NEW ZEALAND NEWS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.)

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 850, 23 June 1910, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.)

OTIRA TUNNEL WORKSVISIT BY BISdOP GRIMES. Ctlrisfchurcli, Juno 22. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch (Dr. Grimes), who returned this oveninj; from a visit to tho West Coast, stated in tho course of an interview that he spent three days at Ofcira, during which period' ho visit-ed the tunnel and conversed with the men working therein. He found that generally they were very well satisfied with their treatment by the contractors, and with tho conditions existing, with the oxceptioa of ventilation and water.i troubles. In conversation the engineer informed tho Bishop that ho hoped in a short time to be able to satisfactorily j deal with the question of ventilation. His Lordship's opinion is that whatever little trouble may .exist at the tunnel works is duo probably to the presence of a few agitators. CrSBORNE DREDGER MAUI. Cisborne, Juno 22. The ■ Gisborno Harbour Board to-day took over tho dredge Maui from tho contractors, Simmons and Co., Glasgow. Its cost is '£34,500, and, with tho hopper, barges, and accessories, the total expenditure will bo nearly £40,000. It is hoped by Christmas time to have the channel so deepened that Tessels of the Mapourika, Takapuna, and liotoiti types will be able to tie up to the wharf. GREYMOUTH NATIVE LEASES. Creymouth, June 22. A meeting of Native lessees was held to-night, when the following resolution was carried unnaimously :—"That the Government be .asked to bring in legislation this session dealing with tho Greyniouth Native leases, with a viow to taking over at the' fee simple the land included in the reserves at the present unimproved'value, the said land to be then sold or leased to the prosent lessees." NEW SHIPPING COMPANY. Duncdin, Juno 22. A new shipping company, to work the Dnnedin, Oamaru, Tiniaru, Lyttelton, and Wanganui trade, is in courso of" formation. The intention is to buy a steamer at Home for the purpose. • TREMBATH'S ESCAPE. Christchurch, June.22. John Trembatli to-day pleaded guilty tea charge of having escaped from lawful custody on June 3, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. William Stephen Chard was committed for trial on a charge of attempted criminal assault. SLANDER SUIT DROPPED. Dunedin, June 21. When the slander action W. A. Collins v. John Barry and his wife, of Beaumont, was called on in the Supremo Court this morning, it was stated that Mrs. Barry had no intention of imputing dishonesty'to tho plaintiff who accepted the explanation, and the suit was discontinued. The question ..of costs is to be adjusted subsequently. FEILDING EXHIBITION IN 1912. Feilding, June 21. The Feilding Industrial Exhibition is to be held in the early part of 1912, It was proposed to hold it next year, but, in view of the Wellington exhibition proposal, it was decided to 1& 1912 as the date. SOUSA'S BAND. Dunedin, Juno 21.

Sousa's Band will visit Now Zealand next year, under the direction of Herr Eenno Kcherek.