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Newspaper
Ashburton Guardian
Location
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand
Date
Mar 18, 1909
Page
3
An Australian inquest returns a verdict that Frank Laing of New Zealand died by his own action. A pocket-book in his clothing revealed an intent to self harm and a witness mentions his money delays as a motive. Also notes shifts in Anglo Australian exchange rates and population tallies across states.
Sydney reports another city inspector suspended for alleged neglect. A Newcastle ratepatcher developed a suspicious illness after arriving from Sydney where he had been engaged in watching Wearne's dormill.
Melbourne March 8 At the St Patrick's Day banquet Lord Dudley Governor General of the Commonwealth said he believed the great majority of Ireland's people were at heart as loyal as others in the King's dominions during his term as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
A large gathering in Wellington on March 17 saw the local cricket community bid farewell to the Australian Eleven on their way to England. The Wellington Cricket Association has received an offer from Buckenham, a noted Essex professional, to coach at £250 a year plus second class expenses, though no decision has been made pending a committee report on employing a professional coach.
A marathon tied to the St Patrick's Day events in Auckland saw 23 starters run nearly eleven miles. A Rogers and J E Ornstein led for seven miles before Ornstein dropped out. Rogers finished in 1 hour 16 minutes, with G Heron second in 1 hour 17 minutes 5 seconds and E W Shanaghan third in 1 hour 17 minutes 14 seconds. Underwood was fourth in 1 hour 18 minutes.
Westport reports the death of Duncan McLellan aged 76 a Crimean era veteran and Royal Artillery gunner who fought at Alma Inkermann and Sebastopol. A longtime Kumara resident he leaves a widow and one daughter and a military funeral is planned.
The annual Women’s Christian Temperance Union convention begins in Wellington with welcomes from the local branch. Messages praise the union’s work reclaiming youth, and speakers including Mayor T W Hislop and Rev F W Isitt urge continued progress. A later report shows 1855 members and a strong No-License vote, with calls to extend dominion option and criticisms of canteens and cabinet changes.
Wool merchants report animated sales with merino lots Ngatopa and Tauroa noted. Australian wheat cargoes sold at 89s 6d and 15 000 quarters for January February shipped at 39s 9d. American visible wheat supply tallies 64 361 000 quarters. Tallow sales see 787 offered, 586 sold. mutton and beer prices listed.
WAPIER reports no change in frozen meat prices while London notes a firm wool market. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency notes a May 4 start for the third series with a limit of 150,000 sales and price differentials for various wool categories.
Gisborne reports strong sheep trade with 17 300 head exported to Canterbury. Exports of frozen meat are projected to be a record. The Gisborne Sheepfarmers' Company shows output 90 000 higher than last year, with potential surplus left on local farms if not for expanded works.
The Cape Breton, the third wool ship from the Prees AssociationNapier, loaded 3 600 bales of wool at Newier breathwater and departed last night.
Christchurch March 18 The Premier told a Star reporter no proposals on department reorganization from Wellington had been considered and he would not discuss them yet. Ministers are scattered and no public statement will be made for weeks. Sir Joseph Ward declined to discuss Dominion finances, saying accounts are not ready. The Premier will attend the bandet to Mr Laurenson and travel to Wellington for several weeks.
The final report and balance sheet for the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company shows total assets of £513,187 after allowances. Liabilities include sundry creditors of £62,638, with share capital as the only major liability. An early distribution of 58s per share is advised, with a possible further dividend of 4s 6d or 5s per share if remaining assets can be realised on satisfactory terms.
At a Wellington and Manawatu Hailway Company meeting the chairman announced extra pay scales for staff by tenure. One to five years earns an additional week, five to twelve years a fortnight, and over twelve years four weeks. Special payments to Hannay Marehbanks Cook and Harald totaled £8000 from a dedicated reserve.
Dr Withers, louse surgeon at Wanganui Hospital, died this morning from typhoid fever contracted while treating a Maori patient. He was 24, had only two months in charge after succeeding Dr Fergus, who resigned. The body will be taken to his home in Southbridge, Canterbury.
Annie Cozens a nurse student gave evidence at Auckland inquest into the death of William Stirling and his newborn son. She helped at birth at 2 am and left at 3 am. by 7 am the infant was dead with bruising on its right arm and chest. The body was warm under the bed clothes but the face was cold. The inquest was adjourned.
A deputation of slaughtermen led by Mr T. B. Taylor waited on Sir Joseph Ward to discuss impounding wages for fines from an earlier slaughtermen's strike. They proposed paying in instalments of twenty five percent. Sir Joseph agreed to consider the offer and would liaise with authorities.
A brawl at Napier Park race course ended with John Bibby struck in the chest and knocked unconscious. Maori fighter Jon Tareha was arrested and charged with assault causing bodily harm. Accused remanded until tomorrow, bail refused.
A large two storey brick saw mill occupied by M Gavin Watson contractor was destroyed by fire early today. Timber stock burned and telephones serving about 200 subscribers in the southern city area were cut. Building insured £475 with Christ's College Trustees and Church Property Trustees. contents and plant insured £1240 with Atlas office.
Heavy rain at Greenmeadows for the second day of racing reduced attendance. Omealu Hack Hurdles results: Corazon first, Nadyne second, Nero third. Telegraph Hack results: Volgang first, Mundi second, Pearl Reef third. Close Memorial Stakes: Paisano first, Berengaria second, Vi third. Times noted for each race.
Wellington reports a Brisbane Bricklayers Union letter claiming work exists but many bricklayers are unemployed. The union aims to recruit all bricklayers to control wages and stop competition from Brisbane workers. The warning advises bricklayers to keep away from Brisbane amid the dispute.
The Trades and Labor Council adopted a resolution urging the Government to provide no further inducements to immigrants until the surplus labour in the dominion is absorbed and to withhold assisted passages for domestic servants.
The Corinthie arrived at Hobart with 27 passengers for Australia and 572 for New Zealand. The second express southward reached Ashburton late due to an axle-box issue causing a prolonged stop. Dr Findlay the Attorney General and Minister of Justice traveled south to Dunedin to discuss prison reform and will return by the weekend. rainfall has been scarce for months affecting crops and fat stock values, with mixed rainfall impact on Canterbury and Mowwit Somers districts.
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