NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1112, 27 April 1911, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(13j- Telegraph.'— Press Association.) 4 RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD. POUTER'S PECULIAR CASE. Timaru, April 20. The Railway Appeal Board sat here today to hear the appeal of J. 'I'. Fowler, porter, who was discharged on the ground that he was medically unfit, and who refused the pension of i.'l per year provided by superannuation. He had been a contributor to tlir.t fund. The Department took the stand that Fowler was a probationer, entitled only to a refund of his contributions. According to the evidence ho was in good health when he joined the service. Jlr. T. C. Watson, for the appellant, contended that he was not a probationer, that being able to do light work, his retirement was not justified, but, icing retired, he was entitled to a pension. Judge Haselden said that this was the first case of the kind which he had heard. The point was interesting, and he would reserve his decision: DRAUGHTS CHAMPIONSHIP. PENMAN THE WINNER. Dunedin, April 2G. The draughts championship tournament concluded to-night, when Penman defeated Hilliker, and secured the championship.- The ballot brought out a Dundee Opening, which allows a lot of intricate play. "Penman developed a strong position, but the poor defence put up by Hilliker came as a surprise and disappointment to the spectators. Toward the finish of the second game Hilliker missed a chance of securing a draw, and Penman won, thus winning the championship with' two'wins and two draws. Penman secures the Australasian atld New Zealand championship titles, and also -£20 and a silver cup attached to the New Zealand title. He has won the cup twice, and it becomes his property. Hilliker takes second prize (<£l2) and Brodie third W8).

CENSUS RETURNS. Auckland, April 26. Following are tho latest census returns, the figures being for 1911 and 1906 respectively with the increases indicated also:—Onehunga, 4713 and 3693; increase, 1020. Otamatea County, 3564 and 2921; increase, 643. Hobson County, G27.1 and 5424; increase, 849. Whangarei, 2660 and 2115; increase, 545. Pukekohe, 2279 and 1C22; increase 657. Palmerston, April. 26. The censna returns for Palmerston North sho;v a population of 10,985, as against 10,237 at last census. The increase is 748. SCHOOL COMMITTEE RESIGNS. New Plymouth, April 26.' The Tarata School Committee has resigned in a body, owing to what it terms "the high-handed" action of the board in appointing a teacher to the school against the expressed wishes of tho committee. TRADES UNION NONSUITED. Wanganui, April 26. The Wellington Furniture Trades Union to-day brought an action against Purser and Son for employing, a boy at chairmaking when he was indentured to cabinetmaking. Tho defcnce contended that it was one and the same trade. The evidenco was contradictor,v, and the magistrate nonsuited the union. Leave to appeal was given. JUBILEE OF GABRIEL'S GULLY. Dunedin, April 26. Free railway passes will, be issued to old pioneers attending next month's jubilee of the Gabriel's Gully rush. The Minister for Mines will be present at Lawrence during the celebrations. HOMESTEAD BURNT. Gisborne, April 26. -The twelve-roomed homestead of James BalfOur, sheep-farmer, -.i-.Te rAi'Q.ha/,.; was., destroyed'by fire yesterday. Nothing was saved. A number of family relics of considerable value werp lost. '••"FIRE AT WESTPORT. Westport, April 26-,A-fire yesterday destroyed, a reccutlyerected five-roomed house, owned by Jlr. N. S. Jordan, in Westport. Tho insurances are .£3OO in the State office .on the building,' and .£l5O in the Commercial Union'on the furniture. '