TELEGRAMS.

Southland Times, Issue 18063, 5 February 1903, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand.

[Pee UifiTED Press Association.] ,

AUCKLANP, Feb 4.

The Herald understands that the Government has acquired Colbeck Bros' property for closer settlement. The estate consists of about 12,000 acres in Otamatea Cou uty tnd on the Kaipara waters, lt is cattle oountry, but it is believed that the Government intend to try viticulture on some of the propertj'. Ata' meeting of the Premier's presentation committee, the treasurer Btated that £680 had been collected for the national purse in Auckland. It was resolved that he committee arrange for the presentation of the testimonial. The Premier wires that ie expects to be in Auckland on the 16th or 17th.

WELLINGTON, Feb. 4. A number of extra clerks in the Government service in Wellington were dismissed it the end of last month, aud the Post says -he pruniDg knife will be still further applied within the next few weeks. Mr J. Graham Gow, who recently visited Europe, South Africa and the East on belalf of the N.Z. Government, has been appointed a commercial agent abroad for the jolony, and will be stationed in Sonth Africa.

Dr Grace, M L.C, has been seriously ill tor some time aud his condition shows no improvement. The Hatatai estate, on the north-eastern lopes of Mount Victoria, waa sold to-day for building purposes, and realised £900 per icre.

The Cooks aad Stewards Union haa applied to have their dispute with the Union S.S. Co and the Northern S S. Co referred ■» the Conciliation Board. Tbe demands ire for payment ranging from £14 to £1 10s (sic) per month, with a 7 hours day at terminal ports and 10J hours at sea. The transaction- in bankruptcy dnring last year for the distriot controlled from Wellington, which includes Wanganui, Hawke* Bay. Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland, shows there were 80 bankruptcies on debtors' petitions and IC on the petitions of creditors. The liabilities were £35,348. The assets covered by securities -btalled £32,953, and tho_§ which were not, •£24,142. The amount paid, in dividends *as£sß2l.

The following have passed the final medial surgical exam., recently held by the University of N.Z. : - MissE H Baker, WF 3rowne, F R H Hotop, C O Lillie, E M Liesoy, J D Marks, W F Patterson, R J Ritchie, and L S Talbot. v

NAPIER, Feb 4. : The Borough Council has decided to. reInce the number of councilloas from twelve to nine. In response to a requisition fron. hose interested the Council agreed to exempt hairdressers and butchers from the •.aturday half-holiday.

TIMARU, Feb. 4,

Mr Justice Dmnißton to-day granted •John King an order for divbrce from Ehza King on tbe ground of her adultery with a gumdigger named London Mitchell.

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 4.

The Canterbury College Governors have accepted the resignation by Dr Dendy of che professorship of Biology, and have appointed Dr Chilton, of « hristchnrch, to the position, provided he deposed of his present jractice within 12 months; he,v however, to _c at liberty to act as an optbalmic .surgeon, <übject to the approval of the Board. It was lecided to advertise for a lecturer on "eology at £100 a year. . ■ > A committee appointed in connection rith the New Zealand draughts tournament lecided that a tourney be placed on the all round system, every player- to meet every .ther player in two games, and the competitor scoring the greatest number of wins co be declared the champion for the yean William i-Murpby p'eaded guilty to stealing a horse, saddle and bridle, and was committed to the Supreme Court foe sentence. . Last-night on the Cbristohurch— Sutoner tram a young man, Albert Martin,' fell off a •;ar and had both of his legs run over above the knees. He died early this-morning. DUNEDIN, Feb. 4.

Mr David Tannock, at present officer in charge of the Agricultural School, Dominica, West Indies, has been appointed superintendent of the botanic gardens and city ie>e_vß_, out of 95 applications from all parts of the world. The salary is £200 a year md a free house.

The Executive of the Council ' of the Churcheshas decided that, with aview to giv ing effect to the recent decisive vote of the people, a vigorous effort Bhould be made to nominate a strong temperance committee at the next election of a' licensing bench, and that the names of the foUowing be submitted for approval as candidates :— Dr DeLatour, Messrs A. 0. Begg, J. A. Wilkinson, D. C. Cameron and M. W. Green.