TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8077, 12 January 1888, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

i'Fe2 United Pbess Association.) Auckland, January 11. The new ferry service started some months ago in opposition to the Devouport Ferry Company under tho title of the Auckland and North Shore Ferry Company has suspended operations. It is stated that the steamers, which were erected at great cost for the new company and fitted with the electric light, have not heen paying. A meeting of the shareholders has been called to consider ihe position. Letters of administration iv the estate of A. Domett has been issued to his stepsoD, Major George. The value of his personal estate in England is sworn at £4340. Wanganui, January 11. At a meeting of the friends and supporters of the Hon. John Bryce to-day it was decided to present him with a piece of sterling silver plate. A handsome sum was subscribed iv the room, and committees were appointed to receive donations throughout the district. Wellington, January 11. It is understood that from tho Ist February the hours of attendance required of officers of the civil service will be from 9 to 5. The Chief Commissioner of the Forestry department has received telegrams from the North that the fire in the Puhipuhi kauri forest has burnt itself out, and the bush is no longer in danger. The Premier has received no reply to his former telegram to Victoria in reference to the supply of the Martini-Henry rifle for use at the next meeting of the Rifle Association. He has again cabled asking if the necessary numher of weapons are available. Rear-admiral Fairfax is residing ashore as the guest'of his Excellency the Governor. Theofficers of the squadron are to be entertained at a ball by the members of the Wellington Club to-morrow night. The crews of tho ships will be similarly entertained by the local Navals on Friday. Admiral Fairfax, accompanied by Major-gene-ral Whitmore, made an inspection of forts Bak lance and Halswell to-day. The mayor and city councillors pay an official visit to the admiral to-morrow. A deserter from the Nelson, who was arrested at Auckland while the fleet was there, was tried by court-martial to-day and sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. The three-ton yacht Dido, owned by Messrs Phillips and Petherick, is missing from the harbour. The man on the look-out at the pilot station yesterday saw a yacht corresponding to the description of the stolen one sail from the harbour in the direction of the Tory Channel. Blenheim, January 11. The reports of the harvest, notwithstanding the nor'-west gales, are favourable from all parts of the district. A reporter lately went round a coiwidcrable area, and his accounts are ..favourable In some cases three or four bushels per acre were lost by the gales, but after all the drawbacks (ho harvest will on the whole be a good one. There are some magnificent crops of wheat, oats, barley, and potatoes, and the average is likely to be higher than for years An old resident (Mrs Ottcrson, the mother of the Chief Clerk of Bills in the House of Representatives) who came out to Nelson early in the forties, died this morning. She was aged 84 years. GitEVMonrn, January 11. Last year's, shipping returns show that 643 cleared inwards, of which 609 were steamers, and 34 sailing vessels, of 121,449 tons, and crews numbering 10,112. OlXßisTcnuuCH, January 11. Last night, between 11 and 12, a fire occurred at a large house in Worcester street belonging to Dr Wilkins, and occupied by Mrs Harris. The building was insured for £900 in the National oflice. The damage is estimated at £400. The furniture was insured for £710 in the London and Lancashire office, and it was damaged to the extent of £350. The fire is supposed to have been caused by a gas stove in the kitchen. In the Supreme Court, Robert Kent was convicted of lnreer.y and sentenced to three years' penal Kervididi-'; Midjiwl im-l Partiek Clarkiu, charged with lureijny, wjc acquitted; Archibald Mallock was sentenced to six months' bard labour for embezzlement; Charles Christian Sounnoss, charged with inciting Tolla Laura Izett to commit arson, was acquitted. The hearing of the Lit.tlu River murder case was postponed to Saturday.