NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1493, 16 July 1912, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Tolezranh-l'rejs Association.! . o . THETOHUNGA MAN. PACED WITH SERIOUS CHARGE. Palmerston North, July 15. ' .Mr. Thompson, K.M., was occupied today witli eases relating lo an alleged .Maori tohunga mimed Hangawnta Tuparoa. In tho first case, W. .1. While, licensee of Whyte's Hotel, Fusion, and Mrs. Campbell, manager, were charged with supplying Htingawala with liquor not for consumption on the premises. It was slated (hat Mrs. Campbell supplied the liquor during tho absence of the licensee, who was not living at the hotel. She was lined Jis on each nf two.charges, with costs S?l lis. lid. Judgment was reserved against White on a point raised by counsel (Mr. limes) that he had not ail I horded the sale. Hangawata Tup.iroa was charged with an alienee against a. Maori girl, and on. six other charges of taking liquor into Mottif.H.pa, and supplying the Natives With liquor. Tile case is still proceeding. There are a large number of witnesses, ami great interest has been aroused among the Natives.

WHY HE DESERTED. Christchurch, July 15.' At the Lyttclton Police Court this morning a neatly-dressed, respectable-looking young fellow was charged with having descried from the Renmern at Wellington on April 5. lie pleaded guilty, but stated that his lot on board the steamer had not -been a pleasant one. as h number ol the men with whom he had refused to associate owing io their rough, drunken habits, hail made matters so warm for him that he had asked the captain to transfer him to another steamer. This request had been refused, and in order In escape from tho unpleasantness in tho forecastle he had deserted. Since that time ha had been in constant employment as a trimmer on the Mokoia. Captain R. Matelnvcll, representative of tho New Zealand Shipping Company, said he had to press the charge as there had been so many desertions lately. The Remuera was l in London, and would not be sailing for New Zealand until July 20. The presiding justice said he was sorry for tba young man, but he had no option but to sentence him to ono month's imprisonment.

CHAIR OF AGRICULTURE. Auckland, July 15. The Auckland University College Council accepted to-dny the bequest of i!20,fl00 made by the late Sir John Campbell for the purpose, of establishing a Chair of Agriculture. A motion was carried expressing the council's grateful sense of Hi" benefit conferred on Auckland University College and tho whole Dominion by the bequest.

HARBOUR BOAT DAMAGED. , Auckland, July 15. During a heavy fog last-night, the ferry steamer Peregrine, a new vessel, went oil the rocky bottom at Stanley Day. She soon floated off, but her stem post was shattered, and the blades of her propeller and shaft badly bent.

CAPPING DAY DISTURBANCES. Auckland, July 15. Consideration of the action to be taken in connection with capping day disturbances was deferred'.'by tho University Council 10-doy until the matter had been discussed with representatives of tho Professorial Board.

CURTAILED RACE DAYS. ''•■-. Auckland, July 13. Mr. John-Howe, >a member of the Daeiiijj Commission, commenting on the lion. W. I'.. Masscy's statement as'to a possible lestitution of the racing permit' to tho liangitikci Club, said the Commission had made it plain in its •report that it. did nut consider there was any real need for curtailment of the number of racing days ■iu New Zealand, considering, the scattered nature.of tho population'. The Commissioners had to reduce tho number of dtiys, and <li:L it txi tlje l:e-t t of their abiliily.-- liangitike'i because it was qui to closo to both Wanga'nui and Marton. The ■ appointments 'also were defective. If Jlangitikei was given back its permit, presumably it would 1;© at tho expense of Wniiganui and Marfan. No' doubt other places would be encouraged by tho success of Rangitikei and also appeal.

RELIEF WORKS NOT NECESSARY. Christchurch, July 15. A suggestion made by a, newspaper correspondent that relief works should bo institute! by the municipality was brought under the notice of the Mayor, Mr. Holland said that he did not think that any necessity existed for starting relief works. There are a few men for whom, he would like to find light work, and ho would bo, glad to hear from anyone who wants gardening or hedge-trimming done. There were, lie continued, comparatively few inquiries at the City Council' Chambers .by those wanting work. '.'He was able to get four men placed lastweek, and had found a place tor another this morning. Those inquiring for work'were respectable'men temporarily out of work, and as far as he (.Mr. Holland) was advised, there was no necessity at present to discus; the question fat relief works. The town clerk expressed the opinion that .the;present 1 winter had been one of the quietest experienced in the matter of inquiries for work at the City Council offices.

NAVY LEAGUE. ' Auckland, July 15. A meeting of the'local.branch of the Xnvy league was held to-night to instil fresh life into the cause in Auckland and surrounding districts. The meeting was a groat success and a strong executive. was set up. The success of tho movement is assured.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING SCHEME. Wcstport, July 15. Tho Wcstport Harbour Board decided to-day to'oppose the Railway 'Department's proposed scheme, estimated to cost :,£2700, for the installation of the electric lighting of the railway works and wharves, as tho board is considering a large scheme to include the lighting of (he whole of tho ■. works, including its floating basin.

A PATENT SLIP. Westport, July .15. Tho Wcstport Harbour Hoard decided to-day to take, the.' necessary steps' to construct. out of'the revenue a patent slip, 3()oft. length, 50ft. breadth, and estimated to cost .£27.500, the -work to bo completed in two years.