Telegraphic News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 241, 1 July 1876, Page 9

Telegraphic News.

Masterton, Monday. At a largely attended meeting on Saturday night at Masterton, a Small Farm Association 1876, was formed, when thirty-five names of intending shareholders were entered. It was resolved to petition Parliament for such legislation as would allow them to obtain land on a few years deferred payment. A permanent committee was appointed, and the meeting adjourned till Saturday next to sign the petition. Auckland, Friday. A heavy gale last night destroyed a timber facing a thousand feet long, erected for the protection of the harbor reclamation. The evidence at the inquest on the woman found floating in the harbor leaves little doubt she was walking near the edge of the wharf, and was blown over. Saturday. Parnall has proceeded to Wellington to press his claim against the Government for breaking his agreement as Immigration Agent. "All the reserved seats for the Di Murska concert are taken. Departure of Wellington delayed till tomorrow. Tuesday. The residents of Whangarei are preparing a petition in favor of a lighthouse at Whangarei Heads, to be forwarded to Sir R. Douglas. The Herald says that Mr. Rowe made a great blunder in stating that he had sailed over the Piako Swamp. It says no one ever did so. Mr. Rowe must have referred to the swamps in the lower part of the Piako Swamp river. The Di Murska concert is sure to be crowded to-night. A proclamation has been issued levying an education rate. The Superintendent wished to avoid collecting it this year, but the General Government refused to pay any further subsidy until the rate was struck. William Castle, of Waiheke, has telegraphed to Sir G. Grey, claiming the Piako Swamp as belonging to his wife, a member of the Ngatipaoa tribe. Wednesday. Di Murska received a brilliant reception. She returns to Melbourne, via the South. De Vivo goes on to San Francisco. Some uneasiness is felt for overdue English ships. The Wax-loch, with the water-supply material on board, has been about one hundred and thirty days out. Thursday. The criminal calendar compi-ises two cases of bxirglary, two of robbery with violence, three of larceny, three of embezzlement, one of stealing from premises, one of stabbing, and two of breaking and entering. Grahams town, Friday. Another dead body was found to-day at Kaueranga creek, which has been identified as that of one of the men lost with Gribble from a boat three weeks ago. There will be an inquest held to-morrow. North-east gale blowing all day. Grahamstown is flooded, although it wants nearly an hour of high water. There was a very high tide last night, and much damage done, the tide having invaded the Pacific and other hotels in Albert-street. To-night it thi-eatens to be much worse. In Shortland the tide was lashing the front fences at seven o’clock this evening. Saturday. The Thames Advertiser, reviewing Thursday’s debate on the Piako Swamp sale, says:—“The block is unsuitable for small settlers, notwithstanding Sir George Grey’s talk of placing 400 families on the land and allowing them so much for improvements.” The same article also says that “ if Sir George Grey’s sincerity could have been put to the test, he would have found an insurmountable obstacle in the weakness of the provincial exchequer-.” An inquest was held to-day on the bodies lately found. They were recognised as those of Polkinghorne and Williamson, who were lost with John Gribble about a month ago. A verdict was returned in both instances of found drowned. A boat accident occurred in the harbor today. Six Maoris capsized from a yacht, and being observed from the shore, a crew put off and rescued them. The tide was out at the time, and the rescuing boat was unable to return with the wrecked people, comprising two

men, three women, and a child. A man named Cole went over the mud flat with a bottle of bi-andy to the water’s edge, and on returning was nearly exhausted, having t& cross the soft mud on his belly. All were ultimately rescued. Tauranga, Thursday. