TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11329, 24 January 1899, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(Per Unites Pbkss Association.)

AUCKLAND, January 23,

The Westralia brought as passengers from Sydney Captain Pakenliam, secretary to Lord Brassey, Governor of Victoria, and Mrs Pakenham, and also Captain Pelham, aide-de-enmp to Lord Brassey. They intend staying in New Zealand for a brief period. Mr Baker, Government surveyor and engineer, has practically finished laying off a site near the Okere Falls, close to the outlet from Lake Rotoiti for the erection of a dynamo for the electric lighting of Rotorua and other purposes. It is proposed to utilise the waterfall to generate the electricity. At the Police Court Charles Cowan, a bush contractor, charged with failing to keep proper accounts within three years before his bankruptcy, pleaded guilty with no intention to defraxid, and was sentenced to three months' hard labour. His counsel asked for probation, but this was refused. It is stated that owing to the publicity given to applications for old-age pensions a number of local claims have been withdrawn since the last sittings. NAPIER, January 23.' C. E. Wise, a lieutenant of the Napier Rifles, arrested at Christchurch on a warrant charging him with the theft of J33 3s, the property of the volunteers, was brought before the Police Court this morning, and pleaded guilty. The accused was remanded for a report by the probation officer. His defalcations amounted to over £20, but had been made good. WANGANUI, January 23. Beautiful weather prevailed for the holiday. The principal attraction was the Caledonian, sports, which were largely attended and highly successful. There was the biggest gathering of pipers ever seen here, no less than 16 being on the ground. The points prize for Highland music was taken by Piper Cameron, and that for dancing by Forbes, whilst most points in tossing the caber, putting the hammer, and throwing the stone, were taken by M'Dowell, of Palmerston North. The river excursions and those to the seaside attracted large crowds. WELLINGTON, January 23. Mr Ayson, curator of the Acclimatisation Society, writes that he has secured promises in .America and Canada, of a million and ahalf white fish eggs, and 100,000 Pacific and blue back salmon. Canvas back and red head duck are very scarce, and he does not expect to get any. He proposes to obtain elk and white tail deer, quail, and Canadian wild goose. Mr Ayson gays that fish culture in America is ahead of that in Europe, and he has received every assistance in getting an insight into the system of working. CHRISTCHURCH, January 23. The Minister for Lands, who is staying a,i Hanmer Plains, was entertained at a banquet at the Jollies Pass Hotel on Friday night by the settlers of Amuri. There was a very large gathering. Mr M'Kenzie in replying to tue toast of his health, avoided any reference to political affairs, and confined himself to thanking the settlers for their hospitality, and remarking on the probable development of Hanmer as a health resort. Several of the large landholders in the district complimented the Minister on the work done by bis deijartmerit in suppressing the rabbit nuisance, and stated that all danger to the district from rabbits was now past.

Mr A. B. Kirk, a well-known citizen, who is leaving Christchurch for Thnaru, was to-day presented with a purse of sovereigns from the citizens. The Mayor of Christclnircli and the Hon. W. C. Walker both referred to the work done by Mr Kirk in'connection with, the Industrial Association, and his efforts to foster local industries.

Louisa and Lucy Constable were to-day committed for trial on a charge of disposing of the body of a child with intent to conceal the fact of birth.

The militia roll for Canterbury and North Otago is completed. The numbers are: — First class, 11,085; second class, 3627; third class, 4782 ;— total, 19,494.

TTMARU, January 23. Mr Edward Elworthy, an early runholdcr and a large landholder in the Pareora-Wai-mate County, died suddenly yesterday morning from heart disease.