NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 699, 27 December 1909, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

BY MOTOR CAB.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

• A BLENHEQI SENSATION. Blenheim, December 21. Somewhat of a sensation was caused at the beginning of the week when it became known that Handloy Wells, organist of the Anglican Church, and a married man, had eloped by motor-car with another man's wife, to Christchurch, whence the, pair proceeded by train to Dunedin, joining the 1 Warrinioo for Australia. A warrant was issued for tho arrest of Wells on a charge of deserting his wife and child, and he was apprehended at tho Bluff, and brought Dock to Blenheim. At the Magistrate's Court this, morning, Wells pleaded guilty to a charge of desertion, and was ordered td contribute. JZi. 10s. a week towards the support of his wife and child, and enter into securities not to abscond again.' Wells is a 'teacher of music, and conductor of the Blenheim Harmonic So"THEIR LIVES IN THEIB HANDS." CHEISTCHXJECH TRAMWAY BOAEtti IN BEPLY. ' ,- v Christchurch, December 24. Begarding the statement made by the Hon. B. MTfenzie, Minister for Public Works, in the House, during the discussion on tho Tramways Bill yesterday, that "everyone in Christehurch who got on the boxes of the cars went out with their lives in their hands," Mr. F. Thompson, secretary of the Christchurch Tramway Board, says he cannot underV stand what tho Minister meant. No complaints had ever been received by the board from the Public. Works Deportment, and. in fact -everything recommended by the Department had been carried'out by the board. MINERS* FEDERATION. ' Westport, December 24. The ' Seddonville State Minors' Union has decided by ballot to withdraw from the Miners'federation of New Zealand. THE HOLIDAY AND THE STRJKE. '' "• Greymouth, December 24. ■Everything goes to indicate a prosperous holiday season. The tewn is,now crowded with' visiters, some of them undesirable characters. The stoppage of tlrre weeks' pay at the State.inine during the period of tho strike has not affected the Christmas trade much. The miners roly \fully on the Ministerial promiso to deal justly by them.: Meantime, thoy.are resuming work on the improved conditions after.the holidays. :; ... .'.' .; LAND BALLOT. Napier, December 24. Evidence that tho land hunger is still unappeased is furnished by the fact of there being 184 applications for three sections in the Firi Piri Block. The ballot was held yesterday, F. A. Fcirabend, H., C. Yarlow, and Emma Jane Anderson being successful. fires; ;:-.,■ Dunodin, December. 24. A sis-roomed house at the north end of George Street was destroyed by fire to-day. The. place was owned by Mr. Dunn (contractor), .and was occupied by Mr. .MicMe, a tramear conductor. No water was available, and the: brigade was unable to save, the place, with, its chemical engines. Seeing the hopelessness of the tafk the'men confined their efforts to' preventing the flames from seizing an adjoining place, which was '■- only scorched. The destroyed": house was insured ; for .£2OO in the National Office. .'The furniture was also insured. •■.■ ". \.ij: ■ .' Wanganui, December 26... A fire occurred early this morning in Mr. Barnard's chemist shop, the stock of which, valued at i£Boo, was i destroyed by fire and water. The Yorkshire Office held a risk: of .£550.' The insurance ■ on■ the building is not obtainable. - Christchurch, December 26. A four-doomed dwelling in Cumberland Street, Richmond, owned by John. Booker, was totally destroyed by fire on Saturday morning. The insurances are unavailable. .-■:;.-. ■'■■■ •: On the same morning: a five-roomed dwelling in Armagh Street was found to be on fire. Inoendiarism is suspected. The building was damaged, but was not destroyed. .. '• ...