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day, John Chadwick, for using thi-eatening and abusive language to Mr. Edgecumbe, J.P., proprietor of the Bay of Plenty Times, was bound over to keep the peace for three months. Napier, Saturday. In the Supreme Court, Christopher McNally, charged with assault with intent on a girl under 12 years, was found guilty, and sentenced to two years’ impi-isonment. In the case of Martha Wright, charged with murdering her infant, a verdict of temporary insanity was returned, and she was sent to the asylum. Civil Side—Low and Others v. Kinross—action on a bill. The question at issue is whether due notice of dishonor was given to defendants. The Court granted a nonsuit, and then adjourned till Monday. Tuesday. In the case of J. Stuart v. Bank of Australasia, an action for £SOOO for an alleged breach of contract, the jury did not agree, and were discharged. In the case of F. Sutton v. Hoera and others, an action for the recovery of possession of lands at Oamaranui, the case did not go to a jury. The issues were settled by consent on both sides. A verdict was recorded for plaintiff, defendants being at liberty to move that the verdict be set aside, on the ground that cex-tain persons other than defendants were in occupation of the land, and it was necessary they should be served as well as defendants. At the meeting of the Harbor Board the petition of the master mariners for the erection of a colored light on the Spit was favorably considered. The pilot was instructed to carry out the prayer of the petition. E. Cook was elected wharfinger at £2OO a year. It was resolved not to make any alteration in Henderson’s tender. Wednesday. In the Supreme Court in banco, Karaitiana v. Sutton, Mr. Travers, for plaintiff, applied that it might be referred to the Native Lands Court to determine the value of native shares in the Mangateretere block. Mr. Carlile, for defendants Locke and Tareha, and Lascelles, for defendant Sir D. McLean, consented. Mr. Cornford, for defendant Sutton, opposed the application. His Honor took time to consider his judgment. In bankruptcy, re Rich. Jeffare’s application for discharge, Mr. Lee for bankrupt, there was no opposition, and the application was granted. This closed the business of the sittings. The Judge left for Wellington this morning in the Kiwi. The imports of the colony of New South Wales for the four months ending May 1 exceed those for the same pei-iod of last year by £300,000, and the exports also show an increase of £200,000. The Victorian imports to date, May 17, show an increase of £612,000. as compared with those of the same period of last year. The exports show a decrease of £47,000 during the same period. New Plymouth, Thursday. In the District Court, Benney, for an attempted criminal assault on an old lady 75 years of age, was sentenced to seven years and a hundred lashes. Gibbons, for larceny from Mrs. Ross, was sentenced to a year and a half’s imprisonment. The telegraph wire is now connected. The first telegram, sent through at 1.20, was from the Deputy-Superintendent to Sir Julius Vogel, stating that the cordial thanks of the settlers of Taranaki were tendered him for union this day with Wellington, England, and the rest of the woi'ld, by the telegraphic wire, completed by his effort. Wanganui, Monday. Aramoho Steeplechases were held on Saturday. There was a small attendance, the weather being threatening ; course heavy and dull. Aramoho Annual, 120sovs., was won by Butcher Boy ; Sultan, second ; M.P.C., thii-d. It was a splendid race, Medora came to gi-ief ; ten ran. Maiden Steeplechase—St. Alban’s, fii-st; Comet, second ; Brilliant, third. Also a good race. Gate Purse was won by Kiraka. Wednesday. The following telegram has been received from Bull’s: —News of one Johnston, a wellknown carter about Feilding and Halcombe, has arrived, to the effect that he shot himself this morning at Kakariki. Constable McAnulty has started for the place, which is a Maori pa on the Rangitikei river. Blenheim, Friday. All three rivers are up, but no overflow of any inconvenience to the town. Out in Grovetown district, the protective embankment, which had only just been made good at considerable cost, has given way, and the country is flooded. Some few chains of railway embankment have gone between here and Grovetown. The train, therefore, will not come from Picton to the terminus, but stop at Grovetown station. A train came through this morning, but was fortunate in getting over without mishap, as the embankment was tumbling away at tfie time. The mail could not be brought to town, and passengers had to go back. A mounted constable brought the Picton mail in, but the mail outwards could not be conveyed to the train, and was brought back to town. - Thursday. There was a smart shock of an earthquake here at 6.40 last evening. There were really two shocks, but they succeeded each other with scarcely the interval of a second. The direction was west to east. Nelson, Saturday. The heaviest gale known hei-e for years blew last night fi-om the S.E. till 9 o’clock. It then lulled, and sprang up afterwards from the N.E., whence it is blowing strongly now. No damage has been done.

