DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3, 8 May 1913, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

PENDING LIBEL ACTION. [Per Press Association.] Dunedin, May 7. N writ, claiming £IOOO, for libel lias been issued lly Mr Andrew Fairbairn, of .Fairbairn, .Wright and Co., Christchurch, against the Otago Daily Times for statements contained in throe, letters written to the editor some months ago, commenting on the proceedings relating to the Cost of Living Commission. The trial will take place at Christchurch. Air Stringer is retained for plaintiff, and Mr W. €. M'Gregor for the newspaper. MAIN TRUNK EXPRESSES. Auckland, May G. The Government lias now under consideration the question of again increasing the Alain Trunk express service! The Prime .Minister (the Hon. W. F. Alassey) stated last evening that in accordance with the recommendations of the Minister of Railways, the second expresses would he reinstated in the spring. If, however, it is found that the single express service is insufficient for the traffic between Auckland and Wellington in the meantime, a second express will bo run each way on three days in the week. “It would bo very much pleasanter for Ministers” remarked Mr Massey, “to allow the two trains to continue running; but our information from the Department is that we were making a very serious loss—a loss more serious than most people would imagine —though I am not able to quote the figures from memory. You may be quite sure that nobody will be better pleased than myself when the business warrants us in running the second expresses regularly.” A LOCAL BODY CASE. Hokitika, May 7. At the Magistrate’s Court the hearing was concluded of the charge against a member of the Charitable Aid Board of having received payment after becoming a member for work done previous to his appointment. Magistrate Hewitt inflicted a fine of £5 10s to enable an appeal if desired. Defendant signified his intention to refund the amount (£ll) affected. A UNIQUE MOA EXHIBIT.

Auckland, May G

“The last inch of space available for the display of exhibits in tho Auckland Museum will be taken up by the installation of a new showca&e containing a restoration of the moa,” remarked the IVTayor (Mr C. J. Parr) yesterday.

The exhibit to which Mr Parr referred is a very large one, which is now approaching completion. It will be unique. The principal objects in it will be the “restoration” of the extinct moa, and a cast of a skeleton of that great bird. The restoration has been made with great care by the taxidermist at 'the museum," and is on the same scale as the skeleton. The pose of the bird has been accurately worked out, and the finishing of the huge model will be in keeping with the general search for accuracy. Fortunately, pieces of the skin and legs of moas have been found, and feathers are not uncommon, so that both can be imitated very accurately. The feathers of the extinct giant were almost indistinguishable from those of the Australian emu, and its living overseas cousins are being laid under toll to provide a covering for the restoration. The showcase will contain, besides the moas, stuffed specimens of the ostrich, the emu, and the cassowary.