NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 9167, 29 July 1890, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

[Pma Pessb Association.] AUCKLAND, July 28. At the half-yearly meeting of the Auckland Gas Company to-day, a copy of a letter "which has been sent by the Directors to the Auckland City Council in regard to the disputed valuation of the Company’s property was read. In this the Directors stated that, having considered the further evidence put before them by the Council, they had decided to adhere to their previous flqnttpnn not to acknowledge any liability in regard to the alleged error by which the Valuation was reduced from £3500 to £ISOO. Miss Steele, who has been appointed matron of the Christchurch Hospital, left to-day for that city. All the old Hlue-coafe-h oya-residentein

Auckland, seven in number, called on Mr George Miln, the actor, at the Star Hotel, and drank his health and that of the Blue-coat School. They have resolved to present Mr Miln with a testimonial. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Bowling Club, Mr E. W. Thompson was appointed President for the. year. The Club have a balance of J 315 to credit. Another old identity. Captain James M'Leod, one of the oldest shipping masters of the Colony, has died of paralysis. The Chamber of Commerce have decided to recommend the Government to offer a bonus for improved plant for the dressing of Phormium tenax, and call their attention to the necessity for the protection of growing flax. They have further passed a resolution suggesting that any respectable applicant should be granted a bottle license upon similar terms to those now prevailing in Otago, empowering him to sell wine, cider, sherry or mead, in bottles, in quantities not exceeding two gallons. The Eev Father Becker, of Eotorua, has been appointed to succeed the late Father M'Donald in charge of the Maori mission, north of Auckland. The settlers of Great Barrier Island, who have bean for some time without regular communication with Auckland, have decided to ask the Government for a subsidy of .£350 per annum for a steam service. At a meeting of residents of Port Albert and tbe surrounding districts, it was resolved to recommend that any money devoted to railway extension in the North should be spent on the railway from Helensville North, and that the West coast road have the first share of money voted for roads North of Auckland. The Auckland Gas Company, at the half-yearly meeting to-day, adopted a dividend of 8s 6d per share upon paidup shares, and 4s 3d upon those partly paid up. WANGANUI, July 28. < The funeral of the late Thomas Eeidi took place to-day with Masonic honours. • There was a large attendance pf the public and of brethren of the Tongariro Lodge, E.C., and 13b Andrew Kilwinning, S.C. The entries for the forthcoming Poultry and Dog Show number close upon five hundred, and there is every prospect of a successful show. WELLINGTON, July 28. The New Zealand. Times says that Lord Onslow wishes to remain in New Zealand, and would nob accept a transfer to any other Colony. The Sydney police state that J. E. Eobinson, for whose arrest a warrant is out, did not go there by the Tarawera, as supposed. He is believed to be still in New Zealand. Mr Alex. M‘Kay, F.G.S., and assistant itt the Government Geological Department, has perfected a photographic camera and combination lens by which he has taken plates of views and objects sixteen miles distant from his lens. DUNEDIN, July 28. At the City Court, William Eevlech and Joseph Bright, sailors, were charged with assaulting the police under circumstances nearly leading to a riot, off George street, on Saturday night. The men, who were drunk, had been fighting and, as the police endeavoured to put them in a conveyance to take them to the watchhouse, the crowd rushed them, throwing stones. Some well-known citizens came to the assistance of the police, but the crowd managed to rescue Bright. They were followed to the station by a crowd of nearly 2000, hooting them all the way. Prisoners admitted drunkenness, but knew nothing of the occurrence. Both were fined £5, or a fortnight’s imprisonment. Bright was also fined £5 for fighting. In view of the disturbance on Saturday, it has been decided to have extra police supervision in the principal streets on Saturday nights in future. In giving judgment in another of the many cases brought by the agents of the “ Picturesque Atlas” Company, Mr Carew, Resident Magistrate, said if a person signed an order carelessly, without reading it, then if the document is consistent with either of the contradictory statements, he cannot say he has been fraudulently induced to sign the document. Judgment for plaintiff was given in the case.