TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 867, 12 October 1888, Page 26

TELEGRAPHIC.

.(per press association.) Wanganui, October 4. Captain Sommerville has received a telegram from the secretary of the Victorian Rifle Association to the effect that the New .Zealand competitors have been granted free railway passes. Woodville, October 4. The Woodville Cheese and Bacon Factory, which cost £I6OO, has been sold to a local proprietary for £7OO. Marton, October 4. Mr Bruce, M.H.R., addressed a large meeting of electors here last night, and got a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. Greymouth, October 4. The trustees of the Catholic Church intend to apply to the Supreme Court to have the award in the recent arbitration case set aside. The grounds are not stated. Christchurch, October 4. At a meeting of the Committee of the Canterbury Rowing jClub, held last night, it was decided to request the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association to nominate the following crew to row in theinter-colonial four-oared race, on the Parramatta River, early in December A. L. Smith (stroke), Canterbury Rowing Club; H. F. Nicholl (3), Canterbury Rowing Club ; F. A. Styche (2), Napier Rowing Club; E. M. Boulton (bow), Canterbury Rowing Club. The crew will at once get into practice, under the coaching of Mr C. H. Tripp. Bluer, October 4.

A man named Johnson, formerly fireman on the steamer Bayley, was found drowned here this morning. It is supposed that ceased lost his way, and wandering on the beach fell off the rooks into the water, his body being found at high-water mark. Masterton, October 4.

A fonr-roomed house and its contents, owned by Mr Collins, Kurupuni, and insured in the New Zealand office for £IOO and £3O respectively, was destroyed this mornTimaru, October 4.

A north-west gale sprang up about 2 a.m., and blew with great force from time to tune till daylight. Two or three cottages had the iron stripped off their roofs ; the roof of the Baptist church was stripped on one side ; a number of blue-gums were blown down ; and Botne sheds attached to Miles, Archer and Co.’s store were partly wrecked. The greatest damage, however, was done at Bruce’s oatmeal mills, a narrow six-storied building of wood. This stood broadside to the gale, and the framing of the second story giving way, the four upper stories were carried forward four feet, their floors remaining horizontal. Hopes and chains have been fixed within and round the butt of the ohimney to prevent any further damage. The wind changed to the south at 10.10 a.m. . Further information concerning the eneots of the gale shows that outbuildings, slim and old erections, and plantations all over the district suffered to a considerable aggregate amount. The attempts to secure Bruce’s mill from a farther fall having resulted in drawing it back a few inches, it is now proposed to try and pull it completely back into its place. The mill was not working, and had been closed for some months. , The Education Board, on a motion oi tne Rev G. Barclay, protested against calculatinn capitation on the strict average, on the ground that a strict average was frequently affected by circumstances over which no one has any control bad weather, sickness, &o.; that it will lead to constant fluctuations of the status of schools, of staffs and of salaries, involving great inconyenienoe, additional clerical work, office expenses. A letter was read from the South Canterbury Education Institute, urging the Board to bring all possible pressure to bear on the Department to induce them to revert to the old system of working average, or on the grounds that under the other system salaries are made dependent on ungovernable influences of weather, epidemics, etc., which obtains in no other department of the public service ; that the alterations entailed in the staffs of schools from time to time will cause schools to be fully manned when the attendance is low, and undermanned when the attendance is at a maximum ; that while not admitting that teachers would have to yield to it, it is not right to place in the way of teachers a temptation to evade the law by making their salaries depend directly on attendance. Waitara, October 4. At a largely attended meeting in the Town Hall, Waitara, to-night, to protest againt the New Plymouth Harbour rate, which has just been struok, the following resolutions were carried unanimously (1) This meeting is of opinion that the enforcing of the harbour rate by the New Plymouth Harbour Board is having the effect of retarding the settlement of this provincial distriot, and retarding many of the settlers who are en. deavonring to obtain a livelihood therein ; (2) this meeting, feeling convinced that all reasonable means have been adopted by way of deputations and petitions against the imposition of a rate for harbour purposes at New Plymouth, and levied by the New

Plymouth Harbour Board, under the authority of the Parliament of New Zealand, without the consent of .the ratepayers being fust obtained,' and believing such rate to be both unconstitutional and illegalised in j ustice, as well as oppressive and insome cases ruinous, hereby pledge ourselves to combine together for the purpose of . resisting further repayment of tbe rate, and to support each one who may he proceeded against by the New Plymouth. Harbour Board in protecting their property from being plundered and confiscated, by ejecting any bailiff or other officer who may attempt to distrain on the property of any ■ person, who may agree hereto. : . -

; . Dunedin, October 4. A team of bowlers, ,consisting of eight men, leave for Melbourne, per Mararoa, on the 28th instant. Canterbury is expected to send five.

