INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 7480, 1 April 1899, Page 1

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

(per press association.) (by telegraph.) WELLINGTON. March 30. For some time past Commandant Booth has been negotiating with, the Governments of several colonies making an ofler that the Salvation Army should have control of a reformatory for children, both destitute and criminal. Queensland and Victoria have already taken advantage of the offer. Today Commandant Booth had an interview with the members of the Cabinet. Besides the reformatory questions several other matters were submitted The Commandant desired the Government to assist the Army in the establishment of cheap shelters for the poor in the chief centres. _ The Army, he said, was also willing to establish and conduct refuges, if assisted, by the State. Assistance is also asked for the Army's native mission by establishing a central station. The Premier and his colleagues favorably regarded the proposals, and asked that they be put in writing. The Premier thought that the Maoris might see their way to help the Army by grants of land in desired localities, and the Government might see its way to granting subsidies to native schools established by the Army. Amended volunteer regulations have been gazetted. The appointment of George Dunnet as Consular-Agent for France at Auckland is gazetted. Messrs 0, K. Stock (Taranaki), C. Hall (Hawkes Bay), W. Hogg (Wellington), and J. Redwood (Marlborough) have been reappointed members of the respective Land Boards. Alterations in the Bcale of fares, rates, and charges upon the Government railways are gazetted. ; During February the arrivals from outside the colony were 1635 and the departures 1753. The number from New South Wales was 898, Victoria 362, United Kingdom 150. The departures to New South Wales were 1082, and Victoria 140. For the corresponding month of the previous year 1558 persons arrived and 1856 departed. March 31. Lovely weather was enjoyed for the holi. At the inquest on Butler, who was killed hrough falling from a tramway on Tuesday '. ght, a verdict of accidental death waß re- : urned and that no blame was attachable to anyone. The steamer Pukaki left this afternoon for Westport to load coal for the British warships at Samoa. The body of young Holm, one of the three victims of the boating accident in the harbor on the 18th instant, was found to-day near i The Easter encampment began at Johnsonville last night in glorious weather. I Wellington, East) Coast, and West Coast battalions are attending, Altogether 900 are present. The physique of the mounted men is generally admired. The day Was spent in drill and outpo'nt duty. A sham fight will probably be hekl to-morrow. ■Xhe Board carried a resolution that

