GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 189, 31 July 1908, Page 2

GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

FINISHING THE MAIN TRUNK. By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Wellington, Last Night. '•We shall have finished rail-laying a? far us we can go to-morrow," said the Minister I'or Public Works this morning, referring to the .North Island Maiil Trunk railway; "but the Manganuiteao tunnel and bridge will not be ready for rail-laying until Tuesday or Wednesday next and until then tne rails earuiov oe laid."

AN OPIUM CHARGE. Wellington, Last Night. Two stewards belonging to the steamer Moana, Joseph Haslett and Joseph Scott, were arrested to-night, and will be charged at the Court in the morning with having opium suitable for smoking in their possession.

PRISON-MADE GOODS. Wellington, Last Night. A notice appears in to-night's Gazette prohibiting the importation of goods manufactured or produced wholly or in part by prison labor or which have been niiule within or in connection with any prison, gaol, or penitentiary, also goods similar in character to those produced in such institutions when sold or offered for sale by any purson, firm, or corporation having a contract for the manufacture of such articles in .such institutions or by any agent of such person, firm ,or corporation, or when such goods were originally purchased from or transferred by any such contractor.

DOMINION'S CUSTOMS DUTIES. Wellington, Last Night. The Customs duties collected in the Dominion during the quarter endvid June 30th last, totalled £017,321, as compared with £717,075 for the corresponding quarter of 11)0/. The value of imports for the June quarter of this year is £3,447,003, compared with £3,022,109 for the corresponding Uirco mouths of last year. The exports during the same periods were—l9oß, £3,723,004; and 1007, £4,841,088. ANTI-VACCINATION LEAGUE.

Christchurch, Thursday. A meeting of persons opposed to vaccination was held liero last night. It was decided to form a league to be called the Canterbury Anti-vaccination League. It was also ducided to petition Parliament to at least strike out the compulsory clauses of the Vaccination Act.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. Wellington, Last Night. The Wellington Education Board today resolved Mint in thu opinion of this Board, section 141 of the Education Act should be so amended that all pupils should he required to attend school the whole time the school 13 open except where satisfactory reasons are given, a cony of this resolution to be sent to the Minister for Education, and the Education Boards throughout the Dominion to lw circularised on the subject.

MISIIAP TO THE INVERTAY. Auckland, Last Night. According to advices received by Messrs. L. C. Uillespie and Sons, the local agents of the steamer Invertay, which put into Durban recently on account of damage sustained by colliding with some wreckage wnilst on the voyage from New York to New Zealand, has a large cargo of oil on board for fchu principal ports, approximately about 100,000 eases. It is understood that the vessel is coming direct to New Zealand, Auckland being her lirst port of call.

lIOLIDAYITIS AND TRADE. Auckland, Last Night. A gentleman who has just returned from a visit to the country districts, status that storekeepers are complaining of dullness of trade, which they ascribe to the coming of the American--' licet. They argue that the settlers are saving up to coure to town during fleet week, and will at the same time make purchases of goods which would otherwise have been obtained in thefr respective districts. The football matches are also blamed for causing loss of, time at some of the mills, as the men absolutely refused to work because they were determined to go to town to see the games.

BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. Wellington, Thursday. The following changes in the Bank of New Zealand are aunountvd:—Mr. T. E. Corkill, accountant at the head office, and Mr. A. C. Matheson, manager at Eeilding, have been promoted to the inspecting staff. The former's work will lie principally in the North Island ,and the hitter's in the .South Island. Mr. I'\ D. Clayton, from I lie head oflicc will become manager a I I'Vilding. Mr. ]>'. A. Mncßcan, ncI counlant at th« Christchurch braiu': I will succeed Mr. Corkill here, AUCKLAND CITY IMrKOVK.MK': ••' Auckland, Thursday. A poll of ratepayers endorsed the City Council's proposal to borrow £130,000 for street improvements anil other public works, though only 137") out of 0500 available votvs were recorded.

I THE SMUGGLING OF OPIUM. Wellington, Thursday. Vigorous methods are being adopted by the authorities to prevent opium being smuggled into New Zealand. When the Moeraki arrived from Sydu»v "osterday she was boarded by Custoi"; officials and closely searched, but no opium was discovered.