NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1783, 23 June 1913, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—l'resa Association.) f DANGER OF LEVEL CROSSINGS. Auckland. Juno 22. A sorious i danger to the public, in the existence of level crossings, was the subjeot of discussion at a meeting of the representatives of local bodies held on Friday evening at Newmarket. There wore present representatives from thei Auckland Automobile Association, R-emuera Boad Board, New Lynn Town Board, tho Master Grocers' Association, Drivers' Union, Master Bakers' Association, Mount Albert Batepayers' Association. Otahtlhu Ratepayers' , Association, and others interested. It was decided to forward tho following resolution to the Minister for Railways:—"That this representative meeting of uiembsrs of local bodies urges upon the Government the necessity of erecting bridges over the most daugerous level crossings, or to take such steps as may bo considered. advisable to lessen the present danger to the public."

STRANDED AT KARAMEA. Christchurch, Julie 22. Inquiries made at the Kaiapoi Shipping Company's office as to the position of tho s.s. Kairaki,' ashore on tho South Spit of Karamea bar, elicited from tho manager file assurance that no danger to the vessel is anticipated. When crossing the bar, tho main steain-pipe burst, and this, Captun Scott reports, has been repaired. Tho steamer had been shifted almost twenty feet from her former position towards tho channel when the warping line carried away. As the place where the steamer is stranded is sandy, and tho sea is reported to be smooth, no serious results are anticipated. FIRE DESTROYS A HOTEL. Auckland, June 2p. Nottingham Castle Hotel, at Morrinsville, was destroyed by fire this morning. A housiemaid sleeping in a bedroom over tho kitchen found the room full of smoke. The inmates, including the boarders, barely had time to escape. The building was insured in tho New Zealand Office for .£BOO, and the furniture in tho Norwich Union Office for ,£l5O. Mr. Scholium, the owner of the hotel, estimates his loss over the insurance at .22000.

FIRE AT CAVERSHAM. Dunedin, June 22. , A fire occurred at Caversh-am at about seven o'clock on Saturday evening in a five-roomed house owned Dy Mr. Charles John Thorn, builder and contractor, and occupied by Hans George Rappe, electrical engineer. Two Tooms were destroyed, and the Test of the house was saved. The damage amounts to .6110. The insurances were: House, ,£325, in London and Globe Office; and furniture, -Cl5O in. the Royal Exchange Office. . SALE OF HOREHORE ESTATE. Dargaville, Juno 22. The Horehore Estate, opposite Dargaville, containing seven thousand acres, has been sold by Mr.' Maurice Harding to Mr. Gieson, a southern buyer, for The property will be forthwith subdivided for closer settlement. FARMER'S HOUSE DESTROYED. Ashburton, June 21. An eight-roomed house at Tinwald, owned and occupied by Mr. Johnston, a fanner, was, with its contents, totally destroyed by" fire late yesterday afternoon.The building was insured for .£250, and the furniture for .£IOO, both in the Commercial Union. Office. WATERSIDERS' SECRET BALLOT, Dunedin, June 21. The Dunedin Waterside Workers' Union, at a secret ballot submitted by the Federation of Labour, decided, by 2-10 votes to 50, not to take any action so far as the Timaru Waterside Workers' Union is concerned."

DIVORCE CASES. ■Napier, June 21. Decrees nisi were granted in the following divorce casesllobt. Ileryy Taylor v. Elizabeth Taylor and Robert A. Grant (misconduct), with ,£250 and costs against on-raFiiondent: Sarah Mary Sullivan v.' John lidward Sullivan (drunkenness and desertion); Charles Edward Burton v. Violet Victoria Burton (desertion). BRIEF MENTION. j Christchurch, Juno 22. An unusually heavy fo» on the coast delayed vessels' bound to Lyttelton from, both north and south on Saturday night, practically" every boat being late in arriving. Timaru, Juno 21. The Tima-ru branch of tho Farmers' Union, after a discussion of tho suggested Free-trade-between Australia and New Zealand, resolved to telegraph the Prime Minister protesting against the removal of the duty on wheat and flour. Tho union fears -the destruction of the wheatgrowing industry. Timaru, June 20. The Hon. R. H. Rhodes, PostmasterGeneral, visited Timaru to-day to formally start tho chimes presented by Jlr. J. Craigio, M.P., and attached to tho new clock in tho post office.- Mr. Rhodes eulogised Mr. Craigio for his public spirit as a citizen, displayed in gifts to thotown.

Hokitika, .Tune 21. The opening of tho big Wanganui Bridge, South Westland, took place yesttirday afternoon. The ceremony was performed by Mr. T. Y. Seddon, M.P. Speeches were also delivered by Mr. Griinmond, county chairman, nnd others. Tho Hon. W. Eraser forwarded a telegram regretting that the nearness of tho session prevented his attendance, and conveying his befit wishes to tho settlers. Auckland, June 21. The damage by the fire in the Beresford Street Public School lest night amounted to betwewi .£llOO and cEI2OO. Invorcargill, June 20. The Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution viewing with grave concern the almost certain extermination of opossums through the removal of the protection, cud urging the Government to reintroduce an adequate measure of protection. New Plymouth, June 20. In the Supreme Court to-day, J. A. Tut-, hill was found not guilty of fraudulent bankruptcy. In the Supreme Court this morning, Charles Pcnree, found guilty of breaking and entering at Stratford; was admitted to-probation for three years provided ho pays the cost of tho prosecution. Gisborne, June 20. The Cook County Council has unanimously decided to oppose the proposal for taxing motorists.