SECOND EDITION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1843, 1 February 1888, Page 3

SECOND EDITION

TEL TGUAP ITIC NE VV S

(PRESS ASSOCrAIIOtf.)

WELLINGTON, January 30.

At the Wesleyan Conierence to-day, the consideration of tho Home Mission affairs occupied a large share of the conference's attention. Mr. F. L. Prime presented the annual report and balance-sheet, which showed the total income to be £2520 103, and the expenditure £2516 14s. The thanks of the meeting were presented to Mr Probert for a special donation of .£'so. Letters were ordered to be sent to Wanganui and New Plymouth circuits, calling attention to the deficiency in Home Mission. The affairs of the Palmerston North churoh trusts occupied the special attention of the conference, and a select committee was appointed to bring up a report. Mr. E. C. Brown presented the report on the New Zealand Methodist, which was received and adopted. Tbanks were given to tbe promoters of the Methodist Company, and tbe paper was warmly commended to the support of Methodists, the public, and others. At the president's request, the consideration of the question of the editorship was deferred far the present.

WELLINGTON, January 31.

The Aorangi bas brought a patent from H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, Grand Master of England, appointing Sir Harry Atkinson to the high office of District Grand Master for tbe District of Wellington, North Island of New Zealand, E.C., to which office be was elected some months ago, in succession to Bro. C. J. Toxward, who wa9 the successor of the late Bro. Sir Donald McLean, the first D.G.M. of the D.G. Lodge. A narrow escape from a great catastrophe happened in tbe Manawatu Gorge last evening. As tbe coaches from Woodville to meet the Wellington train were passing through, on rounding one of the most dangerous bends, they found that the whole of the bush on the side of tho bill above the road was on fire, and the horaea were just pulled up in time. Notwithstanding the danger, Peters, the driver of the first coach, took out the horses to lead them across, and as they passed the worst spot a large fall of hot stones and debris came down. The result was that one of the horses bounded over the cliff, but was caught in the scrub, and was subsequently dragged up by .ropes- Eventually, the coaoh was also nalfed passed the worst spot, but not till t£e nqen had been away from it several times, through fire falling from above. A similar experience happened to Jones and Hunter's coach, bnt they were not so fortunate, as, in getting one of the horses past, it bounded over, and broke its back on the beach below. There is not tbe least donbt that, if the fire had not been noticed in time by the drivers, the horses would have gone over the gorge.

AUCKLAND, January 31.

A number of official in the public service in Auckland have received notice that in consequence of the necessity for rotrencbinent tbeir services will be dispensed with. Amongst their number is V. A..Tole, Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands, who has been in tho service 30 yetfrt,. and who has received one month's notice of dismissal.

At tbe annual meeting of the Union Sash, and Door Company, held to-day, the directors regretted having to meet the shareholders with a balance-sheet showing a heavy loss. The Australian consignmsnts bad resulted in a loss, though the cargoes to England showed a handsome profit. Mr. McLachlan was elected n director, it being resolved to work with only six directors in future. Messrs. Boardman and Upton were appointed auditors.