NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1553, 24 September 1912, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

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TRIP OF THE M.P.'S. WHAT THEY SAW AT WANGANUI. Wanganui, September 23. The visiting members of Parliament were taken to Castleclilf this morning and shown over the harbour, works, and they were very favourably impressed as to prospects of the' complete scheme. Tor months past a depth of 22ft. l.as been maintained, and this is exactly as predicted by Mr. Leslie Reynolds, though the. cost lias been under his estimate. The Harbour Hoard, .therefore, feel justified in asking for .a loan of .£250,000 to complete the scheme, which will give between 32 and 33 feet on the ber. This afternoon the party were driven to Nukumaru, and inspected pho huge area of magnificent country Iving bet-voen there ami Wanganui. To-night a faiewjll smoke concert was held, and the visitors left at 11.30 by special (rain for Wellington. WORKMAN CRUSHED. Dunedin, September 23. Frank Fox, employed by the Harbour Board, was killed at Peliehet Kay this afternoon. He was assisting, to place a "lift" of culvert material in posilun in a ditch across a road on the reclaimed ground.- The culvert material, which weighed about n ton, was turned over before being lowered, and deceased and several others went round to the ether side to put it in position. .Oeceascd must have got underneath somehow; for, on the material being raided a iiltle, he .was found in n crushed position below it. Deceased was a young married man, and resided at North-East Valley. EMPIRE TRADE INQUIRY. Christchurch, September 23. A meeting of local business men, convened by the Lyttelton Harbour Board and the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, was held this "afternoon to consider the question of local evidence to be given before the Empire Trade Commission when that body reaches Christchurch. It wasdecided that committees be appointed, representing agricultural and pastoral, trade, commerce, industrial, and harbours interests, these committees to make inquiries and supply information. This information is to be forwarded to the Dominion's Royal Commissioner, through the Minister for Internal Affairs. It was decided also to recommend experts'to give evidence before the Commissioners when tho Commission is being held in New Zealand. THE LATEST STRIKE. Christchurch, September 23. Disputes between the men employed on the tunnel at Lake Coleridge and the contractor (Mr. M'Williams) have culminatai in a strike. Mr. H. A. Campbell, organiser of the Canterbury General Labourers' Union, visited the works during the latter port of last, week, and, today, sent the following telegram to Mr. A-. Pa'terson, secretary of tho union in Christchurch:—"Tunnel men and engine-drivers employed by M'Williams at Lake Coleridge arc on strike. Warn men against coming here." The men want. a. dismissed engine-driver reinstated, the ladder in the shafts to go to the bottom, extra pay for overtime, and double rates on Sundays. HIS SIMPLE PURPOSE. Dunedin, September 23, At the Supreme Court, Patrick Kelly, of Mandeville, was ordered to be detained in prison, for reformative purposes for a period not exceeding two years on a charge of forging an order for delivery of beer. Ho did if for the simple purpose of obtaining drink. DUNEDIN DIVORCE. Dunedin, September 23. In divorce, Alfred William Simmons obtained a decree nisi from Ethel Maude Simmons, on the ground- of desertion. This is n case ordered to stand over from a previous sitting, because the respondent had insufficient time for Cling an answer. DEATH AFTER DRINKING. Invercargill, September 23. On Sunday evening the police were informed that, a man was lying ou Point Eond, Bluff, helplessly drunk. They found him in a serious condition, deatli occurring before medical aid arrived. Empty brandy and whisky bottles lay beside tho body. Papers indicate that deceased's name was Alexander Lander, and that he had friends in New South Wales. FURNITURE BOUGHT & BURNT. Taihapo, September 23. Fire totally destroyed a four-roomed cottage and contents, owned and occupied by Mr. Baird, manager of the Manawatu Company's sawmill. Baird was recently married, and his furniture, valued at ,E220, was all lost, and was uninsured. The cottage was insured for .€72 in the New Zealand Office. There was no one in tho house after early morning, and the fire was discovered about mid-day, when it had got too far to all6w of salvage. THIRTY.-SIX HOURS' RAIN. Gore, September 23. The heavy rain which began on Saturday at midday descended almost cnitinunusly for 36 hours. The Mataura River and the district streams overflowed the banks and spread over a large area of low-lying country. At Mandeville the Waimea stream spread over a mile, of country, with the result that, a number of sheep were drowned. The Waika. : .a Waikaka and Minrihau streams are in flood, and parts of Wyndhnm township are flooded, several houses being surrounded with water. The waters, Jiowev3r, arc now receding.

BRIEF MENTION. Invercargill, September 23. Frederick Smith, who fell under a tramcar, died at midnight from shock and loss of blood, lie leaves a widow and five children. Gore, September 23. John Burnby, employed nt. h.uiling railway trucks at l-"icnr!n<r and Company's railway siding, was jammed, lietwwn a horse and an electric lijjlil; post today. His collarbone ami three ribs wore broken.