TELEGRAMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 5323, 13 March 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

[PBOM THB PBBSO AGENCY.] Auckland, March 12.

BANQUET TO ME SHEEHAN.

The banquet given by sons of old colonists to Mr Sheehan last night at Hamilton passed off very successfully. There were forty-five guests present, of whom thirtyfive were sons of old colonists, including the leading settlers of the Waikato. In a comphmentary speech, the chairman stated that the object of the banquet was to do honour to the first native-born colonist of New Zealand who had attained the dignified position of Minister of the Crown in thp Colony. The clothes of a young man named Eussell were found on the beach to-day. It is believed that he has bolted, and the placing of the clothes on the beach is only to blind his creditors. The Taranaki has been detained until tomorrow morning in the Monakau, waiting the arrival of the mail steamer. The Hon J. Sheehan proceeds to Te Aroha to-morrow to complete land purchase arrangements. The test case, City Council v. Owners of Allotments on the reclaimed land, for rates to-day, went against the Council. AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. New Plymouth, March 12. The agricultural statistics for the County of Taranaki, are : Holdings, 632; land broken up, 1395 acres; in wheat, 1586 ;in oats, 412; barley, 30 ; grasses, 43,631; potatoes, 464 ; other crop, 226; total number of acres under crop, 46,349. [YEOJI OUB OWN COEEE3PONDBNT3.] Ebebton, March 12. The dividend, which has not yet been declared, of the Welcome Company, Eeefton, will be 10s or 10s 6d pr share. Dunedin, March 12. The case against Alfred Cameron for breach of the Lotteries Act, in instituting the sweep on the Dunedin Cup was dismissed, as there was nothing to show that the defendant was beneficially interested.The Ministerial party visited the Mosgiel woollen factory, and were presented with an address by the Corporation of Mosgiel. They afterwards visited the Dunedin convent.

To-morrow will be taken up in the Supreme Court with argument on the new plea in the Jones’ libel case. -If a further adjournment is necessary it is stated that it will most likely be until next sitting, as Judges Williams and Johnston hare to sit in banco to clear off a heavy list before the criminal sessions commence next month. If the case is not adjourned it will probably last the whole week. The New Zealand Blondin made his first appearance here at the Temperance Hall to-night.

Wellington, March 12.

The Constitutional Reform Association have appointed a Committee to promote the registration of votes.

It is said that the probate duty on the will of the late Mr W. B. Rhodes will amount to £20,000.

Captain Bircham of the schooner Ruby reports that he saw a cutter lying at anchor •in Cloudy Bay, which he thinks is the long missing cutter Raven. In all probability a steamer will be despatched to Cloudy Bay at once.

The United, a Sydney Insurance Company, has commenced business in Wellington. Joseph Nathan and Co. are the agents. At the inquest touching the recent fatal occurrence at the Theatre Royal Hotel, the jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death,” adding a rider that steps should be taken to render the aperture in the floor of the vestibule less dangerous.