TELEGRAMS.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 9779, 12 January 1901, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

"WELLINGTON. January 11, The new railway regulations gazetted yesterday' providing for admission by ticket only (except as regards travellers) to railway stations a quarter of an hour before and after the arrival or departure of trains is only tob6 put in force when occasion requires. As Mr Napier Bell cannot come to Now Zealand to take a seat on the Midland Commission till next month, the Acting-Premier, has decided that work be done entirely by Messrs .i. Morrison, Hudson and Back. He has suggested that the Commission should begin its sittings on the 25th inst., in Wellington. The returns received by the Government loave no doubt that Hone Hekehas been re-elected for tho Northern Maori seat by a considerable majority. Tho Deputy-Governor has cabled to the Governor-General of Australia oxpressing regret at Sic J, B, Dickson's death, and the Acting-Premier has sent a message of sympathy to Lady Dickson.

Finding that the present general post office buildings are now too restricted, the Government have decided to purchase the whole of the remaining property on the block, now partly occupied by the post office, with a view to making a considerable extension. . The acting Premier has sent a cable through the deputy Governor to the Secretary of State for the Colonies asking 'that a reply be sent to the request that the Imperial troops now in Australia shall he allowed to visit New Zealand. Mr Ward points out that there is a great desire on the part of the people of the colony that the British troops should come here. He has received messages from all parts of the colony urging him to press the matter upon the authorities in London,

GISBO6NE. January 11. Gisborne won the bowling championship with 10 wins, having beaten Ponsonby in the eleventh round, John Andrew, aged 75, died this afternoon. He arrived in the colony in the Egmont half a century ago. He claimed that he held the piok that strnck the first gold in the famous Moanatairi and Caledonian Mines at the Thames.

While the men wore excavatiug on the Gisborne-Karaka line they unearthed what has been pronounced to be a portion of the foot of a moa." Up to dark there was no sign of the missing vessel Grace Harwar. The report of her being sighted making for Gisborne lacks confirmation. '

NEW PLYMOUTH. January 11. Mr Stanford, 'S.M., gave judgment this morning in the case in which the tollgate-keeper proceeded against oue Rawlings for evading toll by leaving the main road within 300 yards of the gate, 'I he information was dismissed i on technical grounds. .

• AUCKLAND. January 11. At the City Council a letter was read in reference to rating on unimproved values, stating that a requisition had been signed by considerably oyer 15 per cent of the ratepayers requesting thai) a poll on the question be! taken. When the matter was before the Council some weeks back the opinion was expressed that it was expedient that notice should be sent to each ratepayer, setting forth the rates each ratepayer at present pays under tho property rating, and what he would pay under the land value rating ; as a maximum. The time "allowed by law between the presentation of the petition and'taking the poll .will possibly be insufficient to enable the Council's officers to perform the clerking work and leave time for the ratepayers to inquire into the matter,, Before noting the lettor, it was suggested that the Council should immediately authorigo the pre-? sontation of said notioes, in the meanwhile the petition to be held back, The Mayor said it was a question whether the office snould be burdened by this work, and whether under the new Act the cost of supplying; the information could be legally; charged.: Tho letter was referred to tho Legal Committee to consider. the Council's: position in the matter. Titi PtimitiYt 1

commeucod its sittings to-day, when there were 55 delegate present, The Rov. W. 8. Potter was oleotecl president, Mr J; 0, Thompson Eoiiding) vicepresident, and the Pev. E. Drake secretary. A. great deal of routine work was dono iu the oveniug. The oxpresident (licv. I'aines Cocker, Wanganui) delivered a retiring address, and tlio newly-elected president was publicly; installed. The following is the Hist reading of stations; Now Plymonth, J. Nixon; Wellington(l), 6.H. Mann, W. J. tiean. and J. L'uinbell; Sup. Wellington (2, J, Dewson, l f . Hall; uckland (1), W. Laycock, H. Williams, B. Dudley; • uckland (2), W. S. Cotter; Invercargill, T. H. -Lyon; Timaru, W. E. Woodard; Thames, E. Drake; Greendale, P, J, Cossum; Christchurch, 0. E. Ward; Ashbiirton, R.Raine; Feilding, S. Henderson, P. W. Jones, and one to bo obtained; Geraldine, •!. Sharp; Dnnedin, J. Guy, J, Southern, W« Woollams, J, Featherstone; Halcombe, S. Bariiett; South Invercargill, .T, H. Py.hus; Stratford andEltliam, J, Claver, G. P, Hunt; Waimate and Oamaru, one to be .obtained; Westport and Denniston, •), A, Merrett and one to be obtained; Hunterville, Mr T. B. Wooloxall (home missionary); Bluff, P. W. Boys; Waihi, J. Clement; Wanganui, J, Cocker.,

