Telegraphic News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 360, 4 January 1879, Page 15

Telegraphic News.

Otakt, December 27. Owing to the unfavorable state of the wind and tide last night the steamer Glenelg did not make the attempt to tow off the Hyderabad, which was arranged to take place about midnight. The steamer is still awaiting a favorable opportunity. A strong westerly breeze is blowing, aud a heavy surf is rolling in on the beach, consequently there is not much likelihood of anything being done towards getting the vessel off to-day. December 2S. The Hvdrabad was driven ashore by yesterday's gale as far as opposite the punt. The ship's chain, bent on the big chain, parted. The ship lies at an angle of four poiuts to the beach, bow to the southward. Greytown, December 30. The nomination for the <>ni :e of first Mayor of the Bormgh of Greytown took place today. Mr. F. H. Wood was propose 1 bv Mr. St. George and seconded by Mr. MCcMaster. Mr. T. GLempton, sen., chairmm of the late local boar 1, was also nominated. Both candidates addressed the ratepayers at the Town Had. The show of hands was largely in favor of Mr. Wood. The poll wi 1 take place on the 7th provimo. Great interest is taken in the election. < 'akterton, January 2. The election for Carterton Hiding in < 'ounty West tO ! >k place to-day. A large amount of interest wis taken in it. The result was Bennett, Wairarapa. Guzrdian, 71 ; Braithwaite, 44; Armstroug. 40. (from a correspondent.) Auckland, December 27. The plots thickens here. A few days ago the King's people sent messages to Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan not to come to Kuiti or Hikurangi on any pretence at present. If they want to meet Rewi thev can go to Punui. The people are augry about the reports of Rewi's talk at Taranaki, and say tint if Sir George Grey or Mr. Sheehan are permitted to meet him at Kuiti his " bar a" (sin) might appear to be condoned. Tawhiao is at the hot springs, near Raglan. Major Te Wheoro is with him, and is being kept on " a string." The natives from Parihaka report that Te Whiti is defiant abjut Hiroki and Sheehau's threatened visit. They say that Te Whiti has a large party of natives with him, and is well supplied with double barrelled guns and ammunition. There is a general feeling that trouble will come of the Waimate plains business. Tukukino was up here a few weeks ago about the Ohinemuri road. The question is not settled yet. What will the oil man say to the Thames railway ? (per press agency.) December 30. At a meeting of the Board of Education to-day it was agreed to amalgamate the several school districts in the city. The ketch Reliance, built afc'Hobarton, was sold to-day for £6OO. At a meeting held at St. Patrick's Cathedral yesterd ly, for the purpose of furthering Christian education at Auckland, the edifice was filled. After a short address by Father Henneberry, in which he pictured the dangers and evils of secular education without the support of religious teaching, he proceeds 1 to take up his second collection for the erection of a spacious Catholic school building in Auckland. In tha short space of about thirty minutes about £4BO were subscribed, whh;h, added to other subscriptions realised to-day, will amount to £SBO, which when taken in connection with the sum of subscriptions obtained on the last evening in the marquee, makes up the handsome total, of £IBOO. Well nigh half the sum is required for present wants. In general those present at the meeting of yesterday acted with great spirit ; even the poor gav« as high ai £5. Henneberry expressed hinrself very dissatisfied with some who could assist in the work he was endeavoring to promote aud yet have up to the present shrunk from the task. He was particularly hard on the rich. He said those of that class who would not make a good use of their wealth they aud their money would go to perdition. He hoped chat the rich Catholics in this city %vould conduct themselves as the rich Catholics in San Francisco did some years ago. When caded on for the erection of Catholic schools they subscribed about 70,000 dollars. He said if those of their class in the city cannot do so much he trusted they would give £IOO each, or as much as they can, according to their means, which would be a fine example for others, and would establish the name of the Catholics of Auckland for laudable generosity. The City Couucil to-day refused to grant a reduction on the license fee of the international circus. The Council approved of the proposed site of the public baths. The Baths Committee recommend the selection of another site for a second bath. December 31. A telegram received says George's Minstrels open here, under engagement with De Lias, the first week in February, in " Uncle Tom's Cabin," after which they go South. The meeting between Rewi and Sheehan will take place on 4th January. The grand lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars will hold their annual session in Waikito to-morrow. Major Kemp, of Wauganui, aud other influential chiefs, have gone to Waikato to prepare for Mr. Sheehan'a meeting with the Kingites next month. The friends of Mr. Sheehan at the Thames propose giving him a banquet. The City Council have raised the Mayor's salary from £l5O to £250. A satisfactory trial of McCormick and Wood's reaper and binder machine took place to-day.