At the Magistrate’s Court, the builder who was the lowest tenderer for a house, sued the proprietor for 1 work done in preparing the estimates, the proprietor having accepted the higher of two tenders. Mr D. D. Macdonald, for the plaintiff, produced expert witnesses, who said it was the custom of the trade to accept the lowest tender when no conditions were attached. Mr Hag. gitt, for the defendant, cited a ease deoided the other way,:- and after an argument the justices gave judgment for the defendant. At a meeting of the‘‘Dock Trust to-day a letter was received from Mr Elder enclosing one from Mee, Billing & Co., of London, to the effect that haying taken counsel’s opinion oh Mr R. Campbell's letter to The Standard about the loan, they were advised that they had good ground for a libel action. Mr Elder also Btated that he ** would probably bring the action himself. The Trust decided not to bring an action, but resolved to place ill the information and give every assistance tp Mee, Billing and Co. in their action. A child 5 years old, a son of Mr P. Lind,of Tapanui, has died from injuries sustained by his clothes taking fire. Napier, October 4. The buildings for the Waipawa Exhibition are going up rapidly, applications for space being received daily,. ,• , '4 • ' - Auckland, October 4. Mr E. Withy, M.H.R., accompanied by Mrs Withy, left for Sydney yesterday evening, en route to England and the Paris Exhibition. Auckland, October 5. The South British Insurance Company will pay a dividend of 8 per cent. The nett profit for the year exceeds £IO,OOO. News has been received that 20 out of the Bucephalus shipment of 300 horses died on the passage to India. This is considered a low average of mortality. The yacht Akaraua, which is to represent Auckland at the Centennial Regatta at Melbourne in November, was launched last evening in the harbour. This afternoon the well-knowe yacht ..Jessie Logan had a trial with the new clipper, and the result was very flattering to the Akaraua, which soon left the Jessie Logan 'behind, and after crossing the harbour had a lead of about a quarter of a mile. She stood:up to the breeze splendidly and went through tbe water at a great rate, The Akaraua will be sent to Melbourne by the s.s. Nemesis to-morrow evening. This morning a chimney in the Telegraph office caught fire, the flames being ex. tinguished by the fire brigade. The accident served to show the inefficient character of the fire apparatus belonging to the establishment. Owing to defective threads in the screws of the couplings, or lack of washers, the hose could not be joined tightly, and the water poured o«t at the joints like a millrace. The hose was placed on a saddle instead of a drum, consequently, if any stranger had turned on the water with the hose in knots, in all probability the whole would have burst. It is whispered that the fire apparatus at the Free Public Library is equally defective as respects the replacing of burst sections of r the hose. Waipawa, October 5. The special buildings for the Waipawa Exhibition are'now assuming a definite shape, and tenders are to be called at once for enclosing with a light fence the grounds to be used. Within this large enclosure will be set up the shelter shed for agricultural machinery, 'carriage exhibits, &0., besides a temporary theatre, publican’s marquee, and various arrangements for amusement. The people ..of the district are tak. ing great interest, and everything points to a great success. A very good opportunity will be offered for new industries just starting to exhibit and bring their goods before the public. Lightband, Allan and ■ Co., of Christchurch, beside several other firms there and in other chief centres, will be exhibitors, applications for space having been received from quite a number of manufacturing firms. The ultimate difficulty will be providing sufficient space, but .the promoters will do their utmost to accommodate manufacturers. It ** is understood'that Auckland will be well represented. Art entries and curios are coming in very rapidly. An earthquake was felt here and at Wai* pnkuran yesterday afternoon. The oscillating movement lasted several seconds, the time being.3.2o p.m. Blenheim, October 5. In connection' with yesterday’s fire, the timber was, all destroyed except £7O worth. All the portion insured in che Royal office was destroyed, r There is great uneasiness, and it is believed that there is a pyromaniao in the place: The Express urges the appointment of a vigilance committee. Westport, October 5. An elderly man named George Mears was arrested last evening charged with a criminal assault of an aggravated nature on a girl 9 years old. " ' ' Hastings, October 5. The show is very largely attended, nearly 4000 people being on the gronnd. The exhibits in horses and cattle are excellent. Stoneyhurst was awarded the champion prize in the thoroughbred class. The dogs, poultry, and cattle are not very numerous, but the quality is good. * ' ■ Masterton, October 5. Colin Winchester, baker, has filed, with liabilities of £471, assets £95. The principal creditors in Masterton are—Renall, £175 ; Cockburn, £SO j Graham, £l2 ; and in Wei. lington, Levin and Co., £47 ; Wilson, con* feotioaer, £l7.

