NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 723, 24 January 1910, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Associatlpn.)

DEALING WITH A DOCK CAISSON. AT PORT CHALMERS. , . Dunedin, January 22. When the ■ Haitai' came ' out; of dock yesterday; the caisson 1 ; at tlie .'.new -dook was removed' for the' first\ time since: the pump .was'.:installed in -it,' arid worked satisfactorily....:, The; inconvenience .of ..the caisson -up fromits - position before the .water- in'the dock 'was level with ' the 'water outside, ' has been eliminated. of; letting : out .the ' water beforehand it . now -remains 'in', the caisson until the- dock' is -full.' ! Then- the pump .removes sufficient;:wafer to": allow.-.the' caisson ' to'' float: for ..- removal.The .. caisson will causa ..no further delay, and. vessels may enter- or' leave the. dock at:any state of -the . tide- as far as . the'-.fitting or removal': ofrthecaisson- is- concerned.' '

RAILAGE RATE ON COAL. • CONFLICT OP INTERESTS. Westport, January 22. The Railway Department and the coal 'companies', are in conflict oyer a charge of ■£3 whjch '■■ the. Department is making for special trains for tho carriage, of coal. ,Th'e charge has ' never been made previously, the Railway, ( Department being content formerly, with 'freight' on the ? coal, which amounts, - - inclusive of handling, weighing, etc., to'-, close on JBI a truck. The ■ companies contend that extra trains should, be run to suit the exigencies of shipping at a bar harbour, and to, facilitate the working, of- mines 'as regularly as possible. ' • • . • DOMINION LIBRARIES. Duneriin, January 22. : - The 1 Library Committeo of . the Citj Council recommend' that ■it is; desirable to convene a conference,of representatives from the public , libraries-,bf r New- Zealand for the purpose of discussing mat-' tors affecting the general conduct and management. of. the libraries in : the Dominion, arid'-that such conference .be held at Diincdin at Eastertide. SHOCKING DEATH. Christchurch, January 23. This morning a man named John Hall, upwards' of CO years of age, whik -crossing Charles Creok, near Kaiapoi, was knocked down and run over by'a traction engine.: It appears that one of 'the 'hind wheels passed over deceased, inflicting terrible injuries. . Death was instantaneous. PEARCE CHALLENGES WHELCM. . Christehorch, January 23. Wholch received a challenge -from Pcarce, of Sydney, this afternoon, to row for of New Zealand lit Akaroa,.for-JC2OO a : side., If no,'.definite' reply is : received from Arnst next week, Wnelch will accept this challenge, and he ahd Pearco' will, probably row at Easter, . ; .V..