NEW ZEALAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2739, 31 December 1881, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

(Peh Pbess Association.) Exchanging Hosts,. New Plymouth, Dec. 31. Cottier, of the Masonic Hotel, has purchased the Criterion Hotel from Paul for £7OOO, and take* immediate possession of it. FiresWellington, Dec. 31. 'A twelve roomed house on the Terrace, belonging to Mr J. H. Wallace, and occupied by Mrs Weedon, was burned down early this morning. Nothing is known as to the origin of the fire. The building was insured in the National office for £BOO, the furniture in the Imperial, also for £BOO. Wakelino’s mills at Greytown were burnt down last night. Insurance, £450 in the New Zealand office. The mill was valued at £I6OO. ScullsBern, the champion sculler leaves for Auckland in a day or two to take part in the regatta there. Homeward Bound- , The ships Piako and Pleione sailed for London this morning with full cargoes. The “ Liberty ” Defunct. Chbistchdrch, Dec. 31. The “ Liberty ” has ceased publication. A Circular has been issued announcing the intended publication of a new weekly society paper to be called . “ Society.” A Slight Mistake. Dunedin, Dec. 31. Mr G. M. Bell is not the purchaser of the Waimea Station. It has been sold to an English resident. Statistics. The Customs revenue collected at this port for 1881 was £433,010, against £265,302 in 1880. The vital statistics areßirths, 1829; deaths, 688; marriages, 482 ; as against birth?, 1896 ; deaths, 627 ; marriages, 421, for 1880. There were more marriages registered in December than in any other month hitherto. Latest regarding the Railway dentBalclutha, Dec. 31. The line was cleared and ready for traffic at 4 o’clock this morning. The damage to the line and rolling stock is comparatively trifling. James Blackwood bad his leg broken. An inquest on the body of Woodcock wa» opened to-day, and after viewing the body, inquest was adjourned till Tuesday.