NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 456, 15 March 1909, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(DY TELEGRAPH —I'UESS ASSOCIATION.) FIRES. Timaru, March 14. About 1 a.m. to-day a slack of saini timber in the yard of the Wostland Timber Company, ill an angle formed by the sawmill and the engine room, was ionnd to bo oil lire. Tho lire luul a ijood bold when tlio brigade arrived, and it look a ( full hour to master it. Tho brigade's efforts were mainly directed to confining _ tho (ire t<i the stack of timber and to saving the building, and ill this tho brigade was successful. Ashburton, March 14. Lagan's Hotel, a laigo two-story wooden building of twenty-fivo rooms at Tinwalu, was completely destroyed by lire late last night. No one had been living on the promises for several weeks, and the furmturo bad been recently removed, but a tenant was to lake possession to-day. Ilio hotel was insured under a policy held by Manning and Co., Christchuicb, but lor what amount is unknown. Auckland, March 13. Fire early this morning gutted two Lorno Street cottages, owned uy Airs. Crawford, ami occupied by Phillip Gilib and Osorgc Broderick. Broderick's family had to leave tlio cottage by an upstair window.CALIFORNIA! 1 ! SALMON. Ghristciiurcil, March 13. Fishing in the Rakaia River about a mil< irom the mouth some days ago, Mr. AV. 1) Lawrence caught a genuine (Jaliloriiian salmon, weighing sJlb. This is stated to be tho lirst fish of its species caught hero with a rod and line that has been scientifically identified, although many people have claimed to nave caught this variety. Tho fish was identified by Dr. 15. M. Moorhouse as a Californian salmon, and his opinion was confirmed by Mr. E. 11. Waite, Curator of tho Museum. Several of the fish have, of course, been caught in tho net, but it is suggested chat perhaps the fish will alter their habits in a new country and afford sport to anglers. THE LIQUOR LAW. Christchurcli, March 13. A tobacconist and hairdresser named W. J. Forsytho was charged at tlio Police Court to-day with having sold alcoholic liquor to Lawrenco M'Gill on March 2. The caso for the prosecution was that M'Gill and another man named llayes went to accused's shop after the hotels wore closed, and on asking for something to drink got eacli a glass of whisky, for which they paid ouo shilling. Tho accused stated that ho 'gave the men bay rum instead of wliisky, and charged them tho amount named for it. The Magistrate said ho was not satisfied with tho evidenco, especially that given, by Hayes, and dismissed the case. CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION. Christcliurch, March 13. A claim for compensation has been filed ,rith tho Clerk of Awards in this city by C. F. Franklin, an entry clerk employed by tlio New Zealand Farmers' Co-oporativo Association of Canterbury, who claims 1 £300 from his employers for paralysis of tho left sido of his face, due, ho alleges, to tlio fact that ho was required to work at a desk where ho was exposed to a strong draught. ARSENICAL POISONINC. ' Taihape, March 13. A seriohs caso of illness of a little child has occurred at Taihapo consequent on eating plums. The symptoms show the cause to be arsenical poisoning. It is considered to bo duo to a spraying mixture adhering to tho skin of the fruit.