TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1206, 12 April 1895, Page 30

TELEGRAPHIC.

Christchurch, April 4,

A public meeting to consider the recent developments in connection with the Hospital will be held on Saturday night. It is stated that Mr Peryman, one of the members of the Board, made a mistake in recording his vote for the adoption of Dr MacGregor's report yesterday. Mr Gray has served a notice upon the chairman for reconsideration of the report, thus suspending any action in the meantime.

At a meeting of the Canterbury Divisional Prohibition League to-day, a platform was adopted, and the Rev L. M. Isitt elected president. • It was resolved to recommend the repeal of the clauses of the Licensing Act which (1) gave the Governor the power to remove the Licensing Committee at pleasure, (2) bestowed upon a publican the right to two years' renewal of his license, (3) conferred upon a chairman and two members of committee the power to grant wholesale licenses, (4) demanded a three-fifths majority for an effective no-license poll, required a poll of half the electors, and made provision for an increase of licenses on the increase of population. The following amendments were declared desirable! —(1) The abolition of wholesale liueu.se.-i in no - license districts; (2) the increase in licensed districts of the minimum quantity to bo sold by wholesale licensee to 10 gallons, such sale to be of one kind of liquor only; (3) the prohibition of canvassing for orders in no-license districts, and attachment penalties for breaches of the above clauses; (4) the abolition of bottle, New Zealand wino, accommodation, conditional railway, refreshment room and packet licenses; (5) clubs to be brought under the local option vote ; (6) that no license fees be charged, and that payment of all committee elections and licensing polls be made from the public funds.

It was resolved that a clause be sought declaring that clause 21 of the 1893 Act has not and shall not be deemed to have any retrospective operation, and that nothing therein contained shall be considered so as to affect or have affected any such proceedings pending in any court of law at the time when the Act was passed. Christchurch, April 6.

The annual exhibition of the Canterbury Society of Arts was opened on Saturday evening by the Hon E. C. J. Stevens. The exhibits are somewhat fewer than last year's. There are one each from Wellington and Palmerston North. One exhibit is from England. Christchurch, April 7. A public meeting in reference to the hospital was held on Saturday night in the Oddfellows' Hall, which was densely crowded. Mr G. J. Smith, M.H.R., presided. Addresses were delivered by Messrs G. W. Russell, M.H.R., T. E. Taylor, R. M. Taylor and the Rev H. C. M. Watson. Resolutions were unanimously passed emphatically protesting against the dis-

missal of Nurse Cameron without granting her an opportunity of being heard in replyto any charge; demanding a full enquiry into the charges against the Hospital management; expressing the opinion that all bodies managing institutions or administering public funds should be elected by adult suffrage, or by the ratepayers' votes exercised directly, and congratulating Mr C. M. G-ray and other members of the Hospital Board for their stand in this matter. Copies of these resolutions are to be forwarded to the Premier, the Hon W. P. Reeves and the chairman of the Hospital Board. Cheers were given for Mr C. M. Gray and for Mr Brown, the wardsman whom the Board proposes to dismiss, and groans for the majority of the Board. Christchurch, April 8.

The City Council to-night referred the question of erecting a tepid swimming bath to the Ways and Finance Committees, with instructions to confer with the representatives of swimming clubs. To-night a resolution was carried by the City Council by 9 votes to 6 urging an enquiry into the management of the Christchurch Hospital. Dunedin, April 4. As there is some doubt as to the power of the Dock Trust to erect freezing works at Port Chalmers, it was resolved to-day to seek legislative sanction, and also seek to be allowed to have an overdraft at the bank.

Reports which have been current that " fagging " was in, existence at the Boys' High School were emphatically denied by Dean Fitchett, chairman, at to-day's meeting of the Board. Dunedin, April 5. The Taieri County Council to-day agreed to the suggestion that the name of Greytown should be changed to Allanton. The residents of Greytown, it is understood, believe the change unnecessary. The Tailors' Union has passed a resolu tio'n regretting the acceptance by the Government of such low tenders for the manufacture of uniforms for the North Island railways. Auckland, April 4. Four rinks of Auckland bowlers are leaving for Sydney. Seven representatives went by the Hauroto, and 29 by the Monowai. The remainder leave on the 10th.

