NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 403, 12 January 1909, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

tnr TEtEGEirH—rEEsa assuci/ltion.l

A LIQUOR RAID IN OAMARU. Oamaru, January 11. On Saturday evening the police raided the premises of J. Curran, tobacconist, in search' of sly grog, Finding [none, they , searched tho storeroom of D. Gillies, grocer,' adjoining Curran's, and discovered 15 bottles of whisky in a case-and , portmanteaux-v Gillies disclaimed any .knowledge of the liquor, being/ on his premise's. It is understood prosecutions will follow. " I: ' CALEDONIAN SOCIETIES AND ATHLETIC UNION. . Inveroargill, January 11. Regarding the athletic dispute, the secret tary of the Wanganui Caledonian Society has telegraphed to the local;society that all the disqualified candidates will. be • allowed to compete, and that AVanganui had not affili-

The president of the Athletic. Union states , that it-is anticipated the \Vanganui conference, iviir result in an amicable - settlement. The dolegates' report has just been received, and the union ■ will decide to-day on- a cours» of action. • '•. ' NAUTICAL INQUIRY DECISIONS. ' Wanganul, January 9. The, decisions in, the nautical inquiries held yesterday were given bythe Court this morning. ' In the ease of the Charles Edward, the Court held that the master ■ and; officers were free from all blame for the stranding of the vessel, as they,obeyed, the pilot's',signals arid' adhered to the sailing, regulations made for the,Vsafe '.navigation of , the bar. There was not sufficient evidence .to. show; that tbie vessel; struck; something, harder- than, : ordinary sand on the bar,- as Sad been, suggested... , ' The Court decided that' the. stranding-.of the Urnroa was due ;to" the negligence ; of the master in anchoring too clase to on a- hazy night; when ;he was- npt : 'sure : of -his bearings.; ■ It also held the master guilty of negligence innot takingfurther steps for the safety of the vessel when he found,the, anchor dragging. The master's suspended for three -months; the .certificates of; the other officers were, returned. i-.No order was made in either case as to costs.

IN POSSESSION OF OPIUM. Dunedln, January 11. ■ At the Police Court this-morning, before Mr. Cutten, S.M., a Chinaman named Ah;. Hung pleaded guilty to a. charge of being found in possession of opium in a form suitable for smoking. Mr. "W. Sibbald, Collector of Customs stated that accused had been convicted on two-occasions for having opium in.his possession. A.large amount of opium was still 'being, smuggled into..the/country,':and : he Would ask his Worship to take notice of that. . Accused; -who ..had £150 in his .posset ; sion when arrested, was fined £25 ana costs , 75., : the magistrate-taking into' consideration the !fact .that the, man intended to, returri;to > China'."; ■ " v V/ /i. v ; . NEWS IN BRIEF. Chrlstchurch, January 11, : A' conference of " delegates ' representing the ' bodies interested "met; in: the; Council.. Chambers this afternoon and decided upon Thursday for the weekly . half-holiday ■ in Christchurch'district.- The supporters of the rejected ;day will.ideinandravpoll,; 'so/that/the . question will- have, to bo settled by the peo-: pie. Glsborne, January 11. : The Land - Board Ins decided to approach • the : Grovemment:in regard-to the necessity of acquiring further areas - for closer' settlement. in tho-Gisborne on account: of the earth hunger, which the recent land ■ ballots show.to exist. • ' :: ■/''-./ New Plymouth, January 11. '.'Mr. -Thomas S./Weston has be'en.appointed. Crown Prosecutor here in place of. Mr. W. Kerr,'' who' has:;bMn;.apppmtedVa': magistrates, -■ i , ... .. Haw6ra,.JanuaTy:ll. • ; .Mr'. Charles Crutch,■ Inspector of 'Perman-' entWay on, the Hawera-Wanganui;c.section isiretiring,'from' the Railway. -Department, ; . afterj.thirtyrtwb years'. :service._ L .He; was pre- ;, "sented with a 'handsome .illuminated addres?' and a purse of; sovereigns. L i. -■■