NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1073, 11 March 1911, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Tclecraph—Prcaa Associations 4 RECLAIMING PIAKO SWAMP. THE CHEAPNESS OF IT. Auckland, March 10. At a meeting of the Chamber of Com* merce this afternoon, Mr. G. Elliott, vice-president, reported as to the result of a visit which a party (of which ho was one) had recently made to tlio 1 lako Swamp. Tlio work being dono thora was really magnificent. At an expense of sonic £64,000, laud, formerly useless, had been reclaimed and Bold to the value of about £100,000. The work demonstrated what could be done by dredging, and the real cheapness of thjj method adopted of shifting .tho soil. Tlio dredgers which wero employed shifted the soil (much of it clay) at a cost of 2jd. to 2Jd. per yard, instead of something liko 9d., which used to bo tho cost. This fact wjuld have a considerable bearing upon the proposal to cut a canal from tho" Waikato River to Manakau.

PRAYERS IN TECHNICAL COLLEGE. "THE ACT FLAGRANTLY BROKEN." Christchurch, March 9. Tho discovery that it is tho practice to open the Technical College each day with a short Biblo reading and prayer has led to activity among tho friends of the secular system of education. At a meeting of the Socialist part}' a comrade stated that tho practice followed at tno Technical Collcjro was being introduced in other schools, and he asserted that in one school near Christchurch tho Education Act was broken flagrantly every. day. The meeting carried a motion urging. tho.importance of maintain, nig the Act.

BRAVE LADS. Westport, March 10. At a largo, and representative gathering in the school ground, this afternoon, 126 fire brigadesmen on the way back from Hokitika being, amongst those present, the Mayor (Mr. Greenwood), ori behalf of tlio citizens, presented Scout James Ronnie with a handsome silver watchchaiu and pendant, inscribed in ■ recognition of his courageous conduct in rescuing a schoolmato from drowning in Orawaiti liivcr last month. The Mayor also, presented Joseph Anderson, another lad, with a wallet of coin of tile realm for valuable assistance given to llennie. Tho speakers at tho gathering included the president of tho New Zealand Fire Brigades' Association, Mr. Gothard, chairman, and tho Rev. Mr. Dart, member of tho school committee, Mr. Harkness, principal of the school, and Lieut'. Brerton, provincial scout commander for tho Buller district.

IMPERIAL FEDERATION. New Plymouth, March 10. Mr. Malcolm addressed a very well attended public meeting in the Theatre Royal to-night, under tho auspices of tho Neiv Plymouth branch of the Navy League. , Tho Mayor, who is president of the branch, presided, and Mr. 11. Okey, M.P., was also on tho platform. Mr. Malcolm delivered a forceful address, having an excellent grip of his subjcct, and was most attentively listened to. 'A resolution was carried, "That this meeting considers that tho timo has come for the. federation of the British Empire, 'under all Imperial Parliament"

POLITICAL ADDRESS. Asliburton, March 10. Mr. W. Nosworthy, M.P., delivered a post-sessional address at tho Oddfellows' Hall .this evening, occupying himself chiefly with replying to tho spcech delivered by tho Prime Minister a fortnight ago. About 4.50 people were present, and a vote of thanks was passed. CAOL IRKSOME. Invercargill, March 10. Victor Von Tunzlemau, who is serving a sentence of seven years' imprisonment for incendiarism and burglary, was today sentenced to twelvo months additional for attempted gaol-breaking. DANNEVIRKE SHOW PROFITS. Dannevlrko, March 10. At a meeting of the A. and P. Association Committeo this morning it was announced that tho profits on the recent show amounted to £435 los. lid. Tlia association's assets, cash, and plant now amount to £850. NORTHERN WAIROA, Dargavllle, March 9. The fishing industry in Kaipara is at present in a satisfactory, condition, and some fine hauls are being made. Several owners of fishing'boats are said to liavo borm averaging from JCG to JE9 daily. Two representatives of tho Union S.S. Company recently visited Northern, Wairoa with the object of ascertaining tho depth of water at tho various timber wharves, and tho quantity of timber likely to lie carried during tho current year. It is stated that some largo timber orders for oversea are coming to hand, and heavy shipments aro likely to bo mado in the near future.

"ESCAPED IN NIGHT ATTIRE" Groymoutli, March 9. Tho twelve-roomed house of Mr. M. Hannau, Crown Solicitor, and all tho contouts wore completely destroyed by firo lit midnight the occupants only escaping in night attire, 'l'ho cause of tho outbreak is unknown. Tho property is insured, but for what amount is not yet ascertainable.

LABOUR PARTY. Dunedin, March 9. At a meeting in tho Trades Hall tonight, attended by about 25 people, a motion in favour of establishing a branch of the New Zealand Labour Tarty in Dunedin was carried.

INSURANCES. Auckland, March 9. Tho house which was occupied by M. Mahonev and owned by Mrs. W. H. Hales, and which was destroyed by firo on Tuesday night, was insured for .£SOO in tho Liverpool, Loudon, and Globo offico.