NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 75, 18 March 1908, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Jfnpicr, Tuesdav. Tiie question of Bible-teaching' in schools was discussed by the Education Hoard at the instance of the inspectors, who put ;l series of questions, The Board decided that "teaching," as debited by the Education Act, covered secular teaching only, and that half an hour could not be taken out for religious teaching, nor could the regular hours be extended for that purpose.

sawaiillixg ix y Alx tkuxk DISTRICT. Taihfipe, Tuesday. It J-. expected tliiil fully six niure sawmills will lie erected round Ohakuiie during the next three months. As soon as freights are lowered on the Public Works line several more will be erected. The heavy freight on the line between Ohakunc find Mataroa, is preventing sawmillers from exporting.

AN INTERESTING DOCUMENT. Auckland, Last Night. An interesting addition to the eojlectiou of old New Zealand records in the Auckland Public Library has just been made in the shape of tlie first publican's license issued in the Dominion. U was granted at Koroareka, now known as Russell, to one John Johnston, in the year ISIO. The fee charged was CHO. and authorised him to sell "at the sign uf th,. Duke of Marlborough" various liquids, including "ginger beer and spruce beer."

COMPENSATION FOR LAND.

I Christchurch, Last Night. •Further evidence was heard to-day in the Compensation Court in regard to the compensation to be paid bv the Government for the Culverdcn Estate eompulsorlly acquired under the Lands for Settlement Act. Opening the case for the Crown, Dr. Fiudlay stated that, the average value estimated by his witnesses would be fully £25,000 * less than the lowest value given by anv of claimant's witnesses, and £45,000 below the amount requested by claimants. The Crown values would be based on actual capacity, j as distinguished from the potential capacity of the estate, and actual earnings intead of Speculative possibilities of .income.

SOCIETY OF EAIBWAY SERVANTS.

Wellington, Last Night. The following officers have been eleel[ed by the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants:—President, W'. A. Veitch (Wangauui); vice-president, F. Hulchins (Invercargill); executive council, South Island, P. J. Barry (Duncdin), J. McNab (Oamaru), J. Whitham (GrevImorith); North Island. R. Moore (Petone), T. Wilson (Palmerston North), J. Walker (Cross Creek), S. G. Smith (New Plymouth); treasurer, R. Moore; trustees, Lee, Ryan, and O'Hearn, all of Welflsgton.

A VAGABOND SENT TO GAOL. Invercargill, Last Night. Patrick Troy was to-day sentenced to twelve months' hard labor for being a rogue and vagabond. He was dooribed iu Court ns a professional swagger and loafer who travelled from end to end of Southland begging food. He seldom worked, and some farmhouse people were afraid to turn him away for fear he , would burn their stacks' or do other

AUCKLAND HARBOR. Auckland, Last Night. The Harbor Board to-day adopted the recommendations of its special committee tomorrow a million sterling for the extension of the scheme for harbor improvement!.