NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9339, 13 February 1896, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.)

AUCKLAND, February 12. Mr Thomas Hill, ex-Coilector of Cuetome afc Auckland, died Una morning affcor a short illuess. The deceased retired on b,ia pension several years a#o.

Between 500 and 600 applications have been received at the Crown Lauds Offices for le»3es in perpetuity of aections in the Oporiao estate, VVhakataoe. There is a great run on the beet portions of the bioek.

The Hod. J. A. Cadmaii leaves for the South to-morrow hv the Mahinapua. WELLINGTON, February 12. Patrick Harnctt, Jiceuseo of the Travellers' RBst Hotel at Taita, was charged at they. M. Court with haviug stolen a dis tress warrant directed against his own goods, which had been issued from the Aiagietrate'e Court at Wellington. It was alleged that Constable Cruickshanks went to put a man iv possession of Harriett's premises, aud white there the warrant mysteriously uisuppearad. Harnett swore that he never saw the warrant after it waa shown to him by the constable. Air Martin dismissed the charge.

DUNEDIN, February 12. At the "We3tport Coal Company's meeting the Chairman said the profit for the year amounted to £14,103, which was less than' the last year's owing 'to the keen competition of Newcastle. The development of the Westport mine had fully realised expectations, and would make up for the loss of Ureymouth. In parting with the latter at a low price the Directors felt that they had gob rid of a doubtful asset; whioh caused much anxiety. They would now be enabled to concentrate all their efforts on the development of the Westport property from which satisfactory results could ba relied on. The Hon. W. Downio Stewart and Mr Keith Ramsay were re-elected Directors. The Chairman then proposed that a yearly fee of £700 should be paid to the Directors, to be distributed among them as the Board shall decide. The proposal was strongly opposed by Mr H. B. Fiau and others, but the motion was carried by 21,459 chares, representing 3011 votes, to 1051 eharea, representing 128 votes.