NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1091, 1 April 1911, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

BLACKBALL DISPUTE. AMICABLY ARRANGED. Crcymcuth, March 31, I Tho mining dispute at Blackball,' winch resolved itself at last into tho question of pillar working and truckers, has been amicably arranged, and a new agreement entered up, but not yet signed. Tho terms were accepted bv the. Miners' Union in conference with the. manager and tho Wostport representatives of tho Coalmine Owners' Association la to yesterday, and work was resumed as usual to-day. WAIAU BRIDCE OPENED. Chrictchurch, March 31. J lie Hon. R. M'Kenzio opened a bridge over the AVaiau above Cheviot yesterday. The structure cost £20,000. It will carry tho South Island Main Trunk line, and in the meantime provides a sale outlet for settlers north of tho river. At a social function later the Minister declared that the lino would be pushed on rapidly. The Midland railway, apart from tho tunnel, should ho completed in eighteen months, and the Government would then ho ableto give greater attention to tho Christ-church-Blenheim line. To-day Mr. M'Kcnzie is inspecting the country between Cheviot and Knl--koura. Ho returns to Christehurcli tomorrow and to Wellington on Sunday. RAIN IN THE SOUTH. Christchurch, March 31. Misty rain with occasional thick drizzle has been the order of tho weather sinco'4'p.m. yesterday. Tho moisture is freshening vegetation, but is a mere drop compared with the bucketful required by tho country, Cora, March 31. Rain fell for a whilo last evening at Gore and Mataura. It is raining this morning, and seems likely to continue. . Oamaru, March 31. Light showers _ fell frequently during tho night and this morning. Sinco rain started upwards of an inch has been ro-' gistercd in Oamaru. ' ■ SHOPLIFTERS CONFESS. Duncdln, March 31. David Colin M'Lcan pleaded guilty to tiio theft of goods from tho D.I.C. and Mrs, Dreaver, valued at over £6 and £22 respectively. Ho was committed for sentence. John Roy Belford, who pleaded guilty to receiving goods stolen from tho D.I.C, was also committed for sentence. BLUFF PILOT STAFF. Invercarglll, March 31.. The Bluff Harbour Board has decided to make a complete chango in its pilot staff. This will involve tho resignation of tho harbourmaster (Captain MacDonald) and all the other pilots. Tho , alterations aro to be given effect to at an early date. .In tho case of Captain, Mac Donald, the board has resolved to acknowledge his 23 years' service by presenting him with a cheque for a year's salary as from the date of his retirement. THE TERRA NOVA. Lyttslton, March 31. Nothing lias been seen of- tho Terr* Nova off the coast up to 1 o clock. There is a heavy fog off shore, and at Akaroa Heads they arc unlikely to sight tho exploring ship. ~,.DAIRY-FACTORY ;F,|RE. ~,•■; " ' Stratford, March 31. Fire broke out in tho boiler house of tho Stratford Dairy Factory early this morning. The brigade's efforts saved tho main building. Tho damage is estimated at about £200 v The total insurances amount to £3915.