NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8729, 27 February 1894, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.] AUCKLAND, February 26. The Comstock Hotel, Puhipubi, was burned down recenbly. Ib waa inanred in bhe Norbh German for £300. The loss over insurance is £400. The proprietor, James Rolleston, is licensee of the Hikurangi Hotel. The reported murder of Samuel Roe, an old resident of Thames, by Thursday Island natives, is confirmed by a letter juat received by his brother. NAPIER, February 26. Dr. Hitchins, one of the oldest residents in Hawke'sßay, died to-night, aged seventyeight. He was in active practice until the last, though latterly he suffered much from insomnia. At the Fire Brigades competition nexo month about aixty Brigades will be represented by 250 men. ..£_ STRATFORD, February 26, Yesterday Archbishop Redwood laid the foundation atone of the new Roman Catholic Church which ia to coat £1000. WELLINGTON, February 26. Mr 3. J. Freebh, for many years clerk of the Magistrate's Court at Masterton, but now stationed at New Plymouth, ia to retire from the service on pension at the end of the present month, and will be succeeded by Mr O'Callaghan, at present Clerk of Court at Btenhoim. The Cycling Club'a championahip road race of fifty miles was won by J. Mclwisban in 3 hours 30 mins. Beckingaale wasaecond 3mina 25secs behind. The annual meeting of the H. A.C.B. Society begins here to-morrow. Delegates will be present from all parts of the colony. As several questions of importance to all Friendly Societies are to be discussed, the President haa invited members of other Societies to be present. NELSON, February 26. Mr McKenzie arrived thia morning, and leavea to-morrow for Mr John Kerr's. He leaves there on Thursday for Longford, calling at Murchu-on. On Friday he will visit Lyell, and on Saturday Weßtport. HOKITIKA, February 26. The Bite of the West Coasb Eaaber Volunteer encampment haa beeu fixed at Arahura, four miles from town, and adjacent to the railway. There is good camping groundlb is expected that 300 men win attend. DUNEDIN, February 26.

The following mining returns ace to hand:—Jutland Flat Company's .dredge, 270z Isdwt of gold; Upper Waipori ComSany's dredge, 250z; Dunedin Company's redge, 21oz sdwb. There are eleven prisoners awaiting trial at the criminal sittinga on Monday next, the most serious case being the charge of murder against Kuffner and Dobson. There are two cases of attempted rape, one each of larceny, embezzlement, aheep stealing and cattle stealing, and three of housebreaking. The Department of Agriculture has issued a circular intimating that hides from Australia are to be imported without reatricbions till further notice. Proceedings are being taken against several exporters of produce for alleged infractions of the branding provisions of the Dairy Industry Act. The Sew Hoy Company obtained 97ozs odwts of retorted gold for the week ending Saturday last. INVERCARGILL, February 26. The W.C.T.U. Convention opened here to-night, when the delegates were welcomed at a tea meeting by the officers of tbe local branch. The delegates are Mrs Schnackenburg (Auckland), Mrs Riddell (Napier), Mrs Kirkland (Taieri), Miss McGowan (Dunedin), Mias Dairymple (Feilding) and Mrs Murdoch (Moagiel). The Convention continues during the week.