LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 84, 6 March 1884, Page 2

LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

[Per United Press Association.] Nelson, March 5. It is reported that a stack, of barley belonging to Mr. Talbot, of Richmond, has been burned—supposed to be caused by incendiarism. A lad named Braddock, aged eleven, was drowned in the swimming-bath yesterday. He was bathing with other lads when he was seized with cramp. He seized another lad, who was nearly drowned. When the body was recovered all efforts failed to restore life. Invercargill, March 5. The insurances on Martin’s Mill, at Winton, were £l,lOO. The fire broke out about midnight, but was thought to be extinguished, when after some hours it again broke out, destroying everything. Shand’s saw-mill at Centre Bush has also been burnt down. J. D. Mac Alister, of the Post-office Department here, died suddenly from the effects of an overdose of a sleeping-draught. He had been some time in bad health. Napier, March 5. The following general entries and acceptances were received last night for the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club Autumn Meeting, on March 17 and 18 : — Maiden Plate, lOOsovs.—Lord of the Isles and Briar. Welter Handicap, lOOsovs. —Emir Bey, Parawhenua, Blackheath, Herataunga, Leonata, Loch Lomond, Escopeta, Breeze, Minerva. Napier Handicap, 500sovs. (final payment)— Leonora, Bst 101 b; Leonata, Bst 41b; Sou’wester, 7st 131 b; Emir Bey, 7st 91b; The Poet, 7st 61b; Maori, 7st 51b ; The Laird, 7st 51b; Nelson, 7st 21b; Wapiti, 7st 21b; Buzzard, Gst 121 b ; Radames, 6si 101 b. Nursery Handicap, lOOsovs.—Revolver, Carbineer, Ngapuke, The Arrow, Forerunner, Pearl (late Gretna Green), Christiana, Virginia. Railway Stakes, 125 sovs.—Mischief, Leonora, Tim Whiffler, Emir Bey, Minerva. Nelson, Wapiti, Escopeta, Ringleader, Buzzard, Yankee, Abraham, Frederica. Hurdles, 100 sovs.—Lome, Blackheath, Adventure, Soninas, Assegai. Grand Stand Handicap, 150 sovs.—Emir Bey, Tim Whiffler, The Laird, Leonatu. Radames, Sou’wester, Buzzard, The Poet, Escopeta, Leonora, Nelson, Breeze, Minerva, Maori. Provincial Produce Stakes, 125 sovs.—lona, Briar, Assegai. Handicap Hurdles, 150 sovs.—(Final payment) Loch Lomond, Orient, Diomedes, Adventurer. Tradesmen’s Handicap, 250 sovs.-J-Yankee, Emir Bey, Tim Whiffler, Kuni, Parawhenua, Heretaunga, Frederic, The Poet,. Leonata, Radames, Mischief, Abraham, Sou’wester, Buzzard, Escopeta, Leonora, Wapiti, Breeze, Maori. Autumn Handicap, 100 sovs.—Revolver, Carbineer, Ngapuke, Radames, The Arrow, Misfortune, Forerunner, Briar, Christiana, Pearl (late Gretna Green), Eseopeta, Tigrioia, Wapiti, Nelson.

Wellington, March 5. At the R.M. Court Walter G. Smith, who was arrested at the Bluff for wife-desertion, was ordered to pay £2 per week for her support. McGrath, a well-known boniface who recently failed as a contractor, has levanted to Sydney leaving a wife and family and a large circle of anxious enquirers. A proposal is on foot to send Hearn to Sydney to try conclusions with Laycock and Hanlon. Mr. Edward Shaw, M.H.R., and Mr. H. D. Bell, Crown Solicitor, counsel in the case of W. H. Hunt v. Sir Arthur Gordon, left this afternoon by the Rotorua for Christchurch to attend a sitting of the Appeal Court. The acting Chief Justice has desired the attendance of the leading counsel, with a view of probably suggesting some final settlement. The Easter encampment will be held at Island Bay. The Volunteers Will be in camp six days, and the programme includes a sham fight and a grand review. A detachment of the Wanganui Cavalry is expected. The railway receipts for the four-weekly period ending Feb, 4 are : — Receipts — Wangarei, £357 18s.; per cent, of revenue, 99-43. Auckland, £7,402 15s. 5d.; 67-17. Napier, £3,907 25.; 54-25. Wellington, £4,049 9s. 7d.; 77-40. Wanganui, £3,362 19s. lOd.; 90-24. New Plymouth, £1,129 19s. 5d.; 100*65. Hurunui-Bluff, £52,354 6s. lid; 69-44. Greymouth, £1,254 18s. 7d.; 51-77. Westport, £1,426 6s. Bd.; 51.90. Nelson, £721 3s. 3d.; 78-49. Picton, £370 18s. Bd.; 91-31. As a first step towards Civil Service retrenchment, the Government have finally determined to abolish the Colonial Architect’s Department, and to-day a month’s notice was given to seven out of the eight officers employed in the department. The only one retained is Mr. Turnbull, Clerk of Works, and the aggregate saving by this step is £l,BOO per annum.

