TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION]

West Coast Times, Issue 7233, 3 January 1889, Page 4

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION]

INTERPEOVINCIAL. Greymowth, Jan. 2. The rainfall for the past year was the heaviest for years. In inches it was 109*963; in 1886 it was 105-050 ; in 1887 it was 97*061. It rained 239 days last year ; 221 in 1886, and 199 in 1887. The mean temperature for last year differs only slightly. Wellington, Jan. 2. The sixth annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institnte opened toi day, Mr George Maemarran preaiding. Delegates were present from Auckland, Wairarapa, Wanganui, Taranaki, Nelson, Maryborough, North Canterbury, Otago aud Waikato. Mr Charles of Nelson gave notice of his intention to move " That the resolution re Dr Richardson's temperance le?son book, forwarded by the Auckland blanch be relegated to tho branch institutions for their consideration-" The resolution of the Auckland branch was a3 follows ;— " That in the opinion of this In* atitute Dr Richardson's temperance lesson book and the first steps iv temperance contain an amount of controversial matter which renders them unfit for use in the public schools, aud this Institute therefore urges upon the Minister of Education that they should be removed from the list of books authorised to be so used." After the appointment of the usual committees the Council adjourned until to-> morrow. Customs receipts for December (several small returns yet to come): £109,419 as against £105,068 for the corresponding month last year. Beer duty for the same month, £5364 (several small returaa yet to come), as against £6235 last year. Thomas Smith, a very old settler of Hokokiwi Valley, died on Monday, aged 89. A homestead and dairy at Huntley farm, Upper Hutt, occupied by Mr Wilson aud owned by Mr Nicholas Reid, were destroyed by fire last night. Insured for I £720 in the South Briti-h. No particulars reached town now the fire originated. Auckland, Jan 2. Hoth's furniture shop and hot bath, Vie- j toria street East, were destroyed by fire. They are owned by Mr L, D. Nathan. Insured for £200 in the Colonial ; stock, nearly all destroyed, insured for £500 in the same office. A passenger named Charles Bartlett, assistant baliff to the Central Police Court, Sydney, jumped overboard from the Ringarooma. The body was recovered I buc the officers failed to restore ani- j motion. Dunedin, Jan. 2. ! Robert Frew, carter, aged 60 years, \ d^d very suddenly at the house of a frund he was visiting. He complained of > iternal pains at an early hour this morning when he was given eomeMellor'a sauce after which he seemed better, but iv a few minutes he fell back dead. He never suffered from hesrt disease so far as is known. At the inquest a verdict of death from natural causes was re» turned. Blenheim, Jan. 2 r J'ho tody of Warren, cook of the Waihi, was found to-day near the mouth of the river. Chbistohdrch, Jan. 2. .At about 2.30 this afternoon a fieh ng TjT-i under canvas, containing two men, Fr- ".k Love and William GibsoD, capsized in --.yttel ton harbor close to the ree r . The ! accdeut was seen from Eeveral boats, which put out and rescued both men. A conference of teachers of secondary

schools opetibd to-day, (j, f\ Bourne) Auckland, presiding. A motion was carried that it is desirable each examination paper in the University entrance examination should be approved of by at least two examiners. That high school training followed by a pas* at the matriculation should be required of applicants for pupil teachership.

An analysis of portions of tho remains of Mrs Beattie, whose body was exhumed at Hororata on suspicion of death having been caused by poison, proves that no trace of poison can be found. Wahqanoi, Jan. 2.

The Bank of New South Wales ba* forwarded a cheque of ten guineas to the fund of thejfire brigade for their energy in saving tbe bank premise* on the occasion of the late fire in the Avenue. A party of ladies and gentlemen are getting up a dramatic performance in aid of the brigade to take place in about a fortnight.