NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8780, 28 April 1894, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.)

AUCKLAND, April 27. At the annual meeting of the Orphan Home, at Parnell, the Governor presiding; the report showed that the interest account had fallen £100 a year, and the maintenance account increased £40, and that sinco tho Costley bequest came in public subscriptions had largely fallen oft Owing to thid state of thinga no further children would be at present admitted without provision for maintenance.

The Hon. \V. Reeves arrived in Auckland to-day from Russell. He inspected all the Native schools in tho North.

The City Council decided to petition the Government to declare a reserve of 4000 acres of bush at Wtutakerei as a public recreation reserve to protect the kauri and the kiwi from extermination.

GISBORNE, April 27. Mr Richard London, who leaves by tho Waihora to-night to take up the position of manager of the Bank of Now Zealand nt Leeston, Canterbury, was accorded a hearty send off this afternoon by the members of the Poverty Bay Club, with which and also with the Bowling, Tenuis, and Golf Club, he has been actively associated during hie eight years' residence here.

NAWER, April 27. Francis William Byrue, who for some time has beeu obtaining goods from shopkeepers by false pretences, was committed for trial. The value of the articles procured by this ineaus was over £10. PALME RSTON, April 27. The Minister of Lands was entertaiued at a banquet at Shag Point this evening. There was a large attendance, including the Colonial Treasurer and several other members of Parliament. The Treasurer, in responding to tho toast of the Ministry, expressed the opinion that there is no necessity tor the colony to borrow at present or for some time to come. Ha informed tho meeting that tho colony's 5A percent, stooks were vow approaching 100*. They were over 100i —a thing which had never happenad before. Regarding the surplus for the past financial year, he declared that nob one payment had beeu kept back by tho Government, and their liabilities at the end of a financial year were nover as low as ut the present time. The toast of the guest of the evening was received with enthusiasm. WELLINGTON, April 27. Mr Duthic, M.M.U., has written to the Colonial Secretary pointing out the inconvenience aud itnnoyance to electors who are struck off the rolls, while it is doubtful whether the law intended it should be done, and urging that Registrars should receive legal direction in tho matter. Sir Patrick Buckley replies that the Government do not interpret the law for Statutory Officers, or if anyone is aggrieved ho has a legal remedy against the Registrar. Letters on tho same subject have been sent to the Government by other Wellington M.H.R.'s.

Mr Charltou states that he did not ask to withdraw all his charges against Mr Ritchie and Stock Inspector Hull, but that he only offered to withdrew a portion of his complaint against Mr Hull which he considered immaterial. Ho also says that after the first sitting of the Commission his legal adviser informed them that he declined to be placed in the position of a prosecutor, and for this and other reasons he would take no farther part in the proceedings. After that he attended only under summons.

Of a hundred unemployed registered thii week work has been found for fifty-two and a (number of others will be Bent to Tara« naki next week. The Department expoot, however, that the liat will be It opt going by a constant influx of new arrivals, who are regularly coming into town when the employment they are engaged upon for a time ceases.

The Premier has received a telegram from the Governor confirming Sir George Grey's appointment to the Privy Council, and has sent a telegram congratulating Sir Georgo Grey on behalf of the people of New Zealand.

So far £8897 has been spent on the drainage scheme. There has been a delay in drawing the plane for the main works in consequence of alterations in the surveys, with a view to saving money, and the contracts are nob likely to be let for three months yet.

Sir W. Buller had a bar of Onehunga iron tested before leaving England. Its strength was shown to be pretty equal to average cast iron, but it contained too much phosphorus for making steel. The Trades and Labour Council endorsed the resolution passed by the Canterbury Progressive Liberal Association regarding old age pensions, and decided to send tbia decision to the Premier. It was resolved to write to the City Council and Harbour Board, recommending that only those ten- < ders be accepted which enable contractors to pay a living wage. The cost of the Wellington licensing election was £160, or less than expected. The Stipendiary Magistrate has decided that under the new Act he has jurisdiction in partnership disputes. Hitherto is has always been understood that this was not the case.

The City Council has determined to insure the firemen from accident on the condition of the men releasing the Council from claims under the Employers' Liability Act.

During the year the losses by fire were under £7000.

There are eighty sections in the special settlements in Wellington, comprising an area of 13,130 acres, liable to forfeiture or t which have been surrendered.

The Wairarapa lawyers have petitioned the Minister of J uetice to revise and consolidate the District Court Acts, and extend the jurisdiction to the Wairarapa. A deputation from the Typographical Association urged the City Council not to accept tenders which wereasmuch as five times below the amount which the work could be done for, and suggested that the work should be given at regular rates to firms in succession. The subject; was referred to a committee.

Isaiah Fako, who assaulted the Rev. Mr Habcns last week, was bound over to keep the peace for six months. An old man, named Henry Devoy, who, according to Inspector Fender, had passed the most of bia life in gaol, was committed, for trial for stealing a horse at Levin, and got three months' bard labour for stealing a saddle and bridle from another person.

Both the City and suburban Licensing Committees meet early in June. ASHBURTON, April 27. At the Ashburton Police Coint this morning Samuel Cronin aud F. Holmes, -who were arrested on the Ash burton rcecourse yesterday, were brought up charged with stealing £23 2s from Alfred Spicer. The particulars of the case are that they got £2 from Spicer to put on a horse in the Grand Stand Handicap, in which Aworna Rose paid £11 lie. After the race the prisoners represented that they had backed the wrong horse and refused to pay over the money. The prisoners were temanded till tomorrow, bail being allowed, themselves in £50 each and one surety in £50. DUNEDIN, April 27. At the City Court Frederick Marryatt, a clerk in the Customs Department, was charged with embezzlement. He was admitted to probation for six months, and ordered to pay £46 12a 8d and the costs of the prosecution.