TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3648, 26 January 1899, Page 5

TELEGRAPHIC.

PRESS ASSOCIATION. Wanganui, January 25. William Henry Fenwicke has been committed for trial on a charge of attempting to commit an unnatural offence. Dunedin, January 25. Bridget Sheridan, wife of a gas-works stoker, was .found dead in bed this morning. Heart disease is supposed to have been the cause. The annual report of the Westport Coal Company shows, a .profit for the year of ,£17,257 9s 7d. The directors propose to pay a dividend of per cent, (malting 7 per cent, for the year), which will absorb £9353 12s 2d, and to carry to the reserve £2500, a sum of £6179 8s 9d being carried forward. Christchurch, January 25. Escapes of boys, from the Burnham Industrial School are becomig very frequent, and are causing the police a lot of trouble. At the Magistrate s Court three tradesmen were charged with employing servants on the filth December, the statutory halfholiday, and were fined 5s and £1 each respectively. Timaru, January 25. . Two ship’s hatches were picked up at sea off Timaru this afternoon by the dredge. When brought ashore the captain of the ship Invercargill expressed the opinion that they belonged to the ship Timaru, now about 12 days out from the Bluff. It is feared that some mishap has occurred to the Timaru during the late heavy weather. 1 The Timaru was sighted off St. Andrew’s bn Sunday. Auckland, January 25.

The colours of the Auckland Infantry Battalion, subscribed for by ladies, have been placed in the Bank of Now Zealand till arrangements are made for their presentation .by Lady Ranfurly. Judge Butler, of the Native Land Court, who proceeds to Whakatane in connection with the Hriwera Natives’ Reserve Commission, arrived from Wellington by the Takapuna- to-day. At the late Maori meeting at Tauwharo many political questions were discussed. It is understood that as an outcome of the gathering', King Mahuta will contest one of the .native electorates. ’ A SCHOOL TEACHER’S APPEAL. Auckland,' January 25. At the'Board of Education to-day an account for the law expenses in connection with Miss Ha sel den’s appeal case was brought forward . Dr Laishley’s charge was £A7 18s 6d, and Stout, Findlay and Co.’s .£35 6r> 6d; printing copies of appeal, .£l2 10s: total, £95 15s. Mr Hdy said the whole thing liad been brought about by the action of the Educational Institute, which should be made responsible for the debt. The chairman said the Board had been led into the expense through the action of their teachers. It was agreed to refer the matter to the,Finance Committee to deal with.-'

CHRISTCHURCH FIRE BRIGADE. Christchurch, January 25. A special meeting of the City Council was held to consider the possible appointment of Mr E. Smith, superintendent of the Fire Brigade, to a similar'position in Wellington. After a long discussion it was resolved that the superintendent’s salarv be increased to .£2OO on conditionthat lie devote Jibe whole of his time to theCouncil. Mr Smith lias not yet intimated his acceptance or otherwise. The salary is at present ,£IOO per annum.