TELEGRAPHIC.

Te Aroha News, Volume XVI, Issue 222038, 18 January 1900, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

(From own Correspondent.) DEFENCE OF THE COLONY. ' Wellington, Yesterday. At a social to Mr Wilford, M.H.R. for suburbs, the Premier reiterated that the colony’s defences w *re ready in case of an emergency. They were to have more ammunition, more rifles, and more volunteers. No expense wus sp ired, and lie had taken every precaution against danger. TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA. The Department of Industries and Commerce have chartered a steamer to load direct for South Africa. The steamer secured b3' the Government is the Undaunted, a vessel of 4000 tom. The success of the "initial trip is already assured by the quantity of cargo offering. HARBOUR BOARD. Gisborne, Yesterd iy. The Harbour Board have completed arrangements with Anderson and Company, -of Christchurch, for the construction of a twin screw hopper dredge. R.M.S. MARIPOSA Auckland, Yesterday. The R.M.s. Mariposa from San Francisco, Honolulu, und Samoa, with the English and mails on board, was not signalled up to 3 p.m. to-tlay. She was‘ due yesterday, and it is considered that she may hav« been delayed through falling in with bad weather in the tropics. ACCI DENT iAT OTAIIUIIU. Oliver Bainbridge, the long-h ired man, who had .travelled through the colony giving out he was on a tour through the workl, met with an accident in the Otahuhu district. He states that while he was carrying a loaded revolver iff his band he- tripped and fell, the revolver going off. The bullet entered his left side, just escaping his heart. Bainbridge was removed to the Auckland Hospital, and it is doubtful whether he will survive. He had visited Nicholas’ farm, near the Taiuaki River, and upon Mrs Nicholas complaining of the ravages of weasels, he offered to shoot thorn, killing one with his revolver, and in claraberiug down the river bank slipped, and the revolver exploded. The bullet just-missed his heart and came out at his back. THE WHANGABEI MURDER The old man, R b-rt Howson who murdered Robert Fuller at Wnangayei last year, and was sonteac'’d to the asylum for life, died to day at the age Of 81 years. He spend most of his time in the hospital. ACCIDENT’ Napier, Yesterday. Goodwin, who Was run ovor at the railway station on Tuesday, succumbed to bis injuries during the nigbt. DEATH OF MR J. S. GUTHRIE. Christchurch, Yesterday. Mr John Sreele Guthrie, manager of the Christchurch Press Co. for the past six years, and formerly editor of the Press, died yesterday morning. He had been ailing for some years, hut only lately the complaint took a serious turn. He has been connected with the Press since 1863.