NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10420, 19 April 1897, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Uaster Monday. 'Frisco mail gone. Races at Ellerelie today. Mission yacht for Melanesia to-day. Tasmania from Sydney this morning. Ladies' whaleboat race held on Saturday. Serious floodß with loss of life in Hawke'i Bay. A branch of the New Zealand Veterans' Association has been formed in Wanganui. A man named James Miller was killed in a mine at Clermont, Queensland, recently. The total rates collected in Hutt county during the past year amount to £5162 7s Bd. The Melbourne Trades Hall declares that the new Factories Act is being largely evaded. A Wellington man was fined £1 and costs tho other day for shooting a hare out of season. A large turtle, from the Islands, was on Saturday on view outside McEwin's restaurant, in Queen-street. The Queensland Government has landed 1000 new Martini-Enfield rifles, with which the Defence Force is to be armed. Some of the present members of the Masterton School Committee have held their seats for the past ten or twelve years. A boy named Alexander Robinson was swinging on a gate in Brisbane when it became unhinged and fell, killing him instantly. No fewer than 25 neglected children have passed through the hands of the Wellington police this month on their way to industrial schools. During the voyage of the ship Glenorchy from Puget Sound to Port Pirie (S.A.), a seaman named E. flundb was washed overboard and lost. It has been reported to the Victorian Mines Department that a discovery of coal seams has been made by means of the Calyx drill at Outtrim. * The Wellington Hospital is full just now, 172 patients being under treatment there. Of these 100 are males and 72 females, while 25 are children. The Lands Department of New South Wales has decided to assist the landowners at Norfolk Island to repair the damage done by the recent storms. The South Australian Government proposes the establishment of charity homes, and a series of festivities, in celebration of the Queen's record reign. It is stated that proceedings are to be taken against the unsuccessful candidate at the Wairarapa election for having failed to Sle particulars of his election expenses. It is said that at the next sittiug of the Waitemata Licensing Committee an application for the granting of a publican's license for the Great Barrier will be made.

News from Tanpo states that the residents of Tokaanu hare forwarded a petition to the Minister of Justice praying that Mr. W. A. league may be appointed a justice of the peace. Grass seed sown on land devastated by the late bush fires in the Wairarapa is growing rapidly, and many of the places are now presenting a beautifully green appearance. The little child of a Nelson resident which was so terribly scalded last week by falling into a tub of boiling pigs' food is better, and hopes are now being entertained that its life may be saved. The Queensland Government has appointed a board of advice under the Diseases in Plants Act, which consists of three official members and six members representing fruitgrowers and nurserymen. At the open meeting of the Theosophical Society, in the Mutual Life Buildings, Queen-street, yesterday evening, a paper was read by one of the members on " Selfcontrol." A discussion followed. Several settlers in the Wangaehu say that this year there is a very large increase in the number of wild cats in their district, and it is apparent there is a corresponding decrease in the number of rabbits. A grown-up daughter of William Birth, Macetown, fell over the rocks into the Arrow river bed, where she lay all night in the rain. She is fearfully cut and contused, but hope is entertained of her recovery. The Timaru Borough Council has revived to offer the Gas Company £22,000 for their works, to buy tbem for the municipality. In the event of the offer being declined, inquiries will be made as to water gas and electricity. One Victorian orchardist, by irrigation, has for the last two or three years been making upwards of £800 per annum, according to his own personal statement, from an area of 40 acres, 10 of which are taken up by his house and grounds, 30 only being under cultivation in vines and fruits.