NEW ZEALAND.

Oxford Observer, Volume 1, Issue VII, 28 September 1889, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND.

A well-known settler at Taieri (Otago), named James Shand, has been missing from home for come day. A number of search parties are out, but up to ihe present nothing has been heard of him. There is great scarcity of labor m the New Plymouth district, and advertisements are appearing daily for bushmen "fifty wanted), farm hands, and for flax mills. At Dunedin, a bankrupt named John Ford, grocer, . has had his discharge suspended for two years. Lord Onslow laid the foundation of tbe new Wesley an Church m Nelson on Tuesday last. Two well-known residents of Auckland have become chief legatees of an estate m Sydney valued at£3,000,000. A cabinetmaker at Timaru has been sentenced to twenty-eight daya' imprisonment for stealing fuuwooa. The election of Bishop Hadfield as Primate of New Zealand has been challenged by the Wellington Diocese. A citizen of Wellington has offered to contribute £1000 towards the establishment of a Free Library m thac city. Notice has been given to move for another trial of Detective Benjamin, of Wellington. It is requested that the case be {heard away from Wellington, as it is impossible to get a fair ana impartial jury there. It is rumored m Wellington that Captain Russell has acced the portfolio m the Government renderea vacant by the resignation of Mr Hislop. A grocer m Wanganui has been fined £2 ana costs for giving a receipt without a stamp on it. The town Hall at Kanieri, Westland, was destroyea by fire on September 25 A twelve hours' skating contest took place m Auckland on September 25, and was won by Pelham, who travelled 119 miles 4 laps. He was off the floyr only two minutes during the contest. A Melbourne synaicate has offer to purchase the whole of the Auckland Tramway Oompany for £36,000. In the event of the offer being accepted, they intend to run the cars by cable or electricity. The Colonial Bank of New Zealand has declared a dividend of seven per cent. A settler m Taranaki has been rather severely injured through being attacked by a, young heifer. A brewer m Dunedin has been fined £50 and costs for breaches of the Beer DutyAct.

An unaccountable explesion has been heard m the Wellington district. A settler m Masterton has obtained a verdict for damages of £25 and costs against the Bank of New Zealand, through thiir dishonoring one of bi3 cheques whilst having some money'in hand to his cr. difc.