NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2493, 3 April 1882, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

fPEB PBEBS ASSOCIATION. 1 AUCKLAND, April 1, Athletic Sports-

The athletio sports in the Domain, under the auspices of the Australian champions, took place to-day in the presence of 1500 persons. The 120 Yards' Handicap was wen by Pickering, Donovan being sooond. Free, man started at scratch. The Two Mile Handicap Walking Match—O'Connor, 1; Goodman, 2. Half Mile Handicap Bace—Hocktep, 1; Stewart, 2. O'Brien started at scratch. 220 Yards' Race—Freeman, 1; Pickering, 2. One Mile Handicap Bace — O'Brien, 1; O'Connor, 2. Time, 4min 24sec. O'Brien ran ten miles in an hour, less a minute and a half. O'Connor offered to back him to do ten and a half miles in an hour, next week, for £SO. Pickering ran splendidly all through. A Dangerous Harbor. The schooner Island Lily had a narrow escape from wreck entering the Ksipara harbor. WELLINGTON, April 2. Supposed Poisoning. A woman named Thornton, and three of her ohildren, were taken ill after tea last night, and medioal aid being sought it was ascertained that they were-suffering from poisoning. After treatment the doctor pronounced the patients out of danger. It is not yet known how they were poisoned, but the police are making inquiries into the matter. The West Coast RailwayIn the West Coast (North Island) Railway Company 60,500 shares have been applied for. This is 500 above the number decided to be issued at present. DUNEDIN, Apri!2. Customs Eevenne. The Customs revenue for the year at Dunedin shows an increase of £41,148 2s over the previous year. The Lake SteamerThe steamer Antrim had a very narrow escape from foundering: on the Watattpu Lake. She sprung a leak, and had to return ten miles to Queenstown. One hundred sacks of grain had to bo thrown over, and the other 300 on board were greatly damaged. The water rose within a few inches of the furnace. Another steamer went to her assistanoo, and brought her to the jetty at 11 p.m. The grain was uninsured.

[raosi THE " PRESS."] WELLINGTON, April 2. The Premier is confined to bis house to-day by illness, but if sufficiently reoovered will leave for Christohureh on Friday to attend the opening of the Exhibition, returning to Wellington the following Tuesday. The Postmaster General also leaves for Christchurch this week, probably going by Wednesday's boat. Messrs Atkinson and Bryce are expeoted back here in a day or two. The reason for their sudden return has not yet transpired. I see that one paper, profotsedly on early and exclusive information, gravely announces that Parliament will be opened by commission, and that the commission will bo Sir W. Fitzherberr, Justice Richmond, and Hon. J. Johnston. Of course a new Parliament always is opened by commission, the Governor's speech not being delivered till the Speaker has been elected, and in that case the Speaker of the Upper House is always one of the commissioners, so Mr Fitzherbert is a safe guess, but it would indeed be a novelty for a Puisne Judge to act in such a capacity. Tho Hon. J. Johnston too is away in Europe on a lengthened abeei ee, so all together it is a rather "bad shot."