Interprovincial News.

Hastings Standard, Volume V, Issue 1427, 18 January 1901, Page 4

Interprovincial News.

[by telegraph.] AUCKLAND. •January 17. The Auckland gold returns for 1900 reached a total of £635,033, as comwith £611,150 for 1899. The decrease is not to be taken ps r. sign of deterioration, as it is more accounted for by the fact that in 1899 a larger number of companies engaged in ore treatment, most of which during 1900 devoted their time to development, and consequently the output bad more sources of supply in 1899 than in the year just closed. Details show no signs of falling off in the returns from tbe great majority of regular bullionproducing mines, but an excellent average is being maintained. The year bas been a very prosperous one. Evidence of the way in which Queen street property has advanced in value during the past three years was shown by the fact that the Old Mill has just been sold for £IB,OOO. The frontage to Queen street is 90 feet, depth 130 feet, with connection to a lane at the back. During the boom three years ago the Auckland Stock Exchange Company purchased the property for £12,000, the idea being to erect a new Exchange. That project have been abandoned the property has now been disposed of at a profit of £6OOO. WELLINGTON. January 17. The form of oath taken by the members of the Sixth Contingent declares that they will serve within and without the colony until lawfully discharged. The first sitting of the Federal Com mission was held at the Parliamentary Buildings to-day. After a general discussion it was decided to commence proceedings with a sitting at Invercargill on the sth prox., and to gradually work up through the colony until arrival at Auckland, proceeding thence to Australia. The Press will not be admitted to the sittings of the Commission but a formal record of the proceedings from day to day is to be furnished. In the interval between now and next meeting a quantity of necessary statistics will be obtained from the Government and placed at the disposal of members. In the Colchester murder case the prisoner went into the box and gave the history of his life on the lines of what he hart previously stated. He produced letters from America, a Crown grant for land in Tacoma that he had occupied before the murder, and a certificate of membership of the Painters' and Decorators' Brotherhood of North America. H 6 again denied that he was the man wanted. During the luncheon adjournment Lillywhite was shaved, and the English witness afterwards stated that, after seeing him without a beard and hearing him give evidence, they were prepared to say that the prisoner was Blatch. Mr Bell, for the Crown, stated that he would, to-morrow, apply to the Deputy-Governor to have the warrant endorsed, and during the day apply to the S.M. for the prisoner's committal to the English officials. The proceedings then adjourned till the morning. CHRISTCHURCH. January 17. Dr Mason, Chief Health Officer, returned to Christchurch this evening after a visit to the Hanmer hot springs. He had intended going south to Dunedin and Invercargill, but has been recalled to Wellington on important business, and will postpone his Souththern visit. He speaks highly of the Hanmer springs from a medicinal point of view. He thinks the accommodation might be greatly extended with advantage to visitors. He was accompanied by Mr Campbell, Government Architect, and both will leave for Wellington to-morrow evening. Dr Mason will report to the Government shortly on the Hanmer Sanatorium. DUNEDIN. January 17. .The reception committee are making arrangements for the reception to the returning troopers. The occasion promises to be one of great heartiness.