LATE NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1717, 25 January 1905, Page 47

LATE NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

AUCKLAND, January 23. A dead bodv has been found at Chandler’s Island, “l't is presumed to be that of one of the crew of the yacht Shamrock, which has been missing since 28th December, when it left Kawau for Auckland. AUCKLAND, January 23. The “Star” states that holiday makers at Brown's Bay on Saturday had added to other attractions an idea afforded of what life must be like in a town under artillery fire. Shrapnel shell fell in both Brown’s Bay and Ross Bay, and those spending a few* days at the formei* place were not pleased at the novelty. Those who came back to town this morning from Browm’s Bay brought with them several shells, and one boy had gathered on the beach about 400 little round bullets cast abroad by exploding shrapnel. The steamer Orewa when going into Brown’s Bay on Saturday afternoon blew her whistle repeatedly to let fliers know it was a peaceful mission. As the little boat w-ent out from Brown’s Bay a shell exploded, but not near enough to do any damage. The A Battery of Artillery, under Captain Bosworth, was practising beyond Castor Oil Bay. It is understood that the custom is for the permanent force to put up targets, and also to have out danger parties whose duty it is to signal to cease firing if occasion arises. Evidently the shells went further than was anticipated, and the danger parties doubtless considered it safe so long as they were going right over the cliff into the sea. The battery was using an automatic range finder. NAPIER, January 23.

The four firemen from the steamer South Australian were to-day sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment for desertion. One of them, Barnett, was sentenced to a further term for assaulting the captain.. Another sad drowning case occurred this evening, when two lads, aged nine ana eleven years, sons of Mr George Morgan, were drowned while bathing in the Tutaekuri river, alongside Wellesley road. The boys, with another lad named Chappell, got out of their depth, and, being unable to swim, they sai jk. A passer by, Air F. \\ . Ala son, rescued Chappell, but the two Morgans lira in the meantime disappeared, and hie was extinct when the bodies were recovered. A verdict of accidentally drowned was returned at t lie inquest on tiie luy McCormick, who was drowned at the breakwater on Saturday.

TIMARU, .’anuary 23. At a meeting of the Battleship New Zealand Fund Committee to-day the Mayor

reported that <£7lo was in hand, and <£2s more promised by the Government. The children’s pence fund for a present to the ship amounted to about .£430 from 700 schools. The adults’ fund for gunnery prizes (the balance) is much smaller than was hoped for. After reading correspondence from Lord Ranfurly on suitable presents (as suggested by nresents to H.M.S. Kent), it was resolved to procure from the children’s fund a 1601 b bell (probably metal, silver plated and inscr'bed), costing, £6O; a gunnery shield, <£lso; alburn for records, £10; silk ensign, £3O. The committee attaches much importance to gunnery prizes, and will omit the proposed piece of plate, hoping to invest £SOO for cash prizes. The question of pictures of the ship for the schools was postponed for further inquiries, quotations from Home being quite beyond the means of the committee. GISBORNE. January 23.

The infant son of Mr Philip Dolman fell head-first into a barrel of water at Patutahi yesterday, and was drowned. Bt'NEDIN, January 23. In reference to the question of sheepstealing, the Secretary for Agriculture, Wellington, has informed the local branch o-f the Farmers’ Union that a more effective system of ear-marking is now pnder consideration, and if such can be devised an endeavour will be made to amend the act next session. Mr James Mills, managing director of the Union Steamship Company states, in regard to the Vancouver mall service, that his company is now negotiating with the colonial Governments intei’ested for a renewal of the contract, which expires in May next. The new contract will bo for three years, and will probably provide for a' New Zealand port of call, in lieu of Brisbane as at present. Service will continue to be a four-weekly one, and Mr Mills remarked that a fortnightly service, as suggested in the Australian cables, was out of the question iln the meantime.

Asked which New Zealand port was likely to be visited by the Vancouver mail steamers under the new contract, Mr IMills said that the onus of deciding that would rest upon the New Zealand Government.

As to the Federal mail service and the cabled statement that the Union Company might put in a tender for the same, Mr Mills said that there had been nothing more than a casual inquiry on the subject. The matter had not been gone into, and it would be time enough to do so should occasion for considering it arise. HAMILTON, January 23. The first- annual dinner and social reunion of those who fought in South Africa was held here- last night. Captain Allen Bell n residing. Colonel Davies, in a forcible speech, complained of the apathy of the public towards volunteering. He believed we should have to fight again, but could not tell when nor where. Mr Lang, M.H.R-., and other speakers expressed similar views. WAIRGA, January 23. The Nuhaka first agricultural and pastoral show on Saturday was a great success. There were excellent exhibits in the sheep, cattle, and horse classes. The driving, hunters’, and woodchopping competitions were keenly contested, and greatly interested the spectators. GISiBORNE, January 23. A heat wave has struck Gisborne. Yesterday’s temperature was 92 degrees in the shade, and to-day it is again veryhot. Bush, fires are in progress throughout the district. Settlers are obtaining good burns, and the atmosphere is clouded with smoke. WANGANUI, January 23. There was beautiful weather for Anniversary D'ay. The Caledonian sports pioved very successful. The Scottish athletes Cameron and Johnston were present, and competed in the Scottish games. Cameron threw the hammer 113 ft llin, and the 561 b shot 30ft 9in. McLaclilan won the Sheffield Handicap. CHRISTCHURCH, January 23. The City Council to-night received a letter from the Education Board stating that it had arranged to carry on technical classes lor the first term of the year in the hope of receiving an offer’' from the City Council or other local bodies to undertake the management. The Council set up a special committee to inquire into the matter.