NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 479, 12 April 1909, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

(Nx TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ( SUPERANNUATION. InveroargUl, April 9. In tho IFOB Superannuation Act power wat given local bodies to form tnuuicinal superannuation funds, cither individually or col' lectivcly. Local bodies' reprcsoatativei throughout Southland held a meeting some time ago and decided to write to the Municipal Association, which communicated with local bodies throughout Now Zealand, asking what support they would give tilt Bclicme. Tho lnvcrcargill Corporation employees have now decided favomably. Tho council considered tho matter to-night, and referred back to tho Financo Committee a recommendation to forward tho employees' decision to tho Municipal Association. Tho recommendation was referred back in order that its form might bo changed so as to givo tho fullest information as to the intention of employees, and tho local conditions. PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD. Dunetiln, April 10. At a meeting of tho Presbyterian Synod to-day, tho committee appointed yesterday to report on the question of establishing to-aim-ing classes for Sunday school teachers recommended that a committee bo appointed to prepare a scliemo for tho appointment of a teachor of school methods. In connection with tho Theological llall scliemo, reports are to bo returned by February 14, 1910. GOOD-BYE THE NIMROD. Chrlstchurch, April 10. Tho final sccno in tho history of the British Antarctic Expedition, as far as tho port of Lyttelton is conccrncd, was witnessed this morning, when the Nimrod and her company took their farewell of tho port. Punctually, at 10 o'clock, Captain J. K. Davis, accompanied by tho pilot, boarded tho little vessel, which was lying at the breastwork. Tliero only remained a few sacks and cases of stores to be taken on board, and these were soon stowed on tho deck. The little vosecl had steam up, and was ready for sea,'her linos were cast off, and the tug went ahead of her and gave her bow a " pluck " out from tho wharf. Tho roi>e was cast off, and tho Nimrod wont ahead under her own steam, and a fow minutes later was clear of tho moloß and bucking at a heavy nor'-cast jobble. Tliero were very few people to see her off. A littlo group of men on tho wharf gave three hearty, cheers, which were responded to by the Nimrod's crew, and tho "ceremony" waß over.

FIRES. Ashburton, April 11. A seven-roomed houso in Hampstoad, owned and occupied by .'William Harvev, was, with its' contents, totally destroyed l>y firo at 1 o'clock this morning during the absence of the occupants. There is no eluo to the origin of the fire. The house was insured for £345 in the Liverpool, London, and Globe office, and it is understood that tho furniture was covered in the State office, but particulars are not obtainable. Nelson, April 11. A firo broke out last night in a largo wooden unoccupied building, known as tho Windsor Ca.stlo Hotel. Although the adjoining premises were ill danger for some tirno, the hre was suppressed before extensive damago was done. SCULLING—ARNST AND WEBB. Wangamul, April 10. Tho "Herald" sculling writer, " Victor, 1 ' expresses tho opinion that there is a strong probability of Anist accepting Webb's challenge almost immediately, and of tlio raoo being decided within a couple of months, perhaps at Wnnganui or Altaroa. Arnst has not yet intimated an acceptance of tho challenge. It is understood that Webb's arm has thoroughly recovered from tho effects of tho strain which handicapped him in tho lasr championship race. NEWS IN BRIEF. 7 Dunedin, April 10. i Tho Bread Fund collections in Dunedin total £1720. Christohuroh, April 10. Fivo stallions belonging to tlio Department of Agriculture, which are. to bo oitcred for salo by auction on Wednesday, arrived in town this morning, four from Springfield and ono from Wellington. Qlsborne, April 10. Tho Harbour Board decided to accept tho offer of Simmons and Co., Renfrew, for a drodgo similar to the Mawhora, tho now ■ Greymouth dredge, tho price being £34,500, subject to accommodation extending over two years.