AUCKLAND NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 403, 30 April 1902, Page 2

AUCKLAND NEWS.

BEQUESTS. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. A bequest has been left by the will of the late James Bell, of Wairoa South, of £30(1, subject to certain conditions, to the Presbyterian Church Property Trustees, the income of which is to be applied towards the giving of prizes to children attending Presbyterian Sunday schools in the provincial district of Auckland The late Mr Bell has also left a sum of £1(10 in trust. That income may be expended in the giving of prizes annually in connection with agricultural matters, and the will provides tiiat the amount may cither be expended bv trustees, or handed over to the Auckland Agricultural Association. THE PLAGUE CASE.

The widow of the late Thomas Henry Virtue, who died yesterday at the hospital, pas received the following telegram from the Acting-Pre-mier “ I am exceedingly sorry to ; hear of the death of your husband. Please accept my sincere sympathy in your trouble.—J. (i. Ward.” Dr Mason called in the Rev. 10. C. Budd at three in the morning of Monday, when it was seen that there was a likelihood of the man dying, and at once sent a cab for his wife, and brought her to the hospital^ The Rev. Budd read the service at the cremation, and was present during the whole time. The ashes were .subsequently collected by Dr. Mason, and placed in a coffin by" him for burial. A SUICIDE. At the inquest on the man Bell, whose body was found in the Western Park with the head blown off, the following letter, found in the coat pocket of deceased, and addressed to his wife, was handed in :—“ I think I am mad. My troubles are more thap I can bear. I see do future for me. Those that should have helped me did not do so, or this might not have happened. I think you will get on better without me. It is an awful thing I am doing. Forgive me if you can'” A verdict was returned of suicide while mentally deranged^ MINING.During the four weeks ending April 19 the Waitekou and Waitekauri Gold Mining Company treated 1959 tons of ore for bullion valued at £29o(h SONOMA IN A STORM. ■News has been received that the mail steamer Sonoma, which left Auckland on April 5, encountered very heavy weather after leaving port. A gale from eastward was met with, which gradually increased to a hurricane, accompanied by a tremendous sea. The steamer was continually delayed with the water which broke on board, and she had to be hove-to- for over 20 hours during the worst of the weather. The deck fittings, rails, etc, were damaged, and the steamer did not reach Pago Pago till two days after time-table date.