WITHIN THE COLONY.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 138, 20 April 1894, Page 3

WITHIN THE COLONY.

NEWS BY TELEGRAPH. * (Per I'REsa Association.) * Mr Ward Dissents. Wellington, This day. Mr Ward strongly dlssi-nls from several of the stat< m uts contained m fair John Pender's letter re the Pacific cable. He says Sir John forgets to make allowance in bis calculations for the groat increase in cable work that will ensue wh n the new tine is laid. The Canadian Conference. Wellington, This day. In representing the colony at the Canadian Conference, Mr L e Smith lias been instructed by the Government to urge the desirableness of Cauada so adjusting Us fiscal policy as to admit New Zealand products fee, New Zealand, in u-turn, agreeing to admit Canadian products free. He will make every effort to have the Pacific cable supported by England and Canada, Auura.ia and New Zaaami, laid upon lines similar to those indicated by Air Ward at the recent postal conference. The policy in this matter is for the Australian colonies and New Zealand to guarantee proportionately on the basis of population, half of the interest ou cost of the construction, and for England and Canada, too distant from the countries with which the greater portion of th.-ir trade is carried on, to conduct the business with more facilities than exist at present. Mr Lee Smith will advocate the establishment of a Pacific mail service, urging that New Zealand should be made a port of call for direct steamers. In addition to these matters every effort will he made by Mr Smith to open up fresh markets for New Zealand products in Cauada, and also in Euglaud, whore he goes immediately after the business of the conference has been concluded. Floods in the South. Invercargill, This day. The warm raiu has melted the snow and railway trains are detain d. All the rivers are in high flood. It is reported an industrial school b n in the service of one Evans has been drowned in the Otapiri river. Action Against a Doctor. Westport, This day. An action claiming £SOO lias boen begun by G. Ferguson against Di W right for alleged unskilful treatment of an injury sustained by a fall from a horse. A Strange Case. Invercargill, This day. Sergeant McDonnell told an extraordinary story in opening the case of W. J. Atkinson on a charge of fraud and fire-raising. lie said Atkinson last year insurtil a house and furniture for .1100. The house had no existence shoitly b fore the New Tear. He built a house of one room early in January, which was burnt and a claim made for the insurance. He then describ d the house as one of a rooms. It is alleged accused afterwards put piles in the ground to represent the site of a large building. These were charred ou the ton. but the Sergeant remarked, “ The ae. used has forgotton to burn the grass on the site.” It was also shown that broken crock.-ry had been strewn ah >iu after the constable had visited the place. The case is proceeding. Shuffled off. Christchurch, This day. A man named Midgeley, aged 61 years, a shoemaker at Sydenham, was found hanging in his workshop yesterday. The Law’s Asinine Proclivities. Dunedin, This day. In the defence to a charge of selling liquor to a child of 13 counsel for the defence contended tho clause specified liquors, and while beer was a liquor it could not be liquors. The | Magistrate reserved his decision. A Finger in the Pie. Wellington, This day. I The Cabinet intend to suggest to the Imperial Government that the Samoan difficulty should be terminated by annexing the islands to New Zealand as was proposed by King Malietoa some years ago, and placing them under a protectorate like that exercised I over Raratonga. Should the three j treaty powers object the Ministers will : offer to govern the islands for them. A Liberal Idea. Wellington, This day. The Minister of Lands is engaged upon a scheme for letting contracts for bushfelling and giving men employed on them the option of taking up the land thus cleared with the price of felling added to the value of the land. Assisting Unemployed. Wellington, This day. The Government have made arrangements to find work for urgent cases of unemployed. Revolver Accident. Napier, This Day. Mr William Perrin, lie. nsee of the Exchange Hotel, was handling a revolver last night when it went off and the bullet lodged in his skull. The j doctors managed to locate it, though it is not yet extracted. At first fatal results were anticipated, but appearances are now more favorable. Nurses’ Home. Christchurch, This Day. ! The foundation stone of the Nurses’ j Home was laid yesterday. The home will cost £IOOO, which is to be raised by subscription and subsidy. The Last of the Grecian Bend. Napier, This day. The Captain of the Tekapu made an effort to raise the wreckage that j was met with oft' Mabaka. All endeavors to bring what is attached to lit to the surface failed. It is believed j that the wreckage is the hull of the j Grecian Bend. It is in the way of ' passing vessels