INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXI, Issue 6531, 15 April 1896, Page 4

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

(by telegraph.) (per press association. ) WELLINGTON. April 14.' A Cabinet meeting was held to-day, when a vote of LIOOO for Wellington harbor defences was passed, and a further appropriation of LIOOO was made for the Eketahuna-Woodville railway. Ifc was rumored that the vacant portfolio " of Attorney-General has been filled by the appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel Pitt, of Nelson, but this proved to be incorrect, as it was decided to defer the matter until a full meeting of the Cabinet, about a fortnight hence. It is understood the session will open somewhat earlier than last year. DUNEDIN. April 14. Robert Hardie was committed for trial to-day on a charge of perjury. It arose out of the evidence given ou his behalf in a case in which H. S. Fish charged him with assault. Mr Hall-Jones returned to-night from a visit of inspection of the Otago Central Railway, and leaves for Timaru to-morrow. He was interviewed at Middlemarch re the grievance of settlers, who complain that they are handicapped by branch rates being charged on the railway. It was pointed out that these rates were abolished on the Lawrence and Fairlie lines. The Minister promised to bring the matter before the Minister of Railways. Mr White, President of the Rowing Association, has telegraphed to the New Zealand Rowing Association that at a special meeting of the Otago Association general dissatisfaction was expressed re the proposal of the Selection Committee, and it was unanimously resolved that the New Zealand Rowing Association should adhere to its amateur definitions, and if New South Wales will not waive the objection New Zealand should decline to compete. CHRISTCHURCH. April 14. While two men named M'Alister and Watson were engaged in pulling down a house at St. Albans to-day, one of the walls fell on Watson, who received injuries rom which he died shortly afterwards. At a meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council to-night, correspondence was read from the Southern Tasmanian Associations' stating that they would be pleased to welcome a New Zealand team, and offering 50 per cent, of the gross takings on match days ; from the Northern Tasmanian Association, ofiering the whole of the net proceeds; from the Victorian Association, stating that the Council s letter would be considered at the annual meeting; from the New South Wales Association, stating that it would do all in its power to assist the proposed visit, but pointing out that little public interest would be excited. The secretary stated that he had written asking the various New Zealand Associations what support they would give to the tour. Wellington had replied that it could not join in the proposed guarantee, Southland that it would do its best to collect LlO, Canterbury that it would collect LSO, and Otagc that it did not feel warranted in asking the public for subscriptions. Mr A. M'Donald. Otago wrote guaranteeing tc collect LSO towards the probable loss on the tour. A motion, that the tour be abandoned was rejected in favor of an amendment postponing consideration ol the question. It was resolved that eftorts be made to secure the visit of the Australian Eleven on their return from England, and a committee was appointed to confer on the matter with affiliated associations. Mr Wanklyn's motion that no presentations be made to players in matches under control of the Council was lost by 6 to 4. AUCKLAND. April 14. The cargo steamer Matatua, from London. brings 950 tons of cargo for the south. Donald Dinnie was declared winner of the wrestling match with Sutherland for L 25 a-side. The Government offices are to close tomorrow afternoon by order of the Premier for the athletic carnival in aid of the Brunner relief fund. John Peter Evans was charged with vagrancy. He is one of the batch who were recently brought up, and was sentenced to a month's imprisonment. Seven out of 18 hospital nurses are laid up with typhoid fever. Eighteen cases were admitted to the hospital during che last fortnight. The nurses contracted fever in the same period. Middle School. The following report has been adopted by the Committee of the above school, and will be presented at the annual meeting of householders on the night of ihe 27th instant: Your Committee, in presenting its annual report, is pleased to record the steady pro- «. gress made by the school during the year, the Inspectors' report showing the examination to be quite up to the high standard of former years; This must be considered very satisfactory to the parents, and a credit to the school staff. The number on the roll is about the same as when yonr Committee took office. The average attendance, however, might be considerably improved if parents prop?rly valued the advantages of which they deprive their children by sending them irregularly. ■The Committee would again take this opportunity of urging upon parents the necessity of sending their children regularly to school. Yonr Committee's thanks are due to Messrs Fleaiing and Hedley and to Mr J. S. Holmes for once again presenting valuable medals to the dux girl and boy of the school, an-i also to Messrs Fleming and Ho'mes for their kindness in presenting the prizes at the brenking-up of the school. Your Committee also desires to record its thanks to those ladies and gentlemen who bo kindfy provided speci il prizes, and in f >ct to all those who so very liberally contributed to the prtz; fund, which on the occasion was larger than in former years. During the year a bizaar was held by the teachers and their friends for the purpose of raising funds for building a school hall and gymnasium, the result being that, with the assistance of the Education Board's grant, the Committee has been enabled to erect a very useful building. The hall was duly opened by his Worship the Mayor, Mr H. Aitken, on February 14th, when a flower show and bizaar were held for two days. The Committee cordially thanks those gentlemen who at great trouble and expense to themselves sent plants, flowers and fruit; for exhibition. The usual concert for the pen-and-ink fund was held during the year. Unfortunately it was not well patronised, in consequence of the inclemency of the weather, and the financial success was somewhat smalL Your Committee, however, is pleased to report that owing to the liberality of the Education Board the necessity for holding the yearly pen-and-ink fund concert does not now exist. On the 2Sth of February the annual school railway excursion was run to Waimate in Queen's weather. It was well attended, and proved a great success, all seeming to enjoy themselves immensely. At the end of the year Miss Kay and M as Murray, having completely their pupilteachership, left the school, and Miss I. M'Kenzie and Miss D. de Lambert were appointed to the vacant positions. No other changes have taken place in the Btaff, and the relations between the Com mittee and teachers are of the most cordial natureDuring the summer holidays yonr Committee, atf a considerable expense, had the interior of the school calcimined, aVwork

which was absolutely necessary, no attenj tion having been given to the interior of the school for the past eight years. With the exception Of the fence, the school property is in good order and condition. The repair of the fence is an absolute necessity, and your Committee has communicated with the" Borough Council and the Education Board re the matter, bat the final settlement must be left to the incoming Committee. Thirteen ordinary and five special meetings of the Committee have been held, the attendance at which was as follows : Rev. Canon Gould, 16; Grummit, 11 ; Thomas, 17; Emslie, 15; Mahan, 13; Gebbie, 18; Irvine, 15; Cork, 16 ; Simons, 16. The income of the Committee for the year, including a balance of L 4 7s 8d from previous year and a special grant towards the gymnasium, was L 159 18s lOd, and the expenditure was L 157 Os 9d, leaving a cash balance of L2 18s Id. The liabilities, however, are Ll7 3s 2d, which are chiefly extras in connection with the school gymnasium, and your Committee regrets having to saddle its successors with this liability, but owing to the heavy expenses consequent on calcimining the school your Committee had no option but to leave the payment of the debt to the incoming Committee.