NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 428, 10 February 1909, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(BT SELECttiPK—rrtESS iSSOCUTIOH.) fr _ CHRIS7CHURCH PRESBYTERY. REPRESENTATION.AT PUBLIC FUNCTIONS. Chrfstchuroh,; Febraary D. At to-day's mooting of the ChristchurcJl Presbytery tho Rev. T. Tait, as convener of the committee appointed to secure tho duo representation of the Presbyterian Church at public functions, submitted a report. Ho stated that they had no desire as a Church to complain of having been badly treated at any time by any public body. They felt, however, that there should be some official of tho Church to whom those in charge of * public functions mi2ht send an invitation if it was desired that the Presbyterian Church should be represented upon such occasions. It was decided that the Clerk of the Presbytery should be tho official to receive .invitations, but tho matter of appointins representatives of the Church at public gatherings had riot yet been considered. CHILDREN AND'SCRIPTURE KNOW* LEDGE. "A GENERATION OF HEATHEN." 1 ,''. . Core, February 9. ,; , At a meeting of the Mataura T -.osbyt«rj to-day, the Sunday School Committoo reported that, out of 1578 scholars, only 231 were represented at examinations, and the results showed lack of Scrintuial knowledge. Only five out of 194 gained 80 per cent, of marks, nnd SS 40 per cent A large percentage, however, pa&sed in Catechism, proving that lack of intelligence was not tho causa of failure During the discussion,' the Rev.. A. Gray (clerk) declared that the Dominion was raising a generation of heathen. In reply to a suggestion that the remedy lay .in Scriptural teaching in public schools, there • was, he said, no hope 'of getting religious in- '• struction in schools while the present Govern* ment was in power. The opinion was generally expressed that ministers should take advantage of facilities for giving religions instruction after school hours, and a committee was appointed to fully repbrt on .the Sunday Schools question at a future meeting.

NAPIER BREAKWATER. THE PROPOSAL TO BORROW 5 £200,000. Napier, February 9.' . A poll was taken in Hawke's' Bay 'to-day on the Napier Harbour Board's proposal to borrow £21)0,000 for the completion of the breakwater. The isauo is still in doubt, as a number of country returns havo yet to come in. Tho present position is that tho votes in favour of the proposal exceed the lequisilo three-fifths majority by .176.

BAKERS? CONFERENCE. CHrlstchurch, February 9. The eighth annual meeting and conference of the New Zealand United Master Bakers' Industrial Association of Employers was opened in Christchurch to-day. , There was a large attendance, among those present being Messrs. W. A. Kellow (president), Laurenson (vice-president), F. M'Parland (treasurer), H. F. Allen (secretary), and Denhard and Langdon (members of the executive). ■* The report and balance-sheet, which disclosed a healthy state of affairs, were adopted. The order paper is'a fairly substantial one, containing remits from the Auckland Wanganui, Wellington, and Canterbury Associations. It is probable that the conference will occupy three full days. Among the subjects to oe" dealt with are the cash coupon'' system, the protection of an employer of labour from tho competition of a non-em-ployer of labour, a proposal that the locality t>f the Executive Committee be changed from Wellington to Auckland,' desirable alterations in existing awards, and alterations in tho rules of the^ssooiation.

AUCjOJJND/. CITIZENS', J,EACUE. , '>• • Auckland, February 9. 'The Citizens' League recently formed in Auckland held a largely attended publio meeting to-night, Mr. 0. .P. Murdoch presiding. Addresses were-given by Dr. Bamford and", Messrs. Hall, Skelton, Andrews, and W. -E. v Hackett. Tho chairman expounded the aims of- tho league, which are broadly to establish definite publio opinion and afford opportunities for the free expression of tho-same. The speakers spoke strongly in support of these and other objects of the new organisation, and at the close of the meeting several of those present enrolled themselves as members. The only actual, business done was to pass a resolution agreeing to nominate Dr. King, Messrs. J. M. Mennie, J. J. Holland, and W. C. Somers,,and one other gentleman, for the forthcoming licensing committee election. It was intimated that later the league will interest itself in tho Mayoral election and. Harbour Board matters. THE CATERPILLAR INVASION. . , Oamaru, February 9. Tho caterpillar, has , made its appearance in crops growing in a restricted area here. Fortunately, tho crops aro ready for cutting, and tho visitation is not expected to v have a voiy direful effect. . , • A HOSPITAL DISTURBANCE. Napier, February 9..' The hospital trustees resolved to reinstate Nurse Browa, who recently got judgment against the board for £12d, damages for niongful dismissal. The reinstatement was made on, tho understanding that the board was released from any legal obligations. The chairman, Mr. ■O. H. Cranby, strongly opposed tho reinstatement, and resigned hia position. AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS. Auckland, February 9. The turning of tho first sod in connection with the construction of the Takapuna tramway took placo to-day. The lino will bo seven milee and three-quarters in length, running from O'Neill's toint and encircling Lake Takepuna from O'Neill's Point. A now ferry service to Auckland is to bo established. A ROYAL COMMISSION. Auckland, February 9. The Chief Justice cannot act, but hasforwarded to the Premier tho names of two persons whom he recommends for the Royal Commission to investigate the charges against tho Ohinemuri Licensing Committee ot somo years ago. Meantime <4he names cannot be divulged. ARBITRATION AWARDS. v Dunedlri, February 9. Tho Arbitration Court ratified the agreements tntureU into with respect to the Tinsmith and blioft and Metal-workers' award, auJ tiio hotel proprietors, fish-shop, restaurant, and. t*a-room employees. THI; MINING INDUSTRY. Westport, February 9. * Tlio niinoa in this distiict (Westport Coal Company, Y.'ostport-Stockton Company, and Seddonvillo State) aro working smoothly. The Wcstport-Stcckton Company aro not insisting ou a medical examination. A BIG FIRE. Thames, February 9. A bis fire is raging on the Huuiaki plains.