NEW ZEALAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVII, Issue 273, 1 December 1882, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

Ashburton, Friday. The cricket match between the Ashburton Fifteen and Auckland Eleven commenced to-day, the local team going in first. At the luncheon adjournment Ashburton had scored 87 for the loss of 11 wickets. Wilding, not out, made 50. Wellington, Thursday. Considerable surprise is expressed amongst the Volunteers at the terms of the Order in Council which declares that the new regulations are now in force. A departmental circular has been issued stating that they would come into operation on the Ist of January, but tbe Order in Council is precise, and Volunteers seem uncertain what to do. Friday. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency report under date London, 28th November: — The wool market is unchanged. Seedy and burry wools are neglected. Up to date 44,000 bales have been sold and 500 withdrawn. The cases in connection with illicit distillation were considered at the Magistrate's Court this morning, and adjourned until the Gth inst. Baxclutha, Friday. Edith Anne Smith, a servant to Mr Russell, the stationmaster at Sterling, fell from a carriage when the train was neai-ing Sterling last night and died at two o'clock this morning. Inveecaegill, Friday. The following are the vital statistics for November : — Births, 56 ; Deaths, 13 Marriages, 8. Dunedin, Thursday.™ t Still another serious bush fire is reported,

this time at the head of Hawea Lake, where it is feared the whole . of a valuable forest will be destroyed. The Sorrento has now almost completed her loading, and will leave for England on the 6th December. The shipment of frozen meat prepared for her by the New Zealand Refrigerating Company consists of 726G carcases, but 1428 of these have been unavoidably shut out, and will be shipped instead by the ship Dunedin, which leaves in about three weeks. The principal contributors to this total number are Mr J. Reid, Oamaru, 1013; Messrs Smith and Sons, Tuapeka, 1003; Murray, Roberts, and Co, Strath Taieri, 971 ; Mr J. Douglas, Waimate, 967; New Zealand and Australian Land Company, Clutha. 708; M. Studholme, Waimate, 487; R. Me'nlove, Oainaru, 482. The total weight of shipment is a little over 237 tons, or ai\ average of 731 b per sheep. The chamber for butter is also expected to be well filled before the departure of the vessel. Friday. A three roomed cottage in North East Valley occupied by Daniel Chalmers, was burnt down last night. It was insured in the Standard Office for £180. Additional particulars concerning the accident by which young Salmond, manager of the Brush ware Company, lost his life at the Maori Kaik yesterday, state that he formed one of a picnic party who went down in i the "Plucky." . On arrival, six of the party went to a hill about 300 yards from the landing place and sat down under the shelter of its bushes. The soil here is very crumbly. Two horses were grazing above, and it is supposed that one shifted a boulder which came tumbling down. A lady seated with Salmond called his attention to the danger, but had scarcely uttered the words when the stone struck him on the head with such force as to impel him fully fifteen feet down the hill. He expired five minutes afterwards. He was 23 years old, and was unmarried*. Mr Stout will contest the Peninsula seat. Auckland, Thursday. The Hon Mr Bryce has returned here from Rotorua. He examined the Rotorua road and railway, and is satisfied with the routes chosen. He goes home via Tauranga and Taupo, endeavoring on the way to settle the outstanding difficulty between the Natives . and Studholme and Co, Murimotu Block. Christchukch, Friday. The Industrial Association are going to ask the Government to offer a bonus for tbe discovery of a payable diamond field in New Zealand. During the discussion several members mentioned that diamonds and other precious Btones had been found in the Malvern and West Coast districts. The St Alban's Borough Council are 1 anxious to raise a loan of £10,000 for widening the streets, and a poll was taken yesterday. By the Act 373 burghers would have to vote before the proposal could be carried, but only 242 came to the poll, and of these 118 were against it. The loan was therefore lost. It was expected this would be the case as the Council's proposals were considered indefinite and hastily formed. It is proposed to hold a sham fight on Quail Island in Lyttelton Harbor on the 9th December. Napier, Friday. Vital statistics : — Births 28 ; marriages 5 ; deaths 14. Not for years has the gaol been so empty. There are only 21 hard labor men, and six awaiting trial. Incarcerated this time last year, there were over sixty prisoners. Rain has fallen to the extent of over 2;[ inches. AVaxganui, Friday. Vital statistics for November: — Births 27; marriages (i, deaths 14. The deaths show an increase of six.