Westport, Saturday. Continuous rain has flooded the river. A northerly gale is blowing, and there is an extremely high tide. The lower part of the town is submerged. There is no sei-ious loss yet, but much discomfoi-t. Greymouth, Saturday. Last night John James, second steward of the Tui, while stepping from the wharf to the steamer fell into the river and was drowned. Through the bursting of a culvert, about 30 feet of the Brunnerton railway fell into the river. The train had a very narrow escape, the wheel of the last carriage going partly down. Traffic is stopped. Mr. 11. Hay don, Grey Valley correspondent of the Grey River Argus for the last ten years, was found dead in his bed at his residence at Ahaura this morning. The cause of death is supposed to be apoplexy. Monday. The Brunner railway was repaired, and traffic resumed on Satui’day. The fei-ryman at the Teremakau found a child’s jacket on a snag in the river on Sunday. In picking it up the arm of the child dropped out, and it was carried off by the current. It is supposed to be a portion of the remains of the children lost at the Christchurch-road. Hokitika, Sunday. There have been fearful floods and destruction of property. The encroachment of the sea last night and this morning was greater than has been known for nine years. From the flagstaff to Johnston’s right-of-way, North Revellstreet, all the fences and outhouses have been washed away. The sea is making a clean breach through the Empire right-of-way, past the Bank of New Zealand, to Cameron’s Hotel, Camp-street. The gutters were cut across the footpath. At Crerar’s and other shops the water is flowing through them, across Revell-street. Great fears are entertained for the Empire Hotel and adjoining premises. The damage done is estimated at about £3OOO. A most determined attempt at suicide was made this morning. E. Stennard, brewer for Fizzy and Co., took upwards of an ounce of sulphuric acid. On the discovery being made, Dr. James was sent for, and promptly applied the stomach-pump and administered the usual antidotes. Hopes are entertained ©f his recovery. Christchurch, Friday. Delegates from various friendly societies held a preliminary meeting last night to discuss the new Friendly Societies’ Bill. Dunedin, Friday. The low-lying suburbs are all flooded to-day. Both up and down trains to Clutha are stopped by the daxnage to lines by landslips and the ballasting being washed away. A special meeting of the Council is called for Thursday, to alter the Municipal Bill, making provision that females should only vote by proxy when possessed of rateable property to the amount of £SO or £IOO. A resolution has been carried by the Harbor Board, to the effect that in all cases of vessels requiring piloting outwards on Sundays the Harbormaster is to decide on the necessity of the case. The Times publishes a telegram denying the correctness of the statement made yesterday re Inspector of Prisons without comment. The Guardian points to Caldwell as the most suitable man for the post. Great interest is centered in the result of the Ministerial debate. Dr. Von Lamert died to-day. Rain fell in torrents all night, flooding the lower streets. The Harbor Board refuses to pay the charges for towing off the mail boat from the sand bank, alleging that such accidents are common to all ports. The amendment to the New Zealand Pilot Regulations for the Port of Otago has been drawn up and published. All the friendly societies meet to-night to discuss the Government Bill. Saturday. The Guardian urges Dunedin to take up the Fiji trade abandoned by the Auckland company from faults in management. The University Council received another offer for the University building—a sum in excess of the previous offer of £27,000. It is still raining heavily, causing great damage throughout the country. The inland railway has stopped running. Monday. The skating rink opened on Saturday. Mi\ Hoskins had a successful opening on Saturday. The weather has cleared up, and the lines are working again. Tuesday. A Dunedin Orchesti’al Association was formed last night, with Professor Sale as President. A meeting to form a Medical Society is called for to-morrow. The Cromwell league has carried a resolution that, where leases of runs expire, the land should be cut up into areas from 3000 to 20,000 acres. The following are the Melboui’ne Cup weights :—Kingsborough, 9st. 71b.; Wollomai, Bst. 131 b.; Richmond, Sst. 121 b.; The Ace, Bst 10lb.; Imperial, Sst. 101 b.; Robin Hood, Bst. 101 b.; Sultan, Bst. 61b.; Southern Cross, Bst. 61b.; Sterling, Bst. 61b.; Rapid Bay, Bst. 31b.; Melbourne, Sst. 21b.; Plaricot, Bst. 21b.Clifton, Bst.; Scanmag, 7st. 131 b.; Speculation, 7st. 131 b. ; A.T., 7st. 121 b. ; Dilke, 7st. 101 b.; Mountaineer, 7st. 91b.; Hercules, 9st. 91b.; Neotsfield, 7st. 81b.; Emulation, 7st. 81b.; The Hook, 7st. 81b.; Impudence, 7st. 71b.; Valentia, 7st 71b.; Light of Day, 7st. 51b.; Feu d’Artifice, 7st. 51b.; Janitor, 7st. 41b.; Newminster, 7st. 41b.; Nei’edah, 7st. 41b.; Burgundy, 7st. 41b.; Canterbury, 7st. 41b.; Atlas, 7st. 31b.; Brunswick, 7st. 21b.; The Painter, 7st. 21b.; Timothy, 7st.; Break of Day, Spark, Loquacity, Leilah, Politician, Superstition, and Venus, each 6st. 121 b.; Naughty Boy, Tom Cat, Tom Kirk, Onyx, Mr. C. B. Fisher’s blc h by Angler, Macgregor, each 6st. 101 b.; Connaught, Torchlight, Bella, Vain Hope, Fisherman, Ringwood, Irish Stew,

