NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7827, 22 December 1886, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The population of Tasmania is estimated at over 130,000. A telephone exchange is to be established in Gisborne. The Maoris at Wanganui drew £600 for wool within a few days. A sharp frost was experienced In Christchurch on December 14. The Federal Council will probably meet in Hobart about 25th January next. A boy named Herd has died In Gisborne from eating green gooseberries. It is said that to hang clear glass bottles on cherry trees frightens the birds. The South Australian Government have decided to ereoS a telegraph line direct to Teetulpa at onoo. It was advertised at Napier, previous to the arrival ef the Hauroto, that there were no berths available. Since the Ist July last 27 bankruptcies have been recorded at the Official Assignee's office In Wellington. The Rev. J. and Mrs. Mountain, evangelists, from London, have commenced a nine days' mission in Dunedin. The promotion of Sir G. S. Whitmore to be a General is generally condemned by the Press throughout the colony. There was great briskness at the wharf yesterday. Many ships in, and hurrying up to get discharged for Christmas. The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse sent £10 to be devoted to a Christmas treat to the patients of the Wellington Asylum. Mr. James Lorimer, M.L.C., has accepted a seat on the local board of directors, in Victoria, of the Bank of New South Wales. The annual report of the Wellington branoh of the Girls' Friendly Society, under the presidency of Lady Jervois, has just been published. Siguor Simonetti will probably be asked to prepare a marble bust of the new Chief Justice of N.S.W., to be plaoedin the Legislative Council Chamber, Mr. W. L. Jack, manager of the Colonial Mutual Fire Insurance Company, has returned to Australia from Europe. Mr. Jaok'e health is much improved. The Bruce (Otago) Herald of the 14th says " For the last day or two the weather has been all that could be wished by those who appreciate polar severity." For the Christmas feasting to be given to Te Kooti and party at Parangahau, the Maoris have engaged European cooks, the chief of whom receives 30s per day. A young married woman named Albertlna Jeffrey, «aid to have been a member of the Salvation Army, walked deliberately into the river at Wagga Wagga, and was drowned. The Sydney Seamen's Union has appointed a deputation to ask the Colonial Secretary for a special commission to inquire into recent shipping disasters on the N.S. W coast. At the rate things are going, in a few years the annual rates collected in the Borough of Oamaru will represent au amount equivalent to the assessed values of the properties. _ , It is understood that the Attorney-General does not intend to proceed any further with the charge of manslaughter against Captain Webber in connection frith the unfortunate wreok of the Ly-ee-moon. A ballot was taken in the Feilding Borough Counoilthe other night to deoide what defaulters should be sued for unpaid rates. Among 60 drawn were the names of the Duke of Manchester and Lady Feilding. The Perpetual Trustee Company has been formed in Sydney, and the following gentlemen have been elected direotorsMessrs. J. R. Fairfax, Henry Austin, R, Jones, iun., J. M, Purves, J. R. Street, and E. Viokery.