SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 289, 5 December 1900, Page 2

SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

(By Telegraph.—fresa Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day. The Premier addresses his constituents at Ilokitika to-night.

Dr. McArthur, of Auckland, has agreed to act as Stipendiary Magistrate in Wellington while Mr Ilaselden is engaged on the Coal Commission.

The Federal escort was originally to have numbered 50 men, but it is now evident it will not be far short of 70. The arrangement to go to Sydney by a regular trailer has been cancelled, and the force will both go and return in the Tutanekai.

NELSON, this day.

The Rev.'J, S. Sinalley, President of the New Zealand Wesleyau Conference, has been invited by th 6 New South Wales Government to attend the Common weal tli celebrations. lie hopes to leave Wellington for Sydney by the Monowai on the 22nd inst., mid will be accompanied by Mrs Smalley.

INYERCAIiGILL, this day

A fire last night did damage to the extent of £500 in I). \V. Harhram's fancy goods shop. Insurance on the stock amounted to £700 in several ollices. The building was damaged to the extent of £100.

CHRISTCHURCH, this day,

An extraordinary bluiider occurred in course of criminal proceedings in the Magistrate's Court yesterday in the case, of a man named Kennedy, previously,convicted of false pretences and forgery, charged with passing valueless cheques, who pleaded guilty. The Magistrate sentenced him to a year's imprisonment on each of the charges cumulative, lie then found he had only power to send the man. up for sentence, and the case had to be re-heard, The man was then sent up to the Supreme Court for sentence.

In the Divorce Court a decree nisi was granted on the grounds of desertion in the case of Annie Josephine Wassell v. Charles Jeft'ers . Wassell. The parties were married in Welling-, ton in 1889. ;

The Chairfnan of the Board of Educaiion was authorised at a meeting today to ask the Stipend iaiy Magistrate to take truancy cases, in future, owing to the recent action of justices in dismissing a large number of cases.

Mr Buddo, M.H.R., ' considered the optional sections/ of the Act should be-restricted, and its provisions generiUy made stricter. , < .

The question of colonial, school books, as compared with-.; English books, was discussed, and one mem'oer strongly contended that the bindingof English books is stronger than the binding' of those bound In the colony.

WESTPORT, this day

Ninety-five vessels worked this port during November, the total tonnage handled (in and out) being 70,618 tons.

The fire in the old Mokihinui coal mine, sealed up many years ngo, has been discovered to be still smouldering.

The' : Trotting Club received 150 nominations for their Christmas meeting. . ,/■' ,

. The coal export last month of the Westport Coal Co. was 30,100 tons, and of the*. M/Jkbhinui . Co-operative Co. 276:5 tons..,, • •' , '