DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1919, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

TAURANGA RAILWAY. By Telegraph.—Press Associr.tion. Taurunga, Mareli IS. As the result of the efforts of the Citizens' Labor Committee 36 men will commence railway construction work tomorrow. Despite the fact that about 100 men are available, no more can be employed at present. HARBOR BOARDS GRANTS. Wellington, March 18. Cabinet decided to-day to promote special legislation to enable harbor boards to make grants of £SOO to the fund being raised for dependents of men of the mercantile marine.

SOLDIERS' GRATUITIES. Wellington, March IS. The Minister of Defence stated to-day that it would be two or three days yet before he would be able to make an announcement regarding soldiers' gratuities. He has just received particulars of the Canadian scheme. SPECIAL PASSENGERS BY ATHENIC. Wellington, Last Night. Among the pasengers arriving by the Athenic are Lieut.-Colonel Bettington, specially appointed by the War Office to advise the New Zealand Government on aviation matters, also Major Brandon, of the R.F.C., who brought down one of the first Zeppelins in England, and F. W. Havbittle, of Wellington, who has been in the ambulance service in France all through the war. The last-mentioned in accompanied by his wife. A PORT FOR CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch, Last Night. At a public meeting this evening the question of a port for Christchurch was gone into, and the following motion was carried: "That this meeting of North Canterbury and Greater Christchurch citizens hereby pledges itself to assist the Port of (.'liristclmrch League in its determination to create and open a deepwater seaport in the Sumner estuary, and will support only those candidates in the forthcoming municipal and Harbor Board elections who definitely advocated this scheme."

SERIOUS CHARGES. Kelson, Last Night. At tho Magistrate's Court, Ivnima Ci;roline Fletcher, a married woman. :JS years of age, appeared on remand before Mr. Kvans, S.M., charged that on or about February l' 7, 1U1S), she did unlawfully use an instrument 011 Friede Ruby Sandel, with intent to procure miscarriage. A further charge against accused was that on .March •) she murdered Friede Ruby Sandol. Accused reserved her defence, and was committed for trial. The question of bail was allowed to stand over.

SOUTHLAND ODDFELLOWS. Invercargill, Last Night. The Independent! Order of Oddfellows grand lodge annual session opened today. The balance sheet and report show a strong condition of affairs. During tiic war the consolidated funds increased by £'20,000. The epidemic funeral claims totalled £2OOO, and the wars, funeral claims £7f>oo. The session protested against the withdrawal of railway concessions from friendly society conferences.