NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7920, 12 April 1887, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Capital day'a racing yesterday. The volunteers returned last night. Oatmeal mills are baiug erected iu Oamaru by Mr, Bruce. The Californian thistle is becoming common iu Canterbury. "lolanthe" was produced in Christchurch last night, and was a brilliant success. Mr. Baknene'a death makes the twelfth vacanoy iu Parliament since the commencement of last session. A notice appears in a New Zealand Gazette of March 31, extending the boundaries of the borough of Devonport. A tishing party on board the steamer Chelmsford caught over 800 schnapper iu the course of a few hours. Section 70, parish of Tahawai, Katikati Survey District, containing one acre, has been reserved as a school site. An Aramoho man haa seut sixpence to tho Wanganui Post Office as a contribution towards the Imperial Inatitate. A school of cookery is to be established in Duncdin by Mrs. Macpherton, formerly of the Edinburgh School of Cookery. The Chamber of Comnieroe of Dunedin and the Harbour Board are discussing how the port charges may bo reduced. The teDts of the volunteer camp on tho rising ground in front of the Lake could b eeen from the higher streets of Auckland. The Sydney Ministerial Union has circu> lated a petition throughout Sydney in favour of opening the sittings of Parliament with prayer. Tne whole question of tho present state of the law in reference to friendly societies is to receive the early consideration of tho New South Wales Government. Fred. W. Millis, the Australian ventriloquist, who performed in Auckland two or three years ago, is at present appearing in New York v?ith great success, Rev. Mr. Fitchett, a Dunedin clergyman, says the volunteer display in Auckland on Good Friday " was simply due to grossness of feeling, and want of good taate." Tho direotors of the Southern Cross Petroleum Company report that at the date of the Ictest advices from their works the depth of the bore was 1763 feet, with indications as before. In our correspondence column Sir William Fox writes on the opinion given by Mr. Grant Allen on the liquor law of Canada, and Mr, A. Campbell deals with Mr. Dowie and healing. Mr. James Spence offered speoial prizes at the JKaiapoi grain and produce show for the best dish ot fancy butter, design and quality to be considered, the exhibits to be made by single ladies. At the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. A. G. Horton and Superintendent Thomson, J.P.'s, the following persons were fined 5s and costs, or 24 hours' imprisonment, for drunkenness : William Rollinsou, Eliza Rice, Richard Irwin, M. Johanaen, and John Wilson. Mr. F, W. Pennefather, formerly private eecretary to His Excellency the Governor, made his first appearance in the Resident Magistrate's Court, Wellington, a few days ago in the capacity of a solicitor, as counsel for the defence in a civil case. The introduction of elementary botany into the syllabus of tne oidioary district schools was suggested in a paper read by Mr. G. M. Thomson before a meeting of teachers at Dunrain a few days ago. Be proposed that it should take the place of history. At the Taranaki Easter encampment, in order to attract ajarge attendance of ladies to the church parades in camp on Sunday, every study was made for their comfort whiie attending the services. Seats were provided for the ladies. Onr Volunteers did not think of such a thing. The resources of the Government in the way of tents were strained, owing to there being three volunteer encampments at once. A Taranaki newspaper says that the men at their encampment had the preference, as theirs wa3 the principal, and was patronised by the only Major-Geueral.. It is stated tnafc a warrant has been issued in Victoria for the arrest of Luecombe Searelle, a musician, and composer of "E3trella" and other comic operas, on a charge of fraudulent insolvency in t<ydney. Searelle is believed to have sailed for Europe in the Messageriea steamer Sydney. OPOTIKI TOWN DISTRICT BOARD. ■» The monthly meeting was held in the Board, room, on Tuesday, March 15. Present: Mem*. R. Wright (Chairman), H. G. Walmsley, L. P. Dugleaur, ai.i Alfred Parkinson. Replies to last month's correspondence were read, discussed, and adopted. A letter was received from the Minister of Mines replying to the Board's application through Mr. Grace for a grant for prospecting purposes, and stating that a subsidy not exceeding £50 is granted, provided that the Board complies with the prospecting regulations aa gazetted. A letter was received from Messrs. Abbot and White, asking for permission to erect a verandah in front of their premises in Church-street, and also asking the Board to have a portion of the footpath made good,and metalledat the sameplace. Resolved. " That permission be granted to Messrs. Abbott and White to erect a verandah on the usual conditions, and that the question of the filling in of che footpath be referred to the Satiaoe Committee." Mr. H. G. Walmsley appled for permission to erect a hitching bar in front of his premises in Church-street. Permission granted. An application was received from Mr. Chaa. Connelly applying to be allowed to lea3e the Victoria reserve. Resolved, "That the Board having no power to grant the ssme, caDnot comply •with the request." A letter was received from the Colonial Treasurer having reference to the Board's application for a loan of £300. BtatiDg that the ratepayers, having rejected eeveral proposals for loans, the Colonial Treasurer is now in a position to consider the Board's application ; but that the erection of b grain Etoro on the wharf does not come within the worke for which he can grant a loan. Mr. Walmsley proposed, Mr. L. P. Dugleaux seconded, "That the clerk be instructed to ascertain the approximate coat of laying on a water-main from the upper portion of the Otara River sufficient to give a conetant supply to the township, and that, if the estimate does not exceed £300, immediate steps be taken to effect a can under the Government Loans to Local Bodies 'Act for this purpose." Carried. Resolved that a reply be sent to Mr. L. M. Jrace, M.H.R., acknowledging the receipt of his letter re application for a grant for prospecting purposes, and acquainting him Df the successful result, and thanking him for his trouble in this matter ; also to remind him of the other busineus brought before him during his recent vieit here, viz,, the delivery of letters within the township, end other matters. Reaolved that if the arrears of wharf dues be not paid by twelve noon to-morrow that the secretary terminate the contract, and take possession of the wharvea, and call for tenders for a fresh contract, and call a special meeting i>o receive and consider the same. Meßsrs. Dugleaux and Alf. Parkinson were appointed as a surfaco committee for the current month. Resolved that the clerk ascertain the probable cost and maintenance of six lamps iu certain public places indicated by the Board. The hour being unusually late, and rcuch business remaining unfinished, the chairman formally adjournad the meeting until ten o'clock next day at the clerk's office. The adjourned meeting of the Opotiki Town Board was held aS the clerk's office on Wednesday, Maroh 16. Present : Messrs. \Valmsley, .Wright, and A. Parkinson (Mr. Wright in the chair). The regulations for aid to prospecting and payment of rewards for discovery of new goldfiekls were read over, and discussed at considerable length. Resolved, " That a telegram be sent to the Minister of Mines, asking whether these regulations apply to town districts." The following accounts were received :—C. Hennessey, February surf ace work, £414 a ;J. C. Arthur, painting life buoys, 16s; S. Bates, advertising by-laws, £'A 2e 6d. These were passed for payment. Kesolved, "That Mr. Wright be elected chairman pro tern, with authority to sign cheques on behalf of the Board, in conjunction v/ith Mr. Walmsley as treasurer, and Mr. Alfred Parkinson as •member, and that a notification to that effect be sent to the bank." Resolved, " That the olerk instruct the returning officer to call for nominations to till the extraordinary vacancy pn the Board."—fOwn Correspondent.]