LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1852, 22 March 1869, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[feoji otjb owx coheespondent.] Wellington, March 20, 7.30 p.m. News is to hand that another engagement at the Wanganui Front has taken place, but it is discredited. News from Opotiki states that Tβ Kooti is about to attack that settlement, taking advantage of Major Mair and the forces being at Whakatane. Although numerous particulars are given the news concludes with the belief that Te Kooti is not near Opotiki, but that the report arises only from the fear occasioned by the temporarily unprotected state of the settlement. A boy named Ernest Knowles was run over by the Hutt van, and died while on his way to the hospital. The Duke's Beception Committee is now making headway. A public meeting has been called by the Superintendent for Tuesday. New Trial—lt is rumoured that, in the case of Beswick v. Corporation of Kaiapoi, a new trial is to be moved for. Oxford Mechanics' Institute. — We learn that the building for this institute is finished, but the furniture, books, &0., necessary to commence operations are etill required. Legal.—The long vacation, which commenced on Saturday, will terminate on 30fch April. Mr Justice Greeson will, however, for the convenience of the profession, sit in Chambers to-morrow. FiBE AT Sokitika.—A fire broke out in the " Hokitika Daily News " office on Wednesday morning last, and destroyed a quantity of paper and valuable printing material. Kaiapoi Borough Council.—We believe the Kaiapoi Borough Council meet this evening for the purpose of considering the state of affairs regarding the bridge. Death. —February. 1869, at its residence, Cathedral square, of premature decay and long continued debility, the Constitutional Reform Association, aged a few mc'nths; respected, regretted, and lamented by a small circle of friends. Its end was peace. [" Lyttelton Times " and other papers please °opy-3 Confibmation.—Last evening the Bight Rev Dr Harper, Bishop of New Zealand, held a confirmation at St John's Church, Latimer Square, which was filled by a large congregation. Thirteen young persons of both sexes were admitted to the holy rite and at its conclusion his Lordship delivered a most affectionate address. Fibe in the Avon DiSTEiCT.—On Friday morning a fire broke out in the stackyard of Mr John Butterworth, dairyman, residing in the Avon district. The fire, which was discovered by Mrs Butterwouth, was not extinguished until two stacks of straw and a considerable quantity of hay was consumed. Mr Butterworth, who was from home when the fire took place, is a heavy loser, as the value of the property destroyed is estimated at upwards of £50. Unregistered Dogs.-—Those who have dogs which they really value, but who have hitherto neglected to register them, had better do so at once, as we understand it is the intention of the police to keep a sharp look out for those dogs which have not on the registration collar. The fee for registering a dog is only 10s, whereas the lowest penalty for keeping an unregistered dog is 20s, just double the amount of the registration fee, besides running the risk of having a pet, and perhaps a valuable one, destroyed. Suicide. —On the last voyage of the steamship Alhainbra from New Zealand to Melbourne, a man named Hugh Dwyer threw himself overboard and was drowned. He was laboring under mental aberration at the time. The incident occurred about half-past five o'clock on the afternoon of the 20th ultimo. Dwyer had placed a sum of money—about £70—in the hands of Captain M'Lean, and it has been paid over to the man's legal representatives. Capture of a Runaway. —About a fortnight since a man nnmed Charles Whittaker, in the employment of Mr Manning, brewer, absconded in the steamer Gothenburg, having embezzled sundry sume of money belonging to his employer. A warrant was issued for his apprehension, and the police at Hokitika were telegraphed to respecting him. A few daye since he was apprehended on board the steamer in Hokitika roadstead, and he arrived in Chrietohurch on Saturday by the coach in custody of Mr Inspector Pender. Whittaker will be brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. New Faib at Lujcolh. — A meeting j was held in the schoolroom, Lincoln, on Friday evening, for the purpose of discussing the advisability of holding periodical stock fairs in the township. Mr A. C. Knight occupied the chair, and stated that it was not intended that the proposed fair should supersede the one held at the Wheatsheaf. Messrs Wright and Murray offered the use of three acres of land at a nominal rental ; and it was resolved to form a company with a capital of £150, to be raised in shares of £2 each; the whole of which were at once subscribed for. A code of rules for the conduct of the company's affairs was drawn up and signed ; and Messrs Knight, Wright, Goodwin, Lawry, and Glyde were appointed directors. Colonel Bbownb.—We learn from the Hobart Town papers that a sum of £500 was sent to England by the last mail for the purchase of a testimonial (probably in the shape of plate), to be presented to the late Governor of Tasmania, Colonel Gore Browne. The money was the result of public subscription.

Military.—lt is anticipated at Brisbane that the dstachuient of the 50th Regiraont, etatioued there, will embark for Sydney, en route fot England, about the 13th inst. Colonial Prize Firing.—lt has been finally decided that the Middle Island Colonial Prize Firing will take place at the new range, Peliohefe Bay, on the 2nd of April.—" Otago Daily Times." Price of Sheep.—We understand that a Canterbury gentleman, at preaent on a yieit to Dunedin, lately bought 1000 sheep in the Timaru district for £10, or rather less than 24d each.— " Otago Daily Times." Summary Execution op Hauhaus.— Three of the natives engaged in the Poverty Bay massacre were lately captured at Patutahi by v friendly native, and while they were in his 7caianga t a Mr Elston, whoso son lost hie life in the massacre, accompanied by one or two others, determined, as there were no means of bringing the Hauhaus to trial, to execute them by " lynch law." Elston and ! party accordingly attempted to shoot Nikora,' who, however, managed to make his escape. They then shot Te Iho Ariki, the murderer of Mr Wyllie'e eon, dead; and would have treated Peka in the same way, but he, having learnt their design, contrived to escape beforehand.