NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1084, 24 March 1911, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Prc£3 Association.) I ENGINEERING QUESTIONS. ! GISDORNK PORT .AND BOROUGH. ' Gisbornc, March 23. " The Harbour Bo,ml ye.-U'i'day tonl'crrcd ' with Jlr. Holmes, Luginecr-in-Cl]iel', ill ' regard to coping with the range at tile 1 entrance of the river harbour, ami his ' .suggestions met with general approval. • Further details arc to be ascertained. Air. • Holmes also iind a contercnco with the • Mayor and borough engineer regarding 1 the differences of opinion in municipal - engineering matters, on which it was • agreed to accept Mr. Holmes's decisions. 1 An amicable, agreement was arrived at. CATHEDRAL SQUARE. HARANGUES AND A BY-LAW. Christchurch, Jlarch 23. A case was tried in tho Magistrate's Court yesterday involving the right of holding public meetings in Cathedral ■Square, when F. It. Cooke, Socialist, was charged that, contrary to the by-law, ho . delivered au address without having obtained the City Council's permission. Judgment was reserved. WESTPORT COURT CASES. Westport, March 23. In tho Supremo Court, tho Grand Jury returned no bill in the case Hex v. 31 arkland, a charge of attempting to commit a criminal offence. In the divorce case, Kelly v. Kelly, wife's petition, a decree nisi was granted. The mining appeal, Stannard v. Tliinibleby, was dismissed, and the decision of the Warden upheld in his declaration that Btaunard was the owner of a fourth share in a mining claim. Hearing of the appeal is now proceeding in the Police v. Ryan case, in which the magistrate dismissed an information charging Ryan with selling liquor on Monday, December 2G, which tho policc contended should be observed by hotelkeepers as Christmas Day. "WOULD LAY IT BEFORE CABINET." Christchurch, March 23. A deputation from the Culverdcn Railway League waited on the lion. T. Mackenzie, urging the necessity of a fifteenmile extension of the railway to Waiau. The interview was very lengthy. The Minister said the matter was more particularly in the Department of the Hon. R. M'Kenzic, but was largely one of ways and means. Ho could make 110 promises, but would lay the matter before Cabinet with his favourable impressions of tho district. CLAIM FOR £501 DAMAGES. Ashburton, Jlarch 23. Tho "Ashburton Jlail and Guardian" Company, Ltd., was to-day served by C. W. Nicoll with a writ claiming i.'501 damages i'or an alleged libel in a letter signed "Ratopaper" •.vluch appeared in tho "Guardian" of February 'J. "LOAVES AND FISHES." Timaru, March 23. ■Speaking at the opening of ail addition to the Wainia taitai (suburban) School Mr. J. Craigie, J1.1'., said he had been criticised as a "loaves and fishes" member, and declared that so long as the present system was maintained lie would continue to do his best to get the legitimate wants of tho electorate supplied under that system. THE MOKAU ESTATE. ' To Kuiti, Jlarch 23. The Native Land Court held a ' special sitting yesterday to deal with the JlokauJlohaliatino block (commonly known as the "Mokau Jor.cs Estate").' Judgo Holland presided, and . a settlement was reached on the following terms:—The Natives receive <025,000 in cash and retain an interest of ,£25,000 in the company being formed to develop the' block. EMPIRE AND O,UR. ONUS. Foildirtrj,'"' March 23. Jlr. Malcolm, Jt.P., gave a lecture here last night on "Imperial Federation." A motion was carried—"That it was unjust that the whole'burden of guarding the Umpire should fall on the United Kingdom; that the oversea dominions should share on an equitable basis; that the Dominions should Ije given a share in the control of the. defences, expenditure, and foreign policy of the Empire; tho meeting therefore welcomed tho idea of Imperial Federation and considered tho matter demanded the prompt attention of Parliament and tho country." WOODVILLE ITEMS. Woodvllle, Jlarch 23. Borough councillors and members of tho Chamber of Commerce will entertain Jlr. Jl'Kibbin (Mayor) at a banquet next week prior to his departure to'take up his residence in Wellington. Good progress is being made with the town drainage scheme, tho extremely dry weather being very suitable for the work. Tha weather is still very dry, and the settlers throughout the district are. greatly troubled to find water for their stock. OTAGO'S BIRTHDAY. Duncdin, Jlarch 23. There is glorious weather for the sixtythird anniversary of the province. Tho principal attraction, a regatla at l'ort Chalmers, is being largely attended.