NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 475, 6 April 1909, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(BY TELEGKAPn—rnE3S ASSOCIATION.) WARDER AND LUNATIC. ' 'Auckland, April 5. A young man named Cleveland Colfo, cmployed as warder at Auckland Mental Hospital at Avondalo, was charged at tho Police Court this afternoon under Section H of tho Lunatics Act with having assaulted a maleinmate, of tho institution. Informant alleged that as ht> was walking through tho gato leading out of tho airing court into tho park defendant came after him,'hit him on the face, and ordered him back. On locking him up, 'defendant struck him again with such violence that his jaw was fractured. Tho heariug of tho caso was not concluded. ALIENS ON THE CUMFIELDS. Auckland, April 5. i Tho .Gumdiggers , Conference passed a series of resolutions urging further restriction on tho immigration of aliens, stricter supervision of the issuo of naturalisation papors, and tho granting of worked-out gum lands to gumdiggers on easy conditions.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. Thames, April 5. William Pilslcy, a middle-aged man awl a well-known prospector/, attempted to commit suicide by drinking a cup of water in which match-heads had been dissolved. When found ho was in a dangerous condition. Remedial measures were promptly applied, and Pilsley was removed to the Thames Hospital, lie is likely to recover. He had been on a drinking bout, and had been served with a summons for a breach of an order of tho Court, a fact which preyed on his mind. TROUBLE AT A RACE MEETING. Napier, April 5. To Roera Tareha was before tho Magistrate's Court to-day on remand, charged with assaulting John Bibby so as to cause actual bodily harm at Napier Park during a recent raco meeting. Bibby is a wool-classer, who at ono timo'was travelling with a buckjumping show. Mr. M'Carthy, S.M., found that Bibby had been looking' for trouble, had thrust himself into the Maori's company, had rofused to go away when asked, and was not satisfied until a fight ensued. The information was dismissed! A charge against Tareha of committing a breach of the peaco was withdrawn, and that against Bibby adjourned. CLOSER SETTLEMENT. Napier, April 5. A private telegram from Wellington states that the Government have decided to acquire the Tangoio Estate for closer settlement. [Tiio Prime Minister had received no intelligence to this effect last night, but stated that the Land Purchase Board had recommended the purchase of the estate, and i;ad been authorised to acquire it, if it could bo obtained at a certain price.] ARNST CHALLENGED BY WEBB. Wanganul, April 5. Mr. Tuck, Webb's backer, lodged £100 to-day with the editor of tho <! Wanganui Herald," challenging Arnst, on behalf of Webb, to row for tho championship of the world and £500 aside. AN INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE. Christchurch, April 5. A conference was held to-day between the employers engaged in biscuit manufacture, wholesale confectionery, fruit preserving, and jam-making, and representatives of the unions of employees engaged in those industries. Mr. lnggs. Conciliation Commissioner, occupied the chair. After discussion the following resolutiou was passed: "That the conference bo adjourned until the employers and employees have arranged a federation of those engaged in the industries in tho different centres, so that a-general award can bo acted upon for the whole of Now Zealand, and that each side shall be in a position to hold a conference of all interested between now and tho end of July." Tho chairman suggested that tho conditions submitted by tho union bo withdrawn, and the union delegates agreed to suggest this to their unions.

CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAYS. Chrlstcliurch, April 5. A return presented to the Tramway Board to-day _ showed tho surplus on tho year's operations, after providing for sinking "fund, depreciation, and renewals, was £6744, or deducting the deficiency on the Riccarton line, £5763. Tho board decided to electrify tho lines at present operated by steam, and to submit to the ratepayers proposals for extension of the existing lines involving an expenditure of £65,000. THE CIFT BATTLESHIP. Ghristohurch, April 5. The Canterbury Trades and Labour Coun-' oil has resolved:—"That this council expresses its unqualified condemnation of the unconstitutional action of Sir J. AYard and tho Cabinet iu daring to dispose of public money by the presentation of Ijattleships to Great Britain without the authority of Parliament or the people; that wo further endorse the action of Mr. T. E. Tujlor, MP, in placing the truo facts of the position before the British Primo Minister." WAIAU HOTEL DESTROYED. Chrislcllurch, April 5. Tho Waiau Hotel, which was crowded with visitors, was destroyed by liro on Sunday morning. There wore marly narrow escapes, but no lives woro lost. Val Vousden, the well-known entertainer, jumped from a balcony, escaping injury with the exception of slight burns on tho body. No further details aro yet to bond. SALMON FOR TE ANAU. Dunodln, April 5. Mr. Ayson, Inspector of Fisheries, arrived from London by tho Rakaia this morning. Ho brought with him half a million Atlantic salmon ova, which arrived in good condition. Thoy will bo forwarded to Lako To Anau. A similar quantity was brought out by tho Turakina a few weeks ago for liberation in tho samo locality. SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. Dunodln, April 3. At tho Polico Court, Tnmati Wiroinu Wirihana was charged with obtaining £15 from Goorgo Tairua by falso pretence, and also £5 From Ernest ITutton by similar means. Tho polico stated that accused had represented himself to bo n rolntion of Mrs. G. P. Donnelly, of Hiiwkc's Bay. Soveral othor citizens, who would not faco tho publicity, had been "taken down" by accused, who spent the mono} , obtained in driving about iu cabs and drinking champagne. Ho wbs, added tho police, a perfect adventurer, ami in 1902 was imprisoned for forgery. Accused pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to eix months' imprisonment.