NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 7990, 14 October 1886, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND.

[Pee Press Association.] NAPIEB, Oot. 13. The Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s Show opened to-day, which was wholly devoted to judging sheep and implements. The show of sheep was grand, both in merinos and long wools, though the latter largely predominated. The chief prizes in merinos were taken by Eoyse and Anderson, Douglas, M'Lean and H. B. Bussell; in longwools by T. Turner, J. N. Williams, H. B. Bussell, N. E. Beamish and P. Dolbel. The imported sheep shown were comparatively few, and in every instance they were beaten by locally-bred sheep, when placed in competition with the latter. WANGANUI, Oct. 18. Bobert Jones, for embezzling from the Customs Department, was sentenced this morning to eighteen months’ hard labour. This finishes the criminal business. The Borough Council last night refused to grant a salary of .£l5O a year to the Mayor. The answers received by Captain Sommerville, Chairman of the New Zealand Bifie Association, point to the end of February or the beginning of March as the most likely date for the Christchurch meeting. WELLINGTON, Oct. 13. Mr Scott has returned to Christchurch after a number of lengthy interviews with the authorities on the subject of the Midland Bailway, in order to get the contract drawn up in accordance with the Act of last session. Everything will then be ready for a start. At the Magistrate’s Court this morning, a man named Clement Harding was committed for trial on several charges of forging and uttering cheques for a small amount. The charge against Charles Cheymol of having, on Feb. 1, 1886, or thereabouts, feloniously forged and uttered a certificate of deposit of the Queen’s Bond Warehouse for ten casks of brandy, was resumed in the B.M. Court to-day. Accused was committed for trial. Bail was allowed, plaintiff in JBIOO and two sureties of JE3OO each. The prosecuting counsel mentioned that the present charge was'only one of 14 separate forgeries, amounting in the aggregate to a large sum. Mr Henry Baucke, although oft defeated, is still persisting with his old Chatham Islands claim. He has just served the Colonial Secretary with a writ for .£65,110 7s sd. Similar writs have been served on many previous Ministers. A contract has been let for a temporary asylum at Porirua. A fair-sized building will be erected at a cost of nearly .£2OOO, to which able-bodied patients will be transferred, and set to work on the grounds. Sir Julius Vogel is still confined to his room from the effects of the operation which he underwent last Sunday.

DUNEDIN, Oct. 13. A deputation from tlie Chamber of Commerce waited on Mr Larnach, to bring under bis notice the desirability of establishing a monthly or bi-monthly steam service between Dunedin and various settlements on the West Coast. The Minister promised to bring the matter before the Postmaster-General. He thought JB2OOO or so would be well spent in establishing a service. The nomination of candidates for Dunedin Central took place to-day, when the four following were nominated Messrs William Hutchison, Thomas Bracken, William Darling, and Charles Robert Chapman. The show of hands was in Mr Bracken's favour, and a poll was demanded.