NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1700, 17 March 1913, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) ' —«— — . SHORTAGE OF PLOUGHMEN. . Timaru, March 15.' The executive committee of the local Farmers' Union to-day appointed, a deputation to. interview the Prime Minister ou Wednesday, on,the.question of nil experiment farm for South Canterbury) and on the need for the immigration of plouirhliion and domestics for farms and lio'iies. The secretary stated that he had liad applications for seventeen ploughim-ii md could get only one.. Never before lrjd there been such a shortage. Otaer t'ul> jects ara the removal of cropping reduction. on l.i.p. holdings, when, certain improvements are made, and differential rates on imported coal and timber. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION. Timaru, March 15. The Public Service Commission sat here to-day to see the local officers, and went north by the afternoon's train. TIMARU COURT AT THE EXHIBITION. Timaru, March 15. Tho General Committee on Representation at tho Auckland Exhibition refcrcd to-dajr to the Design Sub-Committee tho nuestion of whether a good display of district products could be made :is :i separate coyrt for -£-150—the limit fixed. • OAMARU AND THE EXHIBITION. Oamaru, March IG. The committee appointed in, connection with the representation of tho district at the Auckland Exhibition has referred the subject of. tho expenditure of moneys voted by tho Borough Council and*" the County Council back to these bodies, owing to the public indifference shown in the matter. At present it appears as if thero would bo no representation of the district. DRAUGHTS CHAMPIONSHIP. Gore, March 10. Much interest is being taken in New Zealand in the Australasian draughts championship, which is to bo played for at Gore during Easter, and large entries are expected. An entry has been received from Mr. D. C. Calderwood, of Huntlj-, the runner-up at the last championship meeting, and Messrs. Hilliker (champion), and Gardener, Lucas, and Brodie (exchampions) have intimated their intention of competing. A sum of .£3O odd has been collected, but considerably more is required to make the tournament a success. CADET TOURNAMENT. ' Dunedin, March 15. The first cadet tournament held, in the Dominion since the, inauguration of the •defence scheme took' place, at Tahnna Park yesterday, under depressing weather conditions. The original entries, however, were well maintained, and there was a very large attendance of the public. The object of the tournament was to provide sufficient funds for the Cadet Bugle Bind. There were nine events oh tho programme and entries far exceeded' expectations, showing the interest displayed in the tournament. Companies at Oamaru, Milton, Invercargill, and the Bluff .each sent representatives. Tho Waitaki High School was represented by 86 cadets and three officers. Displays were given by the B Battery, the Otago Hussars, aild the No. 2 Company of the New Zealand Engineers. ' .

NEW RESERVOIR FOR DUNEDIN. Dunedin, March 15. The Water Committee of the City Council report that an Order-in-Council sanctioning tho construction of the new reservoir in the Leith Valley, known as Sullivan's Service Dam, has now been issued, and it is accordingly recommended that authority be granted to proceed 10th the.jwork forthwith in . accordance with the plans submitted, and at the cost as estimated by the city engineer of .£22,000. RATING PROPOSAL CARRIED. Hastings, March 15. A poll taken yesterday on the proposal that the system of rating on unimproved value should. be adopted and apply to water rates, electric lighting rates, sewago rates, and hoipital and charitable aid rates within tho borough of Hastings resulted in the proposal being carried by 207 votes against 61. The roll contained 2000 names. MOTOR-CAR SMASH. Auckland, March 15. . ' A'train collided with a motor-car at the level crossing, near Newmarket. The car was ■ completely wrecked. Tllo owner, who was pulled from under the seat, was only slightly injured. FIRE AT TAIHAPE, Taihape, March 15. Between 9 and 10 last night a fire destroyed a house at Winiata, occupicd by A. Bosher, and owned by Mrs. Bennett. Tho family was absent at a picture show at Taihape. The contents -were totally destroyed. The origin of tho firo is "a mystery. The insurances on the buildings total .£l5O, and on the furniture 41150, both with the Sun office.