NEW ZEALAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 25, 30 January 1884, Page 2

N E W ZEALAND

Wellington, Tuesday. The Gear Meat Freezing Company, at its annual meeting to-day, declared a dividend of 12J per cent.

An accident occurred on the railway line this evening, When the down train Ironi

Masterton reached the summit of Rimutaka Hills a stoppage was made to shunt six goods waggons, and while this was being done they got away on their own account, and came thundering down the incline this side. The train was sent- on as soon as possible, and proceeded cautiously until a mile from the summit, where the runaway trucks were found, having left the line at a sharp enrve. Three of the trucks were completely wrecked, and others are consider-

ably damaged. The goods in the trucks were principally merchandise, and this was scattered in all directions. After half-an-hour's delay the train resumed its journey.

Wednesday. At the Gear Meat Preserving Company last night the following were elected directors: — J. Gear, J. Duthie, J. S. MThompson, N. Reid, W. H. i_evien, R. Greenfield, J. McKerrow, and the Hon. P. A. Buckley,

Arrived — barquentine C. L. Pearson, Captain Harding, 118 days from New York, all well.

Messrs M'uir and Co , the owners of the Waipawa block, about 35 miles from Gisborne, have to-day signed a lease to a Christchurch syndicate representing a new Company with a capital of £GO,OOO to bore for oil on the property.

Auckland, Tuesday. A united demonstration of the Temperance bodies held in the Domain was attended by two thousand persons. Sir W. Fox delivered an address, which was well received. In the evo* iug a large gathering took place in the Theatre, wheuSir William Fox delivered an address in which he impressed upon the ratepayers their duty to elect suitable men on the Licensing Committees.

Sir George Grer, and Messrs Mos9 and Dargaville, M.ll R.s, rddrcsse-.l a public meeting at the Choral Hall this evening, under the auspices of the Eight Hours Demonstration Commitee, the Mayor presiding. There was a large attendance. Sir George Grey referred afresh to the questiou of Federutipn, going over much of the ground traversed in his previous address on the subject. He complained that the Hon F.

Whitaker had told them in his recent address little new. He averred that iv appointing delegates to the recent Conferference at Sydney, the Governor * had exceeded his powers, and had committed a breach of duty to his Sovereign, and to the people of this country. The Federal Councii would be supreme, and would be over local legislation. Oue danger was that colored labor would be introduced into the colony to the depreciation of white labor and the wages of Europeans. New Zealand would in the Federal Council be out-voted, outvoiced, and overborne. Messrs Dargaville aud Moss spoke after Sir George Grey, and both strongly supported him in opposing the confederation of New Zealand with the. Australian Colonies. New Plymouth, Wednesday. A largely attended meeting was held last night in the Town Hall for the purpose of appointing a Committee to co-operate with the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, and Hawera and Patea Borough and County Councils for the purpose of watching the interests of the Taranaki district in connection with the trunk line of railway. Resolutions were passed and the Committee were requested to urge on the Government the necessity of securing the services of Mr C. Donkin, C.E., who knows the district thoroughly, as it would save both time and money in the exploration. Christchurch, Tuesday. One hundred and eighty-one candidates presented themselves for the Matriculation examination of the University, and 112 passed Of the lafctev 35 were from Otago ; 19 from Canterbury ; 20 from Auckland ; 13 from Wellington ; 11 from Nelson ; 9 from Timaru ; and G from Invercargill. The Nelson candidates who passed were — Baigent, Knapp, Gribben. Allport, Clarke, Deck, Marshall, Andrew, E. W. Buckeridge, Harkness and Gibbs. Junior Scolarships were gained by Annie Forbes, Girls' High School. Dunedin ; Alfred R. Meek, Wellington College ; Francis B. Allen, Boys' High School, Dunedin ; Mary \. T. Tracy, Dunedin ; Beatrice Gibson, Girls' High School, Christchurch ; Alfred G. Talbot, Nelson College ; J. R. Montgomery, Boys' High School, Dunedin ; Margaret Lorimer, Girls' High School, Christchurch. The preliminary medical examination was passed by N. Trotter ; G. A. Copeland, Dunedin ; and G. Grant, Wanganui Last year there were 213 cases of typhus fever, 45 of scarlet fever, 131 of diphtheria, and 13 of measles in the Christchurch district.

Dunedin, Tuesday. Wright, Stevenson, and Co., to-day sold the flock on the Rugged Ridges Station. About 23,000 sheep were sold in lots of from 1500 to 5000, and they brought excellent prices. Four-tooth ewes brought 13s 3d, and six-tooth 12s 7d, and two tooth wethers brought 10s sd.

Blenheim, Wednesday.

At the inquiry ra Rankin and Ackroyd's fire, the jury returned a verdict that the fire originated ia the showroom, bufc how or by what means there was no evidence to show.

Timaru. Wednesday. The opening of the railway extension from Albury to Fairlie Creek was celebrated to-day by a public holiday in town and special trains. The weather is tolerably good. The holiday is generally observed and two trains crowded with excursionists left between ten and eleven this morning. A sale of sections is to take place on arrival afc the township.