Christchurch, October 5. The Committee of. the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association to-day agreed to co-operate with the North Otago Association in procuring longer quarantine for stock imported from Australia the members being of opinion that stock from Australia should undergo the same quarantine as that from Europe.« ■ Mr Theo. Cooper s resolutions (submitted some time ago to the Board of Education), by which he estimates £75,000 per annum can be saved in the cost of education, were again brought before the Board to-day, and after a short discussion their further consideration was again adjourned for a week. The Salvation Army meetings, under the direction of Commandant Booth, concluded to-night with a missionary meeting, at which £6l was raised. During the week £l5O has been raised for Salvation Army purposes. Hokitika, October 5. A strong north-westerly gale with heavy rain showers was felt here to-day. The rivers are flooded, and the sea is very high. No damage is reported. Invercargill, October o. After a winter of unparalleled dryness, heavy rains have fallen during the past three days. These, combined with the warm northerly wind, have melted the snow on the ranges, and the rivers are in high flood. The Kingston line is broken through in several places, and the-train from the Lake cannet get through to-night. It still rams heavily. Reports from tho country districts show that the wind is very strong in some localities, buildings having been overturned or damaged. _ . , _ Oamarc, October 5. The gale was severely felt in this district. Two booths at the racecourse were damaged, the roof of one being blown off, and the other completely destroyed. The fences also suffered greatly. At Kurawa, Duntroon, and Ngapara chimneys were blown down, window's smashed, and trees uprooted. During the gale the outhouses- at the Maheno school caught fire, .and were destroyed, as were a buggy, - harness, and articles belonging to the schoolmaster. There was no insurance. - , , _ Dunedin, October 5. The public meeting under the auspices of the New Zealand Alliance was noV /ery largely attended. Sir W. Fox and Mr F W. Glover were amongst the speakers. Resoju tions were passed in favour of the prohibition of the liquor traffic by diredt vote ; also that no compensation is legally, equitably, or morally due when a license is refused. John Sogville, an old resident, died on Thursday, aged 83. \ . . _ WOodyille, October 6. Shortly after 5 this morning three coitages, occupied by A. S. Wills, A. Sowry, and the Rev J. Wrigley, were destroyed by fire. The cottages were the property of Mr Wills, and were insured in the Northern Office for £2OO, £IBO and £l2O, respectfully. Mr Wilis’ furniture was insured in the same office for £l2O, Mr Sowry’s, £SO, and Mr Wrigley’a for £SO. ■ Mr. Wrigley’s furniture was saved, but Mr Wills and Mr Sowry lost everything, barely escaping with their Manaia, October 6. A coroner’s inquiry into the circumstance connected with the destruction of James Hayes' dwelling by fire is now proceeding. There are 22 witnesses to be examined. One witness has given evidence that Murdo McLean, who was one of the witnesses in the Bryce-Hutchinson case, had offered him a bribe to support Hayes’evidence. Hawera, October 6. The Rev C. E. Barley, Wesleyan Minister in this circuit, died last night. Christchurch, October 6. Arthur Gibson, roller skating professor, was arrested to-day on a charge of stealing a silver watch from P. P. Adams, at Blenh<The boating season was opened to-day with the usual procession of boats and scratch races .on the A von. The weather was nno, and several thousand people turned out to witness the spectacle. . Robert Graham, an employe of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company, was found hanging dead behind the back door of his house at Kaiapoi by one of his children this morning. Ho had thrown the frope over the door and fastened one end to the handle, and made a noose at the other end. , The Oamarn Hussars and Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry went into camp at the agricultural show grounds for their annual training to-day. Two corps mustered upward of 100 men. Captain Coleman is acting as instructor. . „ . _ , John Ollivier, R.M., and John Holmes have brought an action for criminal libel against Thomas B. Bain, alleged author of a leaflet containing verses insinuating that Mr Ollivier, who heard and dismissed charges of inciting to drink brought kgainst the licensee of the City Hotel, had been improperly influenced by Mr Holmes, who was counsel for the accused. ~ _ , . _ Wanganui, October 7. The Primate and the Bishop of Waipa arrived in Wanganui yesterday and preached at Christ Church this morning, and officiated at the Collegiate school .chapel to-night. Greymouth, October 7. Reefton mining returns for the week Keep-it-Dark, 2680 z of amalgam from 168 tons ; Globe, 1750 z of amalgam from 170 tons ; Fiery Cross, 2870 z of amalgam from 84 tons ; Big River, 1250 z of amalgam from 37 tons ; No. 2 Keep-it-Dark, 4090 z of amalgam from 224 tons ; Venus, 211 oz of amalgam from 90 tons. . Feilding, October 8. An elderly man named Lewis Stuart, a settler at Awahuri, was killed yesterday afternoon on tho Awahuri-road by falling from his horse. An inquest will be held tomorrow. ■ . o Grbymoiith, October a. There is a general clear-out to-day of coal which'have been detained through the bar and weather the last few days, lhe steamers Taupo, Rosamond, and Brunner left for the North this morning. • Westport, October 8. A labourer named John Freeman dropped dead at his residence last evening. The cause of death was heart disease. Three men went to sea yesterday man open boat. It is supposed they are bound to Picton. Dunedin, October 8. At the Supreme Court to-day, Mrs France

