NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 568, 24 July 1909, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

(By Telegraph.—Frcsa Association.) METHODIST CHURCH. INDEPENDENT CONFERENCE QUES-V V . TION. ■; Chrlstohurchi July 23. The returns from the Methodist quarterly meetings upto tho present timo bliow that the votuig on the question of an 1 independent conference for New Zealand has been largely. in favour of the proposal. Out of ninetysix quarterly meetings, seventy-seven have given a majority vote for independence, seventeen against it., and' in two- the votes wero equally divided.. 'HlO total votes recorded for independence aro 1007, and those against., it 363. In Canterbury all the' cir- - cuits, with one exception, have voted strongly in favour of the change, 318 votes.being east for. it, and only 45 against it. The question has yet to be submitted to tlio district synods and the annual conference of New Zcalanil. before, it can be dealt with.' by the supremo legislative court, the. general conference of Australasia meeting in Adolaide next May. , AN ABSURD SYSTEM. " 'A MEETING AT GREYMOUTH. / Creymouth, July 22. >. A large and representative-pubhb meeting of Native lessees in the town of Greymouth was held this evening, when resolutions were carried empowering the Borough Council to acquire tho freehold.and, pay the Natives the rentithoy are now _ receiving It was stated that on a lease falling out the Public Trustee raisedthe rent from 100 to ISO per cent. The v Mayor stated that if the member for tho district failed to effect, a remedy, he bo. asked by his constituents to join the Opposition. The meeting was unanimous in stating that the present system was absurd, and , that the Government be asked to' alter the conditions.' The mooting ! resolved thatj nothing would -please them' than that' theGovernment would take immediate action. "80 NEAR THE CRAVE.". Auckland, July 22. , Wmi Green was darned »t . the' Folio* Court on Wednesday with having stolen £5 from Walter Richardson, in tie British ' Hotel. Mr.-Lundoa, who appeared for ao cused, stated that the latter was a consumptive, with only a few months to live. He had to find a bond when ho kndod, and had since lived most of his time in hospitals and sanatoria', being supported by oo- ■ casional ■ remittances from Home. In reply to Detective Marsack, • accused admitted throe convictions for fraud and theft.- The .Bench, in convicting the accused, remarked that a man so near the grave might employ hjs time . better than by visiting publichouses and following a .dishonest career. A sentence of one month's imprisonment, without hard labour, .was passed. PROHIBITION ORDERS. Chrtetcburcli, July 23. . Daring, almost every case in . which tha question of hotels supplying prohibited per- , sons with liquor- is ventilated, it is stated that, the present system of prohibition is umbo cessful. - To-day Mr. T. A. B.' Bailey, 5.M.,, said that as far as he could see tho. present system Was' impossible. Counsel suggested • that a system of r photographs shouldTe in- ' troduced. Sub-Inepector M'Grath said that he . agreed that the present system was impossible, but a great many of the hotelkeepers did not take any notice of ' prohibi- < tion orders, and treated, them ;as eo much . waste-paper. FORTUNE-TELLING. Auckland, July 23. The police aro taking proceedings against quite a batch of alleged psyenometrists, ; clairvoyants, spiritualists, and others of that' ■ilk.. Several officers of, the Auckland police faroo have, been busily ■ occupied in doiiig ! the rounds, hamg their.'fortmiei told, and in' return.: for the manystrange things foro- , ■told. them. by. tho .alleged wizards have, issued summonses't<> these persons to iiiake ' Itieir, appcaranco before tho Police Court' ■ next. Monday ibonijng. No fewer .than ten. o'f.tho frateniity will.make their bow to the Bench. -: . ' HARBOUR RECLAMATION. . • j InvercargUl, July 23.A deputation from the local bodies waited on Dr. Findlay with regard to .harbour, re- \ cianlafcion by prison lubour, and establishing a ptison farm .on a. portion of tho reclaimed land. Dr. Findlay said ho would send down experts to report on the advantages of , the sohome, whether the 800 acres tne'Department would receive would bo a fair returp. for the work, and as to the suitability of the sito. He could not give a definite reply at present, but thought it would be favourable. He roturns north this afternoon. V ALLEGED BIGAMY. Auckland, July 23. In tlio Police Conrt . to-day, William W. , Logau, otherwise known , as James Hogaa, was charged with committing bigamy,, having, on' October 2, 1907, gone through the marriage oeremony, though-he was previously married to Elsie Warren, in Launoeston, Tasmania; his wife being still alive.' Accused", was committed for trial. Bail was' allowed . in twp sureties of £75 each, and self, in £50. A LICENSINC APPCAL. Auckland, July 23.' A petition against the action of the Mun ukau Licensing Committee in, closing the' Harp of "Erin Hotel at Ellbrslio, on the ground that that action : waß against the weight of evidence, came before Mr.. Justioe • Sim in the Supreme Court this morning, and was referred direct to the Court of Appeal. THE, SHIP'S COMPANY. Auckland, July 23. The tug Champion, whioh arrived from . Sydney with a crew of-sixteen, has been rc- 1 quired to ship six extra men for the return voyage to comply with tho Now Zealand shipping laws. ' - NEWS'IN BRIEF. , Hastings, July 23. . For using, obscene language in a public ; place, John Harrison was,-tinfed^.£lo, th« alternative : being , a month's imprisonment, with, hard labour.