Greymouth. the following telegram: — “For your information I am advised that the American fleet, will arrive in Auckland on August 9, and remain until August 15.” The Mayor’s reply was as follows:—“Many thanks for information re American fleet. Should be glad if you would kindly furnish me with particulars of Government’s intended action as soon as possible, so that Citizens’ Committee can make arrangements accordingly.” So* far the American Consul-General (Mr. \V. A. Prickett) has not received any" intimation of tin* date of the fleet’s arrival or the length of its stay. lie will probably not be advised until flic arrival of the mail. The secretary -.of the Wellington branch of the Navy League is organising a (Imputation to wait on the Premier to urge,, that the • fleet should extend its to Wellington. The chairman of thc ( .J/ra.neh (Mr. T. W. Hislop, Mayor of Wellington) will be the chief oratorical .persuader. The Chamber of Commerce is to co-operate with the Navy Ixague enthusiasts. The argument Wellington puts forward is that the ships could coal at 3/ a ton less in Wellington than in Auckland. There is no jealousy, Air. Palmer states, but the idea is that lifter the xpiadron has been feted at Auckland a detachment of. say. half-a-dozen vessels might be sent to Wellington to coal there. This, it is believed, would be economical for the reason stated. I’he United States fleet, making a r« und th( world cruise under the comn and of Rear-Admiral Evans, arrived at San Francisco on May 7th. and was veh omod by upwards of 1.000.000 persons. the enthusiasm being intense. Mr 11. \ . Metcalf. Secretary of the United States Navy, has reviewed the licet at San Francisco. Rear-Admiral Evans’s command ended on May Bth, when h< was so ill that he was unable to proceed aboard the flagship to participate in the review, as intended. At a citizens’ meeting in Sydney, N.S.W.. the Lord Mayor presiding, it was decided to co-operate with the Commonwealth and State Governments in arranging a tilting welcome to the American licet. Fire and Insurance. In his annual report. Superintendent Hugo, of the Wellington Fire Brigade, who will shortly take up the important position of Inspector of New Zealand Fire Brigades, draws attention to the large number of lire.s that have occurred in Willington during the past and previous years—a number out of all proportion, lie says, to the size of the city when compared with other places; indeed, this disparity applies to the Dominion generally. Ab an illustration, the list of fires pub-

lished last month in the “Banking and Insurance Record” for Australia, shows that in the States of West and South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland collectively, the number of fires recorded in February was 131, and in New Zealand 127. “I do not continues Captain Hugo, “that this is an average record, but the number of fires in New Zealand is far in excess of what it should be. Though no large percentage of the fires recorded may be actually due to direct incendiarism, having its starting point in over insurance on property, yet this over - insurance certainly induces great carelessness,* which is undoubtedly the cause of a large number of fires.”

Chinese “ Christians.'’ Gratitude is not one of the most pronounced features of Chinese character. Indeed, some authorities say it is wholly lacking in all Orientals. The Wellington Chinese have, however, manifested its possession in a somewhat striking manner in connection with the death of Mr. Wong, the Chinese Anglican missioner. They subscribed nearly £ 100 towards Mr. Wong's medical expenses, they guaranteed his funeral expenses when he died, they have not forgotten his widow in her affliction, and they have undertaken to keep liis grave green and well tended. And yet but very few of them were straight-out Christians. They closed up their places of amusement when he died, and they attended his funeral 200 strong. Now they need a little help from outside in connection with the mission. The spiritual side of the work is kept goin<r by Mr. Dai Chum, and Mrs. Wong is still devoting all her time to visiting the sick and needy, and assisting at the evening classes; but a successor to Mr. Wong is needed to carry on the burden. New Zealand Flax. The Government has resolved to make efforts for the scientific improvement of the wild phormium tenax, from which New Zealand hemp is derived. Dr. W. Cockayne, F.L.S., will in a few weeks’ time visit the. Government experimental stations in the Auckland province, in connection with a series of experiments, whose* object is the production of forms of flax of higher economic value than any now existing. At the present time, Dr. Cockayne states, nothing is accurately known about the varieties of phormium; in fact, the extremely important point as to whether the well-marked varieties come true from seed is quite unsettled. Dr. Cockayne hopes to publish in the spring an up-to-date account of phormium tenax, dealing with its wild and cultivated varieties, and its variations under natural conditions. As showing the value of this product to New Zealand, it may be mentioned that the export of phormium fibre during 1906 was valued at £ 776.106, as against £195,728 for 1901 and £32,985 for 1906. Bench and Bar. At the Grand Hotel, Wellington, last week, the legal practitioners of the capital entertained the judges of the Supreme Court at a dinner. Mr. If. D. Bell, K.C.. president of the New Zealand Law Society, occupied the chair. The chairman. in proposing the health of the judges, referred to the fact that Mr. .Justice Williams had attained a record for New Zealand as regards duration of office, having been 33 years on the Bench. Mr. Justice Williams, in replying, said it was true that he had achieved a record, but he thought that the fact of his sitting for 33 years was creditable not so much to himself as to the vitality of his constitution. lie had always done his best to be on good terms with the profession, and to assist the younger meml>ers of the Bar. The Bench and the Bai had noble traditions, and they should do their best to act up to them. To Help the Farmers. In the Government “Gazette” the offer is made of a bonus for the discovery ami working within the* Dominion of a deposit or deposits of marketable mineral phosphate, viz.:—£soo if on land on which the Crown is entitled to such deposits.and £ 250 if on other land. The raw material must be reasonably accessible and workable at* profit, and a committee appointed by the Minister of Agriculture must bp satisfied that there is sufficient to meet all ordinary demands of the

