TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1249, 6 February 1896, Page 37

TELEGRAPHIC.

Auckland, January 29. The Northern Company's steamer Waiotahi I has left on a special trip to the Great Barrier, having 70 passengers. It is intended to visit the graves of those drowned in the wreck of the Wairarapa, and a large number of wreaths, sent from all parts of the Colony, [ have been taken down to the island. To-day the anniversary of the Auckland Provincial District was observed as a close holiday. The chief feature was the regatta. The Flora was the flagship. There was splendid weather, but the wind was too light for the sailing races. Auckland, January 31. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company the report showed that .£2OOO has been transferred to the reserve fund, and .£IOOO each to the reinsurance account and contingent liabilities account. Messrs Thomas Buddie and W. S. Wilson were re-elected directors. On the trip of the s.s. Waiotahi to the Great Barrier, fhe scene of the wreck of the Wairarapa was visited, and the Anglican service for the burial of the dead at sea was conducted on deck by the Bev Canon Haselden, alongside the fatal ledge, from which every trace of the wreck has disappeared. Burial services wore also read over the graves of three people buried by tho Maoris after the European search party lett the island, and wreaths, flowers and headstones were placed ever various graves by sorrowing friends andrelatives. A private cablegram received here states that Mrs S. T. George and party leave for Aus-ti-alia by the steamer .Arcadia in April. Advices by the mail state that Sir George Grey has decided to return with Mrs Georgo to New Zealand. Through the exertions and appeals of the Bev C. H. Yatman, the New York evangelist, .£2350 has been wiped off the debt of tho Young Men's Christian Association in a week, two-thirds being contributed by business men. February 1. Two twin babies were found at daylight this morning on the verandah of a house in Parnell. Both were alive, and one in a weak state was brought round by restoratives. Auckland, February 3. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Gas Company the directors recommended the payment of a dividend for the past half-year of 7s 6d per share on the paid-up share, and 3s 9d per share on the partly paid-up shares. This appropriation will leave a balance .'to profit to be carried forward of .£2115. The recommendation was carried. Professor Brown was appointed to the directorate vice Mr Beader Wood, deceased, and Messrs Ching and T. Peacock were reelected directors. The reduction in the price of gas has led to an increase of consumption by 19 per cent. The chairman said it was intended to call up 5s per share on the new shares, plus premium. The report and accounts were adopted. The new steamer for the Northern Company's Paeroa trade, the Waimarere, was launched to-day at Mr Logan's yard. She will carry 100 tons of cargo. The prospects of our farmers and settlers at present are encouraging. Bepresentatives of Melbourne and Sydney houses are here with a view of purchasing gathered crops on the spot for cash, either by the ton or in the stack. Some owners south of Auckland had tempting offers made for all their oaten sheaves standing, but although the prices were looked upon as very good and profitable, growers wished to ascertain the auction quotations, with the result that they do not feel inclined to sell without an increase on the amount offered. Napier, January 29. At the Caledonian Society's sports, D. Campbell, Wellington, won the society's medal for bagpipe music. A very severe shock cf earthquake was felt shortly after 7 o'clock last night. Napier, January 30. At the annual meeting of the Napier Gas Company a dividend of 10 per cent was declared, .£IOOO added to the reserve fund, and j£2l4 carried forward. Napier, January 31. At the ram fair to-day there was good competition for superior sheep, but anything not first class was neglected. Christchurch, January 29. Thursday has been fixed for the halfholiday in Christchurch and suburbs. Christchurch, February 2. The Christchurch election has been fixed for February 13 th, and the nomination day will be February sth. The Canterbury Trades and Labour Council has passed a hearty vote of thanks to the Hon Mr Beeves for his efforts in promoting labour legislation. - Christchurch, Februarys. About 3600 names have been recently added to the Christchurch electoral roll, which now contains some 17,400 names. [ Gisborne, January 29. Prompted by the long spell of drought and the great dearth of water for household purposes existing at the present time, the Gisborne Borough Council last evening had under consideration the question of water supply. A committee of the whole Council was appointed to go fully into the matter. I Gisborne, January 30.

The East Coast as far north as East vjape is feeling severely the effoct of the drought. Creeks whieh have not been known before to fail have dried up. At Waipero the residents

of the township had to carry water in boats across the bay, a distance of five miles ; and at Awanni the residents have had to beg a barrel or two of water from pa sing coastal steamers. A southerly buster sprang up at noon to-day, bringing welcome rain. February 2. Frederick Home, secretary of the Dunedin Finance and Loan Company, who disappeared about five months ago, was arrested on Saturday as he was about to go on board the Brier Holme, bound for London. There will be 124 doctors at the Medical Congress. Gisborne, February 3. Last month, produce—principally wool and mutton —valued at <£] 33,407 was shipped from Poverty Bay, the largest amount recorded for any single month. Lyttei/ton, January 31. The barque Duul.Lane, which called at Otago Heads for orders a moiyth ago, and was ordered on to Picton, put in here last night. She made Cook Strait eight times, and each time was blown south by a northwest gale. As she ran short of provisions and lost four or five sails, the captain decided to make for Lyttelton. Dttnedin, February 3. Mr Benjamin Kendall, steward on board the Corinna, was presented at the Town Hall to-day with the Koyal Humane Society's silver medal and certificate for his gallantry in rescuing life at the wreck of the Wairarapa. Blenheim, February 3. The mine manager of the Wakamarina Gorge claim reports that while putting in the last log of the foundation of the tail dam an average of 3ft of wash-dirt was found showing fine gold.