NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1701, 18 March 1913, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Pron AMboltttlo'n.) •" " < — ' EXPLOSION 4 FIRE. ON VALUABLE RIVER LAUNCH. ..., Dargavilte, llarcli 17.' , Tho passenger. aud cargo , .oil-launch Hiiiemqa,, formerly plying on Rotorua Lake, which was purchased by Captain Ch'tidwick a month ago for itlie .'Wairon River service, wia's. completely- demolished by firo on Saturday ; night.. The outbreak " originated in tlici. engine-room', wliero an explosion Itbok place, probably: cwiscd by fumes from a leaky pipe' coining in contact with a lighted lamp. The owner was hurled along tho saloon, and had a remarkable eScapo from injury. Therewere, partial insurahces, but. the loss, is heavy, as tho vessel-was. valued-at i^OO. There was ho appearance of tlie fire brigade, wliich ha's very antiquated equip rnent and appliances. ■ AKAROA B.C. SHE~DS BURNT. ' ■ HEAVY LOSS TO CLUB. Christohurch, March 17. 1 The Akaroa Boating: Club lost ite boat) house, boats, furniture, and itropliies by fire this morning. The firo 'was. discovered at 5 o'clock,. and its .origin is unknown. Nothing could be done to, check it, and tho property ; was completely destroyed. It. was -, insured in tho .'State Office for «£750, but tho club will lose heavily. DISSATISFIED TRAM MEN. Auckland, March 17, The negotiations between the 'lramway ' Company and the Tramway Union regarding the men's demands to bo embodied in .the new agreement have failed. Three conferences were held. .The union holds meetings to-morrow to discuss the position. ' ■ refused! Christchurchj March 17. Mr. Justice Cooper refuse'd to grant; a discharge to James Scott Wilson, wlio was adjudicated bankrupt nearly 'four years ago. The bankrupt filed in May, ' 1909, aud the estate. 'paid 5Jd. in the Jc. His Honour said that bankrupt entered 1 into the flaxmilling-business with capital of only .£IOO, and'when insolvent ho entered 'into another speculation. . Finally • lie was adjudged bankrupt, his liabilities being many hundreds.of.pounds' and his ' assets ,£lB. . Reckless trading such as this could not be countenanced, but a permit would be. groiilpd to renew the application in six months' time. VERDICT.FOR DEFENDANT. '• •• . Napier, March 17. _■ The .trial of, a swmd 'action' in-which P. E. A. Gordon sought to recover £2000 damages ,against -the '-New . Zealand J-'imes'! .Company for alleged defamatory statements published by the company of and concerning the Gordon system of testing poultry for their eggrlayinS capacity, •Wis.- heard at the Supreme Court to-day * before tho Chief Justice, and a'special' jury, and' resulted in a verdict for the defendant. COMPENSATION COURT,' • Christchurch, March 17.. . ' At,the Compensation Court, Mr. Justice Denniston presiding, and Messrs. A. Boyle aml. W. J. .Hopkins'.sitting as-assessors, • the' case of Matson against the Crown ' Was heard. The action was brought 1 by Leicester. Mats>n as trustee for H, Matson and Co. against the Minister-for Railways i'or -£1478 compensation in respect to tiie compulkiry taking by the Minister in October, 1903, of lands at Addington belonging to Matson'and Co. Claimant claimed' .£BBO for the land taken, aud' £598 as subsidiary damages. 1 A prior claim made'by claimant was for £2184. including £799 10s., 'value, of the. land taken. After hearing some evidence the Court adjourned. , THE RED PINE WRECK. Nelson, March 17. The finding of the Court in the inquiry regarding tho wreck of the Red I'ine was that-an- error of. judgment was committed' in! uot'slo'wing'down when' the fog .'came.' on and putting to sea. Tho captain was ordered to pay the costs, £28, (is. Od. ' . • FORESTRY COMMISSION, - Christchurch, March 17, ■ Members-of' the Forestry Commission' to-day visited a number, ot shelter plantations on Canterbury Plains, and were ' much • impressed with the . sagacity and . foresight of the early settlers in providing these valuable belts of .timber. The commission's first sitting hero opens tb- '. morrow.