NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7418, 9 December 1889, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

[press association telegrams.) AUCKLAND, December 8. A Hamilton telegram states that the damage done to the Waotu bush is much exaggerated. The property is not worth i; 5000, and the damage done cannot amount to that sum. WELLINGTON, December 8. It is suggested to have c Maori war canoe race, war dances, &c., on the 22nd prox., the jubilee of the colony. . Major Kemp will probably be invited to arrange this portion of the programme. Mr B. C. Howes, passenger by the Mariposa, comes to take charge of the barque Wakefield at Wellington, Oroweil, the former captain, having died. PALMEfi,STON, December 8. Ab the Police Court yesterday Frank Beeves and William Henry Baird, cne of whom was arrested in Christenurch, wero charged with forgery of a cheque for .£l4 3s. iieeves was acquitted and Baird committed for trial.

BLENHEIM, December 8. A terribly sudden death took place here ion Saturday night between 10.30 and 11 o'clock. Mr H. G-. Kellas, the manager of the local branch of the National Bank, being the victim. The deceased was suffering from disease of the heart, but up to a few minutes before his death appeared to be in good health. Mr Kellas was universally respected, and his sudden death, has cast quite a gloom over the town. The deceased was only thirty-four years of age.- . .

GREYMOUTH, December 7. The Secretary of the Brunner branch of 1 the Amalgamated Miners* Association of Australia has received notice that the rule which forbids members working with nonunionists must now be enforced. OAMABTJ, Decemberß. " Mr John Dillon addressed a meeting on Saturday night, on the subject of Homo Kule. Addresses were presented from the ladies and ; the Reception Committee, arid at the conclusion of the addre33 a resp--lution sympathising with Home Eule Wa3 : carried unanimously. :" The weather, which during the pasfc week has been hot and foggy, cleared, .up to-day, with a strong wind from the South, accompanied by a welcome shower' ofrain." ; ■ ■ • ■ ■ :'•■••

DUNEDIN, December?. 1 Anne Gunney, who is believed to be a mettiber'of a pickpocketing crew from the other side, was_ caught red-handed in Princes street yesterday, endeavoring to pick a lady's pocket. To-day she received a month's hard labor. .

There was a tremendous thunderstorm and waterspout at Ophir, but it did not do much damage.