NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11149, 23 August 1899, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

JFioxa arrived from Fiji. Suez mail arrives to-day. Elingamite left for the South. The body of an infant, with its skull fractared, was found in the wardrobe of a house in Melbourne. The Tasmanian Tourists' Association is making great exertions to induce visitors to come to the island this summer. A peculiar disease is prevalent among cattle near Kiandra. The animals are attacked in the legs, and soon lose the use of them, succumbing in a few days. The Marine Department has issued _ new reflations concerning gangways and lights on vessels lying alongside wharves. A copy of the regulation was received by the Harbour Board yesterday. The new steel viaduct which spans the Kopua at Makotuku was commenced in 1897. Its length is 422 ft (four spans of 60ft, three Spans of 30ft, two spans of 33ft, two spans of 13ft). Its height above the bed of the stream is 95ft, and its cost was £6684 The Ballarat Courier records that the maker and hoister of the flag that flew above the Eureka Stockade on that fateful Sunday in December, 1854. when the diggers came into conflict with the authorities-Mr. Wm A. G. Fraser— a few days ago, aged 77

y& The Wellington Benevolent Institution Trustees, at their meeting, decided to appeal against the decision of Mr. W. R. Haselden, S.M., in the civil action in which Mr. A. H. Harbottle secured a verdict in regard to extras in connection with tho building of additions to the Oliiro Home. The tender of Mr. R. White, £1574, for the construction of the proposed wharf at Brick Bay. has been accepted by the Harbour Board. Three tenders were received, and they were so close that there was only £26 difference between the highest and lowest. The estimate of the foreman of works for the wharf was £1700. A lad named Ernest Ward was before the C'oburg (Melbourne) Bench last week, charged with having tried, in a violent access of temper, to cut his way with an axe into a bedroom in which his mother and sister were hiding from his wrath. He was •warned and discharged on his father undertaking to place him under strict discipline in the country. It is the intention of the railway authorities to ran dining cars, similar to those in use on the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company's line, on the line between Christchurch and Dunedin, and cars are now being constructed at the Addington workshops. The Department is endeavouring to Lave the arrangements completed so that the cars will be running and in use foi the Christmas holidays. The settlers in the Sterling Block, in the Eketahuna district, are clamouring for the erection of a bridge over the Mangatainoko River. The Public Works Department recentlv despatched one of its staff (Mr. Holmes) to the spot to make a rough survey, and lie has estimated that the cost of a bridge will be over £1000. _ The Government has expressed its willingness to assist with a vote of £300. In order to check the waste of water which goes on day and night in many parts of Wellington,"the City Council has decided to appoint a practical plumber, with experience of waterworks fittings, at a salary of £150 a year, to make a systematic inspection of all buildings, and it may be assumed (says the Post) that proceedings will be taken against householders, if after receiving due warning they do not take steps to conserve the water supplied to their premises. I The Foxton Herald reports that an incident that caused amusement to several occurred at the Shannon station recently. The driver of the morning train to Wellington would not start his engine, asserting that he had not seen the guard's signal. The guard asserted that he had given it, and as he felt that a repetition was too much to expect, the passengers had moro time to look at the scenery. It is understood that the stationmuster despatched the train.