INTERPROVINCIAL TELEGRAMS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 50, 9 January 1877, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL TELEGRAMS.

[From the Press Agency]

Auckland, January 5. Private letters by the mail report that Judge Arney is in excellent health. The General Government have appointed a Commissioner to inquire into the condition of the Lunatic Asylum and Gaol. It is proposed to make the gaol more self-sup-porting, and to utilise the hospital and asylum reserves.

Grahamstown, January 5.

Mrs Fisher, of Christchurch, in landing from the Auckland steamer last night walked over the Grahamstown wharf, but was promptly rescued by two men who were near. She had an infant in her arms, but neither were hurt beyond a wetting.

Wellington, January 5.

At the Supreme Court this morning, M'Cann, an elderly man, convicted of rape on a young girl, was sentenced to 12 year's hard labour, and two whippings of 30 lashes each. Coleman was convicted of an attempt to murder his wife. Sentence was deferred till Monday. Sir Donald M'Lean died about four this afternoon.

Parliament has been further prorogued to April 13. Mr D. Reid has been appointed Minister of Lands and Immigration ; Mr Ormond Minister of Public Works.

Dunedin, January 5. Wm. Walker.has been found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm on his step-child, and sentenced to nine months' imprisonment with hard labour. Mr Justice Williams said that the sentence would have been much more severe, only that the jury recommended the prisoner to mercy, The Dunedin and Tuapeka line will be ready for opening within seven miles of Lawrence, before the end of the month. The whole line will be completed in six weeks.

Auckland, January 6. The inquest was held to-day on the body of a female infant, found at Hauraki Bay. A verdict of wilful murder against some person unknown, was returned. The Hero made the usual trip to-day, for the benefit of the Orphan Home. A thousand persons were on board, including 300 children. Napier, January 6. Sir Donald McLean's death has created a profound sensation here among all classes. January 7. Sir Donald M'Lean's funeral is just concluded. Between 2000 and 3000 people were on the ground. The personal friends of Sir Donald McLean headed the procession, followed by the Victorian and Scinde Masonic Lodges, numbering about 80 members, Good Templars about 60, Oddfellows about 40, some Hibernians, and then the general public. The Rev David Sidey, St. Paul's (Presbyterian) Church, conducted the service. The Rev. D'Arcy Irvine, Chaplain of the Victorian Lodge,

conducted the Masonic Service. Some masons formed round the grave and went through the ceremony, but the others were prevented from doing so by the pressure of the crowd. The hymn, "A few more years shall roll" was sung; the procession then re-formed, and marched home. Tele grama were received yesterday from Wellington, that if the funer.d could be put off, the Stella would come down with the members of the Government and others. Mr. Ormond replied that it was impossible to put it off. Major Atkinson then answered, " The Ministry would be with the mourners inspirit."