NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8070, 13 January 1892, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND.

£fKB93 ASSOCIATION TEUEOStAMS.]

AUCKLAND, January 12. Letters received here 'announce that Bishop Luck, who is at present in Europe, has been seriously ill from bronchitis, and has in consequence left England and returned to Italy. , , -, A cargo of 596 tons of coal was brought; from Westport to-day by the Wainui for the warship Tauranga. News has been received of the death m England of Andrew Goidie, the well-known New Guinea explorer and botanist, vwho was a brother of Wm. Goidie, ranger of the Auckland Domain, and for some years a tesident of this city. , NAPIER, January 12. In a collision between two buggies to-day Mrs .Davis of Puketapu and. Mrs McKinnon af Wairoa received injuries which may prove fatal. Both are unconscious. Two children of Mrs McEannon's and Mrs T. Irvine were also injured but not seriously. WIsSTPORT, January 12. ' The number of days'on which rain fell in this district for 1891 was 83, which marks it as the driest season since the opening up of the coast. The average number of wet days for the four years previous to 1891 was 135. May and June were the driest months, with four wet days each, and February, March, and 'April were the wettest, with Cine days each. WELLINGTON, January 12. It is not expected that any evidence will be adduced at the inquest ou the Pabiatua poisoning cases inculpating anyone. All the researches so far have failed to elucidate the cause of the catastrophe, but some of the victims are still too weak to make any statement. The " Post" says :—lt is understood that at the end" of his present term of office ia April , next, Bro. Henry Thomson, Most Worshipful Grand Master of New.Zealand, will retire from the Grand Master's chair.. His successor will be Malcolm Niccol, at present R. W. Grand Superintendent of Auckland. - '

The Colonial Secretary having declined to accede to the request of, the Hutt County Council to have hares in the county removed from the protection of the law, the Council has decided to approach him by gneana of a petition. HOKITIKA, January 12,

A fire took place on the Eastern town boundary this evening, by which a private house belonging to a man named Kortegast, was destroyed, the only portion remaining being the shell. Very little furniture waa removed. It is 3uppo3ed that a little child caused the ■ fire by striking matches in a front bedroom. The total loss, house and furniture, is £600. It is believed to be unSnssredi

INVERCARGILL, Janaary 12.

. The case of a small runholder who was fined £31 for being thirty-one days behind kt payment of hall a year's rent, £15, came before the Land Board to-day on an application for a refund of the fine. The of "Lihd"Revenue replied that he had in' accordance with previous practice tele* graphed to head quarters asking for instructions. In all previous similar cases he had been instructed to accept the rent 3 and forego the fine, but in this case no reply Was returned, and he had no option but to ©amply with the law. It was pointed but that the Section of the Act bearing oh fining Was permissive, and it was probable that on the applicant giving, a satisfactory explanation of his delay in paying, the fine will be asade nominal. ; . , • ,