NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2457, 20 February 1882, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBB PRBSS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, February 18. Dangers of Boats under SailThe sailing boat Elsie oapsized in the harbor. The orew of fire were resoued, two in the last stage of exhaustion. Firing. The Auokland Rifle Association commenced its matches to-day for Beck's Oup. New Stud Buildings. The Auokland Stud Company is about to erect a new establishment at Sylvia Park, reoently purchased by them. Fever Rampant. Some of the suburbs of Auokland are taking stringent measures owing to the spread of scarlet fever. NEW PLYMOUTH, February 19. An Effective Blast. The most successful blast was made to-day at the harbor works, when the best part of Fishing Book was displaced. Two tons of powder wore used, and about 20,000 cubic yards of rook were broken up. WELLINGTON, February 18. The s.s. Westport. The insurance of £BOOO on the Westport is distributed as follows:—Colonial, £8000; South British, £2500 j Viotoria, £2500. Her value is estimated at £IO,OCD. There is no alteration in the position of the steamer Westport. Goods for the Exhibition. It is officially notified in the "Supplementary Gazette" that goods consigned for exhibit at the International Exhibition to be held at Ohristchuroh during April, 1882, will be carried free on the New Zealand Railways, provided that they shall be so carried at the sole risk of the consignors, and that eaoh package shall be consigned to the promoters of the Exhibition, and marked legibly, " For Exhibition, Christohurch International Exhibition," and that loading and unloading shall be done at the expense of the consignors, and that in the event of suoh exhibits being sold, full railway charges shall be paid. WESTPORT, February 18. Libel Action. R. B. Denniston, late engineer of the Westport Coal Company, has entered a criminal aotion for libel against Charles Wright, the printer of the "BullerNews," in oonsequence of oomments published upon the conduot of Denniston as manager of the Coal Company. CrimeIn the case Johnstone v O'Connor, litiga. tion has again been renewed . 'Walsh v Diok. Gilmer, McLean, and O'Connor, oharge of oonspiraoy and forgery, and Johnstone v Moss (solicitor), for the same offence, come on for hearing at the Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday next. DUNEDIN, February 19. Standard Insurance Company. At the hulf- yearly meeting of the shareholders of the Standard Insurance Company, to be held on March 6th, the direotors will report that the business for the six months ended Deoembor 31st, after providing for all losses, expenses of management, and making provision for outstanding and unadjusted losses, shows a balanoe of £9143 14s 3d, which it will be recommended shall be appropriated as follows : Payment of a dividend at the rate of 7| per oent. per annum, £2812 10j ; to be carried forward to the reserve fund, £2500; to be carried forward to the next half year, £3831 4s 3d. The dividend will be payable at the bead office on March 13th. The Licensing Committee. The first oontested election of lioensing committee, that for Dunedin South, oame off yesterday. Very little interest was taken, and of 339 ratepayers, only 78 voted. The result was—Gore (Mayor), 60 ; Fish, M.H R., 60 j Street (city councillor), 59 ; Allen (councillor). 26 ; Elliott (councillor and member of last Licensing Benoh), 23. The three first were understood to be licensed Victuallers candidates. The Good Templar men were badly defeated. Pedestrianism. The Australian pedestrians won the principal matohcg ycs'erday in their exhibition sports. O'Brien won the mile race with the greatest ease in 4min. 40Jseos. [PBOM THE COBBBSPONDKNT Ol THE "PBBSB."J "WELLINGION, February 19.

Owing to unforeseen pressure of public business. Major Atkinson finds it almost impossible for him to go South on Monday as he intended, and it is most likely he will hare to wait for the steamer whioh leaves on Wednesday. Mr Johnston, however, will curtail his holiday trip to the East Coast, and is expected to return to Wellington tomorow, bo as to provide adequate Ministerial strength, only Messrs Atkinson and Diok being at present in town, and various matters of business requiring immediate attention.