Telegraphic News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 271, 7 April 1877, Page 9

Telegraphic News.

Palmerston North, Thursday. Litchwork’s dwelling and dancing saloon were burned yesterday. They were insured in the National, the house for £l5O, and furniture for £SO. Only a few chairs were saved. The cause was a defective chimney. Greytown, Monday. On Saturday, at a meeting of the County Council of West Wairarapa re the election of Chairman, Gilligan expressed a desire to retire, and It. Barton was elected. Lucas, the auctioneer, fell from his horse, and lies in a precarious state, his skull being apparently fractured. Tuesday. Mr. It. Lucas, after lying unconscious since Saturday last, died this morning. The funeral will take place on Thursday. Auckland, Thursday. The Bay of Islands County Council have adopted the permissive clause in the Comities Act. De Lias has re-engaged Emmett, who appears on Monday. Judge Gillies quashed the conviction against Badham, who was fined £25 for an alleged false declaration under the Customs Act. There has been a large influx of Southern capitalists to Auckland. Fantham, the famous Christchurch cattle breeder, has purchased an extensive model farm near Cambridge. Studholme, of Canterbury, has entered into partnership with Thomas Russell and H. C. Young in a large run at Raglan. Jenkins, of Christchurch, has purchased a large run at Piako. F. Strange, of Christchurch, has purchased a large block in the same neighborhood. Cholmondely, of Christchurch, bought the Te Mime block from the Hon. James Williamson. Specimens from Moanatairi, weighing 1155 ounces, and estimated to contain between 500 and 800 ounces gold, were exhibited at the Bank of New Zealand to-day, and were viewed by thousands. Saturday. Mr. Thomas Russell to-day purchased two thousand five hundred shares in the Kurunui Hill mine at one pound. Shares were unallotted and sold by the company. As soon as the name of the purchaser became known shares advanced seven shillings. Monday. There was another retorting for the Moanataiari on Saturday night, which gave 51770z5., making a total for the week’s yield of 10,4270z5. Mr. and Mrs. Bracy are en route to Lysters per mail steamer. The usual Easter Monday sports took place to-day. Tuesday. The Home News says that Bishop Abraham is likely to be the new Bishop of Derby. Four female vagrants were sentenced each to two years at the Police Court to-day. The report of the Harbor Board Committee on pilot services opposes any change in the present system. The Board resolved to make a grant of a site for a sailors’ home to Bishop Cowie, if sufficient funds be raised. The Pilot Committee reported in favor of a steam tender to tow vessels in. Wednesday. _ -A-t the Supreme Court sittings to-day, Rennington, for uttering a forged cheque, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment; Heremaia, for horse stealing, two years ; Wm. Rose, for obtaining money and goods by falsely representing himself a traveller for Gibson, of Patea, two years.

‘ -TTaif o tn f Grahamstown, Thursday. Half a .ton of rich specimens were found this mornmg m the Moanatairi. Single stampers have been going eight hours each day on specimens and the result for three days was thiS mornin g- The amount was 5250 ounces. bvß, 6 g s/ d retUmS f f„ the month > by the -. Star, are as follows:-Hauraki, 26,020 3dwts - 13grs.; Coromandel, 27800z5. lOdwts ; total, 28,8000z5. 13dwts. 13grs. The Moanatman, for the last three days, show over rp. -p. T ~ . Tauranga, Thursday. The National Bank has purchased 72 feet frontage to Wharf-street at £9 per foot for frelly ank pVemiSe3 ’ Land is changing hands A very influential and crowded meeting was heid last night re settlement of lands. There were 200 Persons present, and Mr. Edgecumbe, chairman of the Town Board, was in the chair! All classes and interests were thoroughly represented, and a firm determination was expressed to get the Bay of Plenty lands opened up for settlement. The resolutions were temperately but strongly worded, and all were earned unammousiy with great enthusiasm. A petition to. the Government was adopted, and is now being signed by settlers, merchants, bankers, tradesmen, and the working classes. All. are united, and party and personal feeling is entirely laid aside. The future prospects of this grand district are now well assured, requirmg only the cordial co-operation of the Ministry. The following are the