The dead body of a man was discovered this morning lying outside a house on the Rut-land-roa'd. Froan iuquiries made by the police deceased was found to be a single man named •John Kennedy. He was found directly under the door of the house where he lodged ; in order to reach the door he had to mount an embankment. It is . surmised that he was drunk last night, and in attempting to reach the house fell backwards. He had a severe gash on the back of the head, from which he had bled freely. He had a latch-key in his hand, and some silver in his pocket. One George Fuller saw and spoke to deceased last .night, but saw nothing unusual in his manner. He was also seen drinking at 12.30 this morning, slightly intoxicated. January 2. The schooner Mazeppa arrived this morning from the Islands with produce and passengers, including Captain Trayne and the shipwrecked crew of the schooner Talisman. The infant child of Mrs. John Crnickshunk died on the passage. Captain Trayne reports in reference to the wreck of the Talisman that the vessel was on a homeward and bad on board 28 tons of pearl shell, 28 tons copra, 12 barrels lime juice, 325 barrels oranges, and a quantity of trade. This partly belonged to L. D. Nathan and paroly to the master. There were eleven souls on board, consisting of Captain Trayne, Hislop the mate, George Elder the steward, four natives, Mrs. Cruickshank and two children, and Mr. Oxley. She anchored off the Island of Aitutaki on November 16. The wind chopped i ound suddenly to the westward, and the vessel went ashore on a reef and broke up within 24 hours. The captain remained on the island thirteen days. During that time he saved four and a half tons of pearl shell and a portion of wreckage. He proceeded to Rarotonga in the .Blanche, and after stopping there eight days returned to Aitutaki in order to ascertain if there was any chance of saving any more shell before selling what hud been recovered. He did not save anything more from the wreck. Some portion of the wreckage previously recovered and the shell was sold at Aitutaki, and the remainder at Rarotonga. He then came on to Auckland in the Mazeppa. A serious accident occurred on the railway to-night. One of the male passengers fell off the train. His head was severely lacerated, and his ribs were broken. His wounds were dressed by Dr. Hooker. Henry Niccol was arrested to-night charged with stealing £4O from the Queen's Hotel, kept by John Adams. A prostitute named O'Brien was arrested for stealing £23 from the person of Edwin Tolmer. A large nine roomed house on the Grafton road was burnt this evening. It was occupied by Mrs. Carlyle, as a boarding house. All were absent at the outbreak of the fire. The piano and a portion of the furniture were saved. In a few minutes the house was consumed, with the exception of a back kitchen. The furniture *nd house is believed to be insured in the New Zealand Company. The steamer Southern Cross arrived from Lyttelton and the intermediate ports. An lMquest will be held to-morrow on the body of Bridget Connelly, who committed suicide by taking carbolic acid yesterday. Bridget Connally, a married woman, resident at Newton, committed suicide yesterday by taking poison. The deceased had been reclaimed from horrible habits of drink for the past two years, and became temperate. She recomme ced to drink at Christmas, and returned home on Monday quite drunk. The following morning she asked her husband for money to obtain drink. He refused to give her any. She then said she would take a bitter cup during the day, and shortly afterwards took a bottle off the shelf containing carbolic acid, and drank it. Two girls who were present at the time were taken by surprise, and the act