LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 47, 23 January 1884, Page 2

LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

[Per United Press Association.] Wellington, Jan. 22. It was at first decided to postpone the regatta through the bad weather, but it having partly cleared it was agreed to start the programme. The first event, the Volunteer Boat race, was won by the Wellington Naval Brigade. Notwithstanding the extremely inclement weather last night, about 100 gentlemen, at the invitation of the directors of the New Zealand Shipping Company, sat down to an excellent dinner on board their new steamer Aorangi. Mr. Murray-Aynsley, deputy chairman of the Company, presided. Among those present were the Premier, the Hon. T. Dick, Mr. W. W. Johnston, the Hons. C. J. Pharazyn, A. de B. Brandon, and J. Martin, Messrs. C. J. Johnston, W. Hutchinson, and E. Shaw, M.H.R.s, Colonel Pearce, and the Mayor. After the usual loyal toasts the Premier in responding to that of “ the Ministry” said while he recognised that depression is felt in different parts of the colony, the New Zealand Shipping Company had by their admirable enterprise marked out this colony as one destined to great if not immediate prosperity, and he was one of those who shared in this belief. The other toasts were “ the General Assembly,” “ the commercial interests of Wellington,” “ the Wellington Harbor Board,” “the Shaw-Saville-Albion Company,” “ the New Zealand Shipping Company,” “ the Union S.S. Company,” “ Capt. Turpin of the Aorangi,” “Mr. J.L. Coster, chairman of the Company,” and “ the Press.” Mr. G. S. Cooper pointed out the singular comStdence that the meaning of “ Aorangi” was the first dawn of day. The first immigrant ship which arrived in Wellington 44 years ago was called the Aurora, which meant exactly the same, while the French frigate which was so near planting the French flag at Akaroa was called L’Aube, another synonym. The Aorangi has come out under a permit from Glasgow, and will not be formerly registered unvil she reaches Lyttelton, where she will be placed on|the New Zealand register as sailing from that port. It was mentioned that Capt. Turpin, although a total stranger to this port, had brought his ship into harbor and alongside the wharf without even a pilot on board. Mr. J. 8. M. Thompson stated that although the Aorangi only arrived on Thursday evening his firm had goods by her delivered in their store and sold again on Friday, an instance of despatch which he did not think could be equalled in the colonies.

At the Wesleyan Conference the question of ministerial character has occupied careful consideration, and it was reported that two probationers for the ministry in Otago had resigned, and their names were ordered to be omitted from the list. Letters of sympathy were agreed to be sent to the Revs. G. Stannard, Wallis, and Aldred, who were unable to attend the conference through extreme age. Arrangements have been made to receive a temperance deputation to-morrow. Mr. Joughin was accepted as a student candidate for the ministry. This morning the following probationary ministers — the Revs. D. Brooke, Dukes, and Griffin—underwent their final examination before the Conference and were admitted into full connexion as ministers. The Revs, Mr. Watkins and Dr, Kidd were thanked for their services as principal and tutor of Wesley College, and were reappointed. The Bev. J. Smalley, a supernumerary, was readmitted to full work. Five students for the ministry were appointed to receive tuition at Wesley College. A hard southerly gale was blowing all yesterday, accompanied by heavy rain. To-day the weather is still bad, and heavy rain is falling, although the wind has gone down. The holiday of the 44th anniversary of the arrival of the first settlers in New Zealand will, however, be completely spoiled, and the regatta will be marred. The weather to-day, on the 44th anniversary of the Colony, was very unpleasant, and all out-door sports, with the exception of the regatta, were postponed until a more favorable occasion. It was not until one o’clock decided to hold the regatta, and then the weather was boisterous, with frequent showers •of rain. No fatal accidents occurred, though one or two boat accidents were reported. The affair was not so successful as that of previous years. None of the principal sailing races were concluded at seven o’clock, and it was doubtful if they would be finished within the stipulated time. At the Wesleyan Conference this afternoon, examiners for ministerial candidates were appointed for 1884. The Scandinavian and Maori work was received. The Revs. E. Neilson and Heteraki Warihi addressed the Conference. The report of the Rev. Best on Chinese work was read and received. The Rev. J. Lewis brought up the annual pastoral address, which was adopted after some discussion. The second reading of the ministerial stations will be taken to - morrow morning.

