NEW ZEALAND

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4978, 10 April 1889, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND

(By Telegraph.) AUCKLAND, April 9. A Rugby Union Football Association has been formed in connection with the public schools. The Hon. Messrs Fergus and Stephens returned from their trip north last night, having inspected the route for the north of Auckland trunk railway. The Rev, Father Muiphy, who is about to proceed to Ireland, has been presented with an address and a purse of sovereigne from bis parishioners at Pukekohei. The race for the bicycle championship of New Zealand, 25 miles, was run to-day on tho domain cricket ground, and was won by A. G. Buchanan, who beat A. G. Clarke by a quarter of a mile, Grange being third. Boord and Stewart also started, but did not finish. , Time Ihour 32raiu. 1-J-sec. on the grass track, beating r 1! previous records for the colony. WANGANUI, April 9. The body of Mrs Doran, who had been missing, was found this morm'ng in a waterhole in the river close to where she was seen last. An inquest was held to-day. There was no evidence so show how deceased came by her death. A verdict of “ found drowned” was returned. At a general meeting of the Harmonic Society, this evening, Mr Martin, late of Dunedin, was appointed conductor. WELLINGTON, April 9. The 'Evening Frees states that, owing to the Supreme Court work here being in arrears, the Chief Justice having undertaken the duties of acting-Govemor, the authorities have been seriously contemplating the appointment of an acting-judge. The Premier received a cablegram from the Agent-General to-day, announcing that the Midland Railway Company had been successful in obtaining the money necessary to carry out tho works. The balance-sheet of the Wellington musical festival, which was held in December last, shows a nett deficit of £l4O. The receipts were £476, and the expenses £616. CHRISTCHURCH, April 9. Mr J. H. Hopkins, a member of the Drainage Board, was to day severely taken to task by his follow-members for writing letteu and making public statements of the board’s finances wholly contrary to truth. They passed a resolution calling upon him to specify his charges in writing, apologise, or withdraw them. He asserted that the books allowed a deficit of £SCO, and that only £2500 had been spent in the Linwood district, whereas the books showed no deficit, and £16,000 has been spent in Linwood. OAMARU, April 9. It has been ascertained that the warrant of commitment in the case of William Christie, who was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment on Monday, arising out of his connection with the Colonial Investment Company, is void, owing to the word “March” being inserted in place of “ Aprl.” A writ of habeas corpus will be appfied for to secure tho release of Christie. An inquest was held to-day into the c:rcumstences of a fire which occurred at the Denton Hotel, situated about ten miles from Oamaru. The place was insured on the night of tho 2nd instant. Gorse, etc., were placed against the building and set fire to. The fire was extinguished by the servant girl, who was awakened by the crackling noise. The jury found that there was nothing to show how the fire originated, but that there were suspicious circumstances. DUNEDIN, April 9. The sixth anniversary of the Salvation Army commencing operations in New Zealand was celebrated by a monster tea to-night, at which about 800 were present. A procession marched through the town, and at the meeting afterwards about 2000 attended. Six years ago Captains Pollard and Burford and Mrs Burford landed in Dunedin, and commenced by playing a concertina in the streets. There are now 53 corps, 80 outposts, 136 officers, 3250 soldiers, three rescue homes, and a prison gate brigade. It was announced at the meeting of the Presbyterian Synod this evening that the Church Board of Property and the Commissioners of the Synod, had unanimously agreed to recommend to the University Council the temporary appointment of Mr Halkett Dawson to the vacant chairs of English and Political Economy in the University, and the appointment of Mr John W. Salmond, son of Dr Salmond, to the chair of Constitutional History. There were four applicants for the English chair, three for Politic?, 1 . Economy, and eight for Constitutional History,