CABLE TELEGRAMS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5122, 10 July 1878, Page 2

CABLE TELEGRAMS.

(Special to the Prbss^Agbnoy.) LONDON, July 8. Russia pledges to dismantle the Batoum forts and make the port commercially free. England has concluded a defensive treaty with Turkey, and assumes a protectorate over Asia Minor, guaranteeing the integrity of the Sultan's Asiatic realm. England occupies Cyprus. Sir Stafford Northcote met with a slight accident at his official residence, probably disabling him for a few days. (Reutkr's TbijHqkams to tub Press Achssot.) LONDON, July 6. It is rumored from Paris that two gold medals have been awarded to the Victorian vinegrowers. The^ highest award for wool has been given to Sir S. Wilson, and the gold medal for general excellence in wool "has been awarded to Sydney. Preserved meats were highly commended. The Bank reserve has been considerably weakened by foreign withdrawals. Australian securities have been characterised by great strength. Consols are dull at 95^. The wool sales closed with a firm tone. The general average shows an increase of from ten to twelve per cent, on the opening rates. The principal advance is on medium. For Australian scoured fleece, washed, and greasy, the prices were unsteady. The corn market is heavy and inactive. There are a million quarters afloat. MELBOURNE, July 9. Parliament opened to-day. The Governor's speech promises constitutional reform, railway extension, a bill to purchase the Hobson's Bay railway, loan bills for railways, water supply, and public works. The discussion on the address in the Council takes places to-morrow. In the Assembly, Professor Pearson, in a conciliatory speech, moved the reply to the address. It was seconded by Mr Mason. The debate was adjourned till to-morrow. •

(Fkom toe Press Aoknct.) AUCKLAND, July 9. A private cablegram announces the death of Mr McGeo, the resident partner in London of the firm of McArthur and Co. , soft goods merchants, Auckland. An inquest was held to-day on Robert Evans, who died on board the Rotorua. Medical testimony showed death to be from intlamation of the heart. The deceased came from the south three months a«"0. His friends are in Melbourne. He was travelling to Dunedin, seeking employment. Mr Baird, engineer of the Rotorua, was presented to-day with a valuable gold watch and chain for his services in securing the use of the Bay of Island coal on the Union Company's steamers, and for his efforts generally to make known the qualities of this valuable heating coal. CHRISTCHURCH, July 9. The farmers here are taking active measures to cope with the sparrow nuisance, and meetings are being held in the various country districts to devise moans to kill the birds. Poisoned wheat is most generally adopted. The Charitable Aid Board, having arranged satisfactorily with the Government," have now settled down to active work. A shocking affair has occurred at Oxford. Yesterday, shortly before noon, a house in the bush was observed to be on fire. When the neighbors reached the spot, they found Mrs Hoft, the wife of a German who occupied the cottage, lying on the ground insensible, with a fearful gash in her head. She was conveyed to the township, but soon after expired. Hoft, who was arrested during the afternoon, said that, during a quarrel, his wife hit him in the face, when he struck her

on the head with a tomahawk. He seemed 'quite uncbncerned at the result of the affair. It is supposed that, after striking his wife, Hoft set fire to the cottage. DUNEDIN, July 9. The proposed classification of. school teachers is likely to cause much 1 dissatisfaction. The Dunedin branch of the Educational Institute has decided to request the Inspector-General to forward to' the Institute & statement of the principles of the classification of teachers, in order that the Institute may discuss them before the classification is made. TIMARU, July 9. The valuable thoroughbred stallion Detractor died on Sunday through inflamation in the stomach. The Temuha Leader will be resuscitated, Alexander Wilson being the purchaser. It will appear on Saturday next. Two men engaged sinking in Ormsley's new mill, having got 60 feet deep, suddenly struck water, which spouted up'3o feet. One man was rescued quickly, but the other, owing to delay, was nearly drowned. He was much exhausted when he reached the top. WELLINGTON, July 9. Further provisions of the new Licensing Bill are published here, amongst which are some of the following : — Every person desiring to obtain a license shall give notice to the clerk of the Licensing Court and affix it on the front of the premises for which a license is applied at least 21 days before application, and publish a copy of the notification in the local paper. Every application, except for renewal, must be accompanied by a certificate signed by 10 householders in respect of the fitness of the applicant. The clerk of the Court to post the application inside and outside the building where the Licensing Court is held. Twelve or more male or female residents within a licensing district, or any person already licensed within the district, or owner of premises have a right to object to granting a license. Also, a county or borough council may authorise a person to object on behalf of the ratepayers to granting a license. Where the premises applied to be licensed are within any native licensing district, any twelve adult natives, male or female, resident therein, may object. The ground of objections for granting licenses are : — lf the applicant is of bad fame or character, of drunken habits, or has within six months previously forfeited his license, or being convicted of selling without a license within a period of three years, or a licensed house not required, or near place of worship or hospital or school. It is not necessary to give the applicant notice of objections, but in such case the applicant may demand an adjournment. Similar objections to be entertained for renewal of licenses. The licensing justices must entertain such objections, and if it appears that the majority of the residents or ratepayers in the neighborhood object to the application, the same shall be refused. The licensing justices in each case to determine what is the " neighborhood " for the purpose of the Act.