NEWS IS BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8926, 15 December 1887, Page 6

NEWS IS BRIEF.

Calliope dock to be opened. Men.of-war beginning to drop In for Christmas. , The oratorio of "St. Paul" is to be performed at Christchurch in Christmas week. . A trout weighing 141 bs, caught in the Lower Selwyn, was on exhibition in Christchurch the other day. A number of shopkeepers in Queen-street yeuterday put up shutters on account of the death of Mr F. H. Lewisson. The "Herd Laddie" played 33 games at Sawyers' Bay, near Dunedin, winning them all with the exception of two draws. The captain and officers of H.M.s. Raven were invited to dine at Bellamy in return for civilities to members visiting the ship. ; This afternoon, at three o'clock, the distribution of prizes for the Girls' High Sohool will take place at the Choral Hall. Prizes for athletic* will be distributed at tho same time. Whilst playing tennis in the Parliament grounds a few days ago, Mr. O'Callaghao, the member for Lincoln, slipped and sustained a severe strain of the chief tendon of his left leg. Rules and regulations have been prepared and gazetted for winding-up companies in the Supreme Court. These rules appear in the New Zealand Gazette of the Bth of December. Wo hope that the large number of passengers by the Te Anau means that the tourists' season has commenced. List season was a very poor one in that respect, but we hope for better things this year. The bulk of the tourists, however, do not stir from home till after Christmas. The insurance companies in Wellington have recently appointed an inspector to make himself thoroughly familiar with the construction of all insured buildings, or others in the same blocks as insured buildings, and to take steps to prevent the accumulation of inflammable rubbish or material in back yards and similar places. In answer to a correspondent, we may state that Mr. R. Haggard, the author of "She," is an Englishman, and not an American; that the New Zealand Civil Service Examinations are held twice a year, and that full information respecting them can be obtained from Mr. C. C. N. Barron, the Secretary, at Wellington. Daring the month of November the following estates of deceased persons in Auckland have been placed under the charge of the Public Trustee :—M. Brennan, Auckland, estimated value of personal estate, £2 ; Emma Field. Auckland, £1S ; George Horan, Otamatata, £10 ; George Makin, Auckland, £2; Hugh Morton, Whangarei, £16.