NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 74, 22 July 1896, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

GENERAL ITEMS. Auckland, July 21. At an inquest into the fire at Johansen Fidler's store, Matakohe, no evidence was given to throw light on the matter. In compliance to % numerously signed requisition Sir Robert Stout has consented to deliver/a speech on the political situation in the City Hall to-morrow night. News has been received from Batavia of the murder of an ex-Aucklander, Charles Weston, who was for years clerk in Mr Coleman, solicitor's office, in this city. He left his situation and purchased a steam merry-go-round, which after touring the colonies he took to China and Japan. The murder took place at Batavia. Weston was counting the takings of the evening performance, when a native shot him and then stabbed him to death. A reward was offered by the authorities and an additional one subscribed by the public, and the murderer was soon caught. Weston was a brother of Mr S. Weston, chief engineer of the s.s. Waiotahi, and well known in athletic circles as a member of the Auckland Amateur Club. At a meeting of the A uckland Presbytery the protest of Mr Andrew Bell, elder of St. Andrew's, against the call to the Rev. Mr Milne was disregarded and the call allowed to take its course. Mr Bell gave notice to appeal to the Presbyterian Church Assembly. Wanganui, July 21. The District Court concluded to-day. Nettie Davidson, who pleaded guilty to a charge of theft, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. In the charge of receiving stolen goods preferred against her sister the first jury disagreed but the second brought in a verdict of not guilty. Chkistchuech, July 21. The Canterbury Industrial Association adopted the report of its subcommittee to the effect that the Masters and Apprentices Bill, if passed into law, would not have a beneficial effect on our youths or industries. At the City Council meeting last night it was resolved to employ twenty extra men to relieve the unemployed. At a meeting of the unemployed relief committee to-day it was decided to take active steps to raise subscriptions and pay the money by Saturday ! into the Charitable Aid Board, so as to obtain the Government subsidy. The Conciliation Board resumed consideration of the difficulty in the boot trade. The hearing of addresses had not been concluded when the Board adjourned. Tdiaku, July 21. The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board passed a resolution approving the principle of the old-age pension scheme, but withholding an expression of opinion on the details of the measure now before Parliament. Wellington, July 21. At the Timber Conference to-day Mr Mackie, of the Indian Forest Department, attended the committee appointed to consider the selection and classification of timbers in the colony fit for export. Our forests are not so extensive as represented, and 20 years hence there will be little timber in the colony. The committee suggested that the Government should settle people on open land in preference to forest soil, which would create some market and stop the -wholesale destruction of timber by fire. Several members expressed dissent from the first part of the report, but it was adopted. The forest committee's report was adopted, recommending the conservation of forests and submitting them to sale only as the requirements of trade make it necessary; that forests on lands suitable for settlement should bo first disposed of to enable sawmillers to provide the proper plant to turn out timber in the best condition; all restrictions as to area they may hold should be abolished ; and that sawn sleepers should be preferred to hewn, in order to save waste.