MoNaughton sought to recover £2lO damages from Mr J. H. Stephenson, auctioneer, for alleged slander. Plaintiff is a charwoman, and had been cleaning up plaintiff’s house, when he missed two £lO notes. According to her version, he called next day with another man, and said he had missed money from his desk; that she was the only person in his room, and therefore she had stolen it. In consequence, she had been unable to get other work. For the defence, the evidence went to show that, when Stephenson called, he merely informed her of money h&ving been lostj find ftsked her if she has seen anything of it. He had informed the police without mentioning anyone as the thief. Defendant’s counsel contended it was an attempt to extort money, and the jury, gave a verdict for Stephenson. Auckland, October S. Mr John Goodfellow, settler, was killed at Rawene, Hokianga, on Saturday, by a tree falling on him while felling bush. He was an old colonist of 30 years’ standing. MiBS Wlndred, of Melbourne, has been appointed to the position of Lady Superintendent at the Auckland Hospital in the place of Miss Crisp, resigned. Applications for this post were received Irom the South and elsewhere. , Timartj, October 8.

Mr Moss Jonas, Mayor of Timaru, and an honorary Commissioner for the Exhibition, leaves for Melbourne to-morrow, and a number of public men invited him to a Good speed” banquet to-night, which also combined congratulation on his recovery from a severe and dangerous illness. Invercargill, October 9.

Recently 27 acres at Wendonside were opened for selection on deferred payment and perpetual lease. Yesterday 340 applications were received for the farms, and the deposit money lodged amounts to between £SOOO and £6OOO. . '. . An extraordinary number of applications have been made for the Otago School Commissioners’ land at Wendonside, Waikaia. Twenty.nine sections in all are open for application, ranging from 300 to a few acres, but the applications were only for twelve of these. There are nearly 400 applicants, and as many as 60 for one section, and £5015 has been deposited. The price per acre ranges from £1 7s 6d downward. Dunedin, October 9. At Lawrence a number of Chinese were fined 25s each for gambling. A fire broke out last night in the wool stores of McDonald and Co., Bond-street. The damage done to the stock is estimated at £250, and to the building at £IOO. The insurances on the stock are £IOOO in the Guardian, and on the building £IOO in the Union office. Christchurch, October 9. A man about thirty years old, apparently a mechanic, fairly well dressed, was found dead at 8.30 this evening in Lord Broughamstreet, Sydenham. There are no signs of violence on the body, which has not been identified. . A fisherman, named Geo. Constantine, called at the South bridge Police Station at noon on Saturday last and reported that two men—named Matthew George, a Greek, aged about 39, and Andrew Ruda, a Greek, aged about 36, went out on Thursday morning, at 10 o’clock, on Lake Ellesmere to lift their nets, which were in the direction of Kaituna. The men should have returned to Irwell about 5 in the evening, but have never since made their appearance. The day the men went out there was a terrible north-wester blowing and the lake was very rough. Their boat has been found bottom upward on a mud bank, in about three feet of water, and their nets were discovered about 12 miles away. The men are undoubtedly drowned. The police and the fishermen are still searching for tne bodies. Westport, October 9. Subscriptions are invited here in aid of a Parnell • defence'fund. Returned miners give a very bad report of the Mahakipawa goldfield. Auckland, October 9.

The ss Nemesis, which sailed on Saturday for Sydney, took away 800,000 ft of sawn timber, shipped by the Kauri Timber Company. It is stated that periodical consignments of timber from local centres and from the East Coast will be made. Mrs Henderson, the lady who was drowned from the Mararoa, was the wife of Mr H. Henderson who recently left Auckland for Ballarat, where he is now carrying on business. Mrs Henderson left with her three children in the Mararoa last week in order to join her husband.