NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 467, 27 March 1909, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(BI TELEGRAM—PRESS ASSOCIATION ' -—-_$ __ LEASES IN PERPETUITY. 'AN IMPORTANT TEST CASE. New Plymouth, March 25. 'A case of considerable interest to holders of leases in perpetuity was tho subject of an originating summons which came beforo his Honour Mr. Justice Chapman. It appears that a lease in perpetuity was granted to Mr. Beunio under Section 121 of the Land Act, 1892, which reserved tho surface, as also minerals, to tho Crown. Mr. Bennic applied under a recent amendment Act of 1907 as an "owner of a lease in perpetuity" for a Crown grant of tho land. The Crown being of opinion that such grant could not bo made by reason of tho reservation of tho surface and of minerals, a summons, by consent, was set down under tho Declaratory Judgments Acts of last session for tho purpose of obtaining tho decision of tho Supreme Court as to tho rights of tho parties. It is understood that a great number of leases have been issued of surfaco in tho Ohura district, and these proceedings are in tho nature of a test case. Mr., T. S. Weston appeared for tho \ Crown, and Mr. J. M'Vengh, Eltham, for Mr. Bennie. His Honour, after hearing arguments of counsel, reserved judgment. STEAMER FARES. /ONEHUNGA-NEW PLYMOUTH-WEL-LINGTON SERVICE., ■ Auckland, March 25. The Union Steam Ship Company and tho Northern Steamship Company have for sonie time past i been considering the advisability of effecting changes in_ the Onehunga-New Plymouth steamer service, rendered necessary by the opening of tho Main Trunk railway, but have delayed action pending such time as they could form an opinion as to the proportion of passenger traffic diverted from' tho steamers to the railway, which would ba regarded as not due to the novelty of tho new route. Both companies havo for some time been urged to Teduee the fares between Onehunga and New Plymouth, it being pointed out to them. that the rates for this journey are a great deal higher than have been ruling between Wellington and Lyttelton. They, however, hesitated to reduce in view of tho completion of tho-Main Trunk railway, which would undoubtedly divert a large portion of tho. Onehunga-New Plymouth traffic to the all-rail' journey, but in.deference to the continued agitation it has been decided to.'try the effect of charging the same saloon rates a3 obtain between Wellington and Lyttelton—namely, 20s. single and 355. return, and also to reduce the steerage rates to 155., single and 225. 6d. return. Onehunga to Wellington and viceversa: Saloon, single 405., return. 755.; steerage, single 305., return 525. 6d. These rates are to come into operation on April 1. • STOATS AND WEASELS. Dunedln, March 26. The council of tho Acclimatisation Society gavo some very emphatic advice to-day concerning the importation of stoats and weasels, and vermin of like nature. The following motion was unanimously approved of: "In tho opinion of this council, the introduction of ferrets, stoats, and weasels, into. Now Zealand,. was a disastrous mistake, these vermin having almost exterminated a most interesting native fauna, and inflicted ' incalculable loss and damage on. imported game and domestic birds, while tho rabbit, which stoats and weasels were intended to destroy, shows little sign of lessening numbers. Thisi council entirely sympathises with the eiforts now being made so keep such a pest out of tho Commonrealth." ADMONITION TO MAORIS. Gisbornej March 25.