each 6st. 81b.; Wongalere, Vibration, Strop, Meteor, Evenlight, each 6st. 71b. ; Kismet, Banter, Mendacious, each 6st.; Artful Joe, Nemesis, Berlinga, The Deer, Gloom, Pride of the Hills, Briseis, each 6st. 41b.; Newcastle, 6st. 31b.; Miss Kingston, 6st. 31b.; Gratis, 6st. 31b.; Duke, fist. 21b; Ginger, 6st. 21b.; Sybil, Lord Lytton, Aldinga, Waxy, Florin, each 6st.; Elemoro, Herschell, Napoleon, Migidea, Windsor, Henty’s br or bile by Croaghpatriek, Electricity, The Cardinal, Munster, Sovereign, each sst. 121 b.; Glengarry, Sst. 101 b.; by Ruby, sst 91b.; Spring Jack, Disraeli, Gentility, each sst. 71b. Wednesday. The female franchise debate was shelved in the Council yesterday. The gaol report for the year shows the earnings to have exceeded the expenditure by £6OB. The result of the Piako debate occasioned no surprise. The railway return is just published. It shows that there is a great increase of all kinds of traffic* independently of that caused by the opening of new lines. Passengers carried during the year-, 355,932, or an increase on the previous year of 114,473 ; goods, 202,378 tons ; increase, 76,308 ; money receipts, £104,219 ; increase in twelve months, £43,368. For the year 1874-5 the expenditure was 61’41 per cent of receipts; for 1875-6 it was 63’90 per cent. This increase was occasioned by exceptional circumstances. The excess of receipts over expenditure was £37,367. At a meeting of the Presbytery held today the following resolution, moved by Dr. Copeland, was carried :—“ That this Presbytery declare its approval of the basis of union in the report of 1875, and, in accordance with the Synod’s instructions, remit the same to the Kirk Session, to report to the next meeting of the Presbytery.” Riverton, Tuesday. At a meeting of the Riverton Harbor Board the following resolution was carried unanimously :—“ That an endowment of 40,000 acres of land be applied for, in blocks of 10,000 acres each, and that Mr. Daniel, M.P.C., Dx\ Monckton, and Mr. Mills be requested to interview the Commissioner for Crown Lands for the purpose of ascertaining when unsold land in those sized blocks can be obtained, and accurately defining the boundaries ; and that an endowment be granted of sections 20 to 22 on the plan of the town of Riverton, for the Harbor Board.” The above-named gentlemen have been requested to forward the necessary instructions to Dr. Hodgkinson for framing the Harbor Endowment Bill. Thursday. The Otago branch of the New Zealand Medical Association was formed last night. There are 202 miles of railway line now open in the province. SPECIAL TELEGRAM. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Hamilton, Monday. The petition in favor of completing the title to the Piako Swamp has been signed by over two hundred and fifty bona fide residents and settlers. A meeting will be held in Alexandra on. Saturday night, to discuss the present political aspect of native affairs. Dunedin, Monday. At a meeting of the Cromwell League on Saturday evening memorials extensively signed were handed in from all the centres of population, in favor of the Dunstan and Wakatipu electoral districts being formed into a county. The League also carried a resolution —“That when the leases of runs expire they should be cut up into areas of from 3000 to 20,000 acres, and sold by auction. ” The action of the Clyde “ Political Association” is ridiculed throughout Cromwell as likely to cause a division of the electorate. Grahamstown, Saturday. The Star, without attempting to [explain the merits of the debate in the House, thinks Sir Julius Vogel quite right in resisting the attempt of Sir George Grey to ride roughshod over him. As far as I can learn, Sir George’s surprise movement has not gained him any credit, while it has rather disgusted some who were unqualified supporters. While there are partisans of the Ministry and partisans of Sir George, there is a large number who want to see the business of the session gone on with, and abolition confirmed, caring little which party may have to determine the details of local government. William Rowe’s declaration of “ Independence ” is regarded as premature by some of his best friends here. Auckland, Thursday. “An Old Settler” writes as follows to the Daily Southern Cross under the title of “ A Sale of Land Purchase”: —“ Sir, —Can you infprm your readers whether there is any truth in a report that Sir George Grey is said to have had a little native land speculation of his own. in leasing the Oraanui block at Taupo, containing about 30,000 acres ; that Captain Holt, an employe of the then Governor, leased in his own name, and paid the rent regularly ; that the lease was subsequently transferred by Captain Holt to Sir George Grey ? After this, Sir George Grey is said to have failed to pay the rent, finding it to be a bad speculation. And the natives had no power to compel the payment of rent, it being an illegal transaction, the title to the land not having been previously negotiated by the Native Lands Court. Since then the Government have acquired 10,000 acres of the same block by purchase, and a lease of the remainder. Can you also inform me whether any Government officer paid a deposit on the land known as Taupuaeharuru, at. the outlet of Lake Taupo, before Captain '-Holt leased Oruanui, and whether any person in authority ordered the money to be refunded, and the agreement cancelled?” The Cross hasVa jocular article on the subject, suggesting an inquiry as to the necessity of thirty thousand acres for a cottage on a hill.

