NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1676, 17 February 1913, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telo£raph.—Preiß Association.)

« _./ ' PROPOSED MOTOR TAX, AND MEDICAL TEST FOB DRIVERS. Marton, February 15. 1 A conference promoted by tho Rangitikei County Council was held here, today. It comprised representatives of adjacent local bodies and automobile associations, and its purpose was to consider the' adoption of a' uniform by-law for motor traffic. • Thero was considerable discussion regarding tho Government tax for tho upkeep of the roads. It' was resolved unanimously that tho Government, should impose a tax on cars, the proceeds to be handed to and expended by local .bodies for roads affected by motor traffic, a special board being set up to allocate the-distribution of the proceeds. A higher tax is to be imposed on cars plying for hire, and it was also resolved that a license to ply for hire granted in one district should hold good in all other districts,, the feo to bo uniform throughout the Dominion. Another resolution was passed to .the effect that regulations under Clause 3; of the Motor Regulations Act, 1908, be issued providing 1 that all persons plying for hire ,bo examined anil tested medically and otherwise, in order to ensure their competence to drive. » ° Copies of the resolutions are being sent to the Government. . ■

ANGLER'S GRUESOME FIND; Ashburton, February 15. A human kg, with eodk on foot, has been found near the mouth of, tho Rakaia River by A. - H.' Shury, a well-known angler. It is supposed to bo part of the remains of: Nicholas or Dorby, who were washed out to sea from the mouth of the Rangitata River (35 miles south of thtf Rakaia River) several weeks ago. BRIGADESMEN'S CARNIVAL. Wanganul, February 16. Over seven hundred firemen from all ?aTts of New Zealand are now in town or the demonstration and conference, iwhioh take place this week. To-day there was a monster church parade, attended ■by 775 firemen, as well as by territorial officers and two bands. At the various ohurches> references were made to the Antarctic heroes, and the bands played the "Dead March.'' An official welcome was tendered to the visiting firemen at the Opera House by the Mayor of the town and the member for' the district. This afternoon the visitors were taken to Castlecliff. The conference begins _ tomorrow morning, and tho competitions take place on Wednesday and Thursday, when it is expected that there will be a great influx of visitors. ' ARBITRATION COURT. 'Dunedin, February 15. In the case of Ellis versus Archibald John MaoPherson. a claim for the loss of a. brother, on whom he was dependent tho Arbitration Court awarded .£177, including J875 paid into" Court. In the painters' dispute the Court made an award based largely on the recommendations of the Conciliation Council in the plasterers' dispute. The Court fixed tlwmlninvnm wage (at eighteenpenco per bourj tbe union was asking for .Is. 9d. Country workers wore allowed two shillings per diem—an increase of sixpence over the lost award.

LICENSEE & BARMAID FINED. Dannovlrke, February 15. Jolm H.' Tully, licensee of tho Club Hotel, was fined -C2O and costs, and'Graco O'Connor, barmaid, £2 nrwl costs for supplying' liquor to a Native woman, not being tlie wife of a person other than a Native anil tho liquor not being supplied for medical purposes.