NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1218, 29 August 1911, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

IDy Telegraph—Press Association.!

4 INVERCARGILL TRAMS. AN OFFENDED COUNCILLOR, Invcrca.-nill, August 28. Some stir lias been created locally over (.ho tramways owing to the slowness ul progress, and tho resignation of Councillor Homing becanso tno council closured a notice of motion by him to review the tramway situation. This has started a warm newspaper correspondence, and a deal of activity among councillors and others. The delay is explained by a miscalculation regarding the supply of metal for construction work. To-day CO tons of metal came from Green Hills, and advice has been received that a quantity from the Bluff would arrive in the morning. Work will bo hastened as tho supply of metal is increased. Meanwhile Councillor Fleming has consented to reconsider his position on condition that the comril pass a resolution of regret regarding their treatment of him at last meriting.

SOUTHERN MAIN TRUNK. Christchurch, August 28. At the annual meeting of the Canterbun - Chamber of Commerce to-night the Hon. 11. F. Wigran, M.L.C., was elected president for the ensuing year. Ihe iollowing motion was agreed to: ' That this annual meeting of tho Canterbury Chamber of Commerce views with regret the slow progress made in linking up tho two ends of the Southern Slain Trunk railwav, and urges upon the Government the necessity of placing a larger amount upon the Estimates to accelerate tho finishing of this national line." HIGH SCHOOL TRIPS. New Plymouth, August 28. New Plymouth has had as guests for some days what are primarily high school football teams from Napier and Palmerston. A debate was held between the Palmerston and New. Plymouth schools on the subject: "Has Civilisation Been Conducive to tho Happiness of Mankind," and was won by Palmerston, who took the affirmative. A rifle match, Palmerston versus tho local cadets, was won by Palmerston by 341 to 231. Tho old boys and girls of the school tonight entertained the visitors at a "ball in tho Theatre Royal. LICENSING DECISION QUASHED. Auckland, August 28. Mr. Justico Edwards quashed the decision of tho Kaipara Licensing Committee in cancelling tho license of the Maropin Hotel. Kaipara, mainly on the grounds that Mr. Trounsen, a member of tho committee, resides at Northcote, and though occasionally residing with . his daughter at. Maropin is not. legally a resident of that licensing district. NORTH BRUNNER MINE. Christchurch, August 28. Tho manager of the North Brunner Coal Company denies the telegraphed report that tho mine will be closed down. He ordered a temporary stoppago ponding consideration of proposals made by tho London Board, which may necessitate a modication of the development of tho mine.

RAIL RATES FOR STRATFORD. To Kuiti, August 28. A large meeting of settlors, at Piopio on Saturday passed a resolution, asking a Eoyal Commission to inquire into tho merits of the Aria-Waitewhenua, route as an alternative to tho Ongarue route for the Stratford Main Trunk railway, on tho grounds that the Minister for Public Works had expressed an opinion that it was the better route. BUTTER AND CHEESE. Duncdin, August 28.' Mr. J. R. Scott, secretary of the South Island Dairy Association, advises that the cheese market is still apparently improving. Sales of outputs were .mado at G l-10d. on tmck to-day. Business in the North Island is also brisk both for butter •and cheese./ TWO BETTING MEN. Napier, August 28. For illegally betting at tho Hunt Club racevS, John Laidlaw was fined J;3O and costs; and William Ballam, of a similar offence, -C2O. OLD MAN'S DEATH. Gisborne, August 28. An elderly man, 70 years of age, named James Harris, employed in tho construction of the septic tank in connection with the sewcago system, died suddenly this evening when just ceasing work. Heart failure was the cause, and a doctor's certificate l>eing available an inquest may not bo held. EARTH TREMORS, Rotorua, August 28. A series of slight earth tremors, accompanied by rumbling, occurred this afternoon and evening. SUPREME COURT. Palmerston, August 28. In the retrial of Cornelius Murphy, James M'Kenzie, and Frederick Kichard James Kinchant, who wero charged with causing actual bodily harm on Alfred Bndcock, of Mataroa, the jury, after three and a half hours' retirement, found Murphy guilty of common assault under great provocation, and returned a verdict of not guilty against tho other two. DIVORCE CASES.

Christchurch, Angus!: *L Decrees nisi were granted in the following cases in divorce by Sir. Justico Denniston this morning:—Martha Hickson v. Richard B. Hickson, on the ground of adultery; Lucy Wilson v. C. R. Wilson, on the ground of desertion; Robert Dnnn v. Alice Dann and W. Knapp; Lewis Carter v. Ruth Carter and Nicholas Wenmouth; Elizabeth M'Seveny v. Robert M'Seveny. Tho case Scoblo v. Seoble was adjourned to Groymouth. Palmejston, August 28. At tho Supremo Court to-day, before Sir Robert Stout, a decree nisi was granted in tho divorce case of Nellie Bono against F.rnest S. Bone, on tho ground of desertion, and also in the case of Edna H. Edwards v. Arthur Edwards, for drunkenness and failing to provide. NO COMPULSION NEEDED. Palmcrston, August 28. A conference of School Committee delegates to-night decided not to enforce tho compulsory continuance classes in Palmerston, as. it was. found that nearly all who were eligible in this town were alrendy attending continuance classes at the High School or Technical School. Compulsion was therefore unnecessary. BRIEF MENTION. Wor.tooi't, August 28. Tho Westport Ilarbsur Board is successfully driving ferro-concrete piles at tho floating basin works. Westport, August 28. Reports have been renewed of airships being seen at night in this district. Westport, August 28. Tho Westport Coal Company lins established a new industry by the erection of coko.ovens at Graniiy. Fine weather is being experienced on the West Coast (states a Press Association telegram).