NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5335, 21 December 1878, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

[FR9M OUB OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] TH AMIiS, Friday. GOLD RETUEN'S. Oz.dwt.gr. Albumin tiibute, Ord 25 4 0 Kurauui tribute, Northey 4"- O Moanataiari tribute, Quaelly ... 1» J U Messengers tribute, Brown 44 10 0 Little Susy 22 11 " Total "9 17 0 Queen of Beauty (Wilson's tribute).—The block wns sold by auction to-day for £75. The tribute term will expire in twelve months. Mr. E. Cameron was the purMr. D. Tookey has in his possession some excellent specimens obtained by his sons .from the Mangakirikiri Creek. He reports very favourably of the district. Great preparations are being made to give the Premier a fitting reception to-morrow, at the turning of the firßt sod of the railway. Four hundred children will sang the National Anthem. Tbe day will be observed as a holiday in the afternoon.

ROTOR CJA, Friday. The Rotorua Committee met on the 17th instant for the despatch of business. Certain lands at Rotorua have become the property of Mr. Robert Graham through deed of Mr. Darnaville h;s leased for 22 years lands at Hotomahana, baaed on the mana Maori. Forty-live girls and boys at Rotorua have ligned the pledge against liquor and tobacco. DUNEDIX, Friday.

The Tim a considers the appointment of Mr. Fitz'.-.erbert to the Speakership of the Legislative Council would be impolitic and unprecedented, and suggests the fitness of Dr. Pollen for the office. It says the advantage which would result to all parties from his appointment are so numerous, great, and obvious that it can scarcely be believed possible that the Government will ignore tliem. It is announced that the Press railway passes are to be abolished on and after the Ist of January. This intimation is received with peculiar disfavour all over Otago, and especially so in Dunedin. A presentation wa3 made to Mr. Fish in recognition of the services rtndered by him to the ci:y. According to the Tablet the Roman Catholics will not compete for scholarships, because, if successful, they could not accept them without becoming pup'ls of Godless schools. Mr. Standford's case was resumed to-day at the Supreme Court. The defendants contend that Mr. Standfcrd was not entitled to reoeive compensation for the losa of employment as a contributor, because he was never appointed by the Board of Directors, and that £1,100, which they hold, is the difference between the sum of £75 per share, for which the Times was sold, and £100 per share, which, in accordance with the secret arrangement, Mr. Standford was to receive.

fPRZSS AGENCY.] ALEXANDRA, Friday. Kewi has returned from Tamue, and is remaining at Kuiti. The Native Minister is expected next week at Rewi'a feast. Their proponed trip overland, itissaid, is postponed. Tawhiao and. party are still at Raglan. NEW PLYMOUTH. Friday. The Stella arrived last night with the Jackson Bay 3etilers. They are chiefly foreigners, and can speak but little English. The few English families amongst them will find immediate employment. WELLINGTON, Friday. The Corporation expenditure, in connection with the Queen's Wharf and the kerosene store for the past year, is £17,543 ; waterworks, £17,824; drainage, £2000 8s ; a calendering, £1098 ; street lighting, £1832; street watering, £544; general work on streets, £24,230; authorised on streets, £5745. Acceptances for the Wellington Gold Cup were received to-night :—Fishho»k, Maritana, Danebury, Lara, Laertes, Titania, Longfcnda, Camballo, Pungawerewere, Venus Transit, Pinfire, Rata, Mufti, Diver, Morning Star, Lady Grey, King Quail, Pohoneura, Sailor. The Government wrote on the 14th inst. to the Government of N.S. W., to enquire what space would be available for New Zealand at the forthcoming exhibition to be held at Sydney. No reply has yet been received. The Chamber of Commerce had a communication from the Board of Trade for the Dominion of Canada, suggesting that a delegation from the Chambers of Commerce la all the British colonics should meet in London during the course of next year. The Nativer Minister leaves to day. The Government .have informed the Chamber of Commerce that they cannot gite a definite reply regarding the railway

station site until the Minister of Works returns to Wellington. OHRISTCHURCH, Friday. The members of the Drainage Board which dies by effluxion of time to-day, paid a visit of inspection to the various drainag« works, and expressed themselves highly pleased at the progress being made. Mr. Conyers, Commissioner for the South Inland Railways, proceeded North by the Vfakatipu to-day, on » visit to the Nelaon and West Coast railways. Teuders, amounting to £25,000, have just been accepted for the supply of 15,000 tons of Newcastle coal during the coming year, for the Ohristchurch and the Otago railways. Tho Government immigrants per ship Marlborough were brought over from the quarantine station this morning to Lyttelton. The racehorse Maritana was despatched North by the Wakatipu to-day, to fulfil her racing engagements. The following telegram was sent to London to-day, addressed to Her Majesty's Private Secretary:—"The citizens of Ohristchurch deeply sympathise with the Queen upon the death of Princess Alice.— (Signed) C. T. Ick, Mayor." Two more engines have arrived by tlie Hurunui for the Ohristchurch railway. Three more are on their way by the Thames and the Pijiko. This will make a total of 76 between Amberley and Invercargill. DUMEDIN, Friday. Father O'Malley, S.J., last, evening delivered a lecture here on the " Catacombs of Rome."

Negotiations have been entered into between the new Porto, ello Tramway Company and the Ocean Beach Railway Company, with a view to their amalgamation. The line belonging to the latter is being valued by Messrs. Blair and Higginson. A meeting will shortly be held to consider tho matter. BALCLUTHA, Friday. The last rail in Mr. Proudfoot's contract for the Balclutha to Clinton line was laid this afternoon. An engine with one carriage from Clinton arrived at the Balclutha station at 4 o'clock. Of course the ballast and fitting will bo required before the line is ready for traffic.