NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7364, 26 June 1885, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The volunteers at ISapier are endeavouring to obtain a drill-shed. r f ... ■ : ' 5 Lieut, -Colonel Stapp has not beeii in good health for some time past. ' •' -• • v.;t- v At Christchuroh »few days ago, there was a concert in aid of tho ; funds of the Jewish Synagogue.' ' 1 A Wellington' paper beads an article on the new tariff i with the ' words, 4 ' The • Taskmaster's Rod." The Wanganui Herald, Mr. Ballance's paper, is the only one we have seen which approves of the Financial Statement. Mr, Lanigan han been enabled to make good progress with the Dock at Calliope Point, having had very little interruption from the weather.

We hear that Colonel McDonnell is to have the decoration of the New Zealand Cross conferred upon him, for the many times he has risked his life in defence of the colony. v , The Taranaki Herald says J that it is understood' that all arrangements are completed in connection with the direct steamer from New Plymouth" to Sydney,' arid that' she will commence running as soon as the railway to the port is completed, • ;• ' ; The Rev. Mr; Coffey has written a letter to the Wellington Hospital Committee drawing their attention to the fact that Bome of the religious visitors were interfering with patients not belonging to their denominations.

Mr. Edward Drury, who was first at the late fire in Queen-street with Constable Christie, writes to say that the constable aoted promptly and discreetly. Mr. Drury says that when the fire was first seen it was far beyond the power of any hand grenade to extinguish. .At the meeting of the City Counoil last night the Mayor apologised for the absence of Councillor Aiokin, who has not yet sufficiently recovered from his reoont illness to venture out to .a night meeting. He was, however, improving, and hoped to be able to attend the next meeting. ;* - There were three prisoners in the lock-up last nighttwo for drunkenness, and Joseph Welling for vagrancy. With regard to the latter prisoner, > Mr. Gillespie,' caretaker of Government House, discovered him in the stables in Government House grounds at ten o'clock p.m., where he-had prepared to make himself comfortable for the night.