NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9704, 17 April 1897, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.)

AUCKLAND, April 15. At' the inquest concerning the death of Alex. McDonald, storekeeper, Waimauku, the evidence showed that the deceased was in financial difficulties. He had been drinking the day prior to his death. He had borrowed strychnine from Mr Edward Kelly several months previous, and had never returned it. The jury returned a verdict that deceased died through taking fioison while of unsound mind. Deceased eaves a wife and five children (of ages from six and a-half years to three month.) almost destitute.

WELLINGTON, April 15. Lieutenant Hume is appointed to the permanent command of the Auckland batteries.

April 16. For some time thefts of bicycles have been prevalent, and the police appeared to be quite incapable of tracing the perpetrators. Yesterday, however, one Arthur Duncan was arrested on a charge .of stealing a bicycle, the property of Mr Wilford, solicitor.

The principal attractions here during the holidays are the races in Watrarapa tomorrow and the Druids* sports ou Monday ; but at present the weather is likely to have a militating effect. Lloyd's Committee has written to the Government, thanking them for permission to establish signal stations at Farewell Spit and Capo Maria Van Diemen. The preparation of plans will be left to the agent here, and- they will be submitted to the Government for approval. The Maoris are noldiog & Native Parliament at Greytown in the new meeting hall, which was formally opened. Chiefs are present from the South Island.

DUNEDIN, April 15. At a meeting of the Charitable Aid Board a Committee was set up to make enquiries concerning a suitable piece of land for a farm for Che Benevolent Institution, where work could be given to those able to do it. Mr Green pointed out that land at SeaclifT had been set apart by the provincial Government for lunatic asylum and charitable aid purposes. The land-was not all in use for asylum purposes, but he supposed they could not expect to get some for the purposes for which it was set apart.