NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1452, 29 May 1912, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

ißy Teleerapb—Press Association.) * THE PACIFIC CABLE. Christcnurch, Hay 28. The "Press" says that tho new direct Pacific cable, which at present is being laid between Sydney and Auckland, is expected to bo completed by tho end of this year. It is understood that aflcr tlio completion of tho work, tlio stall at Norfolk Jsland and Doubtless Buy will bo considerably reduced, it is expected that a suite of offices on the third iloor of tho new Auckland Post Oilico will bo reserved for the use of the Pacific Cablo Board. Tho staff will probably comprise fifteen men. COOK ISLANDS FRUIT. Christchurch, May 28. Tho Minister for Internal Affairs has arranged that in order to save timo in landing fruit, tho Auckland steamer from the Cook Islands wili not for the futuro bo dclavcd in the stream for medical examination. This examination will tako place on tho wharf, as is done in the ease of Sydney steamers. Boats from other fruit-producing islands will, however, still be subject to tho old regulations, under which medical examination will bo conducted in tho stream. Tho concession ill the caso of tho Cook Islands steamers has been allowed in accordanco with tho representations made to tho lion. To Kangihiroa.

WORKERS' HOMES, Timaru, May 28. Mr. Craigie, M.P., has received word that tenders from four builders have been accepted by the Labour Department for tho erection of ten workmen's cottages at Timaru, on land purchased for tho purpose. CLAIM FOR COMMISSION. Auckland, May 28. Tho hearing of the civil action, in which Chas. John Hutchison claims from R. O. Hendry the sum of .£502 10s. as commission on the salo of Coombes's Arcade, was continued boforo Mr. Justice Edwards at tho Supreme Court yesterday afternoon. When tho caso was resumed this morning Dr. Baniford announced that a settlement had been arrived at, defendant agreeing: to pay plaintiff tho sum of <£450 and costs. Ill's Honour thereupon discharged the jury. SCARCITY OF TEACHERS. Timaru, May 28. At the Education Board to-day the chairman said that the scarcity of teachers was becoming more pronounced. The Waimate School was two teachers short, and teachers were needed for four or five country schools, but so far tha board had been unable to obtain them. Today three applications came in. for four of these country schools. WEST COAST MINING TROUBLE. Reefton, May 28. Matters aro very quiet in connection with the mining trouble. Unmarried men have been inquiring re tho Lake Coleridge works, advertised locally, and a number aro trying to get work there. The town is being quickly depleted. Thanks to tlio Government work, very few married 1 men aro leaving, but tho exodus is becoming very 'marked. Men at Waiuta are doing their best to while away the time with sports, etc. No other work is yet available. Very shortly the road from Waiuta to St. George will start, giving employment. UNITED LABOUR PARTY. Invercargill, May 28. The Southland Sawmill Workers' Union, with a membership of 1000, and tho Painters' Union have decided to join tho United Labour Party. SUPREME COURT. Invercargill, May 28. Tho Supreme Court opened before Sir Joshua Williams. 'J'here are only four criminal cases. William Spriggins, aged 22 years, for breaking and entering, wias sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment. Alexander Ferrier, aged 17~ycars, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting a young woman with .intent. His Honour said he would take into consideration accused's previous good character, and not pass a sentence of imprisonment; but would require accused to go through a course of reformative treatment for any period not exceeding thrco years. William John Walsh, aged 32 years, pleaded guilty to perjury committed during the hearing of a case in tho Magistrate's Court, and was sentenced fco four months' imprisonment with hard labour. Francis John Carrington, for forgery, was admitted to twelve months' probation.

Palm«rston North, May 28. At the Supreme Court Douglas Robert Saxon Munro and Edward Nelson Baigent, charged with conspiring to defraud Scott and Martindale, Wellington, were found not guilty. Andrew Wisehnewsky was found not guilty on a charge'of indecent assault on a seven-year-old girl. John Duncan, convicted the previous day of indecently assaulting a six-year-old "girl, was sentenced to sir years' imprisonment with hard labour. THE KOTUKU INQUIRY. Greymouth, May 28. The nautical inquiry into the stranding of the s.s. Kotuku \tas continued all today, when tho evidenee of the second officer, steersman, and signal station master was taken. The evidence is of a very contradictory nature. The officers swore "that the vessel did not touch the south breakwater, ond the signal station master said that the vessel crashed into it stern first, and Wiis held fast for five or six minutes. Tho inquiry is creating a good deal of interest locally, and is expected to last for another two days. FOUND DEAD IN BED. Dunedin, Mav 28. Char'es Dowm'e was found dead "in bed in a boai'dinghouso last night. Deceased came to town from Lovell's Flat last week and it is stated had been drinking heavily. There aro no suspicious circumstances. PROGRESS OF GORE. Gore, Mar 23. As showing tho progress of Gore during the past twelve months, it is on record that fifty-two building permits were issued, the cost of tho buildings aggregating ,£35,000. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. Auckland, May 28. At the Police Court, Mrs. Annie Strango pleaded guiity to performing an illegal operation, and was commiitted to the Supreme Court for sentence.