GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 190, 15 September 1909, Page 3

GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

INCIPIENT FIRE ON A STEAMER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. When the hatches were removed from the s.s. Tomoana this inorning for no continuation of dischaige of the cargo, a considerable volume of smoke issued irom No. 5 hold. Investigation showod that the fire had started near some casea of agricultural machinery, fie woodwork of two having been bufJt off. The fire was extinguished before any material da-mage was done, but toad it not been for the timely discovery of the outbreak, the reault.jmight have been disastrous, as included in the vessel's cargo were 8975 cases of kero€en?, 600 cases of turpentine, 1375 cases of benzine, and 1700 cases of gas oil, besides a lot of lumber. SUPPOSED ANCIENT FOREST. Christchurch, Monday. (Mr. R. Speight, assistant curator or Canterbury Museum, and Dr. Cockayne are investigating an interesting discovciy which has been made by men engaged on excavating operations at the ~iew children's ward at the Christchurch Hospital. About sixteen feet from the surface a fairly large number of atumus and roots were met with, and some difficulty was experienced in getting through them on to the gravel beneatn. Two logs about nine inches in diameter had to be sawn through, and som.' »m the roots had to be removed. They have been identified as manuka and white pine. Tt is believed that tli* pieces unexpectedly encountered by th" workmen jeprcseni an ancient forest which thrived in and around Christchurch in past cenUries. A theory in that direction has been advanced before, and this discovery is regarded as good evidence in support of it. Somewhat similar discoveries have been made in the city boundaries by workmen cmployed by the City Council in makiug excavations and digguig trenches. OBITUARY. Wellington, Tuesday. "Mr. John Valintine, formerly of the 65th Regiment, die<l to-day, aged BG.

The death is announsed of Mr. Win. Toster, "for years town clerk of *he old Melrose borough and latterly an officer of the Wellington City Council. Deceased was 58~years of age. Obituary: Mr. Charles W. Meachm, late of the Treasury, aged 75. PORIRUA MENTAL HOSPITAL. ; Wellington, Tuesday. A new wing for female patients is to be added at once to the Porirua Asylum at a cost of £B6OO. The work is to be done by the Public Works Department, which "expects to be finished in five months. , WAREHOUSES CLOSING UP. Wellington, Tuesday.' Messrs B. H. Abbott and Co. have closed up their warehouse here and Mcusrs D. Benjamin and Co. are abo>it ti follow suit. In another wholesale firm a number of dismissals occurred im<l salaries reduced 10 per cent. THE FEILDING DISTRICT. Feilding, Tuesday. | The Chaml-r of Commerce last night decided to in.ite the delegates to the Empire o(inference in Sydney to br=ak their journey at Feilding on their tour through New Zealand in order to give them an opportunity of seeing a firstclass pastoral and agricultural district. Arrangements are to be made to take the delegates on a motor tour through the district similar to that given lo the Premier on his last visit, and show them r wide sweep of splendid land. It ie cn.i-iil( rfil that the Feilding district has the richest pastoral and agricultural stretch of country in the Dominion.