Wanganui, Jan. 22. North-west gales and heavy rains have lasted the last twenty-four hours, and show no signs of abatement. Accounts as to the disastrous effect upon the growing crops come in from every side. The destruction to the grain in some parts of the district is so great that farmers deem it useless to cut the wheat, but intend to turn cattle into it to consume it as fodder. The cry of scarcity of labor is now changing into anxiety as to how the laborers can be employed during the autumn and winter. Napier, Jan, 22. The Borough Council having declined to advance moneys for charitable aid, the Government have appointed a resident almoner.

The letter offering the appointment to Mr, J, A. Smith charges the Borough Council with refusing to support the Hospital, Ihe charge is untrue, as the Council has voted £2OO annually since the erection of the new Hospital. The Hospital Committee yesterday elected Mr. E. W. Knowles chairman, vice Mr. Sutton, M.H.B. Auckland, Jan. 22.

The Eight Hours’ Demonstration Committee have received a large number of entries for their sports. Mr. Mitchelson, Minister for Public Works, left for Wellington, by the Takapuna, at one o’clock to-day. The weather here continues cold and wet, and most unseasonable for the harvest, The United Free Methodist Church Assembly closed its sittings yesterday. Fraternal greetings were received from the Wesleyan Conference, and it was decided to reciprocate them. The final draft of stations were passed as follow :—Addington, R. Taylor; Auckland, 9. MacFarlane; Richmond, J. White ; Christchurch, C. Worboys ; Napier and Waipawa, E. O. Perry ; Oxford, A, Peters; Bangiora, J. W. Atkin ; Beef ton, 0. Penny ; Woodville, J, W. Worboys; Wellington. H. B. Redstone ; Westport and Charleston, J, J, Pendrey. A District Committee was appointed to conduct the business during the year. A Committee of four was appointed to confer with the Committees of other Churches as to the projected union.

Christchurch, Jan. 22, Mr. Homersham’s wool-scouring factory, with a quantity of wool and skins, was destroyed by fire on Saturday evening. The wool and skins were insured in the New Zealand Office for £4OO, and the buiding for £l5O in the South British. Mr. Homersham saved £3OO or £4OO worth of wool, <fcc„ but the fire caused great loss.

A fierce south-wester, accompanied by heavy rain, has prevailed all night, and still continues. It is feared that great damage to crops will be the result, The Hon, Mr. Bolleston returns to Wellington by the Hawea to-night. It has been raining all day, till about five in the afternoon, The rainfall for the twentyfour hours ending at 9 o’clock this morning was 1'62 inches, and, from the beginning of the year, 4-60 inches. During the whole of January last year it was 1’22 inehes. The city authorities have taken away the license of the Great World Circus engaged by the Exhibition Committee as an attraction ; but the tent has been pitched in the quadrangle, and performances given in defiance of the Council, who consider the circus unsafe near the steam engines and in so confined a spot should a panic arise. There is some talk of an appeal to the law.

The directors of the Southern Cross Petroleum Company are informed that the second well was started on Friday last, and the machine made 80 feet that day. It is expected that this bore will go down rapidly; Tools for the first bore have arrived, and pipes are cabled to arrive by the next ’Frisco mail. No further delay is anticipated, as a large supply of 6 and 8-inch pipes, besides those mentioned, will arrive in March or April, Dunedin, Jan. 22. The usual dividend for the year declared to the Presbyterian ministers from the Sustentation Fund is £224 4s. 3d., which is the largest yet attained.