TELEGRAPHIC BRIEFS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1874, 21 October 1887, Page 21

TELEGRAPHIC BRIEFS.

Mr Donald Gollan died at Napier on the 14th aged 76. Deceased arrived in the colony in 1840 as surveyor under the New Zealand Company, and sat in the Wellington Provincial Council for the East Coast. He was the pioneer of Hawke's Bay sheepfarming, and was a wealthy and most respected settler. Greve Debrun, a stationer at Christchurch has been committed for trial for attempted arson. The stock found in his shop, insured for £300, was valued at £22. Most of the stock in the shop when the insurance was effected had been removed before the fire. His personal effects, which had been insured for £300, consisted of an old bicycle which he had hired, two guns that had been borrowed, and a few articles of small value. He was also committed for trial on the further charge of stealing a quantity of knives and forks, towels, tobacco, and other articles from the Canterbury Club, where he was formerly employed as boots. The formal opening of the Norfch New Zealand Woollen Company's mills, at Onehunga, took place on Saturday. About 500 visitors were present, and they witnessed the operations in full swing. The Hon. J. Martin is about to try an experiment in the cultivation of sugar beet on his estate at Wairarapa. The Hon. Wi Tako is in a critical condition, and bnt slight hopes are held of his recovery. Diphtheria is prevalent at the Hutt, and two deaths in one family have occurred within a week. A woman named Jessie Walker attempted suicide at Wellington by taking a dose of carbolic acid. A representative meeting of citizens was held at the Post Office Hotel, Greymouth, to bid good-bye to Mr R. L. Clements, late assistant teacher of the Greymouth State school, who is about to take the head mastership ef the Naseby State school. In the course of the proceedings a cheque for a considerable amount was presented to Mr Clements for Mrs Clements. The mayor presided. As Mr Clements was a noted local cricketer, he was presented with a handsome cricket bat by the Greymouth Cricket Club. At Tuesday's meeting of the Canterbury t Diocesan Synotlßishop Harper, announced his I intention of resigning at tbe end of next year, as his health will not permit of his discharging all the duties of his office to his satisfaction. He will probably call the synod together immediately after Easter to make arrangements for his successor. In his address he stated that the receipts from the church properties shewed a considerable decrease, due to the badness of the times. Ho urged renewed efforts in regard to making provision for imparting religious education to children.