INTERPROVINCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 75, 18 March 1880, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, March 16. The s.s Tararua arrived at Russell, having left Sydney on the 11th, at 2 p. m. Mr. Ehrenfried, Mayor of the Thames, and Mr. John Sheehan, M.H.R., waited on Messrs. Hall' and Rolleston, and requested a reimbursement of L 2,300, alleged to have been wrongfully deducted from' the sums supplied to the borough during the last three years for charitable purposes. They also requested Government to refund LSOO promised by Mr. Sheehan, when Native Minister, and expended by the Thames people on the faith of a promise. The matter was referred to Mr. Bryce. The Government have arranged to retain the services of Judge Fenton, as Chief Judge of the Native Lands Court, which has given much satisfaction here. Auckland, March If. The Catholic schools marched in procession to the Domain, headed by the band. Sports were held. Judge Fenton, of the Native Land Court, goes to Taranaki to give evidence before the Royal Commission. The Premier, accompained by Messrs. R. Macfarlane and Brett, yesterday visited the abbatoirs, waterworks, and asylum, ordering some alterations in the latter. Of the LG5,000 vote for works north of Auckland, Government have decided that L 30,000 shall be at once expended under the superintendence of Mr. Fairburn, engineer. A portion of the balance will be divided amongst the County Councils and Highway Boards for local works, and the remainder for contingencies.

To Kenga, daughter of Manihiri, has come to represent the Kingites at the Mangarei meeting. The Otaki meeting is to commence to-morrow. It is understood resolutions will be submitted condemnatory of the arrest and non-trial of the West Coast prisoners, also of Sir W. Fox and Sir F. D. Bell, the commissioners, and approving of Mold Tawhai’s resignation, also deploring the spread of intemperance and urging the fostering of temperance societies in the church. Nominations for the Autumn and Sfc. George’s Handicaps and Steeplechase close on Friday night at eight. New Plymouth, March 16. The banquet given to Sergeant Okey last night, was a great success. Over 200 attended. Sir Dillion Beil was present, and proposed the toast “ Prosperity to Taranaki.” Major Stapp was in the chair, Colonel Trimble in the vice-chair. The Lincolnshire delegates arrived from Hawera last night. Mr. Grant is suffering from a severe attack of sciatica, and can scarcely walk. They are the guests of Mr. Caverhill. It is supposed they will leave for Auckland to-day, in the steamer Rangatira, which will be detained so as to enable Mr. Foster to see something of the district. Geaiiamstown, March 17. The reception of the carbine champion, Thomas, and the Thames representatives, took place last night. They were met on the wharf by 350 Volunteers with burning torches, and the champion was carried shoulder high to a carriage. There were four rows of flags and Chinese lanterns across the principal streets, while Greek fire was burned on all the principal edifices. From the Bank of New Zealand there was a brilliant firework display. Thousands of people witnessed the demonstration, and the champion was publicly welcomed by the Mayor. Cheers were given for champion, ex champion Gordon, Seaman, Parslaw, and Captain Wildman. Wellington, March 16. At a meeting of the Local Industries Commission, Mr. Wakefield was appointed chairman. It was resolved to send circulars to the various Chambers of Commerce, asking them to make any suggestions they considered necessary to aid industries already in existence, and for the development of the new ones. John Wallace, an old settler, died this morning. He was in his 93vd year. The Loan and Mercantile Agency report under date, London, March 13. The wool sales closed firmly at an average improvement of l|d. to 2d. per lb. ; we expect the next sales to open at present quotations. Superior greasy has advanced to 2d. ; scoured, 2d. to 3d. ; superior combings, washed, Id. to lid. ; combing, washed, 2d. ; clothing, washed, Id. Since the close of last sale of cross-breds, greasy combings, washed and. scoured, have each advanced 3d. per lb. tip to date, 180,000 bales have been sold, 1000 taken for export. The leather market continues flat. Best sides are worth llfd. Tallow, a dull sale, best mutton being worth L 36 10s., and best beef L 35 10s. per ton. Wellington, March 17. At the Magistrate’s Court this morning, Wake ford, proprietor of the Bank Hotel, was fined L 3 for selling spirituous liquors in the Arcade during young Scott’s walk. The steamer Waitaki, which left for the South at 1.30 this afternoon, came to anchor when half way down the harbor, the condenser opposite the high pressure crank having burst. It is not yet known what delay will be occasioned. Timaru, March 16. The case of larceny of 800 sheep, against George Orr, representing the firm of Meek, millers, Oamaru, has been dismissed after occupying the Bench two days. The sheep had been sold by Scott, formerly partner with Meek, and the latter, believing the sale to be fraudulent, instructed Orr to seize them, pending the appointment by the Supreme Court of a person to receive the disputed partnership property. Timaru, Murch 17. Henry Thomas Reid, ex librarian, of the Timaru Mechanics’ Institute, {was remanded to gaol, to await his transfer to Victoria, on a charge of embezzling the funds of the Building Society of bool, where he was also Town Clerk, His identity was fully proved by a constable from Warnambool, Bail was refused.