NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1387, 13 March 1912, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Ilir Tclcgraph-Pross Association.)

MORE DEFENCE PROSECUTIONS. Napier, March 11. Four youflis were yesterday fined ,£1 and costs for failing to register under tlio Defence Act. One melodramatically declared: "I am guilty, but I have an excuse. I object to joining tlio Territorials because I believe compulsory military training to be unjusi, unbcucncinl, and unnecessary." His Worship said he was no judge of that. It was the law of the country, and would have to 1)0 obeyed. Defendant said that, rather than obey the law, ho would leave the country. PROPOSED TRAMWAYS. Napier, March 12. At tlio public meeting to-day a resolution was adopted ashing tho Jvapier Borough Council not to accept a tender for tho proposed electric tramways until the whole question was further considered by the ratepayers, soma of whom favour motor buses. I A GARDEN FETE. Dunedin, March 12. A garden fete, with the object of raising. funds for improving and beautifying tho city reserves and providing more recreation grounds, was held in the Botanic, Gardens to-day. The .weather was unsettled m the morning, but the autbori. ties decided to hold the fete, and though the conditions were not altogether favourable, the affair was a great success. The attendance in the afternoon was very large, and an even greater number wero present in the evening. A splendid programme was arranged, arid the public was apparently highly pleased with the entertainment. Tho financial result is not known yet, but it is anticipated that a substantial sum will bo available for the object in view. AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD. it ii tt Auckland, March 12. At the Harbour Board meeting to-day the chairman said the board's revenue .was steady and expanding, and thero was every prospect that tho present year Would constitute a record. The estimated total receipts for 1912 from all sources was ■£193,473, while tho expenditure, including provision for interest" and sinking fund charges, was estimated at ,£153,169. COPEUANO PASS. Timaru, March 12. Messrs. Fenwick and Kerr traversed, the Copeland Pass successfully, reaching tho Hermitage on Monday night. INTERESTING SEA RACE. Wanganui, March 12. The three-masted schooner Maroro arrived from Sydney to-day, after a voyago of 22 days. Last Sunday week, when oft' Capo Farewell, tho Maroro was struck by an exceptionally heavy sea, which severely injured tho mate, James Hannan, aged 72. Fortunately no bones wero broken, but Haunnn had a narrow escapo of going overboard. Ho is still incapacitated. The Maroro and Alcxa, both threemasted vessels, have had an interesting race to Sydney and back. They left hero within a few hours of each other, and both reached port again on the saino tide this afternoon.

DEATH OF A NURSE. Gisborno, March 11. Nurse Lila, Rood, aged 21, died at ths hospital as a result of an accident sustained several weeks ago. Whilst playing with a child she Elippod on 6omo coacrete stops and fell, breaking a thigh.

FATHER BERGIN'S CASE. New Plymouth, March 12. At the Supremo Court to-day, Mr. Justice Sim gave judgment for plaintiff in a case in which tho Rev. Father Bergin sued E. May for tho return of a motor car which nas sold to plaintiff and resold without' his knowledge to defendant.

LABOUR-CABINET OR NIL. Dunedin, March 11.. The Otago Labour Representation Council has resolved that it would be against the best interest of Labour if any Labour members of Parliament accepted any position in any Cabinet not wholly composed of Labour members.

TO TOW OFF HIMITANGI. Christchurch, March 12. The coastal steamer Gertie, equipped with salvage gear, left Lyltelton at 8 p.m. on Saturday for tho Chatham Islands, where, she will assist iu tho attempt to refloat tho Himitangi. Captain Manley went in charge of the Gertie, Captain Roger accompanying tho vessel as mate. Mr,-; Walker, Lloyd's surveyor, was a passenger by tho vessel. Tho Himitangi'a owners are sanguino of getting the vessel afloat.

BRIEF MENTION. Dunedin, March 11. Tho citizens' garden feto in aid of the recreation Teserves was marred by unpropitious weather.

Gisborno, March 12. Tho-various works at present in progress in Gisborno havo practically absorbed, tho available supply of unskilled . labour, and thero is an unsatisfied demand for navvies, etc. Timaru, March 12. Tho Timaru borough valuation, on tho annual value system, is now about ,£llO,000, an increaso of .£"000 for the year.