NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1080, 20 March 1911, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) • ♦ HANDSOME GIFT INDEED. BY WANG AN CI OLD BOYS. -pi „ Wanganui, March 18. Ihe Old Boys of Wniiuanui Collegiatu nchool, who aro presenting a chapel to that institution, last night, through their executive, accented the tender of Mr. rinin W" n ß a "''») at something over .£IOOO. tho foundation-stone will be laid on Laster Sunday, when a large gathernip is expected from all parts of the Do•million. ELECTRIC PLANT AND FIRES. WHAT A FIRE BOARD ASKS. Christchurch, March 18. Tho Don, D. Buddo informed n depii. totion from the Christchurch Fire Board that he would take the opinions of electrical experts on the question of tho necessity for electrical installations being periodically inspected, and if those opinions upheld that necessity he would what could be done by introducing legis. lalion giving fire boards nowor to malts periodical inspections and cliargo fees for the same. Personally, he was of opinion that the boards should have (lie powe/ mentioned. HON, R, M'KENZIE AT GISBORNE. m , ' _ Gisborne, March 10. The Hon. R. M'lCensie, Minister of lublic iVorks, arrived at Gisborne on Saturday night after his overland tour inspecting the proposed route' of Hie East Coast railway._ He leaves on Monday morning for Waipiro, and expects to r> 10, Gisborne on Wednoday night:. Willie here the Minister will probably be entertained by the Chamber of Conimerce, and probably also be ! waited, on by a deputation of members of the Rait way League. . •• FATHER ZANNA ON STATE AID. . • Dargavillc, March 18. At the Catholic Convent School concert last night Father Zanna referred to tlio need that there was of the Governmentproviding State , aid to Catholic schools. Ho said that so long as their just claim and right demand for State aid for their schools was denied to them so long must they have recourse to such means as charitable entertainments in order to provide some addition to the oaltry salary of ,£25 each, which was all the S'istcrs of Mercy received. SHORTAGE OF RAILWAY TRUCKS. Timaru, March 18, Complaint of the shortage of railway trucks is again heard in this district. Tho demand is even more urgent than usual, as the threshing season has l>cen fine, and the short straw has enabled the mills to make quick work. SWOOP BY THE POLICE. Timaru, March 18. Five men were charged- with playing "two up" at tho l'areora freezing works last Sunday. They were caught in a rush by Detective Fahey and Constable M'Clatehy. There was difficulty, however, as to identification as' a party of a score or so bolted into the rooms when thr police cycled un. Three were but two were convicted and fined ,£3 each or fourteen days. . WHY HE LEFT HIS SHIP, Timaru, March 18. 'A seaman who had deserted from thf Kumara at Sydney was recognised by th< captain of the Kumara ou tho Evertou Grango here, and arrested for desertion, The charge was heard to-day, and the magistrate' dismissed it on *t!io ground that tho man had an excuse. He wae 'suffering from a broken jaw, as the re suit of a fall, when ho left the Kumara, COUNCIL IN A QUANDARY. Timaru, March 18. The Mackenzie County Council is faced withii-tho'difficulty of enforcing a heavy trafflc-by-law' against traction engine traffic. The defenco has been raised in certain prosecutions that (he council is 11011 est, never having been properly constituted. The question is to bo i'ought out. HARBOUR LEASES OFFERING. Gisborne, March 10. A committee meeting of tho 1 Harbouf Board lias dealt with tho placing of the Tawliare-Parae leases on the market. The method of cutting up the area was approved, and tho property will bo submitted in about six lots, ranging from 850 to 2000 acres, mostly improved land with good carrying capacity. A largo portion lias been described as'capable of grazing two sheep to the acre. The ques. tion as to whether an aggregation of sections by one owner would be permitled lias yet to bo decided. Mr. Matthewson gave notice of motion to limit tho purchasers to ono section, and tho subject will be dealt with at the next mect« ing of tho board on March 2". NEWS IN BRIEF. Timaru, March 18. ■ A farm of 150 acres at Kingsdown, 5 miles from Timaru, was offered'at aliotion and passed ill at ,C2o per acre. Timaru, March 18. Tho victorious .members of the Fira Brigade returned from Hokitika this even, ing, and were given an enthusiastic weK come by the Mayor and a crowd of towns' people.