NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5081, 20 December 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

IfBB FBBBS ASSOCIATION.j AUCKLAND, December 19. It is stated that about twelve new telegraph stations are to be opened in the province, Ninety thousand sharea have now been subscribed in the Rotorua railway projeot. Legal proceedings have been instituted by the editor of the "Observer" against Weston the bookmaker for tbe late assault. The Maori Heti, arrested in the King Country for horse stealing, has been committed for trial and lodged in Mount Eden gaol. While a party of Bussian liberty seamen were in the Greyhound Hotel to-night, one was discovered robbing a bedroom. He was seized by Mrs Darby, the landlady, but escaped. The room was found to have been completely ransaoked, and £6 worth of jewellery was missing. Before the police were informed and could reach the wharf, the | culprit had got off to the Africa by one of the ship's boats. It is stated that his surrender will not be asked, but a representationwill be made to the Admiral, who will deal with the offender. The Africa sails to-morrow morning. TAUPO. December 19. An ascent of the volcano of Tongariro waa auocessfully made by Mr Manson, an American tourist, who, with five guides, climbed to the summit of the crater of Oreoa oh Wednesday last. He describes the voloano as being an active geyser, throwing streams of boiling mud fully 500 ft high. The interior of the cone is aurrounded by some thirty or more boiling springs and sulphur eteam holes. The altitude on the summit of the cone is 7550 ft, and the thermometer registered six degrees below zero. They were compelled, through a snow storm, to remain in the crater all night, and nearly perished with cold. This is the first Pakeha whom the Natives have permitted to make an aacent of the sacred mountain. Others have attempted it, but were captured by the Maoris and turned back. The Natives named Manson " Tongariro." The burning mountain is in the King country, and this concession to a Pakeha may be considered as a strong evidence of their good 'feeling, and the gradual break-up of the animosities which have hitherto existed between the two races. NAPIEB, Deoember 19. Nominations for tbe Napier Handicap, Railway Stakes, and Handicap Hurdles for the Hawke'a Bay Jockey Club's autumn meeting oloso to-morrow night, at eight e'olook. WELLINGTON; December 19. It is expected that the new post office and telegraph office will be commenced early in February. The criminal sessions of the Bupreme Court open on January 3rd. Only five cases aa yet are set down for hearing, and none of them are of a serious nature. This afternoon informations under the Gaming and Lotteries Aot were laid against aome of the gentlemen who were engaged in aweepa on the Hutt racecourse on the 30th ultimo. Sir W. Fitzherbert, Speaker of the Legislative Council and president of the Wellington Baaing Club is, it is understood, one of those summoned. The cases will be heard on Friday. The Chief Justice returned from Nelson this morning. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Gordon and family leave for Lyttelton by the Hinemoa at eight o'olook to-night. His Excellency is expected to be absent about eight or ten days. A meeting will be held to-night to consider the advisability of forming a new gas company. Three Judges of the Supreme Court will meet in a few days to draw up regulations under the Elections Petition Aot, this step being rendered necessary as it is understood several petitiona in connection with the recent elections will be presented. HOKITIK A, December 19. Credick Bain, the Corporation messenger, has been missing since Thursday last, and all efforts to discover aome trace of him up to the present time have proved unavailing*. There is no reason for his disappearance. "■?-■ It is expected that the Murray, whioh is stranded on the South Spit, will be got off to-morrow. BEEFTON, December 19. Charles Mirfin, editor of the Inangahua "Herald," was brought before the Magistrates this morning on a criminal information, charging him with having forged the name of Mr Jones, solicitor, to five telegrams. Mr Jones was chairman of Mr Weston's election committee, and it is alleged that defendant, on the polling day, presented for transmission five telegrams purporting to be signed by Mr Jones, and addressed to Mr Weston's principal supporters at Brunnerton, saying that Mr Weston's return was impossible, and asking the receivers to do their best for Mr McLean, an opposing candidate. After hearing the evidence for the prosecution, defendant was committed for trial at the next sittings of the District Court, bail being allowed. The Ohriatohuroh and Greymouth Eailway Commission arrived here last night, and are gathering information upon the coal, timber and land resources of Inangahua. , DUNEDIN, December 19. The barquenbne Fairlie, drawing 13 feet 6 inches of water, came up the Harbor Board's, newly dredged channel to-day to Dunedin. The Penguin will make the attempt on the 29th. William Gawne, at the Police Court to- j day, waa committed for trial for a brutal assault on his wife. The evidence disclosed very brutal treatment. He looked the doors on her and struck her severely about the head and face. He was drunk, but knew what he waa doing. The brigantine Fairlie, from Sydney, was admitted to pratique yesterday. I [fboh oub cobbebpondent.] WELLINGTON, Deoember 19. It is understood that three of the Judges of the Supreme Court will shortly meet in Wellington to frame the rules respecting the coats, practice, trial and procedure in regard to election petitiona; also, aa to coat*, and certifying and reporting on petitions and trials in accordance with section 14 of the Election Petitiona Act, 1880. It will be seen from ! that section that very important and com- [ prehensive functions have to be exercised by the Judges in this matter, and as several petitiona are expected to be preferred on this occasion against the return of candidates, it is, of course, imperative that no time should be lost in preparing the necessary rules, the sth section of the Act requiring the petitiona to be presented within twenty-eight days of the declaration of the poll, and that in most cases would require the petition' to be sent in by the 9th proximo. The Chief Justice has