NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 74518, 6 February 1890, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

| PRESS ASSOCIATION TEXS-RAHS.]

AUC-O-ANI), February 5. To-day Lord Carringtou returned to Sydney by the steamer Alameda,, which sailed this afternoon.

Serious bush fires have broken out in the Waikato.

A great fire is raging at Mangawhare, and the valuable flax fields belonging to Dilworth are in danger. At Ohaupo Kusab's valuable bu3h was destroyed. It is judged that tbe bush near Ohaupo is burning in many different places. The houses of some residents are in danger.

At a meeting of railway employees tonight a resolution was passed objecting to the Railway Insurance Bill.

There are 900 excursionists from the South to-day.

A deputation of Shag Valley Dux-back settlers was introduced to the Land Board by Mr John McKenzie, asking that run 121, recently decided'to be released, and run 109, which is about to fall due, should be thrown open for settlement in small grazing runs. They presented a petition signed by 110 bona fide settlers expressing their willingness to take up runs as suggested. The Board resolved to recommend the Government to withdraw the runs from sale, saying they were unaware when the previous decision was arrived at that there was such a strong adverse feeling in the district. FOXTON, February 5. ; Thomas Spring, aged eighteen, was drowned while bathing in the Manawatu river last night. DUNEDIN, February 5.

Two young ladies, Miss Amelia Eissenhardfc, of Greymouth, and Miss Helen Carroll, of Dunedin, took the habit of St. Dominic to-day, and six novices made religious vows. The ceremony was an impressive one, and was conducted by Bishop Moran.

At a meeting of the Benevolent Trustees the Chairman said he had drawn the attention of the Minister of Education to the position of the Institution with regard to rating. Under the Eating Act land and buildings were exempt, but the Act was not in operation except where a borough desired it, and as it was not in force in Caversham the Institution would have to pay the rate. _* reply has been received from the Inspector-General that the matter will be considered when the new Charitable Aid Bill is introduced.

An unoccupied four-roomed house at Mornington was burnt to the ground tonight. The owner is supposed to be Wm. Parker of Christchurch. The insurance, if any, is unknown.