Dominion for five years. There are certain terms attaching to the payment of tile bonus. Applications addressed to ‘‘The .Minister for Agriculture, Wellington,” will be received up to and including December 31, 1908. Poultry for Profit. Mr. Lowrie, principal of the Lincoln Agricultural College, reporting on the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club’s third! competition, states that the birds cost 5/10i each for food, grit, etc., and returned per head for eggs, sold at 1/1J per dozen, delivered at Lincoln, the sum of 13/3J, leaving a balance, exclusive of labour, rent, depreciation and interest, of 7/5 per bird. For the ten months of the competition the food for 48 pens of six birds, with 48 extra pullets, cost £ 94, and the labour £67. A poultry breeder in a Wellington suburb sold 11 young golden Wyandiotte cockerels the other day, the average live weight being 61b. He received Bd. a lb. live weight, so that his cheque amounted to £2 2/4, a return of 3/10J a bird. One sev;en-months-old cockerel weighed and so made 5/8. South Island Band Contest. A meeting of the Band Contest Committee was held on May 7th. A cable message was received from Mr. W. Short, L.H.A.M.. stating his willingness to adjudicate iii the South Island contest, ft was decided to hold the contest about the second week in December, and that two test selections be obtained l for each grade, and the test march for both grades. The prizes suggested are as follows:I—A 1 —A grade: First, £150; second, £75; third, £5O. B grade: First, £75; second, £3O; third; £l5. Marching competition: First, £3O; second, £10; third, £5. Tragedy in Fiji. An Indian coolie ran amok at Navua, and shot and killed his overseer,> Mr. Pender, and a coolie, and wounded Mrs. Swann and Messrs. Crabbe and Tait. An arpied party shot , the murderer. i.. ■ Industrial Development. Fp;' spme months past the representative of a-.leading English boot manufacturing firm has been prpsec.uting inquiries in the Dominion with a view of ascertaining what the prospects were likely to be in the event of his principals deciding tq establish a branch of their business in this part of the world. Nothing has yet leaked out as to the outcome of his mission, but it is believed that his report will be in the direction of recommending the setting up of a large manufacturing establishment either in Wellington or Auckland. The proposal would probably entail an expenditure in plant and buildings of £200,009, and if given effect to, would mean constant employment for upwards of 250 hands. It is further stated that a couple of T o'don cloth manufacturers in a very big way of business contemplate extending their sphere of operations to Australia and New Zealand. Accidents, Suicides, Etc. A man named O’Meara, employed by the Stock Department, attempted suicide at Temuka on May 6th. While passing a butcher’s shop he grabbed a knife, walked on a yard or two, and then gashed his throat in two or three places. Bystanders threw him down, took the knife from him, and rendered first aid l . He was taken to a private hospital. The injuries, though serious, are not expected to be fatal. Antonio, an Italian fisherman, was drowned at Terawhiti on May sth. He was assisting to lift nets into a boat, when the latter struck a rock, and Antonio was thrown into the water and drowned. A companion swam ashore. The body of an elderly man named Edward Langton was found in Manukau Harbour on May Bth. His coat and hat were found on the Onehunga wharf. A man named Turley died in Christchurch hospital on Sunday last as a result of injuries received through falling out of a trap the previous morning. .Tames McEneany, a miner, aged 37, residing at Lawrence, fell from the platform of a moving train near Dunedin railway station on Saturday last. Ho sustained a fractured skull, and his condition is critical.

A man named Ernest John Burk% aged about 35, formerly at Reefton. was found in a dying condition in a stableyard at Westport, and died shortly, after. His face was badly cut about, and one eye was destroyed. Later information suggests that some serious charges may arise over the affair. Three men are at present in custody, and. the police are making inquiries as to their whereabouts on the night of Burke’s death.

Mr. Atichael Kirby, of' Hastings, a married man, aged 38, died in the hospital while under chloroform. In falling over a doorstep on Saturday, he fractured both bones of his left leg, and was brought into Napier for treatment. Dr. W. W. Moore and Dr. Brett administered chloroform, and while Kirby was undler the influence of the anaesthetic, he collapsed, and despite the efforts of the doctors he failed to rally.