was done before it could be prevented. The woman died a few hours after her entrance to the hospital. When sober she was an industrious, kind-hearted person. William Tirrell, while standing on the deck of the Taiaroa steamer, wa3 knocked over into the hold, falling sixteen feet. He was picked up insensible, with severe spinal and other injuries, and is not expected to recover. He is a single man, and a native o£ Tasmania. No blame attaches to the ship. The Taiaroa sailed at noon to-day for the south. The Hinemoa, with Sir George Grey, is expected to leave Auckland for Wellington on Saturday or Monday next. The 'cricket match between the Taranaki representative team and the Auckland Club commenced in the Domain this morning. The weather was fine, and the attendance large. Auckland went in first, and made 122, the highest individual scores being Wood and Laukham, 20 each ; Blumlen, 19 ; and Grierson, 13. The Taranaki team made 95 in their first innings, including G. Bayley, 29; Bewley, 23 ; and Davis, 17. Auckland then went in for the second innings, and made 76, the bowling and fielding of the Taranaki men being so good that only one "extra" was scored. In their second innicg.s the Taranaki men were all out for 39. Gkahamstowx, January 2. The Hon. Mr. Sheehau is to be here in a day or two on native land business, and he will also arrange terms with the obstructionists. Messrs. Stewart and Beer will be here this week to commence the railway survey?. Tauranga, December 30. Mr. Edgcumbe, chairman of the Town Board, addressed a crowded meeting of ratepayers on Saturday evening, prior to his departure to visit England. A cordial vote of thanks for his past services was accorded him, and subscription lists opened for presentation of a substantial testimonial. December 31. In order to stifle opposition, Mr. Rathbone, proprietor of the Bay of Plenty Times, has joined with Mr. Vesey Stewart, whose extensive plant, worth £IBOO, will now be utilised

for that journal. The Times appears iu a large and greatly improved form this Mr. Rathbone still continues manager and editor. GISBOJRNE, December 31. The residences of Messrs. Hubble and M'Leod, close to the powder magazine, are now in flames. The ammunition is being removed lest an explosion should occur. There is no water available, and the fire brigade is powerless. The insurances are not yet known. Should the wind change the town will be in danger. Blenheim, December 27. At Renwicktown Boxing Day sports yesterday, Beauchamp, the rider of Billy Button in the hurdle race, fell, horse and man comirg down together at the fifth flight out of six hurdles. He lay insensible for some time, and was bleeding from the mouth. People thought he was killed. Doctors Horn and Cleghorn were sent for from Blenheim. A few minutes after the occurrence the boy revived, and when the doctors came on the ground they pronounced him out of danger, but said that he had experienced a slight concussion of the brain. He was much shaken and bruised, and was also struck on the head by the horse's hoof. Robinson, the rider of the horse just ahead, seeing what had occurred, pulled up and went to the assistance of his comrade, and lost all chance of the race. He was much applauded for his humanity by the spectators, but the proceeding is declared to be against all racing rules. December 28. Charles Lucas's grocery and boot store. Grove-road, was burnt out at four o'clock this afternoon. The family were all in the front shop with customers. A person outside saw fire coming out of the bedroom window in the rear. All the inside of the room was in a blaze, and nothing could be saved, neither clothing nor furniture. The building and stock were insured in the South