NEW ZEALAND. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1959, 27 January 1885, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, Saturday. The first annual report of the Meat Preserving and Refrigerating Company states that the company's operations have resulted in a profit of 10 per cent. The directors recommend that the amount to the credit of the profit and lost account be dealt v ith as follows, viz., to pay a dividend at the rate of 3 per cent, per annum, £739 1 U 8d ;to the commencement of a reserve fund, £500 ; to be carried forward, £239 16s 2d ; total, £1478 7a lOd.

Monday. Shortly after the wreck of the •hip Lastingham in Cook. Straits, Aft Shrimski, M H.R. for Oamarti, collected £50 from members of the Legislatire Council, and handed it to Captain Babot, agent for Shaw, Saville and Co., to be distributed among the relative* of the drowned men in England. The money was sent home, and the only relatire found was the widow of the cook of the ill-fated ship. It id understood the remainder of the sum will be paid her, unlesß other claimants come forward. There is no truth in the rumour that the Government intend to send Mr Macandrew to Kngland in connection with the establishment of a settlement of Highland crofters. Ow ing to the absence of several members of the Ministry from Wellington, the hon. Colonial Secretary will be unable to complete his inspection of charitable institutions and hospitals for some time. He has yet to \isit the Napier, New Plymonth and Wang mm districts in the North Island, and also the West Coast of the Middle Isl.-ud.

DUNEDIN, Saturday. At the Conference to-day Mesare Fellcf, Burrows, and Law were proposed as ciadateB for t'iu ministry, and were unanimously received for further training at the Wesley College, Auckland. The Rev. William Kirk applied to be placed on the list as a permanent supernumerary on account of advanced years. Mr Kirk has been engaged in the active work of the ministry 3!> years. Mr Morely waa requested to prepare a resolution for the printed minutes setting forth the high sense entertained by the Conference of the worth of Mr Kirk's labours. The work of the students in the Wesley College during the year was reviewed. It was decided that two of the students, Messrs Rothwell and Law ry, should commence circuit work this year. The stationing in committee will resume its work early on Monday morning.

NAPIER, Saturday. The Herald's correspondent at Makatoku telegraphs that large bash fires are racing around MaUatoku. Messn Parson's and Small's Mill, with hoUBM and a large stock of timber ha\e been destroyed. The insurance is believed to be £1000 in the National, bat probably this impartially re-insured. Several other mills Mere tlneatencd when the despatch left.

HOKITIKA, Sunday. This morning, about ten o'clock, a frightful and fatal accident occurred to Mr J. C. Frew, a uell-Luown ciril engineer. He called at Glasses farm, Kokotalii, and, saying there were wild ducks in the creek near, borrowed a double-barrelled gun. Shortly after* wards a report was heard, and Frew was found with his face frightfully shattered. He was taken to the Hoi« nital, but died after a few houn. Deceased was much liked, aud his death is widely regretted.