DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 80, 1 April 1912, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, March .'SO. The express from Napier to Wellington yesterday afternoon suffered two hoars' delay owing to a mishap at Otalvi. The engine jumped the points noaring the station, but two wheels of the following carriage followed the engine, and tiie other two kept to the main line. The carriage was then swung round square-on, so that no serious damage was done beyond the delay to traffic.

Colonel llobin, interviewed regarding Colonel Allen Hell's recent remarks, said the only obligatory uniform for Territorial officers is the service dress. No man is called on to attend any divine service except that of his own denomination. To attempt to set out how the chaplain will conduct himself or act in his capacity of spiritual adviser would be an impertinence on the part of the commanding officer. In the past the services of chaplains have been much appreciated by the volunteers. Under the bettered

scheme now initiated the chaplains can be safely trusted to do their duty and help greatly in the welfare and discipline of the new force by their influence on members of their own denominations.

At the conference of members of the Pharmacy Board of .New Zealand, held in Wellington, reference was made to ; a number of recent cases in which chemists were concerned in the opium traffic and sly-grog selling, and to the need for vigorous action being taken The Board resolved that the provisions ' of the Pharmacy Act enabling application to be made for the removal of chemists from the register for certain offences, bo enforced in every ease where circumstances call for such action. Auckland, March 29. A little girl named Belinda Bow, aged 9 yeans, way suffocated to-day through the mattress catching fire during fur parents' absence. It is supposed the child was playing with matches. The fire in the house was extinguished with little, damage. Ifeilding, March 29. An attempt at highway robbery in the district is reported, Imt the assailants received more than they bargained for. It appears that Mr .J. Wiggins, a contractor, was cycling home along the Sandon Road a couple of nights ago, and when bn a lonely portion of the road about a mile from the borough boundary Jie was accosted by two masked men, who demanded bis money, Mr Wiggins rcfitecd the demand, whereupon the two men attacked him and tried to take his 'money by force. They, however, found to their cost that they had attacked a tartar. Being physically a strong man, with a knowledge of jiu-jitsu, Mr Wiggins soon had tihe men sprawling on the road. Not waiting for him to repeat the dose they escaped as quickly as their legs would allow. 'in the first struggle Mr Wiggins' clothes were badly 'torn, but otherwise no damage was done. Wellington, March 2!). So far no candidates have been definitely announced for the Wellington Mayoralty. Mr Aitken, a former Mayor, has declined to stand, and to-day a deputation waited on Councillor Shirtefiffe and asked him to reconsider his decision not to come forward. He will give an answer toi morrow. line Shipping and Seamen's Amendment Act, of 1911, has received 'the ' Royal assent, and a proclamation will shortly bo issued, bringing it into force on the Ist of .May. T'Jie Act "- provides for the proper safeguarding of seamen's interests ivhen they hare been left on shore through illness. The onus placed on the owners in such case of providing the cost of maintenance and medical and otfttcr attendance for the seaman and for the cost of his "burial where the illness or accident terminated in his death in New Zealand. For a breach of these and other provisions of a similar kind a 'penalty of £IOO is provided. Christchurch, March 29. Superintendent Erck, of the Ohristohurch Tire Brigade, has resigned, and at a meeting of the Fire Board to-night it. was decided to accept bin resignation. It- is understood that differences of opinion beitweon 'the Board and Supt. Erck led to the lastmentioned resigning. Superintendent Erck, who comes from Melbourne, has been in charge of the Christchurch Brigade for the past three years. The body of Margaret Jane Amess, a married woman, aged -19 years, wiao had been living with her husband a 1 Onawa, was found in the river Heathcote this morning. .Mrs Amess was missed late last night. Her husband had retired early, leaving her in the drawing-room. About nine o'clock a daughter came home and missed her mother, and an all-night search was instituted. At $.30 this morning •her husband found the body in the river. At the inquest it was stated that Mrs Amess had been in ill-health for 'some time. A verdict of suicide! while temporarily of unsound mind was returned. Hokitika, March 29. The election of a member of the Westland Land Board to-day by the Crown tenants resulted in Mr George Mallinson, u'lio sitting member, being 'returned. He polled 580 votes to his opponents 135. There were 81 informal votes. T'iniaru, March 29. The Mounted infantry camp at Orari has been very successful. The infantry will encamp on the same ground next week. [nvercargill, March 29. One of luvorcargill's greatest needs municipally has for long been an up-to-date sanitary system. in the inner area of the city at any rate this want will soon be satisfied, as the * ratepayers to-day carried a proposl to borrow £31,000 for this purpose, and the work will be pushed ashoad as j rapidly a« p.'MssibJfi, The system will be! j extended late*/ j