NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1844, 2 September 1913, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By Tclosroph—Prces Association.) « .— LEVEL CROSSINGS. EDISON ON'WARNING BELLS. p Te Awamutu,* September 1. A The To Awamutu Chamber of » morce, in following up its efforts urging' i: tho minimising of the dangers at rail- c way crossings, found a widespread but i erroneous opinion that there aro obvrons difficulties to be faced in the es- i iablishmeut of automatic signals. Ref- i eronce to Mr. Thomas Edison, tho 1 world-famed inventor, shows that no such opinion is hold by him. Ho sees no difficulties in this connection. Replying to the 'J'e Awamutu Chamber i from his laboratory in Orange, Now I Jersey, on August 1, Mr. Edison says: < "Lot mo say in reply that there aro ' many devices already in use whero a ; train approaching a crossing rings a bell electrically. This is simple. Any ; of your electrical engineers could apply I to your crossings an electrical dovico

which will automatically ring a bell at. the crossings long in advanco of tho train's approach." AFRAID OF BATTLE. "SUCH PIG-HEADED YOUTHS." Hamilton, Sepkmber 1. Two youths named Coomtes and Moncltman woro ordered to undergo military detention by Mr. Rawson.S.M., at Hamilton to-day. The magistrate tried to reason .with Coombes, but/ his effort's woro useless.' Tho latter stated that if the fines continued to bo stopped from liis wages lie would cease work. Ho was determined not to drill, and if he was over forced to enter battle 'ho would probably bo shot ill the back while running away. The magistrate said it was no use trying to reason witlh such pigheaded youths. They would seo who tired first. BIG COMPENSATION CLAIM.

Auckland, September 1. Tho claim for compensation under tlie Public Works Act brought by J. J. Craig, Ltd., against the Auckland City Council in connection with tlio land taken for (and injuriously affccted by) tha coty electric power station ill close proximity to the Railway Whairf has been fixed for hearing at tlio Auckland Supreme Court for Wednesday,' September 24. The claim is for a total gum of £148,746 10s., as value of land and damage othenviso occasioned. TRIVIAL CASE FOR JUDCE. Wanganul, September 1. The Supreme Court sessions opened this morning beforo Sir Robert Stout. His Honour congratulate! tliO' district on tho almost total absence of crimo. TVuo bills wero returned in four criminal cases. A young woman was fined ten shillfcgs for making a false declaration, and th 6 Judge remarked that such cases should be dealt with by tho Magistrate, and legislation to that end should bo introduced. ( HOSPITAL FEES. Auckland, September 1. Tho suggestion to have a uniform hospital fee of £3 3s. por week was discussed at a meeting of tho cominittw of the Charitable Aid Board to-day. Tlio matter was referred to tho board with a recommendation to communicate with other hospitals and report on' a uniform minimum charge, with a proviso that if adopted tjio scliemo must not interfere with tho 'present arrangements regarding Friendly Society patients. » TROTTINC & LIBEL ORDER. Gseymouth, September 1. Sitting ini Chambers to-day, Mr. J. G. Hewitt, S.M. M granted an order per'■mittihg D."H: ' Roberts .to proceed ' against W. P. M'Donnell for defamatory libel in connection with a letter ptub- ; lislhed dn tho "Weekly Press" last Juno ancnt trotting events at Greymoufh. HOUSE DESTROYED.

Cisborne, September 1. A soven-roomed house owned and occupied by Mr. Fisken was destroyed by firo. The building was insured for £350 and the furniture for £150 in the Norwich Union. DISTRICT CONGRATULATED. Clsbomo, September 1. The Supremo Court sittings opened to-day. Mr. Justice Cooper congratulated the district on the absence of crime, thero being only one case—a charge of theft against- two persons. Thero were only three cases last time. BRIEF MENTION. Tlmaru, September 1. Tho Timani Borough Council's first motor-bus was given a trial run to-day with fifteen aboard. The bus ran in several directions on roads greasy with light rain, and the trial was considered very satisfactory. The runs totalled 9.1 miles in 67 minutes, including many stoppages as for passengers.