TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Marlborough Press, Volume XII, Issue 752, 14 June 1871, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[From latest Exchanges.] Tauranga, June 5. The steamer Napier arrived this morning. She brings intelligence from Gisborne (township) that Ropata and two hundred of his men were there. They will start in a few days to Te llunga, after Te Kooti, who is there, short of ammunition. The Luna, Captain Fairchild, called on Saturday night. Sir George Grey landed for a few minutes, and afterwards left for Kawau. Commissioner Clarke returned yesterday from the inland districts. June 7. There is excitement amongst the natives engaged on the Taupo and Tauranga road. Two of them went to catch wild pigs, and one is missing Dunedin, June 5. The Rev. S. T. Neville, was consecrated Bishop of Dunedin yesterday at St. Paul’s, in the presence of a largo congregation. He was formally inducted in the evening. . Sermons were preached by the Bishops of Wellington and Nelson. Dr Moran’s (Roman Catholic Bishop) discourse on education last night was very bitter, condemning the Otago system as about the worst possible. The Supreme Court Session commenced to-day. The calender was light. M’Leod’s case for libel was adjourned to next session. Mr Barton surrendered on his recognizances, and asked to be discharged. The application was deferred, pending the discharge of the Grand Jury. In the course of the proceedings, Mr Macassey read a telegram intimating that it was rumoured that the prosecution would be abandoned because the Times’ employes intended to avail themselves of their privilege ; he gave an undertaking that no such privilege was sought. Intimation was also given that Mr Barton considers the abandonment of the prosecution must be taken as an acknowledgment of the truth of the statements published by him, and he intends to commence civil proceedings for malicious prosecution against those who instituted proceedings against him. „ Mr Ilislop goes to Wellington to confer with the Government on the proposed system of Colonial education. Mr Reid, in his ministerial statement, urges the necessity of the province availing itself of the Public Works Act. June G. The coroner’s jury brought in a verdict of “ Wilful Murder ” against Bridget Gee. The Provincial Council have adopted the resolution against the General Government to go on with the immediate construction of the Mataura, Tuapeka to Tolcomariro, and Moeraki to Waitaki. lines.

The Dock Trust and the contractors are as loggerheads The former have resolved to take the work into their own hands, and repair the leak at their own risk. . Captain Fraser threatens legal proceedings against the Otago Daily Times for publishing Mr Macassey’s affidavit, and for its strong, comments on Mr Fraser’s action as a Justice in certain prosecution in the Magistrate’s Court. Mr Barton was discharged to-day. The escort brought 14,933 ozs. June 7. Mr Barton has issued a writ against the Government, claiming £5,000 damages. Mr Tancred has been appointed Chancellor and Mr Carleton Vice-Chancellor of the New Zealand University for two years. Wellington, June 7. Mr Fitzherbert opened the Provincial Council yesterday. lie delivered a long and able speech recommending direct taxation for education; the construction of tramways ; land on deferred payment; assisted immigration; borrowing of £IOO,OOO for payment of arrears on surveys and public works, and for the erection of a new building for the Provincial Government, and taking the fullest advantage of Government measures. Napier, June 9. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day, William Hawker, convicted of having in his possession an illicit still at Wharepanga, was sentenced to six months’ hard labor. During the case counsel required the production of the still, which had been deposited in the Customs shed. The Customs officer this morning found the shed broken open and the still stolen. The body of the still was afterwards found in the harbor. The other parts are still missing. Auckland, via Wanganui, June 9. A sad accident occurred on Saturday evening, by which George Ritchie, solicitor, of the (Inn of Beveridge and Ritchie, was thrown from his horse. Death was instantaneous. An inquest was held yesterday, and a verdict of accidental death returned. There was an immense funeral to-day. The Industry schooner, was wrecked at the Waikato Heads yesterday. On Monday a child of Mr Grove, M.P.C., was killed on a tramway at the Thames. The ship Alcxandrina, arrived on Saturday, 114 days from London. She encountered fearful gales on this side of the equator. A heavy sea broke on board, doing immense damage, and killing J. Moore, the chief steward, and Edward Dale, an apprentice. The James Paterson arrived from Sydney yesterday. 30,000 ounces of gold have been received from the Thames during the last fortnight. The Caledonian is looking as well as ever. Shares are standing at £176 ; Thames, £36 ; Cures, 25s ; Junction, 55s ; Alburnia, £l4. The latter has every appearance of turning out a second Caledonian. It is taking out a large quantity of specimens, which are very rich. The Tokatea and other claims at Coromandel arc also very rich. Christchurch, June 8. Four convicts, landed by the barque Queen of the South, have been ordered back to Western Australia, and are kept in custody until a vessel sails. Four Fenians, who arrived by the same vessel, have been set at liberty, on their own recognisances, on the understanding that they will proceed to Sydney. The act of Parliament under which the men were arrested. makes no distinction between political and other offenders. AUSTRALIA. Melrourne, June 1. The funeral of Alexander took place on Sunday. 1,500 volunteers and four military bands were present ; thousands of spectators followed. The steamer Auckland has been wrecked near Cape Howe. The passengers and crew were saved. There has been a collision in the Yarra between the steamer Dandenong and the tug Hercules. The latter was sunk. A young woman named Pawsey has been arrested. She is believed to be the mother of the child found murdered in Geelong lately.

