NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1079, 18 March 1911, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) 1 WHY NOT CONFER? SHEARING DISPUTE INCIDENT. Napier, March 1". Iho Arbitration Court this morning suggested that the parties in tho shearers' dispute should hold a conference whilst tho court was sitting at Palmerston, with a view to an agreement. The court intended making ar award. STEAMER'S BOOM FETCHES LOOSE. Westport, March 17. A cargo boom got away aboard tho Mapourika this morning and swung slowly amongst tho crowd at the foot of the gangway on tho wharf. Five or six people were knockcd down. Percy Hambloton, of Greymouth, had his head and fac'o' cut, and ho bled profusely. Mrs. Devery was bruised on. tho side, and was in much pain. Tho o.lh-..<rs escaped unhurt. OLD HOSTELRY ALIGHT, Thames, March 17. Early this morning tho Shortlaud Hotel, an old building, owned by Campbell, Ehrenfried, and Co., was found to no on lire. Tho brigade was promptly on tho spot, but tho fire had a good hold when tho men arrived, the top part of tho building, a two-storied one, being in (lames. Splendid work by the brigado saved tho lower portion, but the whole of the upstairs was gutted. This comprised and bedrooms. When tho fire was first discovered tho flames were then issuing from a lumber-room in tho upper story. Not much damage was done to the ground floor. Insurances on the building amount to £000 in the Phoenix, on the furniture £300, on tho stock £100. The licensee's personal .effects were insured for £50 in tho Imperial. The present license® is John lankorit-ch-WORKERS' COTTACES. Now Plymouth, March 17. Employees at- the harbour works forwarded, tli rough tho member for the district, a petition to the Hon. J. A. Millar for the erection of workers' cottages on a piece of land known as tho prison reserve. Mr. Okoy has received a reply from the Minister to tho effect that if suitable land can bo obtained he is willing to crcct a number of work< ers' homes. CLAIMS FOR WAGES. New Plymouth, March 17. On Tuesday several claims for wage* went by default in tho Magistrate's Court against tho Standard Oil Company, having its headquarters at Auckland, and which has been drilling on Carrington Road for some time past. A further step has now been taken, tho bailiff having been put in possession uf the company s derrick and plant, which will bo sold. This company liaj no connection with the Taranaki Petroleum Company, wh'ich lias struck oil, and which has excellent prospects. THE WHIRLIGIG OF TIME. Murchison, March 17. The Murchison Agricultural and Pastoral Show was hold to-day—t-lie first in tho history of tho district. There was a large number of entries in horses, cattle, and sheep. Ten years ago tho district was a mining settlement ! now it. is rapidly increasing as an agricultural district, with dairying,,as. the main-, stay. Bush 'is being out down in all directions, and a large number of sliecp are going oil tho land. THE SEDGWICK EFFORT. Hawcra, March 17. Mr. Sedgwick addressed a meeting nf tho Farmers' Union hero oil juvenile, immigration. Ho declared that tho boys brought out were, doing well for themselves, for their employers, and for the country, and he spoke earnestlyof the desirability from an Imperial point of view of diverting British immigration from foreign countries to tho overseas Dominions. NEW PICTURE THEATRE. Auckland, March 17. A syndicate, which is said to have control of considorablo capital, has been promoted for tho erection of a new picture theatre near tho top of Sy-. monds Street. Tho. building, which is estimated to cost about £8000, is to ho completed about October next. It will liavo accommodation for 1500 people. FIERCE PALMERSTON FIRE. Palmerston, March 17! A very fierce firo illuminated Main Street, near tho Post Office, to-night, and quickly drew a largo crowd. It proved to bo a two-storied wooden building occupied by Mr. Denton, photographer, the Licensed Victuallers' Association, and others. Tho brigade got tho lire under. The buildings was owned by Mr. AVarburton, and insured for £150 in tho New Zealand Office. Mr. Denton holds a policy for £135 on certain contents, in tho Standard Office Tho origin of tho fire is unknown. • MAN FATALLY RUN OVER. Carterton, March 17. Word was received in Carterton this morning of the violent death of Hugh Mitchell. F. J. Peid, late of Martinborough, was driving a load of furniture to his property at- Landsend, and Mitchcll rodo with him. Ascending a small hill near tho Gladstone school the harness broke, and tho jerk caused Mitchell to iall, tho wheels passing over his chest, his ribs were crushed, and his lungs pierced. The ambulance and a doctor were summoned from Mastcrton, and tho Carterton police wero communicated with. Before medical aid arrived, however, Mitchcll passed axvay. He was aged between -15 and 50, and had been a great footballer and athlete, being very popular. SUPREME COURT. Wanganui, March 17. In tho Supremo Court, Harold Andrews, found guilty of forging and uttering, was sentenced to twelvo months 1 imprisonment and to reformative treatment not exceeding two years. Alfred Wade was acquitted without retirement hy the jury on a ehargo of wilfully cutting a fire hose at Wavcrley. Y.M.G.A. Auckland, March 17. _At tho annual meeting of tho Y.M.C.A. to-night it was reported that of tho £11,793 promised when the campaign for funds for tho new building was made, about three, years ago, the sum of £3233 was still outstanding.