BRIEF MENTION.

Evening Star, Issue 9471, 16 August 1894, Page 3

BRIEF MENTION.

The relatives of the mau Whittock are of opinion that the report of his appearance in town lately is an impudent hoax. An attempt made by the agents of the Australian Shipping Company now in London to arrange a scheme for working the coastal fleets to mutual advantage has failed.

The Franco-Congolese Convention has been signed. It covers the points raised in the Anglo-Congolese treaty. Despite strenuous opposition, Messrs Weddel, the frozen meat importers, have sold the whole of the ship Turakina's cargo to Germany and Austria.

Rumors have been current in Melbourne for the past few days that negotiations were proceeding to move a direct vote of want of confidence in the Government. At a caucus of the Opposition yesterday Mr G. Turner was unanimously elected to the position of the leadership, vice Mr Shiels, resigned, and on the House meeting he at once moved a direct vote of wautof confidence. The Premier accepted tho motion, and the Legislative Assembly adjourned until next day. It is generally believed that there is a majority against the Government, and it is quite on the cards that the Ministry will ask for a dissolution if defeated.

In the Supreme Court, Christchurch, yesterday morning, Mr Justice Denniston heard argument and reserved his judgment in au appeal by a Woolston ratepayer against being compelled to pay so much of the drainage rate levied in the borough as related to provision made for meeting interest and sinking fund on the Drainage Board's loan. The afternoon was occupied in hearing argument for the plaiutill' in the application of the Timaru Harbor Board for an injunction restraining the Railway Commissioners from leasing a portion of the land which the Board contends should, under an agreement made between them and the Railway Department in 1881, be reserved for a road. The plaintiffs' case was not concluded when the Court rose for the day. A fire occurred on the premises of Mr Whyte, general storekeeper, Onehunga, yesterday morning, and damage to the extent of £4O was done. The building, stock, and furniture were insured in the Victoria Office for £lls.