BRIEF MENTION.

Evening Star, Issue 8718, 9 January 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

BRIEF MENTION.

The "old identities" of Christchurch have decided to form an early settlers' association.

The triennial meeting of the Australasian Conference of the Congregational Church opens in Wellington on the 22nd prox. This is the first time the Conference have met in New Zealand, and the objeet of their meeting is to celebrate the jubilee of the establishment of Congregationalism in the colony. About eighty cleiical and lay representatives are expected to attend. The names of thirty-six Australasian members who will be present have already been sent in. A number of leading citizens have determined to tender a banquet to His Excellency the Governor prior to his departure from the colony. The Committee entrusted with the arrangement of the banquet consist of His Worship the Mayor, the Honß. R. Oliver and W. D. Stewart, M.L C.s, and Messrs R. Wilson, G. L. Deaninton, A. Maxwell, H. Mackenzie, John Carroll, Keith Ramsay, J. T. Mackerras, John Robertp, B. Hallenstein, and A. S. Paterson, with power to add to the number. The banquet has been provisionally fixed for Saturday, February 6. The Agents-General and Colonial Institute propose to tender a banquet to Sir Robert Herbert on his retirement from the position of Permanent Secretary, to the Colonial Office.

Financial experts at Home consider there is no prospect of raising any Australian loan within the next twelve months, except at a high rate of interest. The general opinion is that it would be a mistake to reduce the interest on Treasury bills to 4 per cent, after the suggestion that the rate should be fixed at \\, There is every prospect of a conference being held between the shipowners and shippers regarding the adoption of a special Australian bill of lading. The secretary of the National Bank of New Zealand (Mr Maxwell) pays a visit to this colony shortly to inspect the branches of the institution.

The motion for a writ of mandamus ordering the Collector of Customs to permit the free passage of goods into New South Wsleß 'until the Bill imposing the new duties haß bean passed by Parliament was argued in Sydney yesterday. The Court refused the motiou on technical grounds. At a meeting of representatives from the associated and non-associated colliers of Newcastle an agreement was adopted limiting the output of coal this year to 885,000 tons. The output la6fc year at the same collieries exceeded 1,200,000 tons.

The New Soath Wales Government intend to immediately carry put rain-making experiments at Broken Hill. The French Government are sending a military expedition to Tonat, an oasis of Central Africa. The expedition will be under the command of General Thomassin.

The schooner Templar has foundered off Cape Paterson. The captajn and crew of two men are believed to have perished.

The Postmaster-General informed a deputation of Invercargill merchants that to reduce the rate charged for private letter-boxes from LI to 10s would mean a lo<sb of revenue of L 2,000 a year. The rate already charged is probably the lowest in the world.