TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10598, 19 February 1896, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(Feb United Press Association.) Auckland, February 18. I George Steven^, a coloured man, was fined £4-2 or three mouths' imprisonment on a charge of keeping a house of ill-fame and selling beer without a license. Archie Thompson, while cutting timber in Brown's Bosh, in connection with the Waihi Faw mill, had with his team a narrow escape. He was proceeding along the bash rosd when he found someone had fired the bush ahead, Mocking his progress. He attempted to turu back, but discovered the fire had started in the rear, hemming him in completely. It was a case of facing tho lesser of two evils, and in doing so the horn's stopped in the midst of the flames. Thompson, to save the animals, pluokily rushed into the fire, and managed to cot them loose. He got badly burnt on the arms, honds, and face. The horses were all more or less seriously injured.

Napier, February 18. \ In the Supreme Court, A. B; Kiissell (station hvd) v. W. Gilmour (sheep farms*) was heard, a claim of £1000 damages ior libs! «a<S slander, tha defendant accusing plaintiff of destroying sheep. Judgment was given for £100 and costs on tlie lowest scale. In E. Foley v. J. Lowman, a claim of £200 for breach of contract regarding the purchase of land at Woodville, judgment was given for £50. Wellington, February 18. , An extensive bush fire h»s been raging near Martinborough. A strip of country 15 miles long and from one to six miles broad has been cleared. Dozens of wild pigs have been roasted, and it is believed that many deer have perished. The fire comes not inopportunely, as the Government surveyor was about to report on opening more land for selection in the district, and now it is ready cleared. The Treasurer leaves for the south tomorrow.

Nelson, February 18. To-night the new organ at St. Mary's Catholic Church was opened by Mr Manghan Bsrnett, Wellington, in tho presence of 500 people. .On behalf of the congregation an address was presented to the Very Rev. Father Mahoney, who completed his 21 years' pastorate to-day. Theife >vete expressions of' estbem from »U people, inolndiog Catholics and nonOatiholicn, and the organ (which cost between £500 and £600, and was built by Hobday, Melbourne) was presented to father Mahoney. The instrument is a line one, and it and the performance of Mr Barnett were much admired. Christchurch, February 18. At the Supreme Court to-day Samuel Mm? was acquitted on a charge of assault. William Bright, convicted on the previous day of being unlawfully on tha premises, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. John Richards and John Edward Friend were found guiliiy of conspiracy to defraud, and the former was sentenced to six months, aud the latter to three months. A largely-attended meeting, at which the thres city members oE the House of Representatives wore present, waa held last night in connection with the fruit-growing and marketgarden industries with reference to Chinese competition. Delegates wore appoiuteS to consider the question of united action. It was also resolved to invite the co-operation of the different trades, &c, interested by asking them to" eend delegates to a meeting to be held on Wednesday evening. j Timartj, February 18. ; At the annual meeting of the Timarn Gas Company to-night tbe profit for tie year wjj shown to be £889. A dividend of 8 por cent. , fcas declared. The directors were asked to null up 10s per share in order to wipe off the liability on the debentures maturing in November next. Oajiaru, February 18. j Although only £120 is ?ot down on the pro- ' fframmo for the North Otsigo match at the New \ Zealand Rifle Association meeting; the amount : contributed by tha town will be largely in j excess of that sum. Whether the excess will be added to the North Ofcago m»teh or to the , Nursery match will not be determined until j Major Sommerville amvci at the end of ths | week. j