COLONIAL TELEGRAMS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 404, 16 January 1890, Page 2

COLONIAL TELEGRAMS.

(FROM oun OWN CORSEaPONDSXTS.') Napier, last night. Today a olopq holiday was observed in Napier on account ot the Hawke’s Bay Caledonian Society's gathering, the principal feature being athletic sports in the recreation ground. The attendance was very Urge, and included a large number from the country. The events were pretty well contested, and were started with commendable punctuality. Ths principal event, the Caledonian Handicap, resulted-—Wdson, 1 (£5 and gold m^dal): Neagle, 2nd (£4) ; Cunningham 3rd (£8). It was a very ciuse raae. and there was great, difficulty in picking out the second and ttiiid. Witty, the Gisborne lad who ran in this race, was nowhere, his overland j mrney from Gisborne having evidently 'made him too stiff for running The weather was fine throughout the day, though it was very warm.

Mr H. A. Banner has resigned the Napier Agency of the Unioa Insurance Company and Mr J. McKenzie has been appointed agent in his stead. Owing to the illness of the Melbourne Mauagwr of the New Zealand Insurance Corn pany the Auckland Manager has been shifte 1 here, and Mr T. J. Btass-iy, the Napier Manager, promote I to the Auckland agency. Wellington, last night. New Zealand fl cks are now free from scab, and in all probability the whole of the colony will have a clean certificate in a f-w weeks hence. This will not at once give entry io Australian ports, because there must be a period of probation, but is of course a great step forward iu that direo ion. The Government have received a report from Mr W. Al Marshall, on the alleged outbreak of phylloxera in vines iu the Auckj’ land district. Mr Marshall says he sees no reason to doubt that the specimens submitted to him are true phylloxera, and recommends the total destruction of every vine in the town and district of Auckland. Upon receiving the report Government c moulted the Solicitor General, who advised that the Government have no legal authority to order the destruction uf vines, either with or without compensation. Nothing therefore can be dona uutil next aessi n, when Government purpose to ask Parliament to pass au Act empowering them to deal with the matter.

Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia have joined the parcel post system and the transmission of parcels begins on February Ist. The other colonies are not yet prepared to come in. The rate from New Zealand to the first three colonies will be a minimum of Is 2d for 2ib or under, and 7d for every additional pound upto 111 b. For Western Australia 2d extra will be charged.

Auckland, last night. The recently appointed British Consul at Tahiti (Mr A. G. Hawes), who arrived from England a short time since, has left for the Islands. Two local Roller mills (the Northern and Auckland) have been amalgamated and placed under one management. A large part of a yacht has been washed ashore at Whanapararoa. The wreckage has been identified as that of the Truant, which sank on Boxing Day of 1887 off Gull Point, when four occupants were drowned. A meeting of shareholders in the Bink of New Zealand has been called for the 14 h Feb. next, to consider various alterations in the deed settlement, which become necessary to give effect- to the resolutions passed at the meeting on Thursday last, authorising the removal of the chief office to London. Among the resolutions are two providing for the appointment of attorneys to act for the bank in the colonies.

The 2owt of quartz from Pahipnhi, crushed at the Thames uhool of Mines, yielded £ll to the ton.

A fire in Canada street last night destroyed a six roomed cottage owned by Mr Wrigley, and occupied by Mr Houston. Two other houses, belonging to Mr Green, were damaged. Chief Detective Brown, of the Auckland force, hae received notice that hla services will not be required after the 15th lost., but that he will be allowed to retire on the pension of an Inspector, as he had previously held that position. The Maoris of Waikato propose that thirty girla shall perform a maiden’s dance during the Jubilee fe-tivities. This is a very beauti ful dance, and is considered amongst Maoris to be the most appropriate for women. The Maoris are taking a great interest in the approaching celebration.

Dunedin, last night. Sir Harry Atkinson left for North yesterday. He considers he is now on a fair road to the complete recovery of his health. At the Police Court this morning, the book sellers charged with selling Zola's works works, pleaded guilty, and were each fined £2 and costs.

The Police rerived information this morning that a man, name unknown,|went by steamer to Lebon'e Bay last night, and committed suicide by blowing his brains out,