The Rev. Mr Annear has been committed for trial for a criminal assault on a child. The breadstuff market is slighty easier. Flour, - - £l6 10s to £l7. Adelaide wheat, 6s lid. New Zealand seed wheat, 6s to 6s 6d ; milling, 5s lid to 6s 4d. It is generally believed that the Government will concede a modified tariff, and the property tax will be made to bear on the large landowners only. The debate will probably conclude with a division to-night. A new opera house is being built on the site of the old Princess Theatre by Lyster and Cagli Sydney, May 31. The Stamp Act has been brought into operation. It imposes a duty of one shilling on bank notes of other colonies. A man named Cox has been arrested on a charge of murdering Hartley two years since. A large Protestant banquet has been held. Two thousand five hundred ounces of gold have arrived from the new diggings at Geelong, near Mudgee. Adelaide, May 31. The sentence of death passed on Douglass has been commuted to imprisonment for life. Further gold discoveries are reported. The Committee on manufactures propose to distribute flax seed amongst the farmers. The corn market is quiet—sales of wheat at 5s lid ; holders disinclined to sell at that figure.

New Zealand Flax as a Material for Twine and Rote. —Mr N. T. Lockhart, formerly of Nelson, and who is connected with a large flax spinning manufacturing concern in the County of Fife, writes to us as follows : “I have sent you per book post, a sample of twines made from New Zealand flax. I have made several experiments of samples I had from New Zealand, also samples from London. Flax, as at present prepared, is quite unfitted for spinning purposes, and manufacturing of fabrics It will make very good heavy twines, fishing lines, or ropes ; well suited for running gear on board vessels ; it answers very well to mix with Manilla hemp ; it wants the fineness and color of Manilla. The people of Nelson have the idea that it will do well for canvas, bagging, and woolpacks. This is a great mistake, it cannot be spun into yarns, as at present prepared in New Zealand. I have the best opportunity of proving its merits, as my friends use large quantities of Italian hemp similar to New Zealand flax, but much finer. They have the newest improvements in machinery, a drawing of one I have sent by this post to Rees and Gibson, of Rangitikei, I am satisfied would be a much superior machine for dressing the fabric than anything I have seen in New Zealand flax. A large quantity can be put through at once, four chains passing through the rollers at one time, each chain as thick as your arm. I should like to see flax become a large item of export with you, and will put myself to some trouble to have a sample spun into yarn. If any of your friends are anxious to have a sample tested, by forwarding it to Shaw, Saville, and Co., they will send it on to me.” The samples Mr Lockhart refers to is having forwarded, have, we learn from a circular from the London Post-office, been detained from insufficient postage.—Examiner.