INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7215, 20 May 1898, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS

(by TELEGEAPH.) (per press association.) WELLINGTON. May 19. The Gazette notifies the appointment of Count Courte as acting French Consul during the absence of Count D'Abbans on leave; Ambrose Millar, to be Vice-Consul of the Netherlands at Auckland; lan Gavin Duncan, to be acting-Consul of Portugal during the absence of John Duncan ; acd Chas. W. Rattray to be acting-Vice-Consul of Portugal at Dunedin during the absence of the Vice-Con3ul, Edmund Quick. The rainfall at the chief centres for April was: Auckland, eight days' fall, *97 in; Wellington, 12 days, s*62in; Christchurch, two days, *29 in ; Dunedin, l'Soin. May 20. The Military Commission will recommend that in each large centre there should be one battalion of volunteers of eight Infantry corps, under the command of a colonel, two majors, one adjutant and one quartermaster. Companies now in existence should lose their individuality and be known by numbers, according to seniority, instead of names. Recruiting should be dona on beh-ilf of the whole battalion and the men allotted to respective companies by the officers. Finances also should be managed by and for the whole battalion. The Aotea laft Plymouth on the 14th for Wellington and Lyttelton. CHRISTCHURCH. May 20. A meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, in recognising the gratuitous services rendered by Mr F. C. Tabart as judge for the past 10 years, asked him to accept a life membership and a cheque for 100 guineas, A sharp shock of earthquake was experienced about 7.15 this morning, accompanied by a loud rumbling noise. GI3BORNE. May 20. An old lady (Mrs Ann Webb) who came to New Zealand with the first immigrant ship direct from England 60 years ago, died this morning, aged 96. She retained a splendid memory to the last, and during her long life never required the attention of a doctor. She leaves 60 descendants.