LATEST Telegraphic.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 780, 11 February 1887, Page 17

LATEST Telegraphic.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, February 9. The Charitable Aid Committee report .456 cases relieved during January. ’ Lieutenant Andrew, whose orders to join the Essex Regiment were countermanded, has received orders to join the second battalion of ths Devonshire Regiment (the old 11th) in India. Westport, February 9. The weather is now settled. The damage to mining by the recent gales is trifling. Greytown, February 9. The negotiations which have been going on for some time for the purchase of the Coal Pit Heath mine have been concluded by the Westport Coal Company purchasing this property. The amount of purchase money is not known.

Dunedin, February 9.

The third-elass passengers by the Rirautaka, who have been detained in quarantine since the vessel’s arrival, were admitted to pratique to-day, and landed. The Hinemoa, with the Governor, suite, and party, left thiß evening for the West Coast Sounds.

Charles T. W. Little, of this city, is the only Otago candidate for the Gilchrist Scholarship. The case which was brought against Liston, proprietor of the Douglas Hotel, for the recovery of £35, alleged to have been lost at hia hotel by a laborer named Donoghue, has been withdrawn, the publicity given to the matter having resulted in the recovery of the money, which had been picked up and advertised at the Caledonian sports. Probably Donoghue will be prosecuted for perjury, as he stated that he missed the money on leaving the hotel in the morning, whereas, from where the notes were found, he must have had them at a later period of the day. Donoghue was adjudged to pay £l2 costs. The Benevolent Committee, with a view to economising, have reduced the allowance of tobacco to the inmates by one-half. Marton, February 9. Messrs Stevens and Gorton’s ram and sheep fair at Bulls yesterday, contrary to expectations, proved very successful. Over 200 pure-bred Lincoln and Romney rams and 10,400 sheep were yarded. The prices for rams ranged from one to nine guineas, and sheep were disposed of at an advance on ruling rates. There was a good attendance of buyers from all parts of the coast. Timaru, February 9.

Re the accident to the barque Norman McLeod, the captain of the vessel stated that no blame was attributable to anyone, or to any defects in the appliances of the port. The sudden shift of wind caused the accident, which might have occurred in any port of New Zealand. At a meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Board, Dr Drew’s resignation as resident surgeon was accepted, with many expressions of regret. The doctor proposes to start private practice. Auckland, February 9. The steam laundry burned down last night was insured by Mr Peters in the South British for L3OO. The origin of the fire is a mystery.

The Devonport Tramway Company is to bo wound up The seamen’s strike appears to have been dropped quietly. The Union do not consider it necessary to take any further action so long as the Glenelg is laid up. Major-General Sir Geo. Whitmore held a meeting of Volunteer officers to-day. He explained that, in consequenceof the unexpected cost of transport, the project of conveying Auckland Volunteers to the Easter Review at Taranaki had been abandoned. It was arranged, however, that in lieu thereof an encampment should take place in the vicinity of Auckland during four days at Easter. The siege of the Shamrock Hotel has ended. Urquhart, the licensee, having been adjudicated a bankrupt, he surrendered to the Official Assignee this morning, having held the hotel, against twelve attempts to capture it, since Thursday night last. Wanganui, February 9.

The Wanganui Rowing Club last night unanimously decided not to adopt the Star Boating Club’s definition of an amateur oarsman so far as the retrospective limit was concerned, but adhered to the previous resolution that an amateur should be one who has not rowed for profit since the Ist October, 1886. The material for the New Zealand Rifle Association meeting is being shipped to-day for Christchurch. Captain Somerville leaves to-morrow. Feasy, driver of the train which ran past the crossing place at the Terrace end, PalmerstoD, a few days ago, ha 9 been reduced to the position of fireman.