NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1710, 29 March 1913, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Aeßoclntlon.) 4 TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD. Timaru, March 28. At the annual meeting of the Harboul Hoard to-day the' secretary's statement showed a record in rovonue, both, ordinary and ratoing, a total of .EllOO over expenditure. In the last decade ordinary revenue had increased by 57 per cent., rates 30 pi'r cent., trado tonnago 58 per cent., shipping tonnago 58 per cent, valuo of overseas trade 85 per oent. Tho report 'inentioils difficulties in working cargo in busy, seiwnis through shortage of trucks and shunting power. Tho dredging of tha inner harbour and outer chanhcl is expected to be completed this year. There was some discussion on substituting a sand-suction dredge for the bucket dredge, as nioro suitable for futruro use. Tenders have bc-en accepted for staging timber for a 500 ft. extension of the eastern mole in rubble. It was decided to carry out this work out of revenue for the current year. SLY GROG-SELLING. Invercargill, March 25. _At the Magistrate's Court to-day, John Kennedy, fishmonger, was fined .£3O for sly grog-selling. Tho police sent an informer to Kennedy's shop with marked coins and a J!1 note, and raided tho premises a few minutes after tho purchase of the liquor had been rnado. The defence was that tho money was paid by the informer on account of a betting transaction. The magistrate said ho had nd doubt tho money was paid for liquor. Ho allowed a fortnight in which to pay the fino, but said sly grog-selling need expect no mercy, from the Court.

HULK ON FIRE; Auckland, Maroh 28. Fire was discovered last night on th 4 Northern Coal Company's hulk Terranora, anchored in-Shoal Bay. The firo float got to work and flooded the hold of the vessel, which wa.s then towed into shallow water with her deck l almost awash. SOUTHLAND INUNDATIONS. Gore, Marcli 28. It has been raining heavily in this di» trict for tho last twenty-four hours, ljin. having fallen. Tho rivers aro all in liigli flood. At Lumsden the Oreti Eiver overflowed and enterod tho town. It is .the highest flood there sinco thp big flood of 1878. All tourist traffic to tho Cold' Lakes is cut. off. Three washouts on the railway between Lumsden Mid Kingston stop all trains. All sluicing companies liavo had to stop work, and have been compelled to turn the water out of tho races. 'Much crop is still in the paddocks, and tho outlook for farmers is very serious. DRAUGHTS TOURNEY. , Gore, March 28. In tho draughts championship tile third same between Gardiner and Morris in the Josers' class resulted in a drawn game, which occupied' ' five hours and-tliroe-quartors—the longest of the 'tournament. Morris now retires. . Gardiner and Calderwood commenced the first game of tlio final round in tlio losers' class this morning. Tho Unfinished position now is: Hilliker, won 5, drawn (1, lost 0; Calderwood, won 1, drawn G, lost 1; Gardiner, won G, .drawn 7, lost 4; Brodie won B, drawn 7, lost 7; Morris, won 0, drawn 5 lost i.

POLICE INSPECT THE "BACH." Wanganul, March 28. The 6cquel to recent robberies was provided in the Police Court this niornW, when four young men were charged with stealing goods. They were remanded for a weel;.!" A quantity of stolen articles was found in a "bach" where the men wero quartered. In one house visited by thieves J2IOO was locked up in a safe, which the robbers unavailingly tried to open. The house, was occupied by tlio treasurer of a. benefit society, and the money represented the members'- quarter's subscription. GOOD TEMPLARS. Now Plymouth, March 28. The session of Grand Lodge 1.0.G.T.. was continued to-day. It was agreed that the charter of the Auckland District Lodge should be restored. It was decided to place an organiser in the field. Good progress was made with other 1 business of the session, which is expected to close this evening. ...

. MAMAKU MILL BURNT, ■'/ 1 Rotorua, March 58. Hoe's'mill at-Mamaku was totally destroyed by fire early this morning. Nothing was saved from tlio engine-room or mill, but the drying sheds escaped. The origin of the fire is unknown. The insurances are not ascertainable HALF-HOLIDAY 'POLL.' . ' ' Palmerston, March 28. A petition, signed by' over a •thousand people, i has been handed to the Borough Council praying for a poll ro the Saturday half-holiday. Feeling liere on tho question is fairly well divided, though' the small shopkeepers' are strongly adverse. ■ .