Tjj.o ; .Governor... left , l% Port .Awanui last . evening for >v Te.''.Kaka.*7..A';".'beavy'> r sea was running in the roadstead arid it' was raining "bard, tho journey, out in a surf boat to tho Tntanokai being very rough . and nnpleasant. ...After, luncheon, yesterday his Excellen'cy conducted, the cerombny of reopening .the famous carved meeting-house. He met' many ancient war' veterans, and inspected.their relics. Tho Natives stated that: swords had .now been converted into ploughshares. The Governor said he would represent their loyalty to tho King. Ho urged.them to.continue their work of agriculture; they were showing an object-lesson to the colony by trying to better themselves and improve' their Jands. They'must not. think themselves in advance of' the Pakeha, as they still .had much to learn. He advised the' Maori t'6 copy.only the good habits of tho Pakeha.;.'' FIRE ATKEREPEHI. Thames, March 26. A fire at Bourke and Scotcher's general' store,' Kerepehi;. oh the Piak'o lands, destroyed the building and stock, to the value of £1500. No appliances for/extinguishing tho tiro were available. It had' a' good hold, and 'tho store was soon reduced to ashes. Tho insurances are unknown. There was £1000 of Government money in the safe, which was undamaged, though blackened with the heat. Tho money was to pay for Government drainago.contracts. Tho origin of the fire is believed to have been due to rata. '- BOARDINCHOUSE TAKES FIRE. New Plymouth, March 26. Shortly after midnight a tiro was discovered in the Jubilee boardiughouse. The flames had a strong hold when discovered, and one.or two of ttio. boarders were rescued with' difficulty. The upper story was gutted, and most of the boarders lost their effects. The building was insured, in tho North Queensland office for £1000, and tho effects for £250 in the Alliance ofhee. Tho damage to -the building is estimated at £450, and to theetfect3 at £500. Tho building is owned by Burgess, Fraser, and Company, and occupied by :Urs. Foley. THE MINE FIRE AT MILLERTON. ' _ . Westport, March 26. The first really heavy downpour, of rain for the last two months •is occurring tonight. It, should bo of good service at Millerton in extinguishing tho fire in tho Westport Coal Company's Mine Creek mine, if the fire is still unextinguished. The real position cannot be ascertained until the dam is removed and the water allowed to escape. Probably something definite will bo known next'week. DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES IN SCHOOLS. , Auckland, March 26. There was a long discussion at a meeting of tho Grammar School Board, regarding a protest by a number of prominent citizens against the opening of the school with prayer and tho reading of a passage from Scripture. It was stated that the attendance at prayer was not .compulsory. ~• A resolution was passed directing the attention of the memorialists to this fact, and pointing out that in the south tho day's work in tho Grammar School commenced with prayer. SHIPWRECK RELIEF SOCIETY. Dunedin, March 26. A letter from the Shipwreck Relief Society same before tho Otago Harbour Board, containing an intimation that it .was desired by the society that tho sympathy and assistance of the board should be enlisted towards the objects of tho socioty. The Harbour Board, it was stated, was identified with maritimo affairs, and tho executivo expressed tho hope that the board would 'bo good enough to voto yearly a sum towards tho society's support until funds had accumulated to an adequate amount. The board considered tho letter, and' decided to mako an annual grant of ten guineas. A NEY/ DOCK. Dunedin, March 26. When the new docK was pumped dry this afternoon, tho caisson was found to fit well. The leakage was very small, and tho officials connected with the work consider that a littlo usage Will mako the fittings watertight. The Dock Trust Inspector was pleased,' and said that finality was now in sight.

BAND CONTEST. k Reefton, March 26. . The West Coast Brass Band contest is being held hero. On the first day, solos only were taken, 'i'ho results havo not yet beeii made public. A big attendance, is expected for\ to-morrow, when the test selection and quick-step competition will take place.

TRACK EVENT. \ Dunedln, March 26. At a i meeting of tho Otago Centro of tho Now Zealand Athletic Union to-night, it was decided to grant permission for tho Sanson-Trcmbath match on April 17, all officials to bo appointed by the centro. \ ' FORECASTING EARTHQUAKES. Auckland, March 25. The earthquake period predicted a week or two ago by Mr. J. T. Stevenson, I'.R.A.S., closed last night. As on former occasions, Mr. 'Stevenson's forecasts were borne out, as instanced by the recent earth "shakes" in Duncdin, Gore, and Oamaru, by the severe 'quake in tho Indian Ocean, and by tho display at White Island a day. or two ago. From the last-named happening Mr. Stevenson concludes that the centre of the disturbances, so far as New Zealand is concerned, .passed from Ngauruhoe to White Island. He now states that there will bo further earthquake periods in April and May, fixing upon tho 20th of either month as being ■ the approximate date. Neither of theso periods will, in his opinion, bo so severe as that just concluded. THE NEW PRESBYTERIAN COLLECE. ... ~ , Dunedln, March 25. At to-day s meeting of tho Board of Knox College (.the new Presbyterian residential college) the master reported that there would bo 41 students in residence during winter. The official opening, at which' the Governor and Sir Joseph Ward have Ei"nified their willingness to bo present, will not take place until ths end of May, but tho college will be open to students ou April 22. On that day all students will take up residenco, except those who are also taking a medical course. Their session docs not begin until May 1. CHARCE AGAINST A YOUTH. Oamaru, March 25. A youth of 18 named Thomas M'Grath was committed for trial at tho Supreme Court to-day on a, charge of shooting three horses and a cow with a pea rifle. Two of the horses died the following day. Witnesses said that accused admitted the offence, saying he did it to see the animals jump. HANAWAT'J BOXING TOURNEY. Palmerston, March 25. At the Manawatu boxing tournament tonight L. Porter (Wellington) defeated Shields (Palmerston), and Treweek (Taihape) defeated Maitland (Palmerston) in the feather-weights. In the bantams Kntner (Wellington) fought a draw with Havill (Palmerston); Ellis (Rongotoa) defeated Watkins (Palmerston). Devitt (Wellington) and Watchorn (Manatvatu) also fought a draw in the welters.