TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10601, 22 February 1896, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

(Peb United Pbess Association.)

Auckland, February 21.

Fires are raging, oil over the Whangarei district, and the township is enveloped with smoke. It was hoped that the last rains would have successfully quenched the fire in Puhipuhi; bnt such hopes have not been realised, despite the efforts of the ranger, Mr H. S. Wilson, who pub on parties of men to fight the fire, which is burning more fiercely than ever. Accounts of extensive damage to pasture and the destruction of stock are coming in. The Ofcui Forest Reserve, Sonfch Whangarei, is also attacked by fire, which is doing so much damage thafc it is stated that in a short time the forest will be rendered valueless. Bush fires at Paparoa destroyed orchards, ps-stute, and fencing. Redfern's house at Marerefcu, which was unoccupied, has been destroyed, and settlers bave lost stock in the district, the smoke suffocating them.

The Hon. W. M. M'Callough, M.L.C, who leaves by the San Prancisco steamer for Home, has been appointed to represent Auckland and is the accredited representative of the Auckland Burns Club at the Scottish National Demonstration on the unveiling of the statue to Highland Mary.

A Ladies' Health Association has been formed, to- promote domestic hygiene, train children in health matters, and secure improvement in cookery.

An enthusiastic and crowded meeting of the Auckland Navy League was held to-night. Mr Niccol (chairman on the Harbour Board) presided. Mr W. G. Napier delivered a lecture or. - " The British Navy: Its Duties and its Strength," illustrated by a splendid series of limelight views. Old naval patriotic songs were .sung snd cheered to the echo, the audience rieißg and giving three cheers at the close of some of tbe tonga. On fche motion of the Mayor, a vote of thanks to Mr Napier was carried by acclamation. Interesting naval relic 3 were shown of the war of 1815.

Napier, February 21. The annual general meeting iof the shareholders in tlie Riverside Fellmongery and Woolscouring Company (Limited) wae held to-day. The company pays a dividend of 10 per cent. upon the past year's work, and transfers a farther 20 per cent, to the credit of the reserve fund. Mr H. A. Banner was re-elected managing director.

Hawera, February 21,

A deposit of natural gas was tapped last evening on the boundary of the Hawera borough. A well was being sunk on a section belonging to Mr C. A. Budge when gas was discovered which burned freely.

Wellington, February 21.

The polling, of ratepayers on the baths question to-day showed a large majority in favour of a saltwater bath being erected at the Thomdon and To Aro ends. The voting was : For no baths, 193; for one central bath on the reclaimed land, 58 ; for a saltwater bath at each end of the city, 436. Very little interest was taken in the polling, only 687 votes being recorded out of 4100 on the roll.

A plot of land containing £_ acres, situated in the centre of Carterton, has been purchased for £500 and presented in trust to the town as a public reserve and recreation ground by Messrs W. Booth and W. C. Buthanau, M.H^R.; the former paying £300 and the latter £200 of the purchase money. Information has been received from'• England" that fche following Wellington candidates have passed the LL.B. examination of the New Zealand University :—B. 8. Baldwin, section ; M, Myers, J. H. Moore, F, J. Rolleston—final. For barrister, C. W. Tringham.

A fire broke out to-night in the boiler room afc Luke's foundry, which is the third outbreak in a short space of time. A little more damage was dove on this occasion as some patterns were stored there, but the flames were quickly extinguished.