NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 8322, 9 November 1887, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

[Pna Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Nov. 8. This evening the Anglican community of Auckland presented Bishop Cowie with an address and a purse of sovereigns on the occasion of the departure of himself and family for England on a holiday. The Bishop suitably responded, and said no offer of less laborious work in England would prevent bis return to his diocese in Auckland. Four hundred pounds was the amount presented, but other contributions are yet to come in. At a meeting held by the Eadical Eeform League, resolutions were passed in favour of the introduction of a Bill to amend the Eepresentation Act, in order to make tho election of a Parliamentary candidate null and void who either personally or through agents or Committees canvassed for votes, and the practice of taking a show of hands on nomination day should be discontinued. An opinion was also expressed that the House should remain in session till tho question of a Land and Income-tax in lieu of a Property-tax was dealt with. It is reported in reference to the gold discovery at Whangamata, that some difficulty is likely to arise in connection with the declaring of the field as the Whangamata, numbers two and three blocks, have not been coded to the Crown by sale, nor were they ever the subject of any agreement for allowing Europeans to mine on those blocks. Mr H. Witheford has arranged to forward to England samples of gold or silver ores for testing at Swansea or Freebery, as may be arranged. No charge is to be made for freight to London. A petition is receiving signatures praying that the Government House here be devoted to the purposes of the Auckland University College, owing to want of sufficient accommodation at present. The partnership of the legal firm of Thome and Eigby has been dissolved. Mr Eigby left by the mail steamer for San Francisco yesterday. He stated that he would go to England to settle his affairs, and return here. A Conference of Chairmen of School Committees was held last night, the Mayor of Auckland presiding. It was resolved to reduce the Christmas holidays to four weeks. A motion was also carried that the Board of Education be requested to apply the same rule rc consultation in case of removal as in the appointment or dismissal of teachers; and that the Board be asked to have the Act altered to meet this request. NAPIEE, Nov. 8. In the case of the Union Steamship Company v. the Harbour Board, claim £25 6s 6d for damages to the launch Waihi through the stripping of her propeller by striking against a buoy showing the position of the anchor of the ship Northumberland, the Eesident Magistrate gave judgment for the full amount and costs. The Court held that the Board in leaving tho buoy in the fairway, committed an act of negligence, as notice had been given of its being dangerous to shipping. PEILDING, Nov. 8, A young man, named David Browning, son of a settler at Campbelltown, committed suicide by hanging himself yesterday. Deceased was working with his father felling bush for Mr M'Donald. Ho left his father, saying he would return in a few minutes. Some time having elapsed his father went to look for him, and found the lifeless body of his son suspended to n tree by a piece of flax. WELLINGTON, Nov. 8. The following telegram has been received by Commissioner Gudgeon:—" A report dated Nov. 5 has just been received from Constable Jones, To Awamutu, that he was informed on good authority at Kihikihi that Te Kooti intends leaving with most of his followers on Dec. 8 for the East Coast.— W. A. Kiely, Inspector." It has been raining all day, with wind from the southward, and there is no appearance of its clearing off for the holiday to-morrow. Excursions about the harbour are the only amusements arranged. Eobert Scott, formerly in the employ of the well-known drapery firm of Kirkcaldie and Staines, has issued a writ for .£GOO for defamation of character, against John Kirkcaldie, a member of the firm. GEEYMOUTH, Nov. 8. Exceedingly heavy rain fell during the greater part of yesterday, and the river rose rapidly eight feet above the usual height. At high tide this morning it was almost within two feet of the top of the wharf, after which it began to fall. Many persons stopped up all night, and some even changed their quarters in case of accident. The river is reported to have been higher at Ahaura than during the last great flood. OAMARU, Nov. 8. The entries for the Agricultural Show are 149 more than last year. The horses number 189, sheep 229, cattle 139, and miscellaneous 313. DUNEDIN, Nov. 8, At tho City Police Court, Edward Burton, for wife-heating, was sent to gaol for twelve months.