NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7223, 24 April 1884, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND.

[Per Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, April 23,

The Mutual Assurance Society of Victoria have purchased the premises of Aitken, draper, with 33ft frontage to Queen street, for £16,000. The officer? of the Tsukuba were entertained at Kawau by Sir George Grey. Amongst the amusements were deer stalking and wallaby shooting. Sir George gave the officers many curiosities, among them being a largo number of Maori war implements of olden times. A number of books were also given them, among these being several volumes of old ordinances of New Zealand. Visits were made to the mainland, and gun practice was also indulged in. A very pleasant time was passed, and among the speeches made, Captain Ariji stated that a careful record would be kept, and on the termination of the vessel’s commission, an account would be given to the Admiralty authorities, and it would be published in one or more Chinese papers. All expressed themselves highly pleased with the hospitality and attention shown to them by the citizens of Auckland, and said their stay here would be one of the most pleasant incidents of the cruise. After calling off Waiwera, the Tsukuha sailed for Chili. The Hon E. Mitchelson leaves to-morrow for Te Awamutu by train, whence he will shape his course by the western railway route (Carteek’s) to New Plymouth, and thence to Wellington, via Stratford and Ohuru Valley. A deputation representing the Frozen Meat Company waited on Id r Mitchelson to-day, and obtained from him a promise that a night train will be put on to bring meat from the Waikato, x , !>'■ frozen at the depot, on the same terms as :n the South. The Wairarapa took experimental shipments of frozen beef, mutton, fish, &c., for the Sydney market. The Penguin, from Fiji, brings the news that the schooner Tasman has been wrecked on the Bay Coast. The crew were saved. NAPIEE, April 23. A man named J. Decamps was found dead in the cleaning shed on the railway premises at Makatoko early this morning. No particulars have reached town further than that the deceased was taken on by the department yesterday. He is a blacksmith by trade ; but he is quite a stranger to this district. WELLINGTON, Apeil 23. At a meeting of the Wellington Trade? and Labour Council to-night it was decided to co-operate with, and follow the political programme adopted by, the similar Councils at Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. With reference to the reduction of salary paid to Major Eopata, it is stated that it has only been made in the militia and land purchase services, which at present are not performed by the Major. As Native Assessor he was in receipt of a salary of £SO per annum, and this has been increased to £IOO, placing him on the same footing as the principal assessors. The Zealandia, with the March English mails, left San Francisco for Auckland on April 13, two days later than the timetable date. The City of Sydney, with the April Colonial mails, arrived two day? earlier than the time-table date.

DUNEDIN, April 23.

At a meeting of shareholders in the Just-in-Time Company, Keefton, to-day, with reference to the disagreement with the Fiery Cross Company, the following motion was carried—“ That Mr Huncerford, who is going from Dunedin, he empowered, in conjunction with the Directors, to come to an equitable arrangement with the Directors of the Fiery Cross for the joint working of the machinery, in accordance with the existing deed of agreement, failing which he be instructed to take legal steps for the winding up of the partnership.” At the annual meeting of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association, it was agreed that a .£SO cup should be given at next show for the largest prize-taker in the horse, cattle and sheep classes, and one of £25 in cheese and butter. A vote of thanks was passed to the Hon W. Holies ton for securing the now show ground on the Ocean Beach sand hills, upon which it is expected the next November show will! be held. Mr T. Brydone was elected President, and Mr Gray Bussell vieePresident. The Takapuna enquiry will take place to-morrow. At a well-attended meeting to-day, it was decided to form an Early History Society for Otago and Southland only. A motion to call it the New Zealand Historical Society was lost. The Mosgiel Woollen Company have declared an interim dividend at the rate of ten per cent. Prescott, a young man in the employ of Rennie and Dornwell, butchers, committed suicide by hanging himself in a watercloset early this morning. Monetary difficulties are supposed to be the cause. Deceased had only recently been married. The annual financial statement of the Kaimngata Relief Fund Committee shows that the amount in hand and invested to credit of the fund is £13,050. During the year ending Feb. Id, a total of £1255 was paid in cash to widows and children ot deceased miners, and £2!?S was advanced to recipients for various purposes. The performance at the Princess Theatre terminated somewhat abruptly last night, owing to an accident bj which Miss Carry Nelson was severely injured. During the progress of the play of “ Drink,” at the second scene of the first act, viz., the wash-house scene, while Miss Nelson, Miss Rosamond, Mus St John, and Mrs Knight were standing on a kind of bridge held by a rope at each end, and fastened by taking a turn round cleat® nailed on two upright posts, and while they

nrenaring to como down upon the t Z one of the cleats suddenly gave way. fn 7 four ladies fell to the bottom of the ste lot of the fall b«i«B 20 feet from where they were standMiss Nelson was the principal sufiHer back is injured to some degree, W it is hoped there will be no permanent hurt. Miss R/isamond's injuries appear to fe a sprained and -contused arm; while Miss St John wivs severely bruised, and Mrs Knight had her knee injured and her ankle sprained.