Latest Telegraphic News.

Hastings Standard, Issue 484, 24 November 1897, Page 2

Latest Telegraphic News.

GENERAL ITEMS. (Per Press Association.) Napiee, This Day. Mr J. N. Williams was re-elected chairman of the County Council. He refused to accept a vote of £IOO to cover his expenses. He stated he hoped to have the roads and bridges of the district in as good order by April next as before the disastrous flood of last Easter. Wellington, This day. In the case, Watt v. Collector of Customs, an appeal from Wanganui raised on the question whether volunteer uniforms imported into the colony were liable to pay duty, the Chief Justice held that volunteers were not part of Her Majesty's force under the Constitutional Act, and not exempt under the customs law. Judgment for the Collector, with costs on the lowest scale. The Mayoral election is not causing any extraordinary excitement. Mr Blair is compulsory absent from town and it is thought by his supporters this may affect his chance. Christchuhcu, This day. Petitions are being prepared for circulation praying the Minister of Justice to release from imprisonment those bookmakers convicted of laying totalisator odds at the recent C.J.C. meeting. The Industrial Association last night resolved that the Canterbury members be urged to obtain the withdrawal or rejection of the Eight Hours and Masters and Apprentices Bills. Auckland, This day. Mahuki, Maori prophet, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment at the Supreme Court to-day for attempted arson at Tekuiti, During the hearing of the case Mahuki prophesied general destruction to the people of this country, because they had not kept the course of Jehovah. The said Mahuki was a dangerous man and capable of almost any act of violence. Dunedin, This day. The twenty-first annual show of the Otago Agrictural Society was held at Tahuna Park to-day, the weather being perfect and the attendance large. The entries fell short of last year but the display was quite up to the usual. Absolutely no entries were received for the merinos, down, or crossbred section, but horses were strongly represented. The parade of stock and the jumping takes place to-morrow.