NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8122, 19 March 1887, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

[Per Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, March 27.

The Taranaki bowlers left to-day for home by the Gairloch, greatly pleased with the trip and the reception they received at the hands of the Auckland bowlers and tbe public. A conference was held this evening at T.M.C. Association of the clergy and others, to take into consideration the question of neglected and destitute children.

At the Domain sports yesterday, when the competition of throwing the cannon ball was on, the crowd closed in, and a boy named Michael Flynn was struck on the head by the shot, and rendered unconscious. He was sent to the Hospital. A young man named William Ayers took rough-on-rats in a brothel in Grey street to-day. He was sent to tho Hospital for treatment, and it is believed he will recover.

It is stated that Mr Fallon has received an intimation from the Government that his tender for the Ngatira section of the Rotorua railway is the lowest, £37,400. Only two other Auckland contractors tendered, Mr J. Button and Messrs Larkins and O’Brien. The other tenders are understood to be over £40,000.

The cutter Whangarei, belonging to Mr J. Ryan, of Auckland, went ashore at Great Barrier Island yesterday, and became a total wreck. All hands were saved, being picked up by tbe steamer lona. The Bob Boy canoe Foam was picked up capsized in the harbour, and a man’s hat was found floating near. It is feared that a fatal accident has happened, but no one is reported missing. Last night, shortly before midnight, a block of buildings was destroyed by fire. The fire originated in an unoccupied shop and dwelling, and destroyed two houses and three shops. One house was owned by Mr Platt, and the other buildings by Mr Porter. The total damage amounts to £IOOO. Insurances: Porter’s block £560, Platt’s cottage £l5O, all in the South British. NAPIER, March 18. The total amount of stakes in connection with the Hawke’s Bay Autumn meeting, to be paid to-morrow, is £2622. Mr Bobbett takes £503, and Messrs Stock and Conroy £370. During the last ten days there have been six days’ racing, and over £22,000 has passed through the totalisator. Ten per cent deduction shows what people paid for the use of the machine. Delegates from several Metropolitan Racing Clnbs held two meetings re the totalisator, hut the proceedings are not disclosed. MASTEBTON, March 18. At the Opaki races yesterday, Cribbage, daring a preliminary canter, fell and broke bis back, the jockey Allan Herd being severely shaken. WELLINGTON, March 18. Tho Minister of Public Works will be

present at the opening of the WoodvilleNapier railway, and probably the Colonial Secretary. The Premier also intended to be present, but the Lyttelton case, in which he is engaged, will prevent him. Between 530 and 630 members of tbe Permanent Artillery, who have been receiving instructions in big gun drill here, are to be distributed among the Southern batteries shortly. The salvage stock of Barrand and Sons, chemists, realised £6OO. A 'shipment of rock oysters from Auckland were seized to-day, as the close season has not ended, and the consignees will be proceeded against. Major Isaacs, of the New Zealand Volunteers, is appointed to the same rank in the New Zealand Militia. The Wellington Sheep District is declared clean, and the Onebunga District and the County of Wairarapa North to be infected. An Order-in-Conncil from Victoria appears in tbe Gazette to-night prohibiting the importation into that Colony cattle suffering from tuberculosis. The Harbour Board have received art offer from Messrs Ashcroft and Co. to fit up two hundred electric lamps with dynamo and engine, on the wharves, at a cost of £378 per annum. This would give twice the present light at fifty per cent increase on the cost. The Board now pay £240 for gas. The cost of the installation would he £IOOO.

HOKITIKA, March 18. The Borough Council, at a meeting last night, passed a resolution, on the motion of the Mayor, that the Importation of kauri and other timber for the construction of railway bridges or other public works in the district is expensive, unnecessary, and an injustice to Westland. It was pointed out that the district abounds in suitable timbers for the construction of such works. The Mont D’Or washed up 2550 z of gold, valued at .£IOOO. A dividend of Is was declared. The mine continues looking well. A young man, named Samuel Johnston, left his home at Kokatahi on Wednesday morning for a day’s shooting, and has not since been seen or heard of. It is feared he has met with a fatal accident. DUNEDIN, March 18. A barn, stable and cart-shed of C. M'Gregor’s, Horse Range, was destroyed by fire, together with a quantity of last season’s crop. The buildings were insured for .£2OO in the New Zealand office. Tbe Protection League recently decided to ask Mr Mills, candidate for Fort Chalmers, how far he was prepared to go to protect local industries. His reply was received to-night, Mr Mills stating that he was a freetrader. He recognised that the industries of a new country required encouragement at their initiation, but this 'could be best afforded by bonuses. He considered the present tariff already afforded a very fair amount of protection. Nearly all the Friendly and other Societies have decided to take part in the demonstration on laying the foundation stone of the Burns’ statue, but the Good Templars have avoided a direct refusal by stating that as most of the members belong to other organisations, probably they would be inadequately represented, and they, therefore, refrain from taking part. The case in which W. Stuart sought to recover £23 invested on a horse which did not win at the recent race meeting, was to have come on to-day, but was adjourned till April 1. Bishop Nevill is about to try the experiment of utilising the stream which runs through his property to supply motive power to light his residence, and drive a chaff-cutter and other machinery. The Otago Rugby Union intends sending a football team round the Colony this season.