NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1346, 25 January 1912, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph-Press Association.! * POSTAL OFFICER CHARGED. A PRE-ELECTION MATTER. Thames, January 21. At to-day's Police Court, William Law, a youug Postal official, was charged with foiling to deliver and with destroying circulars. It appeared from (he evidence Unit before, the general election a large numhur of circulars were sent through the pcr.si. By iiiailvcrtonce—no criminal or wicked intent was alleged—accused failed to deliver thirty circulars. It was alleged that he had destroyed them. Subsequently he Rave a list of the najiies overlooked, and offered to deliver the circular?, but it was then too close to the election. The case is not finished. MOTOR-CAR FATALITY. Christchurch, January 21. The inquest touching the death of Thomas Kyan, who died from injuries caused by R. Blunder's motor-car running into him in Cathedral Square, on tho night of January 19, was concluded to-day. The jury, after a retirement of 25 minutes, returned a verdict that tho deceased died as the result of injuries received by bcine knocked down by a motor-car driven by R. Blunden. THE PRICE OF SACKS. Timaru, January 21. Farmers having complained to the Chamber of Commerce about the lack of fixed prices to be paid to farmers for sacks when selling produce, a mesting of merchants and millers this afternoon agreed to pay 6!d. for new season's 48inch sacks and 6d. for smaller. SAD DROWNING FATALITY. .Dunedin, January 21. Henry Steele, belonging to an old and respected family in the Arrowtown district", met his death under distressing circumstances yesterday. Ho had lieen in bad health for some time, and is said to have Wn very depressed in spirits. On Monday Constable Melville proceeded to Steele's" farm, near Lake Hayes, and was informed that Steele had fallen into the river, but had regained the land. On Tuesday Steele was actinsr in a peculiar manner, and Constable Melville was again sent for. As he ivas proceeding to the river he saw Steele sitting on a bluff of rock about 30ft. high, with a. sheer drop into the river. Steele suddenly disappeared, ii.nd, on hastening to the spot, the constable saw him swimmine in the river, and making frantic sflforts to pet ashore. II: was impossible to render assistance, and, unfortunately, the man soon disappeared. It is thought that Pteclo slipped into the river while in the act of turning round.

WHICH HALF-HOLIDAY?. Auckland, January 24. At. the annual conference of representatives of local bodies to-dny petitions in favour of a Saturday half-holiday were presented. As most of the signatories are city residents, it was resolved to adjourn the question till next Tuesday, in order to {jot an expression of opinion from the suburban districts. A counter-petition in fa.vonr of the retention of Wednesday is being promoted. DUNEDIN VALUATION. Dunedin, January 24. The valuation of rateable property in the city for IDI2-13 has increased by .£13,398 upon the valuation for 195 J -12, the amount this year being At J lie existing general rale the increase is equal to an additional increase of ,£ll7O for the year. AIRGUNS AND CHILDREN. Wanganui, January 24. A local tradesman was fined 20s. and costs for selling an aLrgun to a boy under 16. Defendant pleaded ignorance of the law. The magistrate spoke strongly, and said the law was very emphatic, and expressed the opinion that parents should be made liable for allowing their children to have sucli UTJipons.