resolutions:— 1. lhat in the opinion of this meeting the time has come for the Government to take active measures for the occupation and improvement of lands acquired from the natives in the Ba Y of Blent Y;” 2. “That the interests of the settlers in the Tauranga district have been considerably injured hitherto, and are at this moment being seriously imperilled by the fact that the local officers of the Native-De-partment have received no full and proper authority to deal at once with any obstruction to the settlement of. lands, which fact has been made patent during the last few weeks at Omokoroa and Te Puna.” 3. “ That in the opinion of this meeting a special commissioner should be immediately appointed, solely to investigate native affairs in the district, until such time as the Government have an opportunity of repealing the Tauranga Districts Lands Act, and bringing the Native Lands Act into operation. 4.. That a petition to the Government be circulated throughout the district for signature, and the following gentlemen be appointed to act as a deputation to bring the same before the notice of the Hon. F.Whitaker and the Hon. Dr. Pollen ; and that Captain Morris, M.H.R., bring the contents before the General Assembly at its next sitting.” The members of the deputation are Captain Morris, M. Edgecumbe, J.P., J. Bodell, J. A. Chadwick, and R. C. Jordan. Patea, Wednesday, The County Council met yesterday. It was decided to call for tenders for repairing the main road through the county. A large number of by-laws were framed. The total value of rateable property within the county is £35,398. It was resolved that Government be asked to appoint a sheep inspector for the county, also a registrar of boards. The Councillors sat until late into the night, and transacted a good deal of business. There appears to be a disposition to take the fullest powers allowed by the Act. Hawera, Tuesday. The natives have stopped two survey parties working in the bush and on confiscated lands near here. They took possession of the instruments, tools, &c. The natives carried guns, but did not use force. Captain Wilson has gone out. Major Brown is expected here to-day. Nelson, Wednesday, The pilot boat, with the immigration officers did not return from the Northampton till late, being delayed by an inquiry into several complaints, none, however, serious, made against the captain. The immigrants are all well, and two deaths of children occurred on board. The passage occupied 108 days, much delay being caused by light variable winds. She has 188 passengers for Wellington, and 100 for the West Coast. As soon as the latter are landed she will sail for Wellington. Hokitika, Friday. Ann Vincent for murder, and Cox and McGregor for arson, were acquitted at the Supreme Court. This concluded the criminal business. Wednesday. Stanton’s . Hotel at the Loopline-road, between Hokitika and Kumara, was burned to the ground to-day. It was insured in the South British for £4OO. The circumstances of the fire are considered suspicious. Christchurch, Thursday. R. A. Sherrin was brought up at Waimate to-day charged with libelling G. M. Reed of the Otago Guardian. Mr. O’Meagher appeared for the defence, Mr. Hammersley for the plaintiff. Several witnesses were examined. Sherrin was committed for trial at the Supreme Court, Timaru. Bail was accepted, accused in £2OO and two sureties in £IOO each. Edwin Wadmer, formerly clerk to the Heathcote Road Board, was committed for trial to-day on a charge of embezzling the funds of the Board. Saturday. At the sale of Rhodes and Wilkins’ St. Leonards freehold estate, Amuri district, there was a large attendance and a fair competition. For the homestead block, comprising 24,146 acres, with 26,950 sheep, 82 horses, and 55 cattle, there was a bona fide bid of £70,000, but it was bought in at £75,000. The Mount Palm block, comprising 11,935 acres, with 9000 sheep, sold for £27,000 to R. Chapman, of Cust. North Cape block, 1610 acres and 2000 sheep, sold for £7OOO toR, Chapman. Isolated

