AUCKLAND NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11446, 8 December 1897, Page 6

AUCKLAND NEWS.

[Pbb Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, Dec. 7.

At the adjourned inquest on an incipient fire discovered in J. Coster’s chemist’s shop at Waihi, lately, the jury returned the following verdict—" That the fire originated in a waste-paper box under the counter, but there is not the slightest evidence to show how the fire originated, nor anything to connect James Coster with the matter.” At. a. meeting of the Waikato Farmers’ Club, aletter from the Premier, regarding the-bonus on sugar from beet, was read. He said that the Government had made certain proposals, and he feared it could not give more; in fact, the feeling was to reduce the amount promised. A letter from Messrs Lewenberg and Harvey, of a sugar beet syndicate, Auckland, also was read, stating that the representative of capitalists, with an engineer, was now on his'way out from Europe to confer regarding establishing the industry. They asked for an assurance of the loyalty of the club and district to their syndicate. The President said that the club had already refused to identify itself with any syndicate in particular, but would help any who came along. It was resolved to reply that the club will be pleased to give the persons indicated by Messrs Lewenberg and Harvey any information it possessed, and, in the meantime, is doing all it can with Parliament .to establish the industry. It was decided to send the following telegram to the Premier: —“ At a full meeting of the Waikato Farmers’ Club, a paper on beetroot sugar was read and highly appreciated. It was unanimously, resolved that, in the interests of the district, you should be urged to immediately introduce the Government Beet Sugar Bill and pass the same this session, and so save delay.”