NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 859, 4 July 1910, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) « ENDURANCE PIANO PLAYING. WORLD'S RECORD BROKEN. Wanganui, July 3. Mr. James S. Stirton last night broko the world's record for endurance piano playing, when he comploted 62J- hours' continuous playing with both hands. Mr. Payne, of Thompson and Payne's Pictures, in connection with which the pianist has been appearing, presented Mr. Stirton with a gold medal. The previous record was G2{ hours.

TROUBLE AT DENNISTON MINES. COAL DEALERS PREPARING. Westport, July 3. A dispute has occurred at the Westport Coal Company's Dcnniston mines over certain increases of pay asi;ed for by the Miners' Union, which is not working under the Arbitration award, and the union has had the mine- laid idle on Monday lor the purpose of considering certain grievances at a mass meeting. The management claims that the union is .seeking to alter the method of payments which have lieen in existence for years. In anticipation of the tronble becoming serious, coal dealers in different parts of the Dominion are already making feverish demands for supplies from other mines working in tho district.

AUCKLAND'S TRADE. Auckland, July 2. The produce exported from the port of Auckland during tlio past six months was valued at £1,900,371, as compared with £1,537,466 during the corresponding period of last year, an increase of ,£428,90r>. The most notable increase was in wool, that exported during the first half of lflfl!) being valued at £)6G,127, and that during the past six months at £122,4,13—an advance of .£250,01)6. Butter increased bv £80,406, eheeso by £45,580, and ilax by £32,42!). Kauri gum decreased by £23,355, and frozen lamb by £31,201. The. Customs duties collected, increased from £205,362 to £320,153, beer duty from .213,008 to £13,280, and gold.duty from £12,03S to £13,231.

SUPREME COURT. New Plymouth, July 2. A number of civil cases were listed for hearing at the Supremo Court here. Some were settled out of court and others adjourned till next sitting. In the Supremo Court, in the shoepstealing cam, the jury found Appleby not guilty, but wanted to give further consideration to Woods's caw?. In the divorce case, Beattio v. Bcattie, a wife's petition on the ground of confirmed drunkenness, a decree- nisi wa.s granted. In the case of Duncan v. Duncan and Eades (co-respondent) a decree nisi was also granted.

THE BICKERTON FUND. Christchurch, July 2. The appeal for .£3OO to enable. Professor Bickerton to go to England to state tho case for his partial impact theory before scientific bodies, has been successful. The promoters of the fund will now approach the Government for the promised subsidy of .£3OO.