Special to the New Zealand Times. Masterton, August 18. Tho technical classes recently instituted by the Masterton Trust Lands Trustees were publicly opened last evening. The meeting was held in the Drill Hall, where tho class rooms have been provided. There was a large attendance, the chair being occupied by Mr C. E. Daniell, chairman of the Trust. Apologies for absence were received from the Minister of Education and Mr J. R. Blair, chairman of the Education Board. Appropriate addresses wore given by Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., Messrs B. Feist, W G. Beard, \V, H. Jackson, T. E. Fleming and C. E. Daniell. Tho classes are starting with a highly satisfactory number of pupils.
A NEW HOTEL DESTROYED.
By Telegraph.—Press Association, Auckland, August 18. Tho Rotorua Hotel at Paeroa, just finished but not occupied, was burned down this evening. Tinrbuildors had a risk of .£2OOO in the Now Zealand office. Moore and O’Hara were tho contractors. The boarding house and other buildings adjacent were on fire when tho Paeroa telegraph office closed. The hotel was owned by Hancock and Co., of Auckland.
A LONG JOURNEY FOR SHEEP.
Fourteen hundred sheep have been taken from Foxton to Picton by the steamer Queen of the South, for Mr Flack, of Christchurch. It is i>-tended to drive the cheep overland from Picton to Christchurch, and the men who are going to do so have left with their tent, trap, dogs, &c., and expect to he about a month on the journey. It is estimated that the cost of taking the sheep from Foxton t? Christchurch will be Is 6d per head, and of this the steamer charges were Is per head.
BY CABLE.
FIGHTING IN CRETE.
