WELLINGTON,

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 25

WELLINGTON,

0. E. Htoden, solicitor, appeared in Court at Palmerston North on the 13th on a charge of theft of £260, the property of Margaret M. Handcock. On the application of the police a remand was granted till Friday week, the -21st inst. Bail in prisoner's own recognisance for £200 and-

two sureties of £100 each was allowed.

Early on the 16th inst. the fever ward ( at the hospital was totally destroyed by fire. The ward was originally er-ectel as a plague hospital, and was thoroughly equipped. There were eight patients and a nurse, all of whom got out safely. The . building was insured, buC the details were' not obtainable to-day.

WEST COAST. The Southern Cross Hotel, Reefton, was gutted by fire. The licensee and his wife

are away at Greymouth. The building and contents were .^insured in the Commercial 1 Union for £950. The property is owned by Mr Findlay, the licensee. Mr J. S. Lang, of Hokitika, has been appointed a. member of the Westland Land Purchase Board, and is now en-

gaged with the Chief Commissioner of

Crown Lands inspecting and reporting on the Inchbonnie Estate, which it has been

suggested should be purchased by the Government for closer settlement in the Lake Brunner district. Subsequently a meeting of the Land Purchase Board will he held in Christchurch to make a final report on the .matter to the Government.