British for £350. The cause of the fire is unknown. December 30. It is reported here that Mr. Adams, a stranger in the district, son of an extensive ruuholder, has been appointed a valuer under the Land Tax Act for the whole of Wairau. The statement excites universal astonishment. William Smith, a laborer, working at Tuamarina, was found drowned in the creek yesterday. He had been missing for same days. He had been driuking. He is supposed to have accidentally fallen into the stream Conolly, on behalf of the Bar, delivered a complimentary address to Dr. Mueller, on the occasion of his retirement from the office of Resident Magistrate, Registrar, &c, eulogising his past services. Dr. Mueller replied, aud said he had been requested to retire without any reason being assigned. It is understood that it is iu contemplation to amalgamate the offices. Nelson, December 28. An interesting competition took place in the Drill Shed last night, between Wellington and Nelson Artillery cadets. Both were remarkably smart, and it was difficult to say which did best. Wellington beat Nelson by seven seconds in dismounting, but Nelson was the quicker in changing wheels. Major Pitt warmly complimented the Wellington lads on the spirit they displayed iu coming over, and he hope! that Nelson would soon send a detachment to Wellington to compete. Captain Best warmly thanked the people of Nelson for the kind treatment' his lads had experienced. They return to Wellington in the Kennedy tomorrow. December 30. The navvies on the Port Railway extension Btruck this morning for 9s. a day. January 2. The athletic sports yesterday were a great success, four thousand persons being present. One novelty among the amusements was a baby show, at which there were fifty exhibits. / jNew Pltioouth, December 31. The single girls by the Hermione write to the papers here complaining of the statement published in Wellington to the effect that they were extremely grateful for the bountiful supply of fruit and other good things supplied to them whilst in quarantine. They say—" We single girl immigrants by the Hermione received neither fruit nor cakes on Somes Island as reported.—(Signed) Jane Buck, Elizabeth Black, Alice Budge, and other single women. Depot, New Plymouth." GKEYMOUTH, December 2S. It has rained almost incessantly since yesterday at 2 o'clock, and the rivers are now in full flood, the Grey being near its highest. The races had to be postponed as the course is now under water. The banks are said to have bought more gold this Christmas than for years past. A miner named Eric Bosted, a Scandinavian, committed suicide this morning by jumping off the wharf into the river. The body was .'-wept out to sea. Hokitika, December 28. It is i*aining heavily and blowing like midwinter weather every day since the holidays commenced. There is no sign of improvement. The rivers are flooded again, and a great deal of damage has been done. The Christchurch coach, due last Wednesday, has not arrived. The outward mails cannot be despatched on account of the floods. The damage done to roads and bridges will take the county three months' revenue to repair. December 30. The schooner Mabel Jane, with a cargo of produce from Oamaru, is ashore on the beach at Wanganui Bluff, about twenty miles south of Hokitika. It is still raining heavily. The races are indefinitely postponed. Christchurch, December 28. In consequence of the strong nor'-wester and heavy rain that fell last night, the railway traffic, as usual, is interrupted. The south pier of the North Rangitata Bridge being carried away, so that all goods traffic is suspended.

The Wakamereni is also rising, and accounts from the Bcaley describe the weather there as awful.

