NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8483, 6 February 1891, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Heavy day at the R.M. Court yesterday. Adjourned annual meeting of Harbour Board to-day. ■ New Zealand Amateur Athletic Sports in the Domain to-day. Robert Kurtz was again brought before Dr. Giles, yesterday, and remanded. ■ Morrin and Co.'s tenders for waterworks supplies accepted by the City Council. Mr. George Kent, Mayor of Newmarket, was a visitor at the City Council last night. The City Engineer is instructed to report on the erection of public urinals in Newton. An extension of drainage in Carlton Gore Road was authorised last night by the City Council. Mr. R. S. Hawkins, of Wellington, was yesterday admitted by Justice Williams, at Dnnedin, as barrister and solicitor. Not so very long ago, Mr. Edison, the inventor of the phonograph, sold nuts, oranges, and newspapers for a living. That there is a great demand for .-heep at the present time in Auckland is shown by the results of the two fairs just held. The proceeds of the benefit given by Miss Amy Vaughan's company for the Huntly disaster fund, amount to £33, not £50, as reported. The question of the establishment of a new mortuary is again postponed, pending a definite offer of a site from the Harbour Board.

The Minister of Mines will pay a visit on Wednesday next to the Mahakipawa goldfield, returning to Wellington at the end of the weak. A Lincoln ram sold yesterday at . Messrs. Hunter and Nolan's sheep fair, at Green Lane, realised £14 10s. It was bred by Mr. Robert Hall. Employers, Trades and Labour Council, and Knights of Labour, meet on Monday, to take preliminary steps to form a Board of Conciliation. Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals complain that many of the complaints made to them arise out of personal feeling, and are not substantiated. An infant child, Arthur Raymond Ash by, was found dead in bed on Wednesday, in Nelson-street. The jury found that the cause of death was general debility. The City Council has replied to the Trades and Labour Council that the present system of slaughterhouses is preferable to a Government establishment.

Residents in the vicinity of Wellington and Beresford-streets complain sadly of the bad drain ape in the gully between the streets, and of the nuisance caused by decaying rubbish. Michael Kelly, a native of Mugherafelfc, County Derry, Ireland, about 2(5 years of age, drowned himself in the Murrumbidgee, New Seuth Wales, while suffering from religious mania. The new Wesleyan Church just erected at Gisborne at a cost of £1-10 was opened yesterday, the services being conducted by Revs. E. Ward (pastor of the church), Ryburn, and Beeeroft. The question ef the liability of the insurance companies or the Harbour Board, re the fire on board the Leading Wind, was discussed at the City Council last night, and referred to a committee.

Mr. Clement Wragge, the Queensland Government Astronomer, returned to Sydney by the steamer Waroonga, after having established meteorological stations at Noumea and the New Hebrides.

The Wanganui Agricultural and Pastoral Association's autumn show opened yesterday. ' The exhibits number some -20. including an excellent show of horses and live stock. The weather was splendid. Two gentlemen in the service of the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. are at present going over the country between Lismore and the Tweed, New South Wales, to report on its suitableness for growing sugarcane.

Some of the small bridges on the road between Matakana and Mahurangi, near the former township, are in need of approaches, which would cost very little, and would prevent much damage to vehicles.

At a Cabinet meeting held in Melbourne it was arranged that Mr. Shiels should accompany the Premier to Sydney at the time of the Federation Convention, to give advice as to the legal technicalities which may have to be dealt with. The Queensland Railway Employes As-sociation-have lately been taking a ballot as to whether or not they should federate with the railway unions of the other colonies. The Brisbane branch, it is stated, passed a resolution by a large majority for federation.

An accidental mistake was made in our issue of yesterday, in stating that the annual meeting of the Auckland Institute was to be held on Monday next. It should have read Monday, the 16th instant, as will be seen by referring to the advertisement in the same issue.

A wedding took place yesterday, at the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, which excited some interest, namely, that of Mr. Harry Wilson, eldest son of Mr. W. S. Wilson (of the firm of Wilsons and Horton), to Miss M. M. Best, daughter of the Rev. E. Best. The bridesmaids *>-ere the four sisters of the bride, and tea groomsman Mr. W. Wilson, jun. M-. and Mrs. Wilson have left for the Southern lakes on their marriage tour. The new parcels post per mail train, shortly to be introduced by the Railway Commissioners of New South Wales .will be a practical commencement of the zone system of railway management. The new arrangement will operate with special effect over inland districts, 30, 40, and 50 miles apart. This will develop a trade interchange wholly independent of the metropolis. '