TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, 5 February 1902, Page 27

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

AUCKLAND, January 31. The Premier and Mrs Seddon arrived at 10 o’clock this morning, and were cordially welcomed by a large gathering of the public. A meeting of citizens will be held on Monday afternoon to arrange a complimentary “social” in honour of the approaching departure to London of Mr Seddon, to attend the coronation. It is proposed to arrange for the gathering to take place about the time the Ninth Contingent leaves Auckland. The Mayor will preside. ASHBURTON, January 31. Mr McLachlan, member for Ashburton, addressed his constituents here last evening. Votes of thanks to the speaker and confidence in the Government were passed. DUNEDIN, January 30. At Ophir to-day, further charges of sly-grog selling were heard. The caso against Hall was dismissed. Thomas Weir and John Pitches were each fined £25 DUNEDIN, January 31. The Now Zealand Association bowling tournament was almost concluded to-day. In the final of the double-handed tournament, Howell and Carswell (22), beat Bewley and Evans (16). For third prize, Sanders and Sanders (17) beat Christie and Christie (15). Barnett won the final in the championship singles, beating H. W. Neil easily bv 29 to 5. In the semifinal of the rink tournament, Carswell

beat Allnutt after a close game, and Gow beat Peake rather easily. In the final Carswell led right through, beating Gow • 1° ,12. In playing off for third place, Peake was beaten by Allnutt. CHRISTCHURCH, January 30. Between noon and 1.30 to-day, while a gala was being held, £26 was stolen from the post office at Sumner, while 4 -'-- officer and mistress were out of the office. , r _ CHRISTCHURCH, January 31. Mr R. H. Rhodes, M.H.R., who goes to bouth Africa as an officer in the Eighth Contingent, has been complimented on ins decision to do so by many meetings in the Ellesmere electorate. Some of the meetings voted unanimously for leave of absence from Parliamentary duties, but most leave it to himself whether to resign or not. In any case feeling seems to be that on his return the seat is secured. A large and influential meeting was held at Leeston to-day to consider the form of a gathering to be held in Mr Rhodes’s honour on Tuesday evening. Next month an important conference will be held in connection with technical education. The Canterbury Industrial Association has recently been taking steps to push on the movement and it lias made arrangements for calling a number of delegates together from municipal, educational, commercial and other bodies, including the Trades and Labour Council. Two motions will be submitted to the, conference. One will urge that the industrial efficiency of the colony should be developed tothe highest degree, and the other that a broader system of technical education in Canterbury is desirable. ♦ HAMILTON, January 31. The poll of ratepayers as to borrowing £sooo' for establishing a water supply for the borough of Hamilton was taken today, and resulted in the affirmative by 131 to 34.

HOKITIKA, January 30. Mr W. G. MuiTay, chief surveyor of Westland, who has been promoted' to tbe charge of the Nelson district, left for the North this afternoon. Prior to Tiis departure, a number of citizens, headed by tbe Mayor, waited cu Mr Murray, and presented him with an address. Several speeches, eulogistic of the good work done by Mr Murray, were made. Mr F. B. Wither, road surveyor, transferred to Christchurch, also left this afternoon. Both gentlemen received presentations from the Lands Deuartment staff.

REEFTON, January 31; Sir Joseph and Lady Ward were entertained at a “social” by the Miners’ Union last night at the Theatre Royal. The function was a brilliant success, nearly 300 being present. An illuminated, address was presented to Sir Joseph Ward by Mr Betts on behalf of tbe union. GISBORNE, January 31. John Fletcher, aged 25, against whom were pending charges of attempted murder (through disappointed love) and attempted suicide, died in the hospital tonight from the effects of carbolic.

HOKITIKA, January 31. At the annual conference' of the New Zealand United Fire Brigades’ Association, to be. held here on March 10th, it is proposed to hold a public exhibition of fire escapes for the benefit of the delegates attending the conference. Several patentees of fire escapes throughout the colony have expressed their intention to attend at Hokitika at the time of the conference to give practical exhibitions. A special structure with a window opening will be erected for the purpose of a proper trial being made in view of the general public, Who will be afforded every means of inspecting the advantages of the different escapes. Secretary Gilberd, of the Napier and local committee, is now making the necessary arrangements for the exhibition.