The south express train was an hour late last night, and will be so every night till the Rangitoto Bridge is repaired. The Stewarts are doing a splendid business. Hundreds have been unable to gain .admission for the last two nights. Again complaints have been made about shortness of trucks at Ly ttelton. Vessels now in port would employ 300 trucks daily. Mr. Conyers in a letter to the Harbor Board said the railway atitborities were doing everything possible to meet the demand. Captain A. S. Strix has been appointed Assistant Harbor-Master. At a meeting of the Selwyn County Council yesterday it was resolved to recommend another conference on the subject of hospital aud charitable aid management. The railway employes will have a monster picnic during the first week in February, but the place is not decided on. Probably it will be on the racecourse. A letter was read at the County Council meeting yesterday, iu which the Commissioner of Railways declined to grant free passes to members. At the annual meeting of the subscribers of the Corn Exchange, held this afternoon, a committee of 21 was appointed to see if arrangements could be made to meet the views of the proprietors of the premises in which the business is done, and the rental of which is £2OO a year. The result of the first innings of the Canterbury team against the Ballarat men gives great satisfaction. Betting is slightly in favor of the local team. About noon to-day a child named George White, seven years old, was run over by an omnibus and kil led. Charles Lazard was to-day elected to a seat in the City Council, in the place of the present Mayor. Five hundred young trout were released in the River Avon to-day, in front of the Government buildings. All the rivers have gone down considerably. December 30. At the inquest on the lad White, who was run over on Saturday, a verdict of accidental death was returned. At a meeting of tha Water Supply Committee to-day it was resolved to ask the Council to make a grant of £250 to continue certain experiment*. The Waimakiriri is still very high, and the mails and passengers are conveyed by road. A large gang of men are repairing the damaged portion of the railway, A man named Jardine was fined 20s. to-day for fishing without a license. His lawyer held that he was not liable, as he afterwards took out a license, which gave him the right to fish from before the time of the committal of the offence, but the Bench held a different view. December 31. The very heavy storm of rain that fell all last evening and night will do an immense amount of good to the country, though it xvill not facilitate railway communication. The weather is now very fair, and gives great promise for the Lyttelton Regatta and other sports fixed for to-morrow. In his preliminary remarks last evening the newly installed Mayor spoke at length on the necessity of city improvements, particularly the new municipal buildings, and a committee" was appointed to bring up a report on the subject. No action has yet been taken with regard to the conference re hospital and charitable aid. The Press this morning makes it very lively for Baker and Farron for the production of " Struck Oil " last night. January 2. Francis Valpy, late in the Railway Office, wa3 to-day committed for trial for embezzling funds belonging to the Railway Employes' Benefit Society. Bail was accepted, himself in £4OO and two sureties of £2OO each. This morning the Times came out with an article on the great benefit their readers would derive henceforth through their special telegraph arrangements. The emptiness of the boast was shown by the Press, which contained a large amount of additional telegraphic news, including the submission of Zakoob Khan, the Vietoriau races, the Auckland races, articles on the wreck of the Mecca, &c. All the reporters on the staff of the Times now have to act as teleg aph agents, in addition to their other onerous duties. The Press this morning came out as a penny paper. In their announcement the directors state that they are desirous of supplying the public with a first-class morning paper at the lowest possible price. Aman named Weiryesterday was committed for trial on a charge of attempted rape on a young girl, aged sixteen. Both were living at a farmers place at Whitecliffs. The girl is a servant, and the prisoner a ploughman on the farm. LYTrKLTON, January 2. Dr. Donald, for seventeen years' Resident Magistrate of Lyttelton, retired from the bench to-day. He is about to visit England. Ashburton, December 30. The inquest was held here this afternoon, touching the death of a man named William Williams, whose body was found drowned in • the Upper Rangitata on Saturday. For some time traffic on the bridge in the Upper Rangitata has been interrupted, and the County Council have placed a ferry-boat on the river there. It was uuder the charge of Watkins, a local publican, who employed Williams to work the boat. The evidence shewed that on Boxing Day a number of people had been drinking at ths hotel in the evening. Williams had to ferry two men named Barrett and Brooker over the river. It appears they had all been drinking. When over the worst part of the river Williams was seen iu the water, and just then the boat got adrift from its wire rope, and Williams was seen no more till found dead on

