(PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Last Night.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 126, 29 June 1881, Page 2

(PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. ) WELLINGTON, Last Night.

A number of gentlemen, representing Volunteer corps in various districts of the colony, waited on the Defence Minister to ascertain the views of th Government in regard to the position of the Volunteers, and as to the probable renewal of the capitation grant. The deputation urged the necessity of the annual capitation allowance, or in lien thereof, assistance in clothing and defraying expenses m regard to annual encampments and other means of improving the Volunteers generally j and further, that an additional supply of ordnance be procured ; also, that uniformity in dress be adopted throughout the service, except in the case of the Artillery, who had a uniform peculiarly their own. — Mr. Eolleston, in reply, agreed that the position of the Volunteers was unsatisfactory owing to the withdrawal of the capitation grant, but he could assure those present that the Government were anxious to do all in their power to further the Volunteer movement, and by reorganisation render it an efficient system throughout the colony. He was of opinion that the question of encampments should receive more attention. However, he was not prepared to reply definitely to the wishes of the deputation prior to the Colonial Treasurer's Financial Statement being delivered.

CHEISTCHUECH, Last Night.

Drunker, a larrikin, was fined i>so, or a month's imprisonment, for wantonly striking a Chinaman in Cathedral Square on S <turday night. Another man, who deliberately smashed two plate-glass windows in the Bank of New Zealand, at Lyttelton, doing damage to the extent of .£lO, received the same punishment.

AUCKLAND, Last Night.

The schooner Lillier, just arrived from the Islands, reports that the French have taken Raiotea and Eat a islands, and also intend to take Borabora and Huaheine. An English man-of-war was lying at Tahiti when the French vessel left to take possession. The Governments of Huaheine and Borabora say they will not hand over their islands to the French.

Samuel Thornelly, carter, was killed at the Mount Eden gravel pits by a fall of earth. He leaves a wife and children.

Henry Fancourt, a quarantined passenger by the outward mail steamer, died at the quarantine station from dysentery.

DUNEDIN, Last Night.

A private company will start immediately in Dunedin to manufacture Portland cement.

Keith, clerk to Mollison and Co., wharf carters, was committed for trial to-day. He embezzled one hundred pounds.

The teachers held their annual conference to-day, a large number being present.

At the meeting of shareholders in the Titanic Steel and Iron Sand Company, held here last night, it was resolved to sell the Taranaki freehold of 5000 acres for .£3OOO, and to wind up the company.

NELSON, Last Night. By the explosion of a kerosene lamp a seven-roomed house, owned and occupied by Mr. Jago, was destroyed last night. Policies in the Liverpool and London offices existed on the house for j-200, and on the furniture, jewellery, &c, for .£4OO. In addition to these, Mr. Jago's son, a jeweller, held a policy over the working toolsj jewellery, &0., for The loss in neither ease is fully covered.