TELEGRAMS.

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 1676, 21 December 1911, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

DEATH DRIVE IN- A TAXI

(PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Auckland, December 20. John Alexander McConnell was rid-

ing in a taxi-cab, driven by a man named Batty, along the Beach Road, when they met two horses, which the driver says were unattended. To avoid colliding with them lie turned the car sharply, Avith the result that it struck a tramway pole. McConnell jumped or was thrown out of the car. He was conveyed to the hospital in an ii J) conscious condition, where he died two hours later. McConnell was aged 36, and was employed as an accountant. He leaves a wife and family of young children. THE PRICE OF TEA. Wellington, December 20. Private cables received in Wellington to-day with reference to the tea sales held in Colombo and Calcutta yesterday show that) there wa s a rise in the Colombo market of id per lb on prices for all broken teas. Pekoes and orange Pekoes. There was a similar advance on Calcutta prices for all thc_ better grades of tea, but other grades showed no change in last sale prices,

THE MAIIAMA AT AUCKLAND. Auckland, December 20. The Canadian mail steamer Marama, which arrived this afternoon, brought 350 passengers. One hundred left the vessel here, and the rest proceed to Sydney. Some 530 bags of mail went south to-night. HAVOC IN THE ORCHARDS.' Monday's gale played havoc in tho orchards of the Auckland district, and very sever losses are reported. Fruit-growers state that in some cases the damage done amounted to 50 per cent, of the entire crop, and in many cases where branches were loaded with ripening friut severe injury has been done to the trees as well. . From Albany, Birkenhead, Thames, Whangarei, Waikumete, and other districts como reports of serious losses sustained. The vineyards are reported to have suffered severely, many vines having been actually stripped of leaves. Windfall fruit is arriving in considerable quantities on tho local market. A GUMDIGGER'S DEATH. Wharigarei, December 20. The police have received information that William Bishop, gumdigger, was found dead on Monday on tho gumfield, Kirikiri, Bay of Islands. Deceased had been ill, and had wandered -from his hut. It is presumed he died from exposure. WANGANUI FREEZING CO. Wauganui, December 20. As the outcome of tho sharehold-CI-β , dissatisfaction, the board of directors of the Wanganui Freezing Co. recently resigned. All, with two exceptions, again offered their services, an tho election to-ay dresulted in the return of the old board, with the addition «f Messrs C L. Duigan and R. E. Beckett. KEEIs T LAND SALES. Christchurch, December 20. The Balmoral estate in the Amuri County, consisting of 45,000 acres, and. which has been subdivided into 15 blocks, was offered at auction today. Tho keenest interest was shown in the sale, which was attended by nearly 300 people. Bidding for the larger blocks was very satisfactory. A complete clearance was effected at good prices.. Tho demand for the farms was not quite- so good in some few cases, but a few lots passed ijj will probably be disposed o.f in the near future. The total amount realised was £140,226, and the prices ranged from 30s per acre to £13 per acre. Largo rareas realised fom £2 5s po acre to £4 7s 6d. WANAKA HELD UP, Napier, December 21. Tho "Union S.S. Company's Wanaka is still held up owing to the waterside workers refusing to work' except at increased pay. A conference with the local manager failed to reach an agreement and the local office is awaiting,, instructions from headquarters. The Wanaka ha s 2000 tons of No'vcastlo coal aboard.