LATEST Telegraphic.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 657, 26 September 1884, Page 13

LATEST Telegraphic.

(united press association. ' Auckland, September 24. The Auckland, Waifcemata, and Rimuera Bicycle Clubs purpose opening the season next week with a procession of 100 wheelmen. A representative of the Mosgiel Woollen Company is here with the view of ascertaining the possibility of obtaining a regular supply of silk cocoons from Auckland, to be used in the company’s manufactures. It is possible that an agency for their purchase, or that of reeled silk, will be established here. Counterfeit florins, iD circulation here, are so perfectly east as to deceive a practical eye. Intelligence received by mail states that the Assembly of the United Methodist. Free Church, which recently held its sitting in. Newcastle-on-Tyne, has unanimously consented to allow Free Churches in New Zealand to amalgamate with other Methodist Churches on a basis which has already secured the approval of the colony. A general conference of the Australian Wesleyan Churches, which meets in Christchurch in December next, will, it is expected, advance the proposed amalgamation another stage. Mr De Lautour delivered a lecture to-night on “ Liberalism.” The baby show, owing to crowded attendance yesterday, was continued to day and passed off successfully. Dr Cobbett gave an address to mothers. Mayor Waddell made a speech, and the Mayoress distributed the prizes. Blenheim, September 24.

At a crowded public meeting of the Blue Ribbon Union last night, Mr Steward’s Licensing Amendment Bill was denounced, and a petition to the House, specially objecting to the compensation clauses and the optional endorsements of convictions, was numerously signed. Petitions from other Marlborough centres are being signed. The Blue Ribbon Union numbers over 300 adult members, and is daily increasing. Westport, September 24. William Henderson, chief engineer of the steamer Timaru, who is missing, was last seen at midnight last night, and is supposed to have fallen into the river when getting aboard. Dunedin, September 24. Ministers have decided to discontinue the Bible classes in common schools. Mr John Duncan’s general store at Palmerston was burnt down this morning at 1.45 a.m. Nothing was saved. The building was insured in. the South British Office for £IOO, and the stock in the same office for £225. Nothing ia known as to the cause of the fire. The committee of the Chamber of Commerce will meet to-morrow to consider Sir Julius Vogel’s proposal for an extra charge on letters by the Brindisi mail. Mr Bathgate delivered a lecture to-night before the Manufacturers Association on the

necessity of a State Bauk of Issue for the colony. There was an excellent attendance. Invercargill, September 24. At a meeting of officers of the Invercargill Garrison to-night it was decided to support the suggestions made by the Oamaru officers, that the amount to be voted by Parliament to the Rifle Association should be divided between the North and South, and that the prize firing for this island take place at Timaru or Ashburton. Christchurch, September 24. Mr W. J. Fisher, a well known and respected resident here, died to-day from diabetes. He was third son of the Rev T. R. Fisher, and brother of J. Bickerton Fisher, solicitor. „ , Greymouth, September 24. Such a prolonged and almost uninterrupted period of bad weather has not been experienced here for many years. For over two months there has been a succession of heavy rainfalls and small floods in the river, one being the largest since 1872. There has been very heavy rain for the last three nights. The river today is in high flood. There is no shipping to-day, and probably there will be none tomorrow, Wanganui, September 24. Rees, for forging telegraphic despatch for money, was found guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy. He will be sentenced to-morrow, with Johnstone, the other forger. Judge Richmond stated that possibly he might have to take the case to the Court of Appeal to decide a legal point, this being the first case of the kind. Later. The criminal business closed to-day. Ihaia Tahara, for larceny from a dwelling, was acquitted, and Teraho, for the same charge, was convicted and sentenced to eighteen months’ hard labor. There is a large amount of civil business.