TELEGRAMS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 44, 24 January 1885, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION".) CfliusTcuimcii, Jan. 22. The thirteenth annual district meeting of tlio Priinitivo Methodist Church commenced here yesterday, representatives from various parts of the colony being preseut. The reports brought up show there are 38 churches m the colony, 'erected at a cost of £27,856, with a debt of only £8925 m the aggregate. Two new churches were opened during 1 the year. Mr D. Goldie, of Auckland," was elected President, the Rev. P. W. Jones, of Grccndalu, Vico President, and the Rev. A. J. Smith, of Wellington, secretary. DvBEDix t Jan. 22. The New Zealand Refrigerating Company has declared an interim dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, for the halfyear. At Cromwell to-day, Joseph Reston, a ininer, and an old resident of the district, committed suicide by .shooting himself through the head. He was a single. t way. Inveroargill, Jan. 22. The Land Board has recently been compelled to refuse applications to complete purchasers by deferred payment selectors, owing to receipt of a circular from the Land Department to the effect that the Act of 1874 was retrospective so fur us the claune relating to six years' residence is concerned. The board took the opinion of Judge Williams, and this was read to-day. He stated that the 'Act was not retrospective, and failed to see how any doubt could ever have aripeu on the point. The board afterwards granted the applications. WpopVJI^E, Jan. 22. A volunteer corps was organised here last night. A public meeting ia to be held on Saturday uight to protest against the Government changing the railway station site to one a considerable distance from the business part of the town. Auckland, Jan. 22. R. T. Booth opened a temperance mis* sion tonight at the Theatre Royal. The building was crowded to excess. 200 Unn tlio pledge and blue ribbon at the close of the meeting. A volunteer was brought ap to-day, at the Police Court, for pawning his rifle. The case was subsequently withdrawn by the captain, on reparation being made by the volunteer. . •...•• The Kingite natives at Whatiwhatihoe . have been holding a scries of reli^ioiiH meetings.: The desirableness of abandoning, th Hauhau superstition has been generally affirmed, but what Christian denominational form .of religion shall take its place seems not to be easy of determination. All are agreed that the form of religion fixed upon shall embody m it the Blue Ribbon principal as o^je of its chief characteristics. NAPiEtt,VJan, 22, The Harbour Board to day fixed Mr Goodali's salary at £1000 a year. The polico have failed to find any due to the mother of the infant found dead on the beach last week. An open verdict was returned at the adjourned inquest ty- day. New Plymouth, Jan, 22. A Maori named Riri was committed to-day to the Lunatic Asylum. He is a Parihaka native, and his hallucination was of such a nature as to make Te Whiti jealous. He declared that he was appointed of God to rule the natives, and that he had power to kill all wicked people, both Europeans and Maoris. Te Whiti did not like this attempted unsurpation of his authority, and was the moans of having Riri sent to the asylum. Oasjauu, Jan. 22. A man named Hall, from Victoria, and m good circumstances, was found dead m his bed at Goddard'a Hotel, Kurow, tin's morning, with his throat cut. He had been some time m the district, and was apparently on a holiday tour.