A highly respected citizen named David Nolan died shortly before noon to-day, He had been suffering latterly from an affection of the spine, which ultimately caused his death. He cams to Auckland from Sydney over 30 years ago, and for fully a quarter of a century he was connected' with the cattle trade. Deceased was 72 years of age. The ketch which went ashore at Te Aral proved to be tlie Lizette. The vessel missed stays while working close in shore against a strong northerly wind, and was driven hard'upon thebeaoh. Beyond owrying'away her rudder, how ever,'the ketch suffered no damage, and the crew landed in safety, affcor vainly endeavoring to get tho vessel oil the beach. The s.s. Durham will leave for the scene of the accident to-night.

CHRISTOHUROH,

January 11. Dr Mason had an interview with the Mayor with reference to the supposed case of leprosy, and said that there was not the slightest danger to public health. He, however, recommendod that the case should lie isolated and a professional nurse engaged. The question arose as to the responsibility of the City Council to undertake the work, and the Vayor promised to consider the matter and.commuuicate with.Dr Mason as soon as possible,' The New Zealand Swimming Association has selected Malcolm E, Champion to compete in tho swimming championships, to be held in Melbourne this month. Ho is coming down from Wellington to Christchurch to finish hia training here.

At Lyfcfceltou to-day William J, Kinley, T. Clark, and G. Haydenwere committed for trial on a charge of wilfully damaging to the extent of L7O tho Ferris wheel property of J. Stewart, ofPetone. The wheel had been erected in readiness for regatta day, and the damage was done late on New . Year's ove,

A number of bowlers have arrived for the tournament, whioh opens here on Monday. Tho Lyfctelton Times has the following : " A very unpleasant rumor was in circulation yesterday afternoon concerning a gentleman having a high official position in Christchurch. It is alleged ; that ho left Ohristchurch two or three weeks ago for Australia, and on arrival thora was joined by a married lady very / much less his junior, who is well known in local society, and who has .been, spending the Christmas: holidays in Mel- - bourno and Sydney. 'I he gentleman has left a wife and family behind him, and it is reported has witton to his solicitors stating that he has no intention of returning to New Zealand or ol opposing any proceedings the husband of his present companion may take to , 3ecure a divorce,"

A meeting of the Canterbury Memorial Committee My reported that the celebration funds showed a balance ol over LBOO for the memorial. Correspondence was read from Mr F.,J. Williamson, an English sculptor, and it was decided that the Finance Committee be recommended'to order, by cable Mr Williamson's enlarged statue of the Queen in a standing position, to cost 700gs, f.o.b London; also a red granito polished pedestal, and that the reliefs be ordered when sufficient funds are available The site for the memorial has not yet been decided upon. A meeting of delegates of the master plumbers of New Zealand was held here this week, at which representatives were present from Wellington, Dunedin, Ashburton, Hokitika, Invercargill and Ohristchurch, The plumbers of Napier, Wanganui, Milton and Gore apologised for not being represented, and expressed sympathy with the object of the meet* ing for the foundation of a national association.' It was unanimously agreed that it is desirable to form a federated association of master plumbers of New Zealand. The. following officers were eloeted: President, J, M. Tayler (Christ* ■ church); vice-president, J. D, Colville (Ohristchurch); secretary, A, U. Brad* ley; treasurer, T, Danks, _ The follow v ing provincial vice-presidents were • elected: T, Christie (Dunedin): E.G. Spiers. (Invercargill) j ,F. 0,. Foothead (Wellington); J. ,W. Hardley (Ashburton), and W, Heinz (Hokitika). It was resolved that the executive be chosen from the Ohristchurch mombers for the next twelve months. Each year they will, betaken from the different centres. ; The'fiftieth anniversary of the first publication of the Lytteltou Times wis. celebrated to-day, when the paper came out with'an issue appropriate, to the. occasion, During the day the editor reI ceived) congratulatory telegrams from . the PremieivPostmMter-Gineral, Minis* : ter of 1 abor, and editors of all the lead* ing journals in. the \colony. : vThis event' ing the premises'of the Lyttelton Times Company were brilliantly., illuminated,' and to-morrow evening the proprietor .will entertain the members of thestaif, numbering abont 200, at a banquet..