Saturday. The other men eventually got to the bank. Brookes was examined at the inquest, but not Barrett, and the inquiry has been adjourned till next Tuesday for the purpose of hearing the statement of, Barrett, who had not been subpaened by the police. A heavy rainfall has just set iu, and is likely to increase the value of the country harvests by thousands. Timakd, December 31. The two most southern bays of the Rangitata Bridge have sunk three or four feet, and are careening over. It is impossible to cross. Traffic of all description is stopped ; even the mails are not allowed to be taken over. Dunedin, December 27. A piano manufactory will be established in Dunedin shortly. Miss McMaster was thrown from her horse at the Taieri Agricultural Society's Show yesterday, and had her arm broken. December 28. The Harbor Board has initiated proceedings against David Proudfoot to compel him to complete his contract for purchase of leases of sections iu Crawford-street blocks. The Harbor Board at present employs 303 men, anrl the wage 3 account for last month was £2475. The athletic sports got up by two Australian pedestrians named Goodfellow and Shepherd took place to-day in the presence of a thousand people. As both men, though evidently good runners, declined to run their best, great dissatisfaction was expressed at their action. December 30. Messrs. Reid and Duncau, of Dunedin, have issued proposals for connecting Duuedin with Roslyn, Half-Way Bush, Kaikori Valley, and Maori Hill, by a tramway. December 31. Three pounds of quartz, from a claim at Hindon, on being crushed, have yielded at the rate of 7 oz to the ton. Macpherson, engineer, experienced iu Welsh quarries, has reported favorably on the quarries of the Otago Slate Company. It is stated that such is the wear and tear on the Dunedin and Christchurch railway line that the line will soon have to be re-laid with steel rails. There are numerous applications for the vacany in the Girl's High School. A proposal to purchase the Dunedin, Peninsula, and Ocean Beach Railway have been made by the promoters of the Porfcobello Tramway Company. The construction of the line cost £14,600, and is now valued at £17,000. A resolution has been passed by the company expressing its willingness to sell. In the event of an agreement not being arrived at the company intend to turn their line into a tramway, as the charges made by the Government for working the line are unduly ! high. i The Education Board is making vigorous efforts during the holidays to provide, as far as ' funds at its disposal will permit, for the education of children in Dunedin by erecting a new school in Dunedin and enlarging the old one. January 2. The proceedings last night in connection with the ushering-in of the new year were of the most disorderly kind hitherto seen in Dunedin. The mob of larrikins who paraded the streets did not confine themselves, as previously, to letting off fireworks, but damaged property to the value of £2OO. The windows of a Chinaman's shop in the Arcade were smashed in with stones and pellets discharged from catapults. The young joughs did not pay much respect to the police, and pelted Inspector Mallard with packages of flour. Six or seven of the most prominent disturbers of the peace were brought before the Resident Magistrate this morning, and severely dealt with. One was sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labor ; two others, for m iliciously damaging property, have been remanded for further evidence. The Caledonian Sports to-day were attended by about 8000 people, and the various events on the programme were contested in a very keen manner. White succeeded in winning the Caledonia,n Handicap, arid W. Clayton the Three Mile Walking Match. The time for the last event was 25i-min. The best race of the day was the Mile Handicap, which was won by Burke, of Duuedin, in 4mia. 36Jsec., which is the fastest time yet madeiu Dunedin, and probably in the colony. Allen won the Wrestling. Match for the light weights, and Thomas, the champion of Victoria, for those over 13 stone. Great interest is taken iu the contest between him and Tyson to-morrow. To-day has been observed as a general holiday, aud the various places of amusement were largely attended to-night. At Tapauui, last evening, a banquet was held in connection with the presentation of a purse of 500 sovereigns to Mr. Horace Bastings, M.H.R. for the district. The hon. At-torney-General was present, and Captain McKenzie occupied the chair. The Prices Current give the Customs revenue at this port for the quarter ending today at £84,863. Imports for the m0nth—£166,555. For the quarter ending to-day the imports were £626.365 against £492,815 in the correspuding quarter of last year. For the year the imports were £2,666,673 against £2,209,408 in 1877. The Caledonian sports to-dvy were again largely attended. Iu the wrestling match Tyson, the present holder of the ch tmpion belt, again beat Thomas. The latter succeeded in throwing Tyson, and was loudly cheered. The contest will be continued on Saturday. The first peninsular agricultural show was held to-day at Highcliffe. It was well patronised, and stock and produce exhibited were of good quality. In A. Cameron's consultation on the Melbourne Champion Race Mr. Alexander Graham, of Kopua (Hawke's Bay), drew Wellington, Ist horse ; Mr. W. T. Barnett, of Timaru, drew Warlock, 2nd horse; Mr. Daniel Bryant, of the Railway Hotel, Winslow (Nerfch Canterbury), drew Bosworth, 3rd horse.