Hill block, 17,425 acres and 13,000 sheep, sold for £43,500 to John Macfarlane, Rangiora.. Pahau Palm block, 5675 acres and 4000 sheep, : sold for £16,500 to R. Bethel, Selwyn. South - Cape block, 796 acres, sold for £3700, to J. Green, of Christchurch. Several other blocks were withdrawn, as the reserve price was not reached. Several farming blocks sold at an average price of about £3 per acre. ! Mondavi The Times this morning deprecates the action of the University Senate in not recognising the Christchurch Medical School. A fire last night, caused by the explosion of a paraffin lamp, destroyed two sevenroomed houses and damaged another. Total loss, £1550. Insurances—New Zealand, £4OO ; South British, £2OO ; National, £4OO. The fire originated in the house of Father Zachariah, Hebrew minister, who loses a lot of Hebrew works almost impossible to replace. The Good Templars and carpenters and joiners hold monster picnics to-day. Wednesday. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened to-day. J udge Johnston said the calen-. dar presented a serious aspect, both in the number and character of the offences, and proceeded to remark at length on the "various. cases. James Davies, for stealing wearing apparel, value £5, from a dwelling, was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment. Frank Oaklands pleaded guilty to a charge of forgery. Sentence was deferred. < The Minister of Public "Works had a long interview with the Harbor. Board, and promised to forward certain requirements of the Board so far as practicable. He will have an interview with the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon on railway matters. The Good Templars held a monster picnic at Waimate. There were 2000 present. Thursday. The land sales for the month of March realised £89,982. At the interview between the Minister of Public Works and the Chamber of Commerce yesterday, the former said that the tender had been accepted for the erection of public buildings in Christchurch, and that the Government intended to send a commissioner to the Sydney Exhibition, but it was not decided yet who it would be. The desire was to get some one whose knowledge would be of practical service to the colony. At the Supreme Court to-day Hamer, for stealing a cash-box from the Clarendon Hotel, was sentenced to seven years ; Hester Knibbs, for stealing post letters, three years. Carson, charged with arson, was found not guilty. In the case of Waterman, found guilty of embezzlement, sentence was deferred. Jacobson, formerly clerk of the National Bank, for embezzlement, got one year; Stewart, obtaining money under false pretences, two years; Messiter, stealing post letters, two years. Dunedin, Thursday. The Harbor Board have accepted the tender > of P. Gunn for £2lßl 10s., for the erection of the new Harbor Board offices. . The CityGouncil last night sustained the complaint made by McGrath and Tolmesj that Inspector Barnes had been guilty of obstructing them in carrying put their contract under the Corporation. It was decided that their l contract be carried out under the supervision of another inspector. Cargill and Co. have received a telegram dated 26th. Wool sales closed dull, without further change in prices. The November advance lost. Prices are as low as the closing sales of the third series last year in August, for superior classes only well maintained. The general state of trade is unsatisfactory. No confidence in future. Quantity withdrawn, 38,000 bales, including which 380,000 bales are expected for next sales. A case of great magnitude will come before the Supreme Court soon. The action involves amongst other things possession of the cele-. brated block of 45,000 acres, Moa Flat, purchased by Joseph Clark at under £1 per acre, now said to be worth from £4 to £5 an acre. The action is brought by G. A. Chalmers and C. B. Chalmers, the former lessees of the Moa Flat Station, against Joseph and W. J. Clarke (sons of W. J. T. Clarke) and Mr. Kitching, the present lessee. The plaintiffs allege that their runs, of which the Moa Flat formed a portion, were improperly sold by the mortgagees. Mr. W. J. T. Clarke’s case came before the Court yesterday in the shape of some preliminary arguments, which were taken in banco, and were not concluded when the. Court rose. The Hon. D. Reid recently sent for a constable to remove David Proudfoot from his room. A dispute had arisen between them, concerning the western railways. Proudfoot left before the constable arrived. Saturday. The Guardian gives the following account of the scene between the Hon. Mr. Reid and Mr. Proudfoot. The contractor called on the Minister for a settlement of the well-known arbitration award, for which he had given time to the Provincial Government owing to its embarrassed condition, although he might have demanded immediate payment. The instalment had fallen due a day or