TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1898, 30 May 1889, Page 4

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

The Rev. Thomas Spurgeon resigned the pastorate of the Baptist Tabernacle at Auckland at a meeting last Monday night. r i he reason was that his health had broken down under the strain, and he would have to go away and retire into private life. His wife’s health had also given way. The resignation created a very painful impression among the congregation, who were wholly unprepared for the announcement. The resignation had no connection with a recent cablegram, of which Mr Spurgeon was not aware till after the meeting. He then broke down completely. It is understood that T. L. White, whose eccentric conduct during his recent bankruptcy proceedings has excited some comment, is missing. On Thursday morning last he left his residence at Auckland apparently with the intention of going to the creditors 1 meeting, but from that hour has not been seen by any of the members of his family, who know nothing of what has become of him. In a letter to Mr J. Abbott, one of his creditors, White states that he is entirely without funds, and that his conduct has been bad and foolish. He asserts that the sums of money which he borrowed prior to his bankruptcy have been squandered by himself in callous self-indulgence. A number of natives on their way to attend a meeting convened by Tawhaiao, got drunk, and some disgraceful scenes occurred at Cambridge.

A marked increase is noticeable in the thermal action at Waiotapu, Rotorua, All the springs and geysers are in full play, and shooting vast columns of steam high up into the air. The Native Lands Court sitting at Molcau has passed Joshua Jones’s title to the lease of Mokau. About 1000 acres were cutout of the lease, leaving about 30,000 in Jones’s block. The barque Weathersfield, stranded on the Otaki beach, Wellington, was .sold by auction to-day, and was bought on behalf of a syndicate for £530. The Whitney rifle ammunition has given good Jesuits at a trial at Wellington. The coal export from Westport for .the week ended Saturday was 4850 tons. The annual report of the Bible Society at Dunedin complains of want of support. The number of collectors has dwindled from 200 to 175. It is reported at Blenheim that two sheep on the Blarich run hare been killed by stoats or weasels. The bodies were found warm, with the jugular vein opened. Strong comment is made in sporting circles in Dunedin with reference to St. Clair’s running on Saturday. When the Birthday Handicap was won bv his stable companion St. Clair was never prominent, but in the Provincial Handicap he simply romped away from the field. It is rumored that in consequence of representations made to the Government in reference to (iia large number of fires supposed to bo caused by the careless use of matches and tleir manipulation by rats, some nctian dealing with the matter will he taken during the next session of Parliament.