NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8929, 19 December 1887, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

[own correspondent,]

CHiJlStchurch, Saturday. The fourth and last of the series of entertainments by the Greenwoods took place last night at the Theatre Royal before a large and appreciative audience, who were so satisfied that they encored nearly every item, [press association.]

Napier, Satvrday. There are six prisoners 'at the criminal sessions charged with forgery, horse-stealing, and criminal libel. The Chief Justice, in his charge, said that with the increase of education, forgery cases were also increasing. It was a pity men did not put their education to a better use. Both Maori and European charges of horse-stealing were also on the increase. When men wanted a drink, and a horse was handy in a paddock, the animal was stolen, and, unfortunately, there was no difficulty in disposing of it, for, from medical practitioners to barmen in publichouses, anyone would purchase. At the Compensation Court, J. N. Wil* liams was awarded £500 for land taken by the Minister for Public Works at Hasting! for station purposes. Wellington, Saturday. A deputation which waited on the Fire Underwriters Association, urging reduction of insurance rates, have received a reply that the associations are unable to make any reduction in the existing rates. Gkeymopth, Sunday. The coal export for the week is 2583 tons.' Reefton Returns : Globe, 1620z amalgam from 290 tons ; Dark. lOloz amalgam for tho week; Welcome, BS3oz from 64 tons fiery 2610z for the week.

At the sale of the Nelson Education lease, Cobden, on Saturday, prices ranged from £2 10s per annum; and a block of five acres at the back of the township, £5; leases for 21 years. • t. - The racing privileges for the forthcoming Greymouth races realised £204. The highest tender for the right of games on the course was £65 7s 6d ; cards of races, £23 ; the two principal booths, £42 each. Work on the Midland Railway is now very Black. Brown's contract; is not far , from completion. O'Connor and Price's is completed, and they are now merely engaged on extras. All the other earthwork contracts are done, and the men are gone, Therejs not the slightest word of any new contracts being let, and it is understood that the company wil, make a considerable reduction in the staff.

The weather is remarkably fine, and thbar very good.

Christchurch, Saturday. A five - roomed house at Southbridge, owned and occupied by Mr. John Christie, was burned last night. The home was insured in the Equitable for £150. The furs niture, which was ail destroyed, was insured in the New Zealand for £20.