NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 866, 12 July 1910, Page 6

(By Telegraph-Press Association.)

ORCHARDS BY PRISONERS. NOT FAVOURED. Hastings, Jnly 11. At a meeting of the Fruit-growers' Association, an important discussion foT* lowed the reading of Mr. Kirk's explanation of JJr. Findlaj's proposal that prison labour should bo used to plant orchards for lease or sale to approved orchardists, a ? ti intention on the pari oi tho Minister to have fruit grown by prisoners in competition with, private en* terprise. lhe meeting expressed disapproval of the proposals, and resolvedr-'That this association strongly protests against the Government planting orchards, and urges that prison labour should be utilised for planting trees to provida timber for commercial requirements" "FLEW NEARLY A MILE." t AEROPLANE AT RIVERTON. ? Invercargill, July 11. During private trials on Rivertoa beach, H. J. Pither, a one-time champion cyclist and now a motor engineer, successfully aeroplaned nearly a mils, and landed without damage. Pither used a light monoplane of his own construction, with powerful 40 horse-power, fourcylinder engines of his own design. It is the inventor's intention to give a public demonstration shortly. RAILWAY HANDS' DIFFERENCES. VVanganui, July 11. The following resolution, has beau passed by tho Wanganui Branoh of the Locomotive Engine-drivers', Firemen's, and Cleaners' Association: —"In regard, to direct representation on the Amalgamate* Society of Railway Servants, this branch., representing 94 per cent, of the locomotive staff of Wanganui, strongly protests against such a suggestion, as we consider it only a trap laid to prevent the Engine-drivers', Firemen's, ajid Cleaners' Association from obtaining the official recognition for which the association is so strenuously fighting." SCHOONER FOUNDERS. Auckland, July 11, The schooner Saucy Kate, 41 tons, owned by J. J. Craig and Co., Ltd., while loading shingle at The Noises in th« Gulf on Saturday night, was caught by a heavy cross sea, and filled and sank. The captain and crew of three got ashore with some difficulty. LIQUOR CASE: OFFENDER GAOLED.. Oamaru, Jnly 11. In the Magistrate's Court to-daj Richard Andrews was convicted of keeping liquor for sale in a No-Liceaiso district. Being his second offence, he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment HEAVY SNOWFALL. Ashburton, July 11. Cold and changeable weather c©& tinues here, heavy rain setting in yesterday afternoon and still continuing. After the heavy frosts of the tw> previous mornings in the back country snow fell heavily, reaching a depth of 6 inches. In the flat oountry at the foot of the hills and for about ten miles outwaTde at Mothven things are rather worse, 7-inch drifts being general throughout the township up till midday, when snow was still continuing to foil. MOHAKA STORE BURNT. Wairoa, July 11. A store at Mohaka, owned by Mr. Sims and occupied by Mr. Strickland, was destroyed by fire early on Friday morning. The insurances total .£350, and the loss is ,£2OO in excess of that amount. There is no clue to the origin of the fire. SPREAD OF WEASELS. Auckland, July 11 The spread of weasels throughout the north is somewhat alarming (states the Dargaville correspondent of the "Herald"). A mob of considerably more than a hundred was encountered on Sunday on the road between Avoca and Karaka, travelling in a northerly direction. The rodents did not even move off the road in' feat of the horsemen, but divided in order to let them pass. SUNDAY GOLF. Christchurch, July H The Waimairi County Council, wliicS previously discussed the question of golf being played on Sundays, had the matter before it to-night, when it was decided to take legal advice on the council's position in attempting to prohibit the play, ing of golf on Sundays. THE LAUDERDALE INQUIRY. Greymouth, July 1L The nautical inquiry into tho loss o? the Lauderdale is likely to conclude today, nearly all the witnesses having been examined. Counsel will address the Court this afternoon. The vessel was sold by auction this morning 'to Mr. Jamos D. Lynch (of Mark Sprot and Co.) for .£450. ■