9 ■. (Per Press Association.) ' WELLINGTON, this day. The Federal rifle team has been finally formed as follows: Captain Steadman and Lieutenant Cos, Auckland; 0.P.0. Williams, Parnell; A. Ballinger, H. ■Holland, Wellington; J. Q. Wilsop, li. Loveday, Woodville; Corporal Winslade, Wanganui; Lieutenant Dodds, Dunedin; Bandmaster King and Private , McGov ern, Oamaru; Private Tom Robinson, Christ-church. Lieutenant-Commander Kirk, of Wellington, finds himself un able to go, after all.- Any volunteers or members of rifle clubs desiring to com pete can obtain a reduction of fares on procuring a certificate from Colonel Col lins. , Reports received by. the . Agricultural Department still augur a fir* ' harvest if the present weather continues. There has been a reduction in the area sown in wheat and an increase in oats. AUCKLAND, this day. The Waihi Gold Mining Co.'s return for the four weeks ending December Bth shows 11,308 tons of- ore treated for bullion valued at £29,673. This is the record. The total from the mine to date is £1,490,479. The recommendations of the Concilia tion Board in the coal mined dispute at Hikurangi have been accepted by both parties, and the dispute' Bettled. INVERCARGILL, this day. Two prisoners, Wm. Brook, serving seven years for criminal assault, and Chas. Heatley, a year for theft; escaped from a gang working at the Hospital, and have not yet been recaptured.
BRITISH & FOREIGN.
