OMNIUM GATHERUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 17 August 1893, Page 17

OMNIUM GATHERUM.

Mr D. A. Brodio, champion draughts player of Dunedin, has been engaged by the draughts club' which has been established at Cromwell and surrounding distihb to coach the players in the game of draughts. He left for Cromwell on Thursday last. Summonses have been issued at the instance of the Official As>ignee at Christohurch under the penal clauses of the Bankruptcy Act against the members of the late firm of Harper and Co.. s- licitore, and the cases will be heard on the 23rd insfc. A curious story is told that the New Zealand ' Land Company, with which Mr W. L. Rees was connected, ultimately escaped from liability for rates on its East Coast properties by transferring the land to the Hon. Mr Carroll and Wi Pere as trustees, when, being the properly of Maoris, it could no longer be rated. The Wellington correspondent of the Taien Advocate declares that there is no split in the Gavernment party, although many of the old, parliamentarians are of opinion that there will b8 some changes on the Government benches next session. The Premier, so far, haß not secured a majority for his Government Railways Bill According to the Gazette returns for the ;; f our cities of the colony, there were 26 deaths from measles in July against 41 in June, and 17 from bronchitis against 9. In Wellington there were 14 deaths from measles last month and none in June. In Auckland and Dunedin, judging by the decreases of deaths during the last month, the epidemic is abating. Inspector Hickson continues to raid disorderly houses at Auckland. Some occupiers fined already were brought up again en tl « 9h. Caunsel for accused asked for an idjournment of the case with a view to test the validity of the city by-law in the Supreme Court. Tia City Council endorse the action of the inspector, and will furnish him with coijrsil to sastain his action and maintain thevalidiby i £ tfie bylaw. Inspector Hickson has reported to the Government concerning the alleged deaths through a Maori tohunga in the north that^the matter was exaggerated. Certain deaths axe alleged to have taken place through the treatment adopted by the tohunga, who- has 'promised to abstain from any further treatment of patients, and the Natives have promised to report to the police any cases of malpractice which may come to their knowledge. A short time ago .Mr Ross, a well-known fruit dealer of Wellington, left for a trip Home, accompanied by his wife. In his son Samuel joined him, and letters came by the mail addressed to Samuel and family. Thinking it Btrange, the flatter opened them, and found them to be condolences from several people on the death of the father. Mr Ross was not ill when he left, and no news. of his death has been received by cable. Meanwhile the family are in great trouble, and eagerly await the Kaikoura's arrival.