any applicant successful in one billot bo not permitted to participate in other ballot*! meaning that a person should only apply for ono section. General Booth left for Auokland this morning. April 1. The twelve-yoar-old ssn of J. residing at Mewtown, wive drowned through falling off a raft in a pond at Newbown. DUNEDIN. March 30. At a ii.noting of the Harbor Board to-day it was doc: <led to jwy tho arbitration foo of L 425 14a fid in dispute between the Board and the City Council as to tho discharge of drainago into the harbor, and to lift tho award. The weather promises to bo fine for the Easter holidayp. The voluntoorg mustered in large numbers to-night, and went into camp at Abbots ilill, about five mile# south of the city. Ihe I>unodin and Fort Artillery take charge of tho guns at) tho Heads. Joßepli Jackson, laboror, was committed for trial for forgery. Maroh 31. Tho members c.f tho Gaelio Sooioty and others met on Thursday evening to mak« a presentation to tho Hon John M'Ronnie, on the occasion of his visir. to the Homo country. Mr J F. M. Fraser presided. The presentation consisted of an address, and a walking stick inlaid with native wood and mounted with Now Zealand gold, bearing the M'Konzie coa'i-of-arm*. Ihere were also framed photographs and an album of the Otago and Hawko's Bay Gaelio Soc etiee, and for Mrs M'Konzie a largo diamond-Bhaped greenstone brooch, mounted in colonial gold. The Hon. J. M'Kcnila made a suitable reply. Tho ennual Prohibition Convention was held to-day. Tho report, which spoke hopefully of th 6 prospects for tho future, was adopted. Tho following rebolution was passed : That this Convention rejoioea in the splundid record of progross alroady achioved in tho growth of tho Prohibition sentiment throughout tho colony, and particularly in tho overwhelming ovidenoe of the value of Prohibition afforded by five years' experience in the Clutha, and, looking forward with confidence to God, urges all Christian and temporanco workors, and all interested in tho wolfaro of tho community, to redouble their efforts in viow of the approaching local option polls. It wbb also resolved that while reaffirming tho domands embodied in Mr (Smith's Bill of 1898, there is urgent necessity for immediate amondmenti of tho law to make provision for removing the local option poll from political influence, the efficient conduct of tho poll by competent officers, the prevention of the distribution of dodgers, proper supervision by scrutineers, and urging Parliair.ont to pass an Act providing for thoso matters during the next session. CHRISTCHURCH. April 1. Good Friday passed very quietly in tho city, many people going away by train and train excursions. The Chriatchurch Cycling Club hold race meeting at Lancaster Park, thoro being 5000 people present, Tho principal raeos resulted :—Mile Handicap —E. A. Wall (15ydsl 1, G. Sutherland (scratch) 2, R. J. Cooke (60yds) 3. Time, 2min 24 l-sth boo. Three-mile Second-class Handicap—J. A. Power (70yds) 1, R. J. Cooko (20yds) 2, W. H. Hall (20yds) 3. There wero ovor 30 starters in this lace, and only two or throo dropped out. There was a spill as tho boll rang, H. Ritchie rccoiving a scalp wound. The finish was fine. Timo, 7min. Halfmile Champion Stakcß—G. Sutherland 1, A, Ralston 2, W. Tlcrney 3. Won comfortably. Time, lmin 10 4-sbh sec. Two-milo Wheel Race—C. G. Jones (290 yds) 1, G. Sutherland (scratch) 2, li, Ritchie (210 yds) 3, Won by a foot. Time, 4min 25 4-sth sec, AUOKLAND Maroh 30. Tho Warden gave judgment to-day at) Paeroa in tho case of Graham v. tho Jubilee Co., claim for LIOOO for th«i death of plaintitt's son in tho Jubilee firo. Mr Bush awarded Ll7O damages, and costs of L 24 4s. A man who went by tho namo of Bullin was drowned alongside tho Aratapu wharf while getting drift logs ashore. Hia head struck a pole, and he sank. Tho body was recovered. The Waikato Mounted Volunteors have arrivod for tho Easter oneampment at Potter's paddock. Tho Government steamer Tutanekai returned here from tho Thames with tho Governor, who is staying at GoTOtnnienb House. It is expected that 1000 volunteors will be at the Easter enoampinent and 500 also at North Bhore. IN VERC ARGILL. Maroh 31. The Invorcargill Club'B meeting to-day was but poorly attended, although tho day was perfect for racing. Tho only outiido competitors wero Gunthorpe and Hanloy from Dunedin. Tho former was at sorabon in the five-milo and Hanloy had 50ydB, bub neither finished, tho pace being good. R. Murie (140 yds) won by 30yds, T, Ekenstoin (125 yds) second, and M. Gray (285yd8) third. Time 12min 55min. &n honest race. Gordon (45yds) won the one-mile, with Gunthorpo (scr) second. Tho twomile Easter Handicap was also won by Murie (85yds), with D. Bissott (75yda) second, and W. Ball (85yds) third. Oats— Values have steadily declined slnoe the season opened. Prosent quotations are Is OJd to Is ljd at country stations, saoka extra. Wheat—Local mil'ors aro tho only buyers, and good milling is soiling readily at 2s to 2s 4d at country stations, sacks in. Barley—Best malting is bringing 3s to 3s 3d, inferior down to 2s 6d. Ryegrass—Heed is a drug, the highest price obtalnablo for 301bs maohino-dressed being 2a per bushel. PALMERSTON NORTH. Maroh 31. General Booth passed through Palmorston to-day, and was met at th>: railway Btation by the Mayor and councillors. Tho General delivered a short bub fervent address bo 2000 people who wore present. The bowling tournament, ab whloh a number of North Island clubs aro competing, will open to-morrow, Tho woatnor Is glorious for the holidays. Tho railway traffic has been exceptionally heavy.