INTERPROVINCIAL MESSAGES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVI, Issue 2212, 22 May 1894, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL MESSAGES.

By Telegraph—Press Association,

THE TEMPERANCE AGITATION. Dunedin, May 21,

At a meeting of, the Temperance Political Committee, resolutions were passed commending the action of the City Licensing Committee in refusing special and conditional licenses, drawing the attention of the Colonial Secretary to the recent case of police against McConnell, and requesting a searching inquiry, and urging the Education Department to introduce a suitable temperance reading book into the public schools. Christchurch, May 21. .In reply to a deputation from the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the Premier promised to bring the matter of the establishment of an Inebriates’ Homo before his colleagues. Tho deputation urged that the Government should prevent the issue of a publichouse license at Cheviot. The Premier said the Government would give no special facilities for the licenses; but if a transfer was contemplated, that was a matter vested in the Licensing Committee, and the Government could not interfere. Referring to clause 21 of the Act of last session, he ; said the Government had been most unjustly accused of having passed legislation to defeat the wishes of the Sydenham people. He was responsible for i clause 21. His attention had been called to the fact that the Representation Commissioners after a census had power to alter the, electoral boundaries. He was not going to leave them the power of overriding the .wishes of tho people on the licensing question, and he, therefore, framed clause 21 to meet the case.

OTAGO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.

Dunedin, May 21.

At a special meeting of the University Council a minute was adopted expressive of. the Council’s sense of the almost irreparable loss sustained by the University of Otago in the removal by death of its Chancellor, Dr Stuart.

Mr Justice Williams ,was wired to asking if he would accept the chancellorship if relieved of the routine duties, and he replied accepting the office for the present, but wishing to be relieved at an early date. The election of a member in place of Dr Stuart devolves on the professors, and the question arises whether all holding chairs are entitled to vote. The Hon W. H. Reynolds intimated a desire to resign, but at the request of the Council deferred doing so for the present. SUICIDE THROUGH DRINK. Dunedin, May 21. The body of Joshua Eccles, at one time licensee of the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, was found in the bay yesterday. At the inquest, the evidence showed that Eccles had been drinking until about a week ago. The jury returned a verdict that he drowned himself while temporarily insane through drink. Deceased was 54 years of ago. • A MAN DROWNED AT WANGANUI. Wanganui, May 21. Just before midday one of the crew of the fishing cutter Ashurst, whose name is unknown, hut who is supposed to bo a foreigner, was capsized from the butter and drowned in 25 feet of water. The body has not yet been recovered. The place where the accident occurred is on the Putiki side of the river, nearly opposite the town wharf.

DEATH OF HONI NAHE. Thames, May 21. The well-known Native chief Houi Naho died on Friday night from an attack of inflammation of the lungs, brought on through a cold contracted at the recent Maori dispute atPaeroa. A big tangi is about to take place at Parawai, in which the Natives from all parts of the peninsula will take part. Deceased was an old scholar of Bishop Selwyn, having been educated at St. John’s College, and many valuable works of ancient Maori customs, &c., have been published by him. Honi Nahe was also at one time a member of Parliament, and was one of the Native members of the Grey Cabinet. Lately, howoyer, he devoted his time to writing, being corresponding secretary to the Polynesian Society, and ho Also cultivated a portion of his largo farm at Omahu. Honi Naho always exercised a powerful influence locally, and he was widely respected both amongst European a and Maoris. «

Invercargill, May 21. Captain Fairchild has frequently drawn attention to the dangerous nature of the present landing - place at the Brothers lighthouse, owing to the heavy tide rip, and the Hon Mr Ward has decided to have another landing-place made on the south side, where the water is found to be much smoother.

Grey mouth, May 21. Constable Day died in the Lunatic Asylum to-day. The chairman of the Harbour Board and Mr Guinness, M.H.E., meet the Minister of Mines at Brunnerton regarding Harbour Board matters. The whole question of coal mines will be brought before the Minister, especially the necessity of boring at Dobson.

Gisboene, May 21.

Captain Twiss, of the ketch Venus, reports that on Saturday afternoon he passed midway between Ahuriri Bluff and Portland Island a large square piece of baulk timber measuring, he should say, about 12 x 14, and floating right in the track of navigation. Captain Twiss considers that masters of vessels should be warned to keep a sharp lookout.

Abhbceton, May 21. S. H. Saunders has been committeed for trial on two charges with reference to valueless cheques. Saunders, who is ai\ elderly man, has held a, good position in Christchurch.

Cheistchdech, May 21. Eeplying to a deputation from the Hospital Board, -who asked for payment of a grant of JESOO promised for the Nurses’ Home, Mr Seddon pointed out that it had been distinctly understood that another site would be chosen. He promised to place the matter before Mr Eeeyes,

Isvebc-mioill, May 21. Narquhar- McKenzie has been committed for trial on a charge Of criminally libelling Joseph Sherlock. The parties, reside at Preservation Inlet, and the case av«B9 oqt of a letter signed by one George

Bobaon, which alleged that his watch had boon stolon in Sherlock's Hotel, and was in Sherlock’s possession. The letter was addressed to Detective Mnddcrn, who, on interviewing Hobson, found that ho denied any knowledge of the letter.