GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 172, 19 January 1912, Page 5

GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

THE ROCK THAT STANDS FOR EVER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Carterton, Last Night. The new ferro-concrete bridge, 726 feet long, across the Ruamahunga river, between Featherston and Martinborough, which was completed last month at a cost of £8635, was opened for traffic to-day by the Minister of Public Works. There was a large attendance, and several' speeches were made. Mr. W. C. Buchanan, M.P., said the bridge was the first structure of its kind in the Dominion. Mrs. A. L. McLeod, wife of the chairman of the Featherston County Council, cut the ribbon, and Mr. Buchanan's motor car crossed. The bridge was then tested, a traction engine and loaded trucks of wool, about 40 tons in weight, standing on the centre. No apparent movement was detected. The new bridge, by the request of the South Wairarapa will be known as "Kowhatu Katoa," meaning the rock that stands for ever. HAILSTORM AT CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch, Last Night. A very heavy hailstorm was experij eneed here early this afternoon. Large j hailstones fell, and l the storm,lasted for [ about half an hour, and was followed by light rain. The weather was fine later in the afternoon. BETTING PENALTIES, i . Timaru, Last Night. Mr. Day, S.M., gave his reserved decision in the betting cases to-day. Wm. Jordan and' Chas. Newman were each fined £5 and costs (£2 lis), and John i Wall and George Mason £2O and costs !( £2 lis) each. The bets were made ' with a plain clothes constable, one in a hairdresser's shop and the others on licensed premises. A CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER. Auckland, Last Night. A case in which a tramway motorman named Alfred Chorley is charged with the manslaughter of a six-year-old girl named Flora May McDonald wis bfefbre" Mr. Cutten, S.M., Accused was committed for trial, bail being allowed. gLSBORNE DROUGHT BROKEN. ' " " Gisborne, Last Night. Light rain fell this afternoon, and gives promise of more. The country districts are badly in need of moisture, and | the water supply is being seriously interfered with. Townspeople have been requested to discontinue the use of water for gardening purposes. SALE OF TOWN SECTIONS. Timaru, Last Night. Twenty-one out of 30 sections of 32 perches each, subdivision of a' property on the south side of the borough, were sold by auction to-day at £ll3 to £155. Each of the rest passed to bidders at £BS to £143. CADET OFFICERS' CAMP. Timaru, Last Night. The week's camp for junior cadet officers on the Show' Grounds opens tomorrow. DISPUTE OVER A BRIDGE. Timaru, Last Night. C. Vickerman, Government engineer, took evidence to-day as umpire in a dispute between two parties of settlers who want a new bridge over the Tengawai, between Pleasant Point and the Cave, and differ as to the site. Possibly a site half-way between will be also considered. FARMS LIABLE TO BE FLOODED. Timaru, Last Night. Settlers on the Lower Orari complain that the riverbed is silting up. aided by wild growth of willows, and farms are liable to lie flooded. Some of them were flooded Inst month. Tlie County Council is appealed to for protection.