The successful winners in Drake and Collins' consultation are :—Wellington, Thomas Dryden, Duneclin ; Warlock, J. Abrahams, Dunodin ; Bosvvorbh, J. Taylor, Port Chalmers. The vital statistics for the Dnnedin District for the year IS7B are as follows :—Births, 1804; deaths, 517; marriages, 418. • Two sailing- boats rati into each other in the harbor yesterday about a quarter of a mile from Kothesay. One of them was manned by a number of young- men, and in the other were two men and two women. The boat in which the women were was upset, and they were thrown into the water, but were pulled aboard the other boat, and had scarcely got in when the capsized boat foundered. Eventually the whole party reached the shore in safety. Balclhtha, December 2S. A very strong gale has been blowing since yesterday afternoon. The river is in high flood and rising very slowly. The protective works which are in progress are proving thoroughly effective : but for these the township would again have been flooded, but there is not the slightest danger at present. A considerably larger body of water is flowing over into the town of Clutha to-day. At a meeting of the Clutha County Council last night a committee was appointed to take steps for the erection of a new bridge at Balclutha. A conference is to be held with the Bruce Council, to arrange for the Bruce County bearing half of the cost ; meantime the Clutha Council has employed Mr. Higginson, C.E., to report, and an application will be made to Government for £IO,OOO out of the £50,000 vote passed by the General Assembly for such purposes. Lnvjskcakgixl;, December 28. The report of the drowning of George Crisp, arbitrator, has received confirmation. He was en route from Wrey's Bush to Winton, and was being carried across the ford of Jacob's River, at Johnson, by a man on horseback. It is supposed the ford was missed, for the stream swept the horse away, and Crisp was washed off. He, however, with the horse and the other man landed on a gravel bank in mid stream, where the water was .ibout knee deep. A man named Mortimer, who was waiting to be carried across, saw him suddenly fall, and the current swept hi.n into deep water. Mortimer hurried- along the bank, and got hold of him and pulled him ashore, but he was quite dead. He was subject to fits, and is supposed to have been seized with one. A requisition is being signed to Thomas Denniston, asking him to contest Woods' seat for Mataura. He will consent. Mr. Kinross, who was lately appointed to the Waste Lands Board, is also likely to be a candidate. Mr. Shanks is already in the field, and working hard. Active preparations are in progress to celebrate the opening of the railway through to Dunedin. The invitation committee have decided to issue invitations to the Mayors of twenty-one municipalities, commencing with Wellington and ending with Winton and Hiverton. The County Council was recommended to invite all chairmen of counties, and it was also resolved to invite all members of the Colonial Legislature residing in Otago and Canterbury. Preparations for illuminating the town are being made, and devices erected in front of the principal hotels. December 31. Mr. J. S. Shanks addressed the electors of Mataura here last night ; he is a candidate for the seat vacated by Wood. The meeti g voted tbeir thanks, but refused to pledge themselves until after hearing the other candidates. January 2. A great row occurred last night at the Government cottages, occupied by some of the Waitara's immigrants, and one man was half killed by a blow another had administered with a bellows. . Three of the men were with difficulty arrested by the police, the women strongly resisting. The second day's sports were kept up with vigor. The Bluff regatta was the centre of attraction. Some people went from Invercargill. The trains were crowded, and the weather was lovely. The races were, on the whole, successful. The Caledonian sports at Invercargill were only fairly attended to-day ; they passed off satisfactorily. A boy named Stewart was killed at Oreti last night by a horse. No particulars are to hand. The Horticultural Society's show was well attended again to-day. The N&ios comes out to-night as a penny paper, with its advertisements set in nonpareil.