NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1825, 11 August 1913, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Frees ApsociaUon.) — AMICABLY SETTLED. HASTINGS COMPENSATION CASE. Hastings, August 9. Tho hearing of a claim for .£750 compensation mado "by Sarah, Hurst against the Hustings Borough Council for allowed depreciation in value of flier property in Eastbourne Street, caused by the erection of tlio borough electric power and pumping- station on an adjoining section, was resumed, this morning beforo his Honour tlio Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout). Messrs. W. Y. Dennett and H. A. Mossman acted as assessors for tlio claimant and respondent respectively. Sir John Findlay, K.C., with him Mr. J, G. Persse, appeared for tlio plaintiff, and tlio borough solicitor, Mr. K H.. Williams, with M.r. J. Murdoch, for tho defendant council. After lengthy evidonco had been taken, his Honour intimated that it had been suggested by the assessors (and he concurred) that tlio parties should endeavour to nrrango a settlement by the council acquiring the property at a figure fixed by tho . assessors. This course was agreed to, and tho Court adjourned to inspect tlio property. On resinning, tho Chief Justice stated that it had 1 been agreed that t.lio council should purchaso the property, and tho price had been fixed by the assessors at ,£BSO. and amount of compensation for disturbance iCIO. The council were also to > pay costs, wC6O.' Tho assessor's foa. was fixed at.;, ifß Bs., each party to pay their own assessors.' COMPETITIONS. RESULTS AT INYERC.ARGILI,. Invercargill, August 10. The competitions continued on Saturday night. Sight-reading, under 13, for piano— R. .Tenldn (Browns), 1; Miss 11. Piers (Dunedin), 2. Sight-reading, under 18— Miss A. Aitken (Dunedin), 1; Miss J. M'Leod (Wiuton), 2. Reading at sight (elocution)— Miss A. Austin (Dunedin), 1; Miss M. Bowie (Invercargill), 2. Scotch song (ladies)— Miss P. Richards (Invercargill), 1; Miss M. Venllie (Dunedin). 2. Song, for ladies who had not won a 1 first prize—Miss D. Tattersfield (Dunedin), 1. FEDERATION OF LABOUR. ■ i TWO UNIONS STAND ALOOF. Westport, August 9. The Miners' Union at Seddonvjllo State oolliery in a ballot decided, by 42 to 36 to decline to join tho new industrial and political organisations. All other ■ unions, in "Westport district are affiliating. Auckland, August 9. Tho Auckland tramway men decided by ballot, 363 against 152, not to join tho United Federation of Labour. 1 RAILWAY OFFICERS. Dunedin, August 9. The filial meeting of the Railway Officers' Institute was held, to-day. The principal business was tho election of officers, which resulted as,follows:—President, Mr. >T. Young (Cliristcluirch); vice-presidents, Messrs. A. H. O'Loughlin (Auckland), A., \V. Hutching* (Wellifiston), C. P. Ryan (Wanganui), ,T. ICane (Dunedin), and M, Angus (Invercargill): general treasurer, Mr. W. 0. Ennis (Dunedin); executive committee. Messrs. H. Thomas. G. Matt.liowson. G. A. Turner, N. Wallace, and G. Griffiths (Dunedin), F. Fiiilayson (Green Island), and W. Marshall (Sawyer's Bay). BLADE SHEARING. Timaru, August 9. The committee of the South Canterbury ,brandr of the Farmers' Union has been in conference with the Asrie.uHnral and Pastoral Committee regarding shearing classes. Some d-iscussion took place regarding blade v. machine, but it was unanimously .decided' that the blade class of work was tho more necessary, as blade shearers were becoming scarcer every year, and : it was considered that an efficient blade shearer could easily pick un machine work, but not vieo versa. A joint committee was set up to make inquiries as to tho possibility of establishing a class. WAIRAU VALLEY LINE. Blenheim, August 9. Mr. J. Bnrj;, president of the Wairau Land and Railway League, has received a letter from tho Under-Secretary to the Lands Department stating that after consultation witli tho Public Works Department it has been decided to lay off a reserve for railway purnoses through, the Hillersdcn Estate. TJii.i indHeates tlio Government's intention at a future date to construct a line' up the Wairau Valley, thus connecting Marlborough with the West Coast.

FOOD SHORT IN TONGA. Auckland, August 0. Tho steamer Atna, from (ho islands, brings new 9 that the natives of Nukualofa, Tonga, are very sliorl of food, o«■insr to tho recent luirrieane. The usual supplies of fruit have failed almost entirely, and there' is 110 bread fruit, the natives depending mainly on- yams. But for the monthly steamer, tho position would bo serious. Tlio authorities are greatly concerned, fearing the introduction of tho copra pest called rliinocevous fly, said to bo in Samoa, and aro taking most rigorous precautions. ATTACK ON A WOMAN. Invercarqill, August 10. At tlio Police Court on Saturday John S. Hunter, a single man, pleaded guiltv to committing an assalilt of an aggravated naturo on a female on August 1. Dctec-bivc-Scrgcant Cameron said that complainant: was riding a bicycle on a suburban road, about ten o'clock at night. Hunter ran out and taught the seat'of her bicycle, slopping her progress. Rho screamed, and Hunter struck her twice, and decamped. Accused, when questioned next day, admitted tlio assault. Ho vaa sentenced to Com; mnntha hard labour.