V\ ANOAHDI 11 Kit ALL Office. JTho following readings have been supplied by Mr H. U. Drew, of Victoria Avenue :—

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.
(redter's telegrams).
Hong Kong, February 18. — News has been received that two Chinese corvettes have been sunk by the French torpedo boats; Three other Chinese war vessels were, however, uninjured by the mines, and escaped.
VERSED.
JUSTICE CHITTY'S DECISION RE-

THE ORIENTAL BANK.
PRIVATE EXAMINATION IN BANK RUPTCY.
NAVAL ARTILLERY.
The third competition for Lieutenant Clapham's trophies took place this morning. The following are the scores made :—: —

GARRISON BAND. The final competition for "Drum-Major Mooseman's Medal will take place on Satur day morning next. The following are the handicaps . — Sergt Richardson, Bandsmen Wallace, and Mooseman, 0 ; Segt Crichton, Corpl Anderson, and Bandsman Coafcley, 6 ; Bandsmen Hall and Steis, 8 ; Lance-Corpl Russell, Bandsmen Hood and Townsend, 12.
CHRISTCHURCH.
February 17.
The Hospital Board held a long meeting to night, and decided, by a majority of one, not to ask for a Royal Commission into the management of the institution, but that as all papers connected with the recent troubles had been sent to the Government, the matter should be left in their hands.
The local Board of Health has decided to urge on the Government the necessity of an infectiou9 disease hospital here, of the vaccination of children in public schools, and the taking of proper meteorological observa tions in Christchurch.
February 18.