Auckland, March 5. About seventy gentlemen were entertained at dinner on board the Ruapehu by the directors of the Company, Mr. MurrayAynsley (Chairman) presiding. Sir F. Whitaker proposed the toast “ Success to the N.Z. Shipping Co.” A general meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association was held last night to consider the affairs of the Association. About ninety were present, and the Hon. Major Baillie presided. An estimated balancesheet was presented, which showed the receipts to be £1,473 and expenditure £1,413, leaving an approximate balance of £6O. Several spoke against the system of employing scorers and others from' Wellington, as it considerably increased the expenditure. Surprise was manifested on the receipt of an account for £lOO from Mr. Peach on whose ground the targets had been erected. All the local committee-men stated that at an interview with Mr. Peach the latter unhesitatingly offered the land free of all charges on the terms that it was left in the same condition as before the meeting. Ultimately it was decid not to recognise the claim and to carry out the agreement with Mr. Peach. A long discussion ensued on the system of management and the heavy expenses incurred at each meeting. On the motion of Captain Motion (?) a resolution was carried, “ That with a view to decreasing the expenses, the entire management of the Association’s meetings should be left in the hands of the local and executive committees, and that they be responsible for the efficiency of markers.” Another resolution was carried, “ That the Council be requested to amend the rules of the Association with a view of giving effect to the foregoing resolution.” In replyin" to a question, Mr. Stevens stated that when "the affairs of this meeting were settled he intended to resign the position of Secretary.

Sir G. Whitmore returned from Sydney" by the Te Anau yesterday. Lena Smith, aged two years, daughter of Mr. George Smith, carpenter, Ponsonby, was strangled in a child’s swing while playing with it with some other little children under five years of age. It transpired at a meeting of the Harbor Board to reconsider the appointment of the Dock Engineer that a great majority of the members had never even read the testimonials of the applicants. Dunedin, March 5. There was a heavy hail-fall yesterday afternoon. One stone weighed three-eights of an ounce. Heavy rain followed. A New Zealand Plate-glass Insurance Co., with a capital of £lO,OOO, has been locally floated. An eigh teen-months-old child of Mr. George McDonald, a settler at Maungatue, was scalded to death through falling into a bath of hot water during the absence of the mother, who had left the room to procure some cold water.

In the Stratb-Taieri dummy cases, at this morning’s sitting of the Laud Roard, Mr. A. C. Kirnbill, the next highest bidder for the Pearsall station, which is one of those forfeited, applied to be declared the purchaser, and it was resolved to obtain the advice of the Crown Solicitor as to whether, if the declared purchaser of a section has his rights forfeited, the next highest bidder can be declared the purchaser. Should Mr. Haggitt’s opinion be against such a course the matter is to be remitted for the consideration of the Minister of Lands. Christchurch, March 5.

At Amberley to-day, a well-known and respected resident at Brown’s Bridge, near Amberley, named William Farquahar, was gored to death by a young bull. Not a whole piece of clothing was left on him, one arm was broken and several ribs. Deceased was about fifty. He leaves a wife and four daughters married, and one son unmarried. Inspector Pender informed the Licensing Committee for South-west Christchurch that since the Committee last met, eighteen samples had been obtained from fourteen hotels and analysed by Professor Riccarton. They were found all correct.

The Christchurch Freezing Co. have resolved to postpone further operations till the receipt of further advices from Home.

The Gospel Temperance Mission opened to-night with a meeting in the Odd Fellows’ Hall, at which Judge Ward presided. Sir Wm. Fox, the Rev. H. C. M. Watson, and Mr. F. W. Isitt were among the speakers. The North Creek Gold-mining Co. have been informed that Professor Ulrich will be unable to visit the Wilberforce District at the present, but that an officer of the Mines Department will be sent to report on the quartz-reefs. Lieut. Dransfield, of the Lyttelton Naval Brigade, recovered 50s. value of a uniform supplied to a member of the Brigade, who had failed to attend the regulation number of drills, and so lost capitation allowance.