NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 857, 1 July 1910, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telesraph.-Press Association.) * MASTERTON AND NO-LICENSE. THE COUET EETUENS. Masterton, June 30. The Masterton Court returns for tha first six months of the year 1909 (under license) and tho first six months of tha year 1910 (under No-License), show a marked decrease in tho figures, which are given respectively for 1909 and 1910 as follow:—Drunkenness, 137 and 23; common assault, 20 aud nil; theft, 18 and nil; housebreaking, li and nil; resisting the police, S and nil; failing to support wives and relatives, 9 aud 5; no means of support, 9 and 1; obscene language', 8 and 2; sly grog-selling, nil and 6; bringing liquor into a No-License area, nil and 14. STOCKING THE TERRA NOVA. DOMINION'S GENEROUS GIFTS. Christchurch, June 30. Mr. J. J. Kinsey, who is acting as fcew Zealand agent for Captain Scotfa expedition, states that large quantities of stores have already been donated by -\ow Zealanders. The shipping companies and coal companies will give all coal required. The Terra Nova will have an ice-nouse on deck capable of storing 200 carcasses of frozen mutton, and promises have already been ruado which show that that quantity will be readily forthcomlns\ ii , luns °. v > however, is anxious tliat the donations should be spread over as wide an area and over as many people as possible. All the meat companies have come Jorward with offers of canned goods, these including a ton of boiled mutton, a ton of boiled beef, three-quarters of a ton of sheep's tongues, half a ton of ox tongues, and half a ton of sundries, butter, cheese, hams, and bacon. Large quantities of oats, bran, and chaff for pomes have been promised, and preserved milk, plum puddings, buscuits, and chocolate will also be given. Mr. Kinsey states that he has not had one refusal, and that offers of help have come from all over the Dominion. SELECTIONS ALLOTTED. PREFERENCE TO THE LANDLESS, Auckland, June 30. The Auckland Land Board to-day gavj possession to 76 selectors of 14,836 acres. In the previous month the figures were 146 selectors of 20,629 acres. A good percentage are from southern parts of the Dominion. On June 27 the board offered under option tenures 35 sections covering 10,829 acres, generally in moderate areas. All but 995 acres were covered by 232 applications. The board is exercising rigidly its right to give prefer, ence to landless persons. A SEA-BORNE BOTTLE. NOTE EVIDENTLY GENUINE. Gisborne, June 30. A bottle discovered in Waipawa lagoon contained a slip of paper with the words: "Wrecked on Young Nick's Head. Meteor." The writing has been identified as that of a fisherman, John Olsen, who, with a companion, sailed from Gisborne on September 10, 1908, in the yawl Meteor, and has not since been heard of. BOARDING-HOUSE FIRE. Dunedin, June 30. The British Temperance Boarding, house, Cumberland Street, was damaged in the top portion by fire. The inmates escaped with difficulty,' one woman having to be carried down a ladder. The building, which was an old hotel, owned by Dr. Millar, of Eoslyn, was insured for ,£SOO in the Norwich Union, and the contents for ,£IOO in the Phoenix. DUNEDIN TOWN CLERK'S SALARY. Dunedin, June 30. The City Council, by ten votes to nine, negatived a recommendation from the Finance Committee fixing the Town Clerk's salary at .£IOOO a year, and made the amount .£BOO. DIVORCE CASES. Napier, June 30. A decree nisi was granted in the divorce suit, Minnie Brock v. Henry Brock, on the ground of misconduct. Judge Edwards also granted a decrea nisi for divorce in the case of A. E. K. Howse (petitioner) versus V. M. A. Howse (respondent) and Hans Petersen (co-respondent), on the ground of mis. conduct. SLANDER. Napier, June 30. Patrick William ScaUy, farmer, of Dannevirke, sued Andrew Laing, also of Dannevirke, for damages for slander, and Alt. Justice Edwards gave judgment for plaintiff for .£25, with costs. COURT FEES. ■ Christchurch, June 30. The Supreme Court fees for the quarter ending to-day total .£703 18s. 6d. without Timaru. The total for the corresponding quarter last year, with Timaru, was .£615. DAMAGES. Christchurch, June SO. A cyclist, named G. T. Batley, who, on April 25, was knocked down by a motorcar driven by J. L. Carl, hotelkeeper, was to-day awarded JEIS damages.