New Zealand.

Southland Times, Issue 18056, 28 January 1903, Page 3

New Zealand.

(Pbe United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 27. Colonel Webb succeeds Colonel Newall in command of the Wellington district. In connection with having the best advice with regard to utilising the rivers of N.Z. for generating. electiie energy, the Government intends to get a report from an expert who is expected from Hobarb next week. Further reductions are being made in the Defence Department, and the services of a largo number of temporary clefka will be dispensed with at tl c end of the month. Although the quantity of cargo offering is very small, it haß been decided to Bend the Kent to load at Pert Chalmers on February Ist for South Africa. NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. 27A woman, who gave her name as Jane Mullin, from <* aihi, died suddenly in gaol this morning. She arrived here on Thursday, and was on remand for a week for medical observation as to her state of mind. CHrtISTCHURCH, Jax. 27. Chas. 'MoKjcol, Chrietehurch, bootmaker, sued Mr H. JG. EII,'M.H.R., this morning for £817s» alleged to be due on a promissory note given aV.ut sixteen yearn ago. He stated that Mr Ell in November last had offered to pay £75 if MeN col would explain to the electors the lircumstances under which the bill was given, but McNicol re fused. The Magistrate gave judgment for the defend <nt on the ground ihab the debt was barred by the Statute of Limitations. OAMARU, J^N. 27. Heavy rain culminated in thunder and a hailstorm to day, happily of short duration, otherwise serious injury would have resulted to crops. Many heavy fields have been badly laid. NAPIER, Jak. 27. The Milbourne Estate compensation case was eoitiuued to-day, about a score of farmers and other experts giving evidence as to tihe value of the land, which ranged, in their estimates, from £5 12s to £6 15s per acre. The case for the Government, who offered £4 per acre, will be taken tomorrow. DUNEDIff, Jan. 27. A cable to day announced the death, in Lor.don, of Mr John Alexander Ewen, partner in the firm of Kargood, Son and Ewen Mr Ewen opened the fii-m's business in Dunedin, and resided here for some years.