NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 94, 9 April 1908, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

A I'ItOIUTABUS INVESTMENT.

Per Press Association. Wellington, Uut Nig«t. 'J.'h« aimuiil report of the directors of tlie Wellington Opera House Company recommends a dividend of 12'/ 3 per cent.

STATE COAL DEPOT. Diiiiedin, Last Night,

There is a probability a Statu fitful depot will be established in Dunediii shortly. The Minister of Mines has informed Mr. Arnold, M.P., that 'he is negotiating for a niece of hind, and hopes to have a depot established in the near future.

MIS. FOULDS IN 'rill'; SOUTH. Duui'din, Lust Night.

The lion. (J. FowTds visited the Otago University Dental Seliool to-day, and, in replv to a deputation consisting of Mr. W.'.l. Allen, M.l'., Dr. H. P. Pickerill (director of the school), Messrs. T. A. Hunter and F. Armstrong, promised to go carefully into the question of granting an extra £2OOO to put the school 011 a footing with the best modern institution, and also to cover the cost of the pathological laboratory. I During the day the Minister visited the free kindergarten at Albany-street, the Karitane Home for Infants, the Orphanage of St. Vincent and St. Paul, and the Taieri and Peninsula Milk Supply Company's factory.

HAIRDRESSERS' REGULATIONS. Auckland, Last Night. Hairdressers in the city of Auckland are complaining that the new regulations governing their trade are not general. They contend they should extend to barbers' beyond the dty boundary.

CANTEENS. Wellington, Last Night. Canteen establishments will be attached to the military forces taking pait in the Easier manoeuvres in the Wellington district.

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE. Auckland, Last Night. At a public meeting to-night, addressed by Mr. P. H. Hick«y, a resolution was carried approving of the action of the Blackball strikers.

OLD-AUK PENSIONS. Auckland, Last Niglil. The Auckland branch of the Liberal and Übor Federation to-night carried a motion expressing the opinion that the Old-age Pension Act does not fulfil the functions for which it was originally intended, and referring the whole question and its weakness to the council for consideration and report. The particular provision of the Act objected to was that which penalises pensioners by depriving them of pensions for five years for drunkenness.

The Hon. W. Beehan, M.L.C., characterised this clause as infamous and as a blot on the Statute-book,

FIRE AT CAMBBXDaE. Cambridge, Wednesday. A fire last night destroyed a building of fourteen rooms, formerly a hotel, but now used as a boarding houseThe building was owned by Mrs. ICeesing, of Auckland, and occupied by N. McLean. Several boarders lost all their belongings, The inmates were absent at the time of the fire.

MUNICIPAL ELECTRICITY. Wellington, Wednesday. Discussing the city's electric Tight undertaking, the Mayor (Hon. T. W. Hislop), said the past year's work would prove most successful The Council would be able" to pay 7 per cent, interest and 2 per cent on sinking fund, and would then have from £12,000 to £15,000 surplus.

DEATH OF A BOWLER. Ashburton, Wednesday. News of the death of David Thomas, who accompanied the bowling team to Australia, has been received with great regret here. Deceased, who had carried on an auction business for many yeafs, was highly respected. His age was 00. He leaves a sons, and two daughters, /

THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION. Nelson, Wednesday. At a meeting of shopkeepers opposed to the Saturday half-holiday replies were received from the Minister of Labor stating that no alteration in the day could be made till next year. After a long discussion the following motion was carried by 18 votes to 2:—"That the Government's refusing the request of the shopkeeprs to alter the statutory half-holiday to Wednesday, that a thorough canvass of the town be made for signatures of shopkeepers willing to close on Wednesday and remain op*n on Saturday, and that, if a majority agree, the alteration shall take place from April 22." The object is to test the law.