TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4606, 10 March 1902, Page 5

TELEGRAPHIC.

PEESS XSSOOIATION. AUCKLAND, March 8. The autumn carnival of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club was held this afternoon in the Domain cricket ground. The attendance was poor when the sports commenced, but? increased later in the afternoon. The track was naturally ip soft condition after the recent rain. In the exhibition attack on the 120yds hurdle record, Geo. W. Smith, paced by W. Martin, covered the distance in 15 l-ssec. This beats H. W. BatgeFs Australasian record by 4-ssec, and Alvin P. Kraenzlin’s world’s record by 2-sths of a second. Four timekeepers agreed in making the time 15 l-ssec, while another made it 15sec dead. ~ The Premier has wired to the Chamber of Commerce that the Government is assured that there will be more than sufficient applications for the KawMa land under the lease in perpetuity system. No violation of the law or of the Land Act has been made in the course pursued, and he cannot reopen the matter. The chairman of the Chamber has wired back still urging reconsideration. A reply was sent tMs morning by the Chamber of Commerce to tho Premier’s telegram , regarding the Kawhia , lands, stating that a delay of'thirty days was of no moment compared with depriving intending settlers of the options provided in the Land Act. “Applicants under the lease in perpetuity system,” the ' message adds, “have no greater right to preference than those applying under other lawful systems. The Chamber no less than the Government desires to preserve the rights of the poor and makes these representations to you because poor men as well as rich, desire to secure the eventual freehold of their homes made so easy under the system of occupation with right of purchase. Compulsory perpetuity is a great wrong done to poor and rich alike. We submit that your mention of special settlement is irrelevant, it not being intended so to use these present lands. We extremely regret the decision of the Government, but trust the matter may jrt be reconsidered.” , „ CHRISTCHURCH, March 8. At the quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Mr G. Laurenson* IVLH.It**. stated that he be-

lieved the Midland railway would not bo a paying concern for a hundred years. The Government should push on the payable lines, such as the North Island Trunk and the Waipara-Cheviot, leaving the Otago Central and Midland alone for a time. A member said that Mr Laureuson’s views in this connection were not those of the Chamber. A motion was carried that a committee bo sot up to secure the co-operation of Canterbury members of the House in getting the charges on the Lyttolton-Christchurch railway brought into line with those prevailing on other port lines of the colony.

HOKITIKA, March 9. The Fire Brigade delegates, about eighty in number, are now here. Those arriving on Saturday had a' hearty reception. At night tho delegates took part in a torchlight procession and pyrotechnic display in the presence of a largo gathering of tho public. To-day a church parade was held, all the representatives, headed by tho local band, taking part. The conference begins at 9 o’clock to-morrow. The present is tho second occasion in seven years on which the conference has been held here. The weather has cleared, and promises to bo fine during tho stay of the visitors. NAPIER, March 8. Burglars broke into tho office at Mr R. Holt’s sawmill last night. They dynamited tho door of the strongroom, but tho safe was loft undisturbed. GISBORNE, March 8. At a public meeting held here last night with regard to the proposed testimonial to Mr Seddon, a resolution was carried approving the project, and a committee was appointed to take tho necessary steps. DUNEDIN, March 8. At a meeting hold at Port Chalmers it was decided to joint in the national purse movement to tho Premier, and a committee was apointed to canvass for subscriptions. The Premier will leave the colony about tho middle of April, accompanied by Mrs Seddon and two Misses Seddon. Mr Thompson will go with the Premier in tho capacity of private secretary. March 9. Th District Volunteer Officers’ Club is putting up a brass tablet in the Garrison Hall in memory of Captain J. A. Harvey, of the Fourth Contingent, who was killed in South Africa. A strong south-wester, with heavy rain, set in this .morning, but though it made matters a little uncomfortable at Forbury Camp no damage was done. Tho rain cleared off in the afternoon, though wind continued gusty. Special to the " Times.” FEILDING, March 8. A fire broke out last evening about 10.30 in a building behind Bunting’s, in Manchester street. Civilians and the brigade went to work with determination, and after half an hour got the fire under. The “Feilding Star” had its storeroom and contents burned. Tho proprietors, Messrs Kerton and Curtis, estimate the damage at £l5O. Stahles belonging to three firms were also totally destroyed, as well as the storeroom- of Messrs Wilson and Haswell, merchants, who estimate their loss at £l5O. The fire occurred just after a day’s heavy rain, otherwise nothing could have saved the block of wooden buildings facing Manchester street. As it was, all the available water was exhausted. i WANGANUI, March 9. Word was received in town late on Saturday of the death near Dunedin of the Roy Harold Peters, until a few months ago pastor of the Wanganui Baptist Church. Deceased had been in ill-health for some time with consumption, and was forced to relinquish active work in tho ministry. Ho was highly esteemed by all who knew him. In a bicycle accident, Mr Trussell, soprano cornet player in the Garrison Band, suffered injuries to his face and lips, which are likely to interfere with his playing at New Plymouth contest. His chances are not improved by an enforced spell from practice. MASTERTON, March 9. Rifleman G. Hyde, winner of the Champion Belt, and the members of the Opaki Rifle Club, were given an enthusiastic reception last night. A procession, headed by a brass band, marched to the railway station, where hundreds of residents had assembled. On alighting from tho train Hyde was received with deafening cheers. Opposite the post office a great crowd assembled, and tho Mayor (Mr Pownall) made a speech in which he congratulated the Opaki team, and Hyde in particular, upon the splendid achievement at Trentham. A fianquet was subsequently held;in the Central Hotel, where a large crowd,assembled. A number of toasts were honoured, and the health of Hyde and his club was enthusiastically toasted. The house of Hori to Huki, a wellknown native chief at Lower Taneru, was destroyed by fire on Friday night in the absence of the occupants. The building was insured for £175 in the London and Liverpool office, but the furniture was not insured. The rain of the last week has done much good, but farmers are hoping for more. The weather is again fine. Anniversary services in connection with the local Presbyterian Church were held to-day. The Rev J. Paterson, of Wellington, was tho preacher.