OMNIUM GATHERUM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10360, 15 May 1895, Page 4

OMNIUM GATHERUM.

NEWS AND GOSSIP. Mrs Reid, wife of the Premier of New South Wales, has presented Ear Reid with a son and heir. A wether killed at the Wanganui Freezing Works scaled 1661b. This is a record forthe works. . ■ . The/ Government intend to rebuild the auxiliary asylum at Auckland at a cost of £12,000, and will probably proceed with the work without awaiting the will of Parliament. The recent outbreaks of leprosy among Europeans is exciting a good deal of uneasiness in Queensland. A man named Fred Smedley was 1 reported to be lost in the scrub at Narrabci, New South Wales. A legacy of £800 left him by a relative in England was daily expected when he disappeared. A chrysanthemum wedding caused a flutter in female circles in -, Nelson the other day, all the ladies concerned having their edresse3 trimmed with the blooms, and carrying bouquets of chrysanthemums of various colours. It was stated in the Magistrate's Court at Masterton that a number of the young men of the town are in the habit of smoking opium with Chinamen. News has been received of the death at Coolgardie of Joseph Tottenham, a former resident of Westport, where his family still reside. The death of Dr Robert Fish, of Geraldine, took place on Sunday evening last. The hotel-at Taita, Wellington, known as Honeymoon Cottage, occupied by Mrs Guilford, was destroyed by fire yesterday morning. The building was owned by Staples and Co., and was insured for £1000 in the United office, of which £750 was reinsured. The First Church Young Men's Literary Society debated on Monday evening the question whether too much attention is devoted to outdoor sports at the present day. Mr J. Begg took the affirmative, ahd Mr M. Thomson the negative. After an interesting discussion a vote was taken, which resulted in favour of the negative side by a good majority. A reading was also given by Mr Ewing, from " Three Men in a Boat," which proved very enjoyable. There was a large attendance of members. Mr J. L. Salmond occupied the chair. Very few persons appear desirous at present of beco-ning " social pests." Runs in Otigo acd South Canterbury have of late scarcely-elicited a. bid. The Tophouse run, in the counties of Marlborough and Waimea, containing 28,748 acres, was offered last week without attracting an offer. The upset was £60, and an incoming tenant would have hid to p3y between £900 and £1000 for improvements. At.Wellington arrangements are being made to provide the poorer children of the city with a substantial luncheon and plenty of games and sports on the Queen's birthday. The weekly meeting of the Pioneer Lodge, No. 2, 1.0. G.T., was held in the Choral Hall lodge-room last night. There was a very large meeting, including several visitors from other lodges. There were nine candidatas received into membership, and one was reinstated. It was determined to resume holding monthly open public meetings, and a committee was appointed to make arrangements for it. The discussion, on the subject of " Prohibition " was adjourned for a fortnight.