Latest Telegraphic.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 879, 4 January 1889, Page 17

Latest Telegraphic.

(PER PRES ASSSOCIATION. ) Auckland, January 2. Roth’s furniture shop and hot baths in Victoria-street East weie destroyed by fire about midnight. The building was owned by Mr L. D. Nathan, and was insured for £2OO in the Colonial office. The stock, which is nearly all destroyed, was insured for £SOO in the Colonial Office. A passenger named Charles Bartlett, assistant bailiff to the Central Police Court at Sydney, jumped overboard from the Ringarooms. The body was recovered, but the officers failed to restore animation. Timaru, January 2. There was magnificent weather for the seoond day’s Caledonian sports, which passed off without a mishap. The handicap of four distances—-120, 220, 350, and 440yds—was won by Nioholls, first in 120 and 350yds, and second in the 440yds, winning £ls. Bayonet competition for the challenge oup, value £2O —Ashburton Rifles, 1 ; Lyttelton Navals, 2.’; Timaru Navals, 3. The half-mile race was won by J. Whelan (20yds) in 2min 3 3-sseo ;

the quarter*mile by the same (16yds) in 55 5-ssec ; two mile bicycle, S. Kennedy (105yds) in 7min 49seo ; five-mile, S Kennedy (260yds) in ISmin. The Caledonian concert last night, with vocalists from Christchurch and Dunedin, was a great success. Dunedin, January 2.

Robert Frew, a carter, 60 years of age, d'ed very suddenly at the house of a friend he was visiting. He complained of internal pains at an early hour this morning, when he was given some Mellor’s sauce, after which he seemed better, but in a few minutes he fell back dead. He never suffered from heart disease, so far as is known. At the inquest a verdict of death from natural causes was returned. At the Caledonian sports to*day the collar and elbow wrestling was won by H. Dann, C. Soutag taking second prize. The weather was magnificent for yesterday’s holiday. All the maritime excursions were largely patronised, nearly 1000 going to Oamaru by the Waihora. The Caledonian sports were attended by close on 9000 persons. Noel, who was in grand form, won the principal event of the ale donian Handioap, winning the 120 yards event and finishing second in the 350 yards. His prize money amounted to £26. Houston was second, and McCabe third. Wintrup won the three-mile walking race, and Thomson the mile race in the most hollow fashion. The weather to-day is glorious. A cottage in Walker-street was Blightly damaged.by fire yesterday by the discharge of crackers. It was unoccupied. A cottage at Caversham, owned by Henry Applegate and insured in the South British office for £IOO, was burned down early this morning. Oamaru, January 2. The Caledonian sports had splendid weather both days, and the gathering was the mast successful that has been held here. The attendance was large, and the takings will leave the Society with a large surplus. The carnival held on New Year’s night was also largely attended, and passed off very satisfactorily. On the first day the Mile Maiden Bicycle Raoe was won by D. D. Weir, and the three-mile event by T. Watson, who also won the two.mile and three-mile events. To-day the bicycling was capital. The twomile Safety bicycle race on the first day was won by A. Weir, and a similar event to-day by D. D. Weir; The raoing was good, although the entries were not so large as formerly. Hulkefct won the half-mile handicap yesterday, and Haggia the mile handicap to-day. The wrestling was well contested. Greymouth, January 2. The rainfall for the past year was the heaviest for years—in inches it was 109 963. In 1886 it was 105 050, in 1887 it was 97‘061. It rained 239 days last year, 221 in 1886, and 199 in ISB7. The mean temperature for the last three years differed only slightly. Invercargill, January 2. While riding a race at Wrey’s Bush on Tuesday two boys—J. Morgan and T. Leonard—were hurt, the former severely. He had been unconscious up to the despatch of the telegram to-day. Morgan is an Industrial School boy. A strong feeling of antagonism is getting up between the Chinese and Europeans at the Round Hill diggings, arising out of the attempts by the former to secure ground. A miner named Ball had his hand smashed while saving his head from a blow from a piece of sawn timber wielded by a Chinaman in a disputo as to the ground for a waterrace. A Chinaman was brought from Round Hill and lodged in gaol on a charge of stabbing another Mongolian in a gambling dispute. Excellent weather prevailed during the holidays, and all modes of amusement were fully patronised. 6200 persons went to the Bluff regatta, which Was a very poor exhibition iudeed. Bale won the Caledonian Handicap at the Society’s sports. Wanganui, January 2.

The Bank of New South Wales has forwarded a cheque for 10 guineas to the funds of the Fire Brigade for their energy in saving the bank premises on the occasion of the late fire in the Avenue. A pa*ty of ladies and gentlemen are getting up a dramatic performance in aid of the brigade, to take place in about a fortnight. Blenheim, Jauuary 2. The body of Warren, cook of the s.s. Waihi, was found to-day near the mouth of the river. An inquest will be held. Gisborne, January 2. The five-roomed house of G. Hall was burned down on Tuesday night. There is an iusuranoe of £l5O on the building and £IOO on the furniture in the Imperial office.