WITHIN THE COLONY.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume I, Issue 65, 20 October 1893, Page 2

WITHIN THE COLONY.

NEWS BY TELEGRAPH.

(Per Press Association.) Struck Off the Roll. Wellington, This Day. The Court of Appeal struck IF K. Shortland. of Auckland, off the roll of solicitors, on the ground of fraud and conviction for criminal libel for which he underwent two years’ imprisonment. The defence was that Shortland was subject to insane delusions. Cabinet Changes. Wellington, This Day. Mr Ward takes charge of the Marine Department in place of Sir Patrick Buckley. Vital Statistics. Wellington, Thiß Day. Deaths from measles in the four large towns dropped from 26 in August to 11 in September. Revenue Returns. Wellington. This Day. The receipts for quarter ended September 30th were £1,043,878, including £895,021 from ordinary revenue, ana £115,406 from territorial sources. The expenditure side shows a balance of £140,494 after wiping off outstanding balance at the beginning of the quarter of £22,591. Permanent appropriation absorbed £219,977 and regular services £527,375. The ordinary revenue for quarter shows an increase of £32,000 on same period last year. The territorial shows a slight falling off. The Unemployed. Christchurch, This Day. Twenty unemployed left yesterday for the Millburn road works. Southland. Mr Reeves has made arrangements for two more batches to leave in a few days. Ten men got bush work at Wakawa and 20 on Government works in the North Island. School Home Work. Dunedin, This Day. At a meeting of the FMucation Board the following resolution was passed : “ The attention of the Board having been called to the system of excessive koine lessons said to exist in some schools in this district, the Board strongly disapproves of such course, and recommends teachers to give as little home exercise as possible, arithmetic and writing exercise at home being especially disapproved of.” Wednesday Half-Holiday. Wellington, This Day. A demonstration was made outside of Linbergh’s drapery shop last night, and for a time it was feared that the crowd would break the windows. Ultimately Linbergh agreed to close on Wednesday afternoons, and after giving three cheers the crowd dispersed. Fallen Through. Wellington, This Day. Negotiations between the Harbor Board and J. Williams for the substitution of a tug service for pilot service has fallen through. Harbor Board Expenditure. W’ellington, This Day. The Auditor-General has notified the Harbor Board of the provisions in the Public Revenues Act, whereby legitimate expense in connection with public receptions and other matters will now be allowed. Fruit Inspectors. Wellington, This Day. W. J. I'almer, of Auckland, and J. C. Blaekniore, of Christchurch, have been appointed fruit inspectors for North and South Islands respectively, pending appointment of an Inspector from America. Text Books in Schools. Auckland, This Day. A preliminary conference on the question of scriptural text books in national schools has been agreed upon between Bishop C’owie, Rev R. F. McNicol, and Rev T. Robertson, representatives to the Auckland Ministers’ Association held yesterday, Bishop Cowie in the chair. The following resolution was unanimously adopted :—“ That it is desirable that text books of selections from the Old and New Testaments be adopted for the use of board schools in this colony.” A resolution was carried recommending that the text books draw up by Irish Commissioners, and at present used in New South Wales, be employed. A committee was appointed to give effect to the resolution. The Premier. Wellington, This Day. The Premier left for Marton to-day where he addresses a meeting to-night. N.Z. Rifle Association. Wellington, This Day. Major Somerville is engaged drafting the programme for the next competition of the N.Z. Rifle Association. No decision has yet been arrived at for the range in the South Island. Both Canterbury and Oamaru are anxious to have a meeting. The Coming Election. Wellington. This Day. Major Somerville has been asked to contest the Wanganui seat, and has been promised large support. He has not yet decided. Serious Fire in Auckland. Auckland, This Day. George FYaser and Sons’ Phoenix F'oundry, Stanley street, was destroyed by tire at midnight. A strong wind fanned the flames and caused an immense conflagration. Nine leads of hose and a splendid pressure of water kept the fire in one block. The northern block remains intact. The portion of the building destroyed contained a thousand pounds worth of machinery and patterns and tracing of an extensive business accumulated in the past thirty years. The engineering plant destroyed was one of the most complete in the colony. The New Zealand Insurance Company had a general policy of £7500 on the plant. The building was largely reinsured. The damage is estimated at £IO,OOO. The origin is unknown. Nautical Enquiry. Wellington, This Day. The Magisterial enquiry into the striking of the Rotorua on a rock off Jackson’s Head acquitted the captain and officers of any blame.