The Wolverine, which put into this port a fortnight ago in a leaky condition, has been surveyed, but nothing has yet been decided as to wha.t is to be done regarding the vessel. • Auckland, April 5. Leavett, charged with the Museum robbery, has been committed for trial. A special train from W'aikato brought 1500 school excursionists to town. Auckland, April 6. An enquiry has been held by Mr J. F. Logan, local officer of the New Zealand* Amateur Athletic Association, assisted by the committee of the local club, in connection with the alleged misconduct of some Auckland representatives at Napier. A considerable amount of evidence was taken from those who were likely to throw any light on the charges made, and this will be forwarded to Christchurch. Auckland, April 8. A crew from St. George's Rowing Club left by the Takapuna to-day, to take part in the Championship Regatta at Picton. The charge of abduction preferred against Frederick Stuart Bates was withdrawn by arrangement, and, accused has been discharged. A young man named James Allcock, of Archhill, was thrown from a horse, and dragged along She roadway. He was picked up in an unconscious state, and died at midnight. Waipawa, April 6.

Captain Russell addressed an enthusiastic meeting at Makaretu last night. The lines of the speech were similar to those of the Wanganui one. lie stated that the Government had destroyed confidence by ine cessant threats against capitalists. Peoplo coming to the Colony with ' money tr invest had been frightened away to other countries. The Government had induced men to come from other colonies-and swell the ranks of the unemployed, and had increased the competition in the labour market. He condemned the Pomahaka purchase, which would ultimately fall on the taxpayers. The Government's approval of taxing wheat and coal would remit, in injuring the manufacturers and raising the prices of commodities. He hoped prosperity would follow the rise in wool, but the country would only succeed under pure and honest administration, which gave equal opportunities to all. A vote of confidence was carried amidst continuous ehueriug. GiiEYMOUTH, April 6.

The following are the Reefton gold returns :—Globe, 86oz amalgam, 100 tons; Sir Chas. Russell, 1260 z amalgam, 75 tons ; Cumberland, 950 z amalgam, 39 tons ; Big River, 12590 z amalgam, 108 tons; Cocksparrow, 40oz amalgam for 25 hours' work ; Buller Dredge, 420 z amalgam for 92 hours' work. ' [A Reefton telegram states that a dividend of 2s will be declared by the Big River Company.] Timaext, April. 6.

Mr W. S. Maslin, member for Rangitata, addressed his constituents at Geraldine last night, and was given a vote of thanks and confidence. • Danevirke, April 6. All the sawmillers of Hawke's Bay were present or represented at a meeting held here last night at which the deplorable cut-throat competition in the timber trade was discussed, and a Sawmillers' Association was formed and a fixed scale of charges adopted, to come into operation to-day. The scale is the same as that ruling six months ago, which, though remunerative to the sawmillers, is considerably under the charges made in other districts. Nelson, April 8. Mr J. Graham addressed his constituents to-night, speaking for two and a-half hours. He indicated that caution was necessary in

I regard to their labour legislation, and the j speech was that of a moderate supporter I only of the Government. He received a hearty vote of thants and confidence. Reefton, April 8. A stabbing affray took place between two Chinamen at Horse terrace, Upper Buller district, on Friday. One attacked the other with a butcher's knife, and stabbed him in the stomach. The injured man was driven to the Reefton Hospital, arriving last night. He is expected to recover unless peritonitis supervenes. Constable Rogers is in pursuit of the assailant. Stratford, April 8. The Hon W. Jennings, M.L.C., Messrs Crowther and Lain g, M/sH.R., and Mr Shepherd (Waikato Times), with Mr Adams, Government Surveyor, have arrived here via the Central route. The Stratford Town Board sent them 40 miles down the East road in two buggies, and six miles on -horseback. Here they were met by Messrs Julian and Taylor, guides, and sent through the Stratford route by Mr Hursthouse. They reported the track to be very rough, and do not expect to reach Te Kuiti till Saturday next. The party started into the bush at 8 o'clock this morning. The Aucklanders describe the land on the Central route as very inferior until nearing Ohingaiti.