NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 340, 29 October 1908, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

fnv TELEGIIAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) » AUCKLAND SUPREME COURT. THREE MURDER CHARGES. . Auckland, October 28. ■ Tho next criminal session of tho Auckland •Supreme Court promises to be a very lengthy one. So far 23 cases are down for hearing, and it is a somewhat remarkable fact that of this number there aro 110 fewer than three murder charges,' and one of attempted murdor. There is the usual batch of forgery and breaking and entering charges, and there is an unpleasantly largo number of charges of assault upon females. FREE SCHOOL BOOKS. Auckland, October 28. At a meeting of tho Board of Education the chief inspector, Mr. Petric, discussing the proposal to issue froo school books to°preparatory classes, suggested that the Minister be asked to issue a revised up-to-date list of books with as littlo delay as possible. The board adopted the recommendation. Members who spoke appeared to be under the impression that the money provided was insufficient to cover tho cost. ■ TROUBLE ABOUT A BRIDCE. Wootivilla, October 28. The award of the commission set up by Pahiatua County for the upkeep of Mathison's Bridge, on the road to Ballance, has just been received. Woodville is let in for 10 per cent, and Woodville County, gets off free. All the same Woodville residents aro annoyed at having to pay for the upkeep of a bridge five miles away from the borough and in Pahiatua County. TRAVELLING AUCTIONEERS. Palmerston North, October 28. The Half-Holiday Association, composed of business men iii town, discussed at a meeting to-day the question of itinerant auctioneers who sold goods alleged to bb of questionable quality to tho detriment of legitimate business. It was pointed out that these travelling auctioneers paid no rates, and wandered from town to town. It was decided to send a deputation to the Chamber of Commerce, asking them to take action in the matter, which is outside the province of tho Half-Holiday Association. MR. FOWLDS ON KINDERCARTEN TEACHING. Auckland, October 28. Speaking this afternoon at a meeting' at Remuera of thoso interested in the training of children, tho Hon. Geo. Fowlds, Minister for Eduoatiou, referring to the kindergarten' S3 stem, said lie considered it. was important that thero should be an extension of the system in the schools.'' He would welcome with much pleasure the extension'of nature study in the schools. The Department was prepared to subsidise £ for £' the kindergarten schools • under certain- conditions that secured efficiency in teaching'. He believed every teacher would bo bettor for some training in kindergarten work. CHARGE OF BREAKING AND ENTERING. Christchurch, October 28. The two men, Edward Potts and Frederick Creager, were again before the Court this morning charged with breaking 1 and entering tho residence of Oswald' Kelly at Islington and stealing therefrom household furniture and offects to tho value of £36 3s. 3d." Chief Detective 'Bish'op, who prosecuted for the police, stated. tlie men' had admitted the theft, and tho property had been recovered. Accused pleaded guilty, and were committed to tlie Supremo Court for sentence. '■ A further chargo against tho accused of having , stolen from the Islington railway station various articles valued at £50] also the'property of Oswald- Kelly, was, on tho application of Bishop, remanded for a week. , < ■

KING'SiBIRTHDAY DINNER.,. • fwi" Christohuroh,'-' October- 28; ' The Governor will give a dinner at Christ-' church on "November 9, in honour of' tho King's Birthday., The Mayor has beeii invited. " ' ' . - PUBLIC MARKETS. Christohuroh, October 28. The Town Clerk has received a letter from tho Dunedin Town Clerk, asking for information'as to the working of public markets. The Christchuroh City Council has been in communication with municipalities throughout the Dominion and' Australia on the subject, and has acquired a good deal of which will be forwarded to Dunedin. ' BULLION SHIPMENT. Auckland, October 28. Bullion to the value of £60 000 .was shipped . by the Shaw, Savill and ' >ion. Company's steamer Atlienic, which sailed for London via ports to-day. . A LIEUTENANT RE-ELECTED. ' ; • Dunedin, October 28. Lieutenant Begg, whose commission was recently cancelled as tho outcome of trouble regarding the North Dunedin Rifles, was elected lieutenant by that company to-night. Tho appointment has yet to bo approved by the Defence Council. TROPHY FOR VOLUNTEERS. Dunedin, October 28. Further evidence that volunteers have the support and sympathy of the mercantile community has come to light, it is announced that the Otago Hardware Association is presenting a handsome ehalleng,: cup for competition among the companies of the No. I Battalion. Tho conditions for the first year will be: (a) tactical handling of company in field, and (b) highest average attendance at all battalion parades held between November, 1908, and the close of the Easter camp ip 1909. . DROP IN OATS. Dur.sdin, October 28. Owing to the approach of the wool seas< agr-nts are endeavouring' to clear stocks c oats remaining in store, and this, togetha with a slack demand, has led to a drop in values. Good feed lines, for which Is. lOd. to Is. lid. 0.5 store was asked a short time ago, are now offering at Is. Sid., withonAi ding buyers. Consequent on this decliiu the prioe of oatmeal has been reduced froa £12 to £10 10s. per ton. LEGITIMATION ACT. Auckland, October 28. ( Tho Legitimation Act of IS9-1 was availed of at the ! sittings of tho Arbitration Coua to-day in a compensation case ill which a Maori father made a claim in respect of a sou who was born prior to marriage according to European custom, although marriage according to Native ideas had taken place. It is believed that'this'is the first time this Act has been made use of in public proceedings as far as Jlaoris aro concerned, and for that matter it is an Act which is very seldom used by pakehas resident in the Dominion, though there have been several cases of persons coining from Australia to New Zealand for the purpose of legitimatising their children. Clause 2 of the Act provides that any child born before marriage whose parents afterwards marry shall be deemed on registration to have been legitimatised by such marriage from birth. HUMAN BONES. ' Auckland, October 28. Some workmen who were ; engaged in quarrying at Mount Roskill 10-dav came upon a cave ill which were a of human bones. The matter was nportod to the police, who had tho bones examined by a medical man. The latter reported they had been bleaching for some 80 years, so that there is no doubt that it is some old Maori burial place that has been disturbed. NEWS IN BRIEF. Dunedin, October 28. Two firemen, for being absent without leave from tho Karamea, were each lined two days' pay (Gs.) and sentenced to three days', imprisonment, and ordered to be put aboard on Friday, when tho steamer sails. '