TELEGRAMES. iiU-jiMTKAMo.

Colonist, Volume XXXI, Issue 5120, 1 February 1888, Page 3

TELEGRAMES. iiU-jiMTKAMo.

Per United Press Association; AUCKLAND,

January 31. Edward Hodgkins, an omnibus driver, broke his leg by falling from an omnibus when returning from the Takapuna Races on Saturday evening. The bone was badly smashed by the wheels going over it, and the surgeon at the hospital said that amputation was the only hope of saving the injured man's life. Hodgkins, however, steadily refused to permit amputation, and is now dying and unconscious, mortification having commenced.

'A number of officials in publio service in Auckland have received notice that in consequence of the secessity for retrenchment their services will be dispensed with. Amongst their number is Mr D. A. Tole, Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands, who has been in the service 30 year 3, and who has received one month's notice of dismissal. The annual meeting of the Union Sash and Door Company was held to-day. The Directors regretted having again to meet the shareholders with a balance sheet showing a heavy loss. Australian consignments had resulted in a loss, though cargoes sent to England showed a handsome profit. Later. Hodgkins, who was injured at the conclusion of the Takapuna races on Saturday, died to-day at the hospital.

A man, name unknown, was ran over and killed at the Newmarket railway crossing today. His legs were torn off and bis skull was fractured. It is surmised that he fell off the train, but as yet nothing is known of the cause of the accident. The man was alive when found but died shortly afterwards. < MASTERTON, January 31. George Young, clerk in the Sheep and Babbit Inspector's office shot himself in a yard behind his office this evening. He was discovered in a dying Btate about half an hour after committing the deed, and lived only a few minutes after being found. He shot himself in the mouth, the bullet going right into the skull. He left letters iatimating his intention of killing himself, and said" he was tired of life. He leaves a wife and six children. His life waa insured for £500 in the Government office, and for £200 in another office. Monetary difficulties are supposed to be the cause.

WELLINGTON,

January 31. The Aorangi has brought a patent from H.B.H^ the Prince of Wales, the Grand Master of England, appointing Sir Harry Atkinson to the high office of District Grand Master for Wellington, North Island of New Zealand, E.G., to which office he waa elected some months ago, in succession to Bro. 0. J. Toxward, who was successor of the late Bro. Sir Donald McLean, first D.G.M. of the D.G.K. Lodge.

The German and Danish Consuls paid an official visit to the French warship Fubert today, and on leaving the vessel the respective national flags were run up and saluted.

A narrow escape from a great catastrophe happened in the Manawatu Gorge last evening aa the coaches from Woodville came to meet the Wellington train, were passing through. On rounding one of the moat dangerous bends, they found that the whole of the bush on the side of the hill above the road was on fire, and the horses were just pulled in in time. Notwithstanding the danger, Peters, the driver of the first coach, took out the horses to lead them across, and as they passed the worst spot, a large fall of hot stones and debris came down. The result was that one of the horsea.bounded over the cliff, hut was oaught in some scrub, and waa subsequently dragged up by ropes. Eventually, the coach was also pulled past the worst spot, but not till men had been driven away from it several times by falling fire from tl)OT«. Similar experience liuppened to

Jonea & Huntera' coach, but ihsy were not bo fortunate, as, in getting tho horses past it, one of them bounded over and broke its baok on the beach below. There is not the least doubt that if the fire had not bean noticed'in time by the drivers, the horses and coaches would bave gone over tbe gorge. DUNBDIN, January 31,

During the past year the number of civil eases commenced in the R.M. Court was 3612, and the total amounts sued for was £15,879 Is., The number of cas&s heard, or in whioh judgment wera recorded, was 1793, the amount sued for being #17,373, and the amount for which judgments were given, £15,026* -

As a cement of good quality is now being manufactured in the Colony, the Government have decided to cease granting facilities for the remission of duties on imported, and refunds will only be made in future in respect of such works as are specifically mentioned in tha Tariff.v

_ The promoters of the Dunedin International Exhibition have received an offer fre in Eanch, and his stepfather Glenelg to represent them in England, in the interviews with the manufacturers, etc., for £100.

CHIUSTCHUECH, January 31. Heavy rain, with occasional fall of hail, set in this afternoon. There was a severe thunder storm at Darfield, 30 miles from Christ" church.