TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11956, 1 February 1901, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

(Per United Press Association.) , AUCKLAND, January 31. The New Zealand Accident Insurance Company lias attained its majority, and held its twenty-first annual meeting of share-' holders to-day. The balance sheet shows the company to be in a very strong financial position. £3000 was transferred to the reserve fund and £1000 to the contingent liabilities. The net premium income for the year amounts to £2800. The compensation paid and provided for amounts to £20,000. She usual dividend was declared. GISBORNE, January 31. At a meeting of the Harbour Board today the special auditor reported that the annual deficit, which had been accumulating up to 1897, had now been extinguished, and the general account, which in 1897 showed a debit of £3469, now showed a credit balance of £3453, which amount is being applied to harbour improvement. The harbourmaster's report showed that the state of-the river is better than it had ever been before. The chairman said he was confident when the dredge arrived they would soon be able to get such steamers as the Omapere and the Moura into the river. NAPIER, January 31. In reply to the Education department's circular re the allocation, of the grant for increasing school teachers salaries, the Hawke's Bay Board passed a resolution that they feel utterly at a loss to form any conception of the basis on which the proposed increases are made, and consider the ■proposals inequitable.

WELLINGTON, January 31. The figures submitted to the Harbour Board to-day showing the operations for the year exhibited an increase in all departments. There was an, increase in inward consignment tonnage of 9176 tons, and in outward shipments of 6193 tons. Wool shows (in increase of 13,270 bales, and hemp of 24.662 bales. The outward shipments of timber increased by half a million superficial feet. There were 50 more steamers and 25 more sailing ships berthed than in 1899. , , . ~, In connection with the sittings of the Federal Commission, which open in InverC ar"ill on February 5, evidence will be taken in each centre of the presidents of Chambers of Commerce, Industrial Associations, and Trades and Labour Councils, as well as from leading commercial men. 'flie Abattoirs Committee of, the City Council have recommended that the necessary steps should be taken to establish abattoirs as soon as possible. Mr Fisher, the Italian Consul, received a communication from the Minister of Marine in Rome announcing that a decree has been i&siied granting an amnesty to all sailors of the Italian mercantile marine who may have deserted from ships previous to November, 1900. CHRISTCHURCH, January 31. A heavy thunderstorm passed over North Canterbury to-nisht, and there was a downpour of rain in the city.