The Premier, who will visit liis electorate early next month, will probably be accorded a public reception. It is understood this will be liis last visit to the for some time-, and advantage will be taken of the event to specially recognise his services to the colony at large, particularly in the matter of liis prompt offer of additional troops for South Africa, and his spirited support to the whole Imperial policy. It is proposed to entertain Mr Seddon at a banquet, which will be representative of the whole of Westland. INVERCARGILL, January 31. The Borough Council at Campbelltown has sprung a surprise on the. Bluff Harbour Board. Many years ago tlio Board constructed a reservoir on Bluff Hill and laid pipes to the wharf for supplying the shipping. The works are all within the borough, and the streets are used for reticulation.« Some of the inhabitants purchase water from the Board. The Borough Council now informs the Board that legal opinion has been obtained that the Board never had any right to create the works, and asks the Board to meet on the subject, a bint being given that the Council will take the works under the Public Works Act if the Board is refractory. The chairman to-day said the proposal was audacious, and a committee was set up to ascertain the legal position of the Board.

Sir F, Sargood has written to the Harbour Board regarding the beauties of Stewart Island, where ho has recently been rusticating. Paterson Inlet, - lie says, compares favourably with Sydney Harbour, Auckland or the West Coast Sounds. Sir Frederick suggests several things to bs dou6 to make the island more accessible and popular. At present tourists cannot freely visit the island owing to the risk of being cut off from business or homo for three and four days at a time. The Board has set up a committee to deal with the suggestions. NELSON, January 31. Already there are a great many people in town for the Jubilee celebrations, which continue till Saturday next. Arrangements for the numerous festivities are well in hand and there are indications of a great success.

At the City Council meeting to-night a resolution was carried without discussion dismissing the recently-appointed City Engineer. There mi sure to be more heard of the matter.

REEFTON, January 30. Sir J. G. Ward and party arrived at Roeftou by train this afternoon. They were met at the station by the county chairman and a large number of citizens,

ad driven over iu drags, traps, etc. A hearty welcome was accorded, Sir Jo* seph responding. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward wiH Be entertained to-night at a social given by the Miners’ Union, ~ RUSSELL, January 30. The woman wounded by a native at \\ aikare is progressing favourably. Kaupeka has cleared out. The police have been searching since Tuesday, but cannot find him. N 6 further particulars will be available till tbe police return.

. WANGANUI, January 31. A man named Williams was fined £5 Is with costs «£5 5s 9d, for supplyinor at RaetilO to a Maori woman. The Magistrate, Mr Kettle, reserved judgment on a second charge of supplying the woman (whom Williams claimed to be his liquor aCC ° rdmS t 0 Maori custo «i) with'

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) GISBORNE, January 30. The community received a shock this afternoon, when it was announced that Mr, 8 .John Coleman, wife of the Deputy Official Assignee, had died suddenly. Mr Coleman is absent with his son and daughter at Wellington, where he is acting as skip of one of the Gisborne riuks in tho bowling tournament.

.... . MASTERTON, January 30. At tlio-mquest on the body of the child found in a furnace last week, the jury returned a verdict that tbe child bad been born alive, and had been aspnvxiatecl. As to how asphyxiation was caused there was no evidence to show, and there was insufficient evidence as to parentage of the child. No rider was added in respect to the Rev Mr Wood’s incident. In the Magistrate’s Court this morning, Kate Alexander and Thomas Murcott were charged with having, on or about, January 20th, murdered tha infant child of tho former. On tho application of the Crown Solicitor, a remand was granted till Friday week, to enable the police to make further inquiries. Bail was allowed.

ROTORUA, January 31. Yesterday morning Waimangu Geyser, which had been quiescent during the preceding half-week, belched an immense volume of black sand and boulders to a height of about 800 feet. Shepherd, the guide, states that tbe eruption was tbe finest lie bad seen. After a rest of three hours the geyser again went into action and continued from noon till twilight. A large number of tourists were present! one of whom, getting within firing line, was wounded on tho arm by a stone. A much-travelled journalist states Waimangu is the greatest geyser on the earth.

During the last two months the weekly weight of the trout netted in the lake and railed to Auckland has totalled over 8001bs.

Mr A. Matthews, of South Wairarapa, who is undergoing massage treatment here in conjunction with the baths, i 3 improving in health. PAHIATUA, January 31. Mr O’Meara, M.H.R., has been informed by tlie Government that a surveyor will shortly take a survey of the proposed electric* railway to tap the back country. Settlers are anxious that something definite should be done.