LATEST TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 743, 5 February 1873, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE

(FBOM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Dunedin, this afternoan. The total escort yesterday brought down 12,933 ounces of gold.

A laborer named Peter O'Shano has been killed while felling a tree at Anderson's Bav. Constable Evan's case will be finished to-day, and is certain to end in his committal. The only evidence of identification is Farrell's, who is very positive. The prosecution supply a motive, in correspondence between Farrell's wife and Ryan. Twenty-four letters were produced. Ah Youck has been committed for trial at Naseby for selling spurious gold. The Gabriel's Gully Company are crushing 110 ounces to 100 tons. Thirty Otago volunteers have qualified for the Colonial firing. Auckland. • The prospectus of the Steel Iron Company has been issued. Capital £100,000; half to be called upon, fciutton's company is to recive £2OOO cash ; £/»000 in paid-up shares. The prospectus states that, with an outlay of £ISOO on plant, fifty tons of bar iron, worth £BOO, can be produced weeklv, at a cost of £455. All sharebrokcrs in town refuse to take out liccuses. ADDITIONAL ITEM'*. The Nebraska arrived at Auckland on Monday. She was 20J- days eomiug from San Francisco. The first general meeting of the new National Bank was held in London on 10th December. The report states that there have been 110,872 applications, and that 66,6G7 shares have been taken by 850 shareholders. The bank is ready to commence business in London, with a capital in hand of £106,667. The preliminary expenses are £2,711. Duncclin flax realised £36 per ton at last sales. The loss from Barnhain's fire is estimated at $300,000. The Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York, having accommodation for 500 guests, was destroyed by the fire. Twenty-two lives were lost.

The Independent states thatunless the Newcastle coal lode is speedily r< stored, there will be a perfect coal famine; and says that it is a shame that the Colony should have made itself dependent for foreign supplies, while it possesses a superior article at its own doors.

The local gas company has only two months' supplies on haud. Bishop Moran, while in Canterbury, has been severely denouueing secular education.

Mr Charles Elliott, editor of the New Zealand Stud Hook, notifies that the fourth volume of that work is now preparing for the press, and he requests that breeders of thorough-breds should send in a return of such <>f their stock as have not appeared iu former volumes, for insertion in the forthcoming volume. Mr Elliot would also be glad to be informed of any deaths that may have taken place, so that they may be recorded. T- e Governor has forwarded the following reply to the Cninese addresses, which were presented to him during his recent visit to t'»e Wakatip:—" The Governor has received, with much pleasure, the two addresses presented to him by the Chinese miners of Queenatown, iu which tiiey assure him of their loyalty to th" Queen, and of th ir earnest desire to conform to the laws of this colony. Wherever the British Hag Hies, all persons under its protection are entitled io equal justice in the Courts, and to equality before the law. His Excellency is glad | to learn that friendly relations, honorable to all ! parties, continue to exist between the Kuropeans 1 and the Chinese in tlic province—G. F. Bowem." The Chinese New Year was celebrated with great rejoicing at Big Beach, Shotover, on Thursday last, the 30th ultimo. The feast being thrown open to all comers, many Europeans, from curiosity as well as good will, availed themselves of the opportunity of acquiring some insight into "ye manners and customs of ye Celestials," and received a hearty welcome. At half-past 3 o'clock the visitors sat down to dinner, which consisted of fowl, roast pork, Chinese vegetables, custards, wines, spirits, &c; ufter which some prominent residents of Queenstown returned thanks to the Chinese for the reception received at their hands, and then adjourned for the purpose of witnessing a grand display of crackers, which were fired off in commemoration of the day. Mr Worthington then read the Governor's address (or rather reply) to the Chinese address. Messrs John Alloo (ihe interpreter) and Mam Tie made a few remarks, and the aflair broke up with hearty cheers for the welfare of all parties. There were about thirty or forty Europeans present. At about twenty minutes psl eleven o'clock, last night, some person very foolishly rung the fire bell. Only two or three light strokes of the clapper were given ; but still, these were quite sufficient to unsettle the minds of the more peaceably disposed residents who had retired to rest. 'lhe causer of the disturbance was probably not aware that a heavy penalty attaches to such a breach of the peace, or he would not have acted so rashly. .Nevertheless, in endeavoring to conserve good order, there is a double duty to perform. Besides V>e punishment of offenders, evry possible facility for the perpetration of an offence should be withdrawn, so that the temptation may be reduced to a minimum. At the time of the reorganisation of the Hrigade lately, many questions w- re discussed by the new members, and among others that of the most suitable site for the fire bell, and the style of its construction. The former subject is perhaps ot no immediate moment, but we think a good suggestion thrown out at the recent meeting mig'it be adopted, namely the nailing of steps across the framework, similar to the rounds of a ladder, and fastening a short cord to the clapper. The only disadvantage of this plan would be that, in cases of em rgency it would occupy perhaps a tew soconds longer in reaching the bell, but it would, on the other hand, be far more likely to deter midnight brawlers and practical jokers from indulging their propensity to pull tho string. Under the plan suggested the bell also could bo ruug louder and far more rapidly than at present. It is to be hoped tho Brigade will take this matter in hand ; or the Council may be called upon to take some action. By the way, what has become of the Captain and the crew ? Have they sunk into oblivion, to risr- no more ; or is it a temporary nlapse owing to the late festivities. In either case, it is perhaps of little cousequeuce as far as the safety of property is concerned. There is nothing like a good water supply, which would be far better than a score of fire engines, like our own, with all its ill-used paraphernalia, and the pomp and pa r ade attending them.