TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1404, 26 January 1899, Page 15

TELEGRAPHIC.

Wanganui, January 18. The assessors—Messrs Barry and Scoular,. of Wellington—have awarded first place in the competition for the best plans for a Town Hall and Opera House for Wanganui to Mr George C. Stevenson, of Wellington. The next best designs were those of Mr W. Crichton, Welling ton, and Mr J. Charlsworth, of the same city. , Reefton, January 18. A sticking-up case occurred on the Buller road to day. Mrs Milligan, Ihe wife of a Bottler at inangabua Valley, was proceeding on horseback to Reef ton, wh<. n two men, one masked and carrying a knife, attempted to unhorse her. She galloped away, however, and the police subsequently arrested one of the men. The Tice-Regal party arrived at Reefton by special coach this evening at 5 30, an hour liter than expected. They were mel at Cronadon by the members of the Re ception Committee and a contingent ol Reef ton residents. On arriving at the Council Chambers, where a triumphal arch was erected, a few hearty words of welcome weie spoke* by the chairman of the Reception Committee. At the conclusion loud cbeers were given for His Excellency. The party were then driven to th< residence of Captain Craddock, whosi guests they are while in Reefton. Tomorrow His Excellency will be presented with an address and will visit the leading urines in the district,

Auckland, January 19. Mr W. J. Napier, in a letter to the press, referring to the action of Germany in Tonga, says he has for many years acted as Law Adviser to the Tongan Government, and! had never heard of the socalled “debts” due to Germans by the Government. He has no doubt the King and Privy Council of* Tonga would recognise and pay any bona fide debts due by them. Christchurch, January 19. The Primitive Methodist Conference resumed its sittings to-day. The following is the final draft of stations : —New Plymouth, Rev J. Olphert; Wellington, No. 1, Rev G. H.Mann; Wellington, No. 2, Revs J. Dawson and R. Hall; Auckland, No. 1, Revs W. Laycock and W. S Potter; Auckland, No. 2, Rev J. Sharp : Invercargill, Rev T. H. Lyon; Timaru Rev J. W. Hayward; Thames, Rev E. Drake; Greendale, Rev J. CloverChristchurch, Rev C. E. Ward; Ashbur ton, Rev L. Raine; Feilding, Rey P. W. Jones; Geraldine, Rev H. Williams; Dunedin, Revs J. Guy and P. J. Cossum; Rev W. Woollas; Halcombe. Rev S. Henderson; Invercargill South. Rev T. A. Pybus; Stratford and Eltham. Revs G. Clement and B. Dudley; Waimate and Oamaru, Rev J. Nixon; Westport, Mokihinui and Denniston, Revs J. B. Merritt, Bourne and W. Harris; Bluff, Rev F. W. Boys; Wanganui, Rev J. Cocker.

Greymouth, January 21. The Vice-Regal party arrived on Friday evening, accompanied by the Premier from Reefton. A large concourse o' people and friendly societies assembled ti welcome him. The town was gaily deco rated with triumphal arches and nags The Mayor welcomed His Excellency, an presented an illuminated address. Tr Volunteers formed a guard of honour, an the officers were congratulated by the Go vernor on the soldierly appearance of thmen. , Owing to indisposition, Lady Ranfurr and Lady Constance Knox did not arnv till Saturday. To-day a grand popula fete was held. A lengthy procession comprising the Governor’s party, the Pri mier, Hon J. Kerr, Mr Guinness, M.H.R various societies, decorated bicycles, trapand a large following of the general pub lie, marched through the town to the Park, Where sports were held, Lady Ranfurly

presenting the winners with the prizes, which were gold and silver brooches, bearing the inscription, " Ranfurly.” The proceeds from the fete will be devoted to the Old Men’s Home.

Christchurch, January 23. Louisa and Lucy Constable were to-day committed for trial on a charge of disposing of the body of a child with intent to conceal the fact of birth.

The Militia roll for Canterbury and North Otago has been completed. The numbers are:—First-class, 11,085; secondclass, 3627; third-class, 4782. The Minister for Lands, who is staying at Hanmer Plains, was entertained at a banquet at Jollie’s Pass Hotel on Friday night by the settlers of Amuri. There was a very large gathering. Mr Me Sen zie, replying to the toast of his health, avoided reference to political affairs, and confined himself to thanking the settlers for their hospitality, and remarking oil the probable development of the locality as a health resort. Several of the largest landholders in the district complimented the Minister on the work done by the Department in suppressing the rabbit nuisance, and stated that all danger to the district from rabbits was now past. Hokitika, January 23. The Governor and Lady Ranfurly and suite arrived this morning by special train, accompanied by the Premier and Mrs Sed(lon. They were met by the Mayor and County Chairman, members of local bodies and a large concourse of people. Dunedin, January 23. Dredging returns —Upper Waipori. 230 z 17dwt8; Jutland Flat, 20oz Idwt; Naseby, 16oz ll^dwt. The bankruptcy statistics for Otago for 1878 show that there were 55 bankruptcies on the petitions of debtors and 13 adjudications on the petitions of creditors. Thirly-two orders for immediate discharge were granted, and in nine cases discharge was suspended. The total amount of unsecured liabilities involved in the above bankruptcies was .£22.550 8s 9d. At a meeting of citizens to consider the question of the establishment of a memorial of Sir George Grey, it was resolved to form a committee to raise funds for a commemoration in Otago of the services of the deceased statesman.