NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9992, 23 March 1898, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION* TELEGRAMS.)

AUCKLAND, March 22.

Mr Wm. Bobbett, formerly wellknown in racing circles, has died from the effects of a painful operation in a private hospital. For many years he was a prominent figure on the racecourses of the North Island, having owned Tetford, Libeller, Lady Norah and Patchwork. Deceased was a widower, hia wife having died five weeks ago. He leaves four young children. A fire broke out in the crew's quarters on the dredge No. 121 this evening. A hose from the ferry steamer Britannia suppressed the fire after playing for half an hour. The crew's quarters were gutted and the men's clothes destroyed, and the rough fittings of tho aoartment damaged to the extent of £20.

A house at Mayneld, inland from Birkenhead, which wa3 bu'rued down to-day, was insured in the Alliance office for £400 and the furniture for £240. The house belonged to Mr Peter Oliphant. The insurance companies have paid Messrs Partridge and Woollams, tobacconists, £9000 insurance owing on the D.S.C. fire. WELLINGTON, March 22.

The balance sheet ol the Manawatu RailWAV Company shows that the gross earnings are"£92,793, some £2000 less than last year, which is put down to the competition of the Government line.9. Beside* the above £15,909 has been derived from land. The amount available for the dividend of 5 per cent, is £8339.

A section of land on Wellington terrace, rather under an acre and a quarter, with a dwelling house, has been sold for £4000.

Tho arrivals in the colony last month were 1558 and departures 1856.

Seventy claims have been sent in to the Government for the refund of duty paid on goods destroyed in the Auckland wharf fire, the total being £2000. Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell, who left by tho Ruahine for Jjondon, intends to arrange with a London firm for publication of a book on the Maori war, in whicli he took a conspicuous part.