DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 60, 12 March 1914, Page 7

DOMINION NEWS.

THE COOK ISLANDS TRIP.

! [Pek. Piiess Association.] Wellington, March 11; .Mr Hemes' visit to the Cook Is-j lands has nothing to do with any reported unrest. It bad been arranged for some months ago at the request of the Governor. So far as he knows, the statement that warships are to accompany the party is without foundation. COURT AND A CARNIVAL. Wanganui, March 11. A young man named Austin Bruen was committed for trial this morning on a charge of attempted carnally ' knowing a girl fourteen and a-half years old. Intense interest is being taken in the Queen Carnival competition in connection with the Beautifying So-; ciety's carnival. There are 12 candidates for queen. The chief interest centres round the Maori candidate and the country people's candidate. Last night a crowd, estimated at 7000, attended a performance by the Maoris at Virginia Lake, j A large number of natives on their. way to the Parihaka meeting were present, and gave dances. The vot-, ing for the Queen concludes to-night. It is expected that the carnival profits will run into four figures.

THE FIRE BRIGADES.

Akaroa, March 11

The Fire Brigade Conference concluded to-day, when the following officers were elected : —President, De-puty-Superintendent, J. J. Salmon (Dunedin) j vice-presidents, Captain Campbell (Timarii), Secretary EC. Scantlebury (Reef con); treasurer, Secretary C. A. Osborne (Onehiiriga); secretary, Captain T. J. Watts (Ne.v market), re-elected for three yeas; auditor, P. R: Fraser (Auckland). Replying to representations, the Hon. Mr Pell said he would have to submit to Cabinet the proposal to make Territorial drill count for fire brigade paraded when tlte two duties clashed. S The matter had already ooen settled by the former Cabinet; and could only be re-opened by Cabinet. He intended next session to]

introduce an amendment allowing contiguous bodies to form themselves into a combined fire area. Legislation would also be introduced exempting from liability acts done by lire aoards and brigades in the protection of property or to check fire spreading. Regarding the matter of imposing an annual charge for the r.nuual inspection of electrical installation , it would not be fair to make such a charge where the installation was perfect. He proposed to give fire boards an official status at fire inquests.

The congratulated the conference ou the advanced, methods of their competitions, wkich pu>?sow Zeal and brigades ou a level with those of other countries. .Hon. R. H. Rhodes said the interests of fire brigades were thoroughly safe in Mr Bell's hands.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to both Ministers.

The following members who had completed 25 years' "service were presented with gold stars: Lieutenant F. Fisher (Greytown), Fireman J. J. Braggins (Greytown), Secretary J. S G. Walton (Greymouth), Fireman 'L. Labroom (Spit); Captain T. Barker (Ashburton), Foreman A. Thomson (Gisborne), Fireman "VV. J. Ford (Rangiora), Secretary G. A. Hilton (Timaru), and Captain W.: H. Butler 'Eden Terrace). INFANTILE PARALYSIS. Auckland, March 11. 'Two cases of infantile paralysis are at present under treatment in the Auckland Hospital. The sufferers are boys, aged respectively about two and three years. The medical authorities place them in the category of mild cases, and the patients ;; progressing favorably. Dr. Maguire, medical superintendent of the hospital, informed a reporter that at this time of the year there were usually one or two cases of infantile paralysis in the institution, and there was nothing abnormal in •this instance.