DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 78, 25 November 1912, Page 8

DOMINION NEWS.

LIGHT RAILWAYS

(Per Press Association.) Dunedin, November 21

A joint deputation, representing the 1 Lined in Expansion League, Otago Central Railway League, and Law-roncc-Rox burgh Railway League, waited upon the Hon. W r . Fraser, Minister of Public Works, last evening to urge the claims of Otago with regard to tiic railway and other matters. It was pointed out that there was no de-

sire to unduly harass the Government, hut it was considered that at the proneat juncture an assurance might be given that tiio two railways would not be neglected. In reply, the -Minister expressed his sympathy with the object of the deputation, but pointed out that the present was not quite the time to urge the matters laid before him. Having in view the ui'gest necessity in various parts of the Dominion for the construction of roads and bridges, he had found it necessary to curtail railway expenditure by about £200,000; but he had been obtaining advice from the En-gineer-in-Ohief of Railways as to the construction of a light line up the Cromwell Gorge, arid he found that such a line could bo constructed for

£SOOO per rule, whereas the standard lines cost from £Booo' to £IO,OOO per mile. He was not in a position to commit the Government to any definite promise, hut Mr Massey would be in Dunedin shortly and would probably no able to speak with more authority.

ACCIDENT TO A COACH. Tauranga, November 24. A sensational bolt took place here tiiis afternoon. The Rotorua live-horse mail coach had delivered its mails, ami was being driven round the building, when it encountered a new drain which was being made. One of the loaders tried to jump the drain, and got over the traces. It started kicking, and the team rushed out, on the road like a flash. The coach, struck the nearest telegraph post, releasing one of the I leaders; another post set the second j horse free, but the third post struck j the coach and wrecked it, leaving only I one horse. The driver and another man were hurled into the road, out being much cut about. One of the frightened horses galloped on the footpath, knocking a verandah post over. Turning the corner near the Star .Hotel the horse attempted to jump a buggy, but caught the wheel and upset the ' buggy, emptying the driver out. 'lhe I Jkii’sc injured itself, and died in a fewj minutes. To the spectators it is simply marvellous how no one was kill- ! <-d. The impact of the coach was such | that it shifted the telegraph pole two ! inches and broke the wires.

COMPHTITIOXS. Wellington, Xoveinlier 21. Tlio Xew Zealand Competitions Society’s festival was eont : miecl on Saturday. Result:-; were as follows; Champion piano solo: Miss (!. M Stouehani I Dunedin), 2SO, first; Mias M. Mitchell (Auckland), 270. second ; Misw Q. I*’. Roster ( Dunedin), 272. third. Ilaritone solo: A. (I. Hay (Wellington), l‘s!, I; W. d. Sprat! (Christeiii!roll), 121, 2; C. L. S])illane (Wantramii), 122, 11. Violin solo: Miss Maud llt'inington, Mil, 1 ; Miss M McLaughlin, 79, 2. Dramatic recital: Ladies, Miss Mario hix (Weliiiipton), j I I, 1 ; Miss L. Hargreaves (Wellington), 121, 3. .Recitation twirls under !(■)): Mss Cecil Haines (WelliiiL'ton), till), I; Miss H. R. Jeffrey, US, 2: Miss Z. H. Chapman (Lower llutt...

100, 3. Whistling solo; Rowland F. Dig by (Seat-awn), 1 j Humorous ouet : i!rs Peter Lewis and Mrs L. Syims (Wanganui), I ; Miss L. I’osier and Mr P. Spillano (Wanganui), 2.