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY PER aeawata. Melbourne, June. 19. The Stevenson case, by a clear majority of the Bench, was dismissed, with £l5O costs The other cases are yet to be brought against In the Supreme Court the charge of forgery against William Sincox, brought at the instance of the Bank of New Zealand, was dismissed owing to an informality in the mforAnother charge in a different form is to be brought during the week. Two English defaulters have recently been arrested, one at Fiji and the other m Melk°The Ministry will attend two banquets this week before opening Parliament. The weather has been very severe and cold, with winds and hailstorms. Snow has fallen on all the high ground in the three colonies. The loan of three millions is likely to be placed on the London market m October or November. Everything is very dull. . There are great complaints m business circles Brandies are scarce, and are selling at up to 31s. 6d. for Hennessy’s case ; sugars and teas are going off freely at full rates. SUEZ MAIL NEWS. London, May 25. There was a semi-panic on the Stock Exchange to-day, caused by general anxiety on Eastern affairs. The Porte refused tnough unofficially, to take cognizance of Gortschakoff’s memo., read at Berlin, and will reject it unless ratified. May 25 . The Times this morning published a statement that England reiterates its. refusal to join in the terms as read at the Berlin conference. England declares that the memo, m which the three Powers join, though professing to maintain the principles of Andrassy s note departs from its convention, and, the demands bein 0 unreasonable, shows that power to be no longer an impartial mediator.. Prance proposed a conference of guaranteeing Powers. There are rumors of a European conference on the Eastern question. , The Gray’s Inn Benchers, after fruitless correspondence with Keneally, have com menced legal proceedings to compel the surrender of his chamber. The Doctor has threatened to bring an action against the Benchers for injuries sustained. 29 A panic has been caused on the Stock Exchange to-day by intelligence that foreign fleets were assembling inßessika Bay, near t e entrance to the Dardanelles. The ironclad Sultan sailed to-day from Portsmouth for the Mediterranean, under the command of th Duke of Edinburgh. General anxiety on account of Eastern affairs unallayed. Lloyds are asking for war risks. Three more ironclads are ordered to the Mediterranean, taking a number of British squadron men. The announcement that the Sultan has been dethroned was to-day officially made. JS 3 nephew, the heir presumptive (Murat Effendi), is proclaimed Sultan in his stead. lhe deposition of the Sultan has been peaceably effected by the Ministers of Aziz and he is now a prisoner. The London Press considers that the dethronement of the Sultan favors a peaceable solution of the Turkish difficulty. In replying to a question this evening, Disraeli said he had just received a telegram from Sir Henry Elliott, m which the only interesting fact was that Constantinople was tranquil and the Mahommedan population content. He hoped that the necessity for presenting the Berlin memo, would become needless. The situation, he allowed, was critical, but he had taken all precautionary measures, and wished decidedly to state that the interests of England are best studied and her honor vindicated by taking part m contributing towards the maintenance of peace. St. Petersburg, June l. The Journal de St. Petersburg dwell* on the difficulties which beset the path of the new Sultan, and declares the necessity of his yielding to the wishes of the Great Powers. & June 2. Eno-lish consols fell over one per cent. Result of English Derby : Mineral colt, 1 ; Forerunner, 2 ; Julius Ctesar, o ; Petrarch, 4, Sk Murat Effendi has reduced the civil list ; promises to relinquish the revenues derived from Crown property, to improve finances and education, reorganise State Council and Ministry for Justice, and will instruct the Ministry to devise the form of government that will be most suitable to all the subjects of the Empire, and secure liberty to everyone. He hopes the friendship between the Empire and Great Powers will be drawn still closer, and finally proclaims his accession to the throne of Turkey py the grace of God and will of the people. The Prince of Wales is confined to his room with virus in the leg. _ T „ , , Commercial.—Wheat, firm ; New Zealand, 50s. to 535. T OK Washington, May 25. The report of the committee of enquiry into the conduct of General Schenck acquits him of the charge of fraud, but strongly censures his conduct.