two ago, and the _ contractor waited on the Minister, voucher in hand, and urged payment. “ I’ll shove this roll of papers down your throat,” said the Minister. “Do it, I should like to see you, said the contractor. “You are a blackguard f to talk to me in that way,” said the Minister. “ You’re a double-dyed blackguard to talk to me in that way,” retorted the contractor. “ I come to you as a citizen, and you must hear me.” “If you talk to me in that way I H send for a constable,” said the Minister. “ Send for him,” said the contractor ; I lj wait here for him.” After waiting a. few. minutes he retired before the arrival of the policeman. Wednesday. The quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court commenced to-day before Judge Williams. The calendar comprised twelve cases of the usual class. The Grand Jury found true bills in every instance, except that of Frank Emerson, for stealing from the person. Duncan

McKenzie pleaded guilty to attempting to commit suicide, and was discharged on his own recognisances in £IOO to come up when called upon. Alice Lavin pleaded. guilty to larceny, as also Wm. Rogers, alias Chas. Bradshaw, to a charge of horsestealing. Walter Aimer was found guilty of larceny at at Oamaru. Sentence was deferred in each The Waste Lands Board has deferred the consideration of re-leasing the runs till next meeting. A special meeting of the Harbor Board was held this afternoon to consider a letter from Proudfoot, also one from Simpson. It was stated they might create a sensation if published, so the Board went into committee. Thursday.

At the Supreme Court to-day, Alice Lavin, for larceny, was sentenced to six months’ immonths’ imprisonment, with hard labor; Walter Rogers, horsestealing, two years; Charles Brodie Cooper, forgery, five years ; William Brown, unmentionable offence, five years ; Walter Filmer, larceny, two years. Letitia Burk was found guilty of burglary at Oamaru ; sentence deferred. In the Police Court this morning, Dodson, of the Empire Hotel, was charged with keeping open after 10 n’clock p.m. on Sunday night. The question was regarded as a test one, and judgment was reserved. A lad twelve years of age, son of George Grant, accountant, was gored by a bullock this morning. While standing on the lawn at his father’s house the animal rushed. through a fence and tossed the boy in the air, injuring him so much that little hopes of his recovery are entertained. Lawrence, Monday. After considerable delay, resulting in no little annoyance to Lawrence people, the Toko and Lawrence railway was opened to-day. A free train left Dunedin at 1 o’clock, and arrived at Lawrence in four hours. Distance, 59£ miles. A banquet was held in the Town Hall, and the usual speeches delivered. Balclutha, Thursday. At a public meeting held at the Newmarket Hotel last night it was agreed to form a yeomanry corps, to be called tbe Clutha Yeomanry. About fifty names were at once enrolled,, chiefly sons of settlers throughout the surrounding districts. The movement is enthusiastically supported, and it is believed that at least 100 will join. A committee and secretary were formed to offer services to the Government and to make all necessary arrangements for the formation of the corps. Saturday. The Hon. D. Reid visited Balclutha yesterday. He had a meeting with the Mayor and Town Council and satisfactorily arranged for the Municipality taking control of the bridge. Mr. Reid went to Kaitangata in the afternoon and thoroughly inspected the coal pits. He expressed surprise at the great extent of the workings and the superior quality of the coal. He left for Invercargill to-day.. '‘ Wednesday. A. large four-roomed house belonging to James Spence, carpenter, was burned down at five o’clock this morning. Spence estimates his loss at £650. The house was insured in fchs Victoria for £250, and the furniture for £SO. The origin of the fire is unknown. Invercargill, Wednesday. At the meeting of the Southland Presbytery to-day, a call from the Anderson’s Bay congregation to the Rev. C. S. Ross, now of Riverton, was sustained, and the translation was ruled expedient. , ' . Riverton, Thursday. The members of the Riverton Rifles, who returned yesterday from the volunteer demonstration, Lake Wakatipu, are very much dissatisfied at the treatment they received there, which they say they can only attribute to jealousy on the part of Queenstown at the superiority of the shooting of the Rivertonians.