INTERPROVINCIAL

AtrcKi|TD, December 31. The Board of Eduction has received a letter from the Colonil Secretary, stating that he cannot make tli grant of £20,000 asked for school building Sales —Dunedin flour,a>ll; Oamaru, £11 10s; bran, 4s ; pollardJCs; oatmeal, 5s ; wheat, 5s 3d ; oats, 2s IL; maize (Fiji), 3s 9d; cheese, 10d; butta Is; bacon and hams, Is. The market I glutted with all kinds of produce. Businsa is quiet. Fat sheep are dull of sale. Bt cattle are without change. | The firing for the interpbvincial shooting match to-day resulted—Wliyard, 13 ; Russell, 19; Middleton, 12;|ishop, 19; Anderson, 11 ; Steel, 11; Aifen, 10 ; Morrin, 15; Boosie, 17; Wood, 13jtotal, 140. The first firing of the frtillery for the choice of representatives |r the colonial carbine prizes took place ta morning here. The result was—Mason, 9| Stevens, 88 ; McCredie, 86. The next firlg for the same competition is next Thursdafand the minimum score to qualify 160. f Mr Reader Wood was retuled unopposed for Parnell. In his speed he said the elections throughout the colot chewed that those supporters of the Mintry who were ready to do anything at thei|bidding, had either decided it advisable t^retire ox had been defeated. t

AtJCKLANDjJanuary 1. The weather to-day was djendid. The ( day was devoted to sports anoraces, many ' thousands were present at the kter. \ Maiden Pboduce* , Perfume I. ... 1 Time ... \. ... 2 Fanny Fisher U ... 3 Perfume took the lead, and kep|t throughout, winning easy. i ! Railway Plate. • Guy Fawkes \ ... 1 Belle of Isles | ... 2 Medea .! ... 3 Rangi was scratched. Belle oflsles took the lead, but was hard pressed by Guy Fawkes, and a capital run ensue| Belle of Isles about a length behind. | Handicap Hurdle Bac| Medora \ ... 1 Auckland Kate \ ... 2 This was a splendid race comii> home, nine taking all the hurdles. X Auckland Cup. 1 Kingfieher ... ' \ ... 1 Guy Fawkee |... 2 Tui, Cocksure, and Ariel also rani Cocksure bolted. I The Californian mail steamer is eigalled. Gbahamstown, Decemb|3l. Sir George Grey addressed a fflwded meeting last night. He explain! hie reasons for appearing as a candidate % the Thames. He was there in respond to a numerously signed requisition from the Thames people, and because he was jhder the conviction that he could render freat eervice to the people of this district! Sir George then referred to his connection nth. Cape Colony, his recall, and eubse&ent reinstatement in office. He strongly ondemned the transaction in connection ith the confiscated lands, and made ep ial reference to the Piako swamp. Rej rding the latter, he said he lid not believe a single sixpence kd been paid to the public for tat land, and that the land was as much he property of the people as ever it was, transaction itself was a dirty violationhf the law. He also condemned the IndemiSy Act of last session, and announced him|f as favourable to an income and property ti, and a general adjustment of the incidences taxation, to triennial Parliaments and i elective Upper House. In answer to I question, as to what objection Sir Geori Grey would have to name what form 1 Government he would propose if he had! majority at his back, he said if fa attempted until after months of considers tion to put forward a scheme, he would t looked upon as a fool. Of all the Strang things he had come across, asking him oi hand at that late hoar to develop a form o Government for New Zealand was the strangest of all. Sir George's address lasted] nearly two hours, and at the conclusion, he received an almost unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.

William Carpenter, A. Brodie, and J. Leyden, have retired from the contest, and Mackay addresses the electors to-night. The chances of Sir J. Vogel's return are considered very good, but his candidature is not energetically promoted.

January. 1. Mr Mackay addressed the electors, and at the conclusion announced his retirement from the candidature, the Government declining to release him from his land purchase contract. Several candidates followed Mr Mackay, including Messrs Bowe and Gibbons. Mr Sheehan came down yesterday and withdrew. Sir G. Grey has returned to Auckland.

It is announced that Sir J. Vogel will accept the position of candidate for the Thames. The popular ticket for the election seems to be the two knights, Sir G. Grey and Sir J. Vogel.

Wellington, January 2. The total result of the polling for the ekcticn for the country districts election was—Mr Brandon, 208 ; Mr Gillon, 141 ; Mr Wallace, 26.

Owiug to the gale blowing outside, the steamer Tui was not able to take telegrams across the Strait on Saturday night, nor since. She is expected to leave to-night. The Governor attended the Caledonian sports yesterday. Over 3000 people were present. A boy of fourteen won the second prize in the walking match, beating several good pedestrians. There was a good deal of excitement during the match, and £10 were collected for the boy at the finish.

The English and Californian mail, per the Mikado, will be sent South, per the Hawea, on Monday morning.