SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 303, 23 December 1898, Page 3

SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON, this day. I A poll of ratepayers resulted in j favour of the sanition and lighting ' loan of £ 9200 for the borough of Petone. In regard to the proposal to connect the New Zealand lighthouses with telegraph stations, the Government has decided to consult Admiral Pearson as to.which he thinks are most important connections to be made from a strategical point of view. Mr Blair will probably be elected Chairman of tho new board of directors of the Bank of New Zealand. Mr Watson says he had no intention of j seeking the position. ' It is understood that Wallath, I known as the Taranaki highwayman, who has nine months of his sentence lo run. is to be immediately released. The Government propose to appoint ! a superintending medical officer for j the whole of the thermal springs disI tricts in the North Island. Cabinet has decided to relase Mrs Carl Locher, -who some three years ago shot a man named Norbury, a contractor, in an auction mart in the city. Norbury was severely injured, and Mrs Locher was charged with atI tempted murder. The jury found that i the woman was insane when she comj mitted the act. and she was ordered to be detained during the Colonial Secretary's pleasure. Some time ago there was an agitation for her release, on the ground that she had quite regained her mental balance. Mrs Locher left by the Euahine yesterday en route to her home in SwitI zerland. The Government considered no good puruose would be served by | any longer detaining- her in custody, ;as she is now in her right mind and '■ not likely to return to the colony. MASTERTON, this day. A boy named enkins, aged nine years, son of the licensee of the Kanfurly Hotel, was drowned when bathing at Eketahuna. The g-enerai harvest, outlook in this district is better than for several years past. DUNEDIN, this day. The Dunedin City Council passed a resolution suggesting to the Licensing Committee that in future no licenses or renewals be granted for publichouses until suitable fire escapes be fixed to each bedroom. Mr W. G. Bingham, agent for the New Zealand Electric Company, has submitted proposals to the Dunedin City Council for the acquisition of the city trams, to be worked by electric traction, and for the simultaneous introduction of electric light. The proposals were referred to a committee. HAWEPA. this day. News has been received that Hamiona, the Maori who was driven out to sea on Saturday afternoon off Pihama, got ashore safely on Turakina Beach on Monday afternoon, having travelled a distance of over 90 miles'." The old man was very exhausted when he landed. The natives nad entirely given.-him up for lost and held a tangi on Monday afternoon.