NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1193, 31 July 1911, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

IBy Telegraph.—Press Association.) : —<y TERRIBLE ORDEAL. Wairoa, July 28. Four moil named Robinson, Towneend, Uiggins, and Baker leit Woireliei station with Iho intention of walking to ltotorua. Tlicy got in the bush, and for four days anil lived on berries. They managed to reach the head of Waikaremtami, .10 miles from the Lake House, on Sunday morning, and built; a raft, as t'hfco of them were sailors, lliggins and Baker embarked on tlio raft to cross the lake, but Robinson and Townw>nd decided to walk. Robinson and 'J'ownsend reached Lake House this morning, but there arc no tidings of the men on the raft. It, is feared they have been lost. Tho lake was very rough at the t'imo. Search parties are now out. MAN MISSING. Gisborne, July 28. A mirn named Wm. Douglas, who left the station near Waipiro Bay, has been missing. Search parties wcro out ooystantly, and have now discovered his lior-:e near Waiapu River, which is in high flood. The horse had the saddle under its flanks, nud it is feared that Douglas has been washed out to sea, having come to grief at a ford. STATE FARM. Gisborne, July 2S. The Chamber of Comuierco to-day decided to communicato with the Department of Agriculture with the view of getting information regarding the establishment of a State experimental farm in this district. FIRE BOARD SYSTEM. Wanganui, July 28. Speaking at the firo brigades' annual banquet this evening, Superintendent Hugo combated tho statements recently mado at; Palmerston North by Mr, Mallard, of tho l ; ire Underwriters' Association, to the effect that tho firo board system had proved a disappointment.. Ho said that the boards had only'.been ill existence three and a half years, so that it was unfair to make comparisons. •

THE MARLBOROUGH FLOODS. Blenheim, July 29. Railway communication with Plcton, which was interrupted by the. recent floods, was established yesterday after,noon, and the trains arc running as usual to-day. Communication with Soddon and Ward is hoped to bo resumed early next w;eek. ■

MISSING FOR A WEEK, Gisborne, July 29. Search parties have failed, to find anr tracc of William Douglas, a shepherd, who has been missing from Takapau for over a week. It is believed he has been drowned in a swollen river.' UNCUSTOMED. Dunedin, July 28. At the Police Court this moruing David Conbrough was fined ,£l2 and costs 75., throo times tlio value of four whips brought ashore uncustomed from the steamer Orari.