GENERAL NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 845, 3 August 1871, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

"We " Chronicle" have been informed that the proprietor of the Caledonian Hotel, Wanganui, has been arrested and brought in to the Wanganui gaol. The information that led to his arrest was given by one of the witnesses of the inquest, who has stated that McDonald set fire to the hotel, and that on discovering since that his crime was known to the witness, offered him money to clear away to Melbourne. Further particulars have not yet transpired. Two young men, named Crosbie and Pelley, were fishing at the mouth of the Auckland harbour recently, when a squall upset the boat. After clinging some time they tried to reach the shore by swimming; Crosbie, however, became exhausted, and was drowned.

It is rumoured here (saya the Wellington correspondent of the " Daily Times) that the Government paid for the coal used by the Nevada from Auckland to Otago aud back, and that as long as Webb's boats run Qn the coast the Government is to find tbem coal. If this is so, and the story has the imprint of what ought to be good authority, it makes a considerable difference in the actual cost of the new service to the colony, for the coal forms no inconsiderable item in a steamer's account.

At a recent meeting of the Wellington Jockey Club, the secretary announced that all the old members had signified their intention of continuing to belong to the club, and many new ones had expressed a wish to join. A subscription list was opened, and gave promise of reaching a very handsome sum. It is behoved that fully £SOO will be obtained to be run for at the first meeting, and it is proposed that £2OO of this shall be sent home for a cup.