NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 March 1901, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

(pee press association.)

Napier Harbor Board. Nait kr, This Day

The country members of the Harbor Board arc strongly opposed to the recent reductions, and declare the whole proceeding informal, and will fight the question ou' when it finally comes up. The Board intend to erect a cargo shed at the root of the breakwater, which will greatly lessen the cost of handling. Complaints are made that though from £7O to £100,009 is drawn from this port in customs duties, the] Government will not give the attendance of a customs officer at the breakwater. Water Supply. Gisborne, T 1 iis Day. Mestayer favors tlie V\ ailierere Crock, which, is eight miles from town, as the source for the water supply to provide 50 gallons per bead per day for a population of 12,000 to 18,000. The Marine Slime. Wellington, March 19. A report on the slime which recently caused considerable mortality among fish in the Nelson district has been made to the Minister of Marino by Sir James Hector from a sample taken after the mortality had ceased; but it is still thought that it was only marine sediment and results throw very little light on the cause of mortality. Easter Encampment. The commandant of the forces has been in communication with officers commanding volunteer districts in various parts of the colony with regard to holding an Easter encamgmcnt and will probably make a recommendation to the Minister of Defence to-morrow.

Inebriate Homes. Reports on tho establishment of Inebriate Homes have been sent in to the Government by officials of the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Department and the matter lias been under the consideration of tho Cabinet for some time past. Sly Grog Prosecutions. Dunedin, March 19. Tho hearing of charges of sly grog selling at Tapanui was resumed to-day. James o‘Dowd, charged with selling liquor on New Year’s Eve, was convicted and fined £4O and costs, to be recovered by distress or in default one month without hard labour. The Crown Prosecutor said hard labour would bo preferable, but Mr Stratford, S.M. thought persons convicted of such offences should not altogether lose their character by being sent to work with ordinary criminals. Two informations against Patrick M'Cann were withdrawn, the Crown Prosecutor saying ho had only one witness and he did not think it prudent to proceed with the case.

Anglo-Tongan Treaty, Auckland, This Day. Tho Star’s Tong an correspondent states that on February 18th, a treaty was made between C. Basil Thomason, for tho English Government and King George for tho Tongan Government ; and was formally ratified on behalf of both Goverements by Hamilton. Hunter for many years in Ills Majesty’s service at Fiji was installed Consul by Sir George O’Brien. The Bricklayers’ Dispute. Auckland, This Day. The bricklayers’ dispute has been settled by cinference. The hours are reduced from 47 to 44 and tho pay increased from Is 4.1-d per hour to Is 6d. The Visit of the Cornwalls. The Harbor Board has decided to decorate tho wharves on tho arrival of the Duke and Duchess of York. It is suggested that tho Duke should be asked to lay the foundation stone of the Admiralty House. Fire at Masterton. Masterton, This Day. A fire in a building owned by Mrs Cave divided into three shops did considerable damage. The water supply ivas used for tho first time and was very effective. Tho building was insured for £2OO. Harbor Improvements. Patea, This Day. At the Harbor Board the Chairman indicated a scheme for borrowing £20,000 for further Harbor improvements. He will bo presented shortly with tho volume of imports for last year and tho tonnage on shipping which was tho highest recorded.

Public Works. Wellington, This Day,

The Cabinet lias authorised tho erection of a custom house in Wellington on the new reclaimed land near the railway wharf. The Railway Department has accepted tho tender of Ashby, Berg and Co of Christchurch for the supply of 12,000 gallons of castor oil at 2/S.fd per gallon. Th* Premier’s Reply to Kitchener. The Premier cabled to Kitchener (as the result of recent correspondence) that any officers or men of the earlier LTcw Zealand contingents, who elect to remain in South Africa fora further six months, may do so. . Attempted Suicide. Tijiaru, This Day. A widow named Ilyan attempted to suicide last overling by cutting her throat with a razor. There is a probability of hor recovering. She has boon moping over the death of her son, which took place four years ago.