GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 296, 9 December 1908, Page 2

GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

AUCKLAND'S NKW PC-ST OFFICE, by lclcgrapli.--i hm .\.*-.viatioD. Wellington, Last Night.

Tenders for the erection of the Auckland Post Office have been considered by Cabinet. They varied from C 124,000 to £IBO,OOO, and as they were all very much above the ollicial estimates they were all declined. The plans are to be modified and fresh tenders called.

PIIOROG V 1 \'( ( PAlt LLVM FAT. Wellington, Last Night. A Gazette was issued to-night formally proroguing Parliament to February 11th.

BENEFICIAL RAIN. Timaru, Last Night. A useful ruin (about half an inch) fell last night and to-day. It was much needed in the country. Snow fell oil even low hills.

Gisbornc, Last Night. Heavy rain has been falling all day, and the country, which had been getting rather dry, is greatly benefited.

EARTHQUAKES. Timaru, Last Night, A faint shock of earthi|iiake was felt here at 11.."),) this morning. Clirisldiurch, Tuesday. A smarl shock of earthquake, lasting several second,, was felt at 11..V> a.m. No damage was done. Cheviot .cports lw„ severe >hocks at (i.4.) and 11.5). accompanied by low rumbling. The shocks greatly alarmed the residents. Chimneys fell at llawkswood. At Mendip articles ill the homesteads were broken. Ilanmer also reports two shocks.

Nelson, Tuesday. There was a sharp shock of earthquake this morning, accompanied bv a rain and hail slonn.

NAPIER LOAN PROPOSALS. Napier, Last Night. Tli« Napier Borough Council at >t meeting to-night again discussed the. question of town improvement. At a previous meeting it was decided to submit to the ratepayer* loan proposals totalling £50,500, made up of £35,000 for tramways and £15,500 for Toad works. At to-night's meeting additional loan proposals totalling £79,760, were agreed to for submission to ratepayers as follows:—Destructor and duplication; of waterworks, £15,000; drainage, £35 - 000; municipal theatre, £25,000; Park improvements £3750; Fire Brigade station. £IOOO. The grand total of tho proposals is £130,000. The Cfouncil were not unanimous in some items of tire proposals.

CROP PROSPECTS IN OTAC.O.

.„ , Dmiedin, Last Night. Welcome falls of rain and snow were experienced in Central Otago yesterday »';d as a result the crops ai'id mining will be materially benefited. Tn some districts, however, the outlook is far from promising. ]„ Ida valley the. crops are reported to be in a worse condition than last year.-.uid at Earnsclcugh and Hnhl Mill Kbit thev ar» said to be ruined, while the continued bent has I ripened strawberries ami cherries more quickly than was desired.

THE VACANT .PORTFOLIOS. Nelson, Last Night. 1 h*. Colonist to-day warmly advocates the claims „f Jfr. 11. McKcnzie, member for Motucka, to the portfolio of Public Works.

CHRISTIAN UNITY. Auckland, Tuesday. A meeting of clergymen held this morning was attended 1> V about one hundred, representing different denomlaations of the I'rotestaut Church. A resolution wits passed: "That a Christian Cnity Society be formed which shall afford to all who join its opportunities for common prayer, mutual | sliuly and discussion and cultivation of i the spirit of Christian brotherhood, and that a committee be formed to di-v p, a constitution." ' !

ASS.U'I.TS AM) ltOllUKIi.Wellington, Tuesdav. Two cases of assault ami robbery occurred in the city Inst night. The victim (if the lirst mil rage '.v.i, (ieorgc Held, n lli'einaa, who wii-' i :>roreedin" along Thoriidon y n av w,k tickled hv ii man. who gripped hi,,, |,v ie throat. Instantly lh„.e other niei.' a|>p..ir,,l on Hie scene nii.l the gang ,v .nt lhi'oi|..|i lieid's pockets. Korlv minutes later']•' llnmett. while walking in (Jhuznee j sli'Ot, was seized and his pockets enilit ieil.