TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11922, 21 December 1900, Page 5

TELEGRAMS.

(Per United Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, December 20.

At a. meeting of the council of the Chamber of Commerce, Mi- A raile, who presided, said that the people of Auckland should themselves establish a steamer service, both on the coast and to Australia. . They had the capital in Auckland to do it, and there was certainly need for some steps to be taken to secure improvements on the present state of affairs. No action was taken, but members agreed that no opportunity should be lost of securing a, more satisfactory steamship service. ■

GISBORNE, December 20. A case is reported in which a Native who was suffering from typhoid fever and was being treated for that disease by a medical. man. got into the hands of tohungas, who took him to sea and gave him a course of two days' bathing, after which he died. This is believed to be the second case of the kind which has occurred here lately.

WELLINGTON, December 20. The King of Denmark has appointed Mr H. D. Bell as Danish consul for the North Island, Mr F. E. Baivme, of Auckland, being vice-consul.

The Chief Justice granted Arthur Disher (warehouseman) a decree nisi for divorce from his wife, Edith Clara Disher, on the ground of desertion.

NELSON, December 20 An inquiry was held to : day by Mr Poyntoh, Public Trustee, who had associated with him 'Mr Dwan, as an expert to give an opinion as. to the value of a licensed house, relative to the action of the Public Trust Office in disposing of the AYakatn Hotel for £970. Arthur Tregea, who had complained of the property riot being offered publicly, said he would have given £1400, including the furniture, costing £127. E. Trash said he would have' pur° chased as a speculation nt £1350 to £1400. Several valuators deposed that £970 wns the full value. It appeared that. the. former licensee died on the 27th June, and it was necessary to open the house on the Ist July to "saye/the license. 'The purchasers, whi> were interested to the extent of £632 in the estate of the previous licensee, satisfied a builder's lien for £333 to enable the house to be opened, and offered to buy it at a fair valuation. The valuation, of "the i city valuator was. £970, and the solicitor j to the department advised that this should be accepted. All the papers were forwarded to the Public Trustee, who telegraphed^ authorising acceptance of' the offer. ,]\fv Poyjvton.; r^maj-ked' that the inquire was held to ascertain the real value, so that the estate of the late licensee might not suffer, for if too small a sum hud been accepted the department'would make good the deficiency out of the'public trust insurance fund. . Sergqant\ Mijck&y >n.^.' reinstated this evening

'CHRISTCHURCH, December 20. In the Supreme. Court,' Richmond Hatamona, . a Native,., who pleaded guilty to forgery,at Rangiora, was sentenced to two years' -hard labour. -Gilbert Henry Wood, for breaking and entering, wns admitted to 12 months' probation. Wood is a youth of 18. Judge Martin-ordered him to pay the costs of the prosecution. ..

IWERCARGILL, December 20.

Mr John Melrlrum's residence and 'outbuildings at Mil wood 'were totally destroyed'by a bush fire: His loss is £400, and there is no insurance.

EEC APT riR $ OF tfSCA PED

PRISONERS.

(Pp.r United^ Peess' Association.) INVER-CARGILL, December 20. Brookes and Heatley, the prisoners wlio escaped from custody while out working in the hospital grounds-on Tuesday 'morning, were captured to-night .by Constable Rasmussen and Warders Dickinson and Hawkins. They had got a. loaded .gun, a sheath knife, and a powder Bask. Both had got a change of clothing, and had small swags. They were arrested at Otapiri,'east of Winton. •