TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1199, 22 February 1895, Page 33

TELEGRAPHIC.

Auckland, February 14. John Swann was charged to-day at the Magistrate's CoUrt with the attempted murder of Hugh Campbell, solicitor. The case was remanded. Bail was refused. |t *" v s Auckland, February 15. '"' A meeting of ladies called by D. W. Fessey was held in the Municipal Buildings to discuss the advisableness of taking organised action to assist in clothing the destitute children of the London slums. ; Mr Fessey has recently arrived from London, where he has been connected with charitable organisations. He suggested the formation of a Guild whose operations would extend from one end of the Colony to the other for the collecting of Clothing to ship to London. After some discussion it was decided to hold another meeting. During the four weeks ending 9th inst. 2310 tons of ore were crushed and treated for the yield of .£8607 worth of bullion at: the Waihi gold mine. -*■■ - - Auckland, February 1(5. The city valuer reports that 64 new buildings have been erected during the year. The members of the Presbyterian Assembly were entertained at a picnic to Nihotapu Falls. # Auckland, February 18.

This afternoon a meeting of subscribers to the Taranaki war relief fund of 1860, the residue of which, .£470 odd, is now lying in the Union Bank of Australia, was held today. Dr J. L. Campbell, who, presided, said the fund had been established for the Taranaki settlers who had been driven from their homes by Natives. He had been appointed treasurer, but he had not the slightest recollection of fact. Since the war the whole thing had drifted into complete oblivion. Taranaki might now in the day„of her prosperity desire that this money might be devoted to some-benevo-lent object in the province of Auckland. After some discussion, the meeting was adjourned in order that legal advice regarding the fund might be obtained by Dr Campbell. Gisborne, February 14.

In the Validation Court, Messrs Carroll and Wi Pere, trustees for the Natives, and Mr Jackson, Registrar of the Court, have been appointee Receivers in the Paremata estate, in which the Bank Estates Company is interested. .'<*'.

Judge Barton made a statement expressing pleasure at the satisfactory working of the Court. Gisborne, Februarj 15.

There has been much complaint recently. regarding Sunday trading by fruiterers^

One man, George Edwards, was fined 16s to-day. Mr Sellars, the well-known contractor, is severely ill through having been bitten by a katipo spider. Christchurch, February 15. The Christchurch Prohibition League has telegraphed to the Anglican General Synod at Nelson, the Presbyterian General Assembly at Auckland, and the Congregaj tional Union at Dunedin, respectfully asking each of those bodies to rule -that liquor I sellers and men who as members of jockey , clubs promote gambling ought not to hold offices in Christian churches. » Chbiftchurch, February 16. The Bussard has arrived at Akaroa. Christchurch, February 15. The following resolution has been passed by the Canterbury Progressive Liberal Association: —" That this Association desires to place on record its appreciation of the reforms effected since the Government assumed control of the people's railways, particularly with regard to the inauguration of the excursions for school children, and the concessions granted in favour of . fruit." ■'":, Christchurch, February 18. At Zaiapoi to-day, James Whitehead was committed for trial on a charge of embezzling several sums of money of the Kaiapoi Working Men's Club, of which /he was the treasurer. ~..., He was remanded on four charges of embezzling moneys of the Kaiapoi Oddfellows' Lodge. Greym'outh, February 16.

Owing to a long spell of dry weather, all sluicing operations are at a standstill. The following are the Reef ton gold returns for the week:—Globe, 104 oz amalgam from 120 tons; Big River, 1970 z, 110 tons; Hercules, 1740 z, 106 tons; Progrpss, 187 oz, 120 tons; Cocksparrow dredge, 490 z amalgam for 120 hours' work. Dunedin, February 16. At the swimming tournament at St. Clair to-day the 200yds championship was won by M. Rice, with Maitland second. Hollow also started. Won by a dozen yards. Time, 3min 13sec. The Standard Fire and Marine Insur-

ance Company's report shows a balance of .£12,645 on the year's operations, out of which the xisual 7£ per cent, interim dividend, absorbing .£2812, was paid in June last.

A dividend of 7-£ per cent., with an additional bonus of 2$ per cent., is recommended for the half-year ending 31st December, carrying dBIOOO to the reinsurance reserve, and carrying forward £4145 to next year. Dunedin, February 18. The value of ratable property in Dunedin for the present year shows a total of ,£233,204, a reduction of .£10,411 upon last year's value, and of .£17,796 upon that of 1893. Napier, February 16. Nearly a thousand children were brought into town to-day by the school excursion trains. The weather was beautiful. Seabathing was largely indulged in by the children, for whose pleasure also the City Band gave a concert on the Marine Parade. A serious accident happened in the morning at "White road. A large number of town children were watching the arrival of the school excursionists at the railway crossing, when the whistle of the train frightened a horse attached to a vehicle being driven in from the country. The horse bolted, scattering the children in all directions, and four were injured, while one poor child had its leg broken. Port Chalmers, February 17. The funeral of the lats Captain Joyce was attended by hundreds of persons, including many prominent Dunedin people. He was buried with full Masonic honours by the Port Chalmers Marine Lodge, of which he was a member for over 30 years. The Craft services were performed by Bros. J. Cunninghame, W.M., and C. De Longueville Graham, P.G.S.W., English Constitution. New Plymouth, February 18. The new Catholic Church was consecrated by Archbishop Redwood yesterday. Special trains from Hawera and intermediate I stations brought nearly. 300 people. Invercargill, February 18. The principal commercial offices in Invercargill advertise their intention to close

on Wednesday afternoon, and keep open on Saturday, the statutory afternoon. J. G. "Ward and Co., the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, and the National Mortgage Company, are among the signatories. It is understood a test case will result.

Last evening two boys found the body of a fully-developed female child on the shore of the estuary, just above the last high-water mark. The case is apparently one of infanticide. The child had lived.