LATE TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1193, 11 January 1895, Page 28

LATE TELEGRAPHIC.

Lyttelton, January 9. John Reid, formerly of Timaru, employed as a fireman and greaser in the Lyttelton Harbour Board's Cool Stores, is missing. He "went on duty at midnight quite sober, and was left in charge at 12.45 by the man going off duty. At 8 a.m. the engineer (J. Burnip) came on duty, and found the fires out, and the engine stopped for want of steam. Reid had been very despondent of late, owing to a daughter contracting a serious illness in Sydney, and when leaving home on Tuesday night he threatened to drown himself. At 2 a.m. his wife visited him with some supper, and in reply to Reid's enquiries said she was unable to sleep after what he had said. She remained with him half-an-hour, when he told her to go home. Before leaving, she begged him not to do anything rash, and told him to remember the little ones he would leave behind him if he did away with himself. That was the last seen of him.

Napier, January 9. At the inquest on Howard's body the evidence showed that deceased came from Sydney about nine months ago. The death of his wife seemed to prey on his mind, and he took to drink to drown his cares and financial troubles. Howard had expressed the opinion to a friend that he hoped he would never spend such another Christmas. A verdict of death from takinsr a dose of prussic acid was returned. Lyttelton, January 9.

A son of John Mills, stevedore, of Port Chalmers, fell off the wharf near the Rimutaka at midnight last night. His cries attracted the attention of Mr Mardin, fourth officer of the steamer, who promptly jumped overboard and brought Mills out. The latter, much exhausted, was taken on board the steamer, where he soon recovered.

Dunedin, January 9. Tho results of the South Kensington examination of the Dunedin School of Art students shows that though they had only a few days to prepare, the result is satisfactory. Tn freehand drawing, 20 presented themselves, and 10 passed in first class and eight in second" class, while two failed. In drawing from the model, 18, presented'and seven received first-class certificates and two second class, while nine failed. In perspective one student presented, and received a first-class certificate.

The Boot Machinists' and Fitters' Union decided to-night to apply to be registered under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act.

Auckland, January 9

The Arawa contingent arrived by special train this evening 200 strong. The train was decorated "with -bannerettes with the names of the hapus and tribes, The Natives danced a haka before leaving the carriages. .welcomed them in the name of the citizens. One-fourth of the-paxty.is' billeted -in lodging-houses, and the remainder are quartered in the Agricultural Hall. To-morrow the Mayor proposes to show the chiefs the sights of the city.

The Cambridge Borough Council, owingto a complaint from a resident regarding annoyance from the Salvation Army by the holding of service near his place and the refusal to desist when requested, have directed a committee to frame a by-law dealing with the case. Auckland, January 9.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Insurance Company was held this afternoon, Dr J. L. Campbell, chairman of directors, presiding. The Chairman moved the adoption of the report as already telegraphed, declaring a dividend of 12| per cent, and a bonus of 6d per share, besides making large provision otherwise. He stated that the premium income had slightly decreased through the withdrawal from unprofitable fields, and that there was a slight shrinkage under the head of interest and rents, attributable to continued depression. The item expenses compared favourably with the same item last year, and would have appeared even more favourable but for the reason that the New Zealand Government called up two years' land tax in 1894. The Chairman went on to say : —The directors understand that amongst some of our shareholders there is a feeling of uneasiness respecting our holding in two or three joint stock companies upon which there is a liability on the shares. We think it is due to our shareholders on this occasion to state that as far as two of these companies are concerned our total liability is trifling. Respecting the third, the New Zealand and River Plate Land Mortgage Company, your directors, after careful consideration of the value of that Company's assets, have arrived at the conclusion that they are more than sufficient to cover all the liabilities of that Company. In this opinion they are confirmed by the report of your director, Mr Horton, and your general manager, Mr Weston, who, whilst in London representing your interest at the late annual meeting of the New Zealand and River Plate Land Mortgage Company, have given the question of the financial position of that Company their careful consideration.

The adoption of the report was agreed to unanimously. The retiring directors were re-elected, namely, Messrs T. Buddie, R. Rose and Jas. Russell.

Messrs A. Boardman and H. Gilfillan, jun., were re-elected auditors. A vote of thanks was given to the officers of the Company.