NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1122, 9 May 1911, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ♦ MOTUROA AS A PORT.

GREAT POSSIBILITIES. Now Plymouth, May 8, Tho Harbour Board this morning re* solved:—"That, in view of tho Opunake railway agitation, a telegram be forwarder! to (lie Minister'of Public Works that in two years ocean liners would be accommodated at Moturoa, thus revolutionising the handling of tho Taranaki trade." Tho chairman stated tha't such vessels as the Athonic could be berthed in two years, and (ramp steamers in twelve or fifteen mouths. DUNEDIN HOSPITAL FUND. SALE OP MATINEE SEATS. Dunodin, Mav 8. t A large crowd assembled at the "Town Hall this afternoon, when seats for tho matinee by Hugh J. Ward's Company on \\ edncsday. in aid of the fund for tho Women s Ward at (ho hospital, were disposed of by auction by Miss Palotta. The public supported the effort to raise tho Hind to a, satisfactory extent, the prices realised ranging from .£2 2s. downwards, home of the purchasers generously hand «d their tickets back for resale, and th< total was augmented in consequence. About half the seats in tho dress circle and some in the orchestral stalls were sold. Itie total realised was about .£B4. Tho s „ u , l !l n collc(:tod to datc amounts to about MOUNTED INFANTRY COMPANY. ~ „ Westport, May 8. At a well-attended meeting held in tho Town Hall this evening, the Mayor presiding, it was decided to form a Westport Mounted Infantry Company. In addition to 47 who join this companj under tho compulsory ages, 27, many ol them leading citizens, handed in theii names as, volunteer members of the com. pany, the present strength being 74, with the probability of some fifteen or twenty others joining later. It was decided to offer Hie services of the corps to the Dofence Department, and tho names oi twelve members are to bo forwarded to tho Department. It is understood fivo' officers will lie selected by the Depart meat. SECULAR EDUCATION ONLY. Timaru, May 8: At a meeting attended by about fiiS persons to-night it was dvcidc-d to form a secular education defence league, and to adopt the platform of the Wellington J/cague. The speakers condemned tho decision of the town school committee* in permitting Bible teaching in schools by ministers, considering this notion to bo an evasion of the spirit, if not of 11k etter, of the Act. These lessons begai last wtck, FATE OF'LANCASTER PARK. Christchurch, Mav 8. At a conference held between the Board of Control of Lancaster Park and Eepresentatives of the Canterbury Eugbv Union to-night an agreement was arrived at regarding the conditions upon which the union would be prepared to join with the Cricket Association in partnership in respect to tho future management of tho Park. The agreement requires to bo ratified by the Cricket Association and by the Rugby Union. Tho „ condition's agreed upon are practically those proposed by the union. CONTINUATION CLASSES. _. Wanganui, May 8, Tho Wanganui School Committee this evening approved the provisions of the education Act Amendment of last session regarding compulsory attendance at continuation classes. The committer recommended that liberal provision U made for exemptions, so that the Techmeal College Committee will have full mi ifo tlcn ' wi,n exceptional ca«es, r hev also recommend that, if at all pos, sible, arrangements lie mado for holdim? classes for girls in the 'afternoon.

STEERAGE PER MORAYSHIRE. Auckland, May 8. The steamer Morayshire, from Livoiv pool, brought 105 immigrants for the principal New Zealand ports. From eighty to ninety remain in Auckland. iliß immigrants include all branches'of labour, farmers, clerks, and twenty domestics. PLUNDERERS OF SHIP'S STORES, Timaru, May 8. iwo seamen of s.s. Rakaia, charged with broaching cargo at Port Chalmers about April 29, and stealing four gallons of bottled whisky and a case of bottled bcei (ship's stores) were convicted, and each ordered to forfeit M 10s., half the cost of the stolen liquor, and also received & sentence of H days' imprisonment. BRIEF MENTION. Duncdin, May 8. The Retailers' Association has decided to observe Umpire Day on King's Birthday, and tho l'rince of Wales's Birthday on Coronation Day. Timaru, May 8. Up to Saturday GM senior cadets and 320 adults had enrolled in areas Nos. 3(1, 3fl, and 38. Of the total 400 came in last week. There is some talk of challenging the Tcmuka municipal elections on the ground that tho Supplementary Roll was not duly authenticated. A" number of local committees are being formed to assist the Irish envoys, anc" they are assured a welcome in South Canterbury centres. . s. '