Telegraphic News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 362, 18 January 1879, Page 9

Telegraphic News.

Masterton, January 11. The result of the election for the Borough Council of Greytown was declared at 9 o’clock last evening :—Dr. Smith, 93; Hastwell, 92; Fuller, 86; KemptoD, jun., 77; Barnard, 75; Gallaher, 71; Udv, 65; Gray, 64. These were elected. Defeated candidates—R. V. Smith, 63; A. B. Jackson, 57; R. A. Wakelin, 57; R. J. Thompson, 48; Salmon, 34; John Macara, 27. The Wairarapa, .Daily cautions the public against eating rabbits, as arsenic is generally laid on the runs. Two persons at Masterton are ill, it is supposed, from this cause. January 12. Messrs. Gawith and Beetham, solicitors, have dissolved partnership. The former carries on the business. The sea elephant recently exhibited at Wellington enjoyed a swim across the Waipoua River yesterday. It swallowed gravel eagerly. Foxton, Monday. Operations at the Hydrabad during the last spring tides were progressing favorably, when strong westerly weather, accompanied by heavy seas, delayed operations. The ship has been taken some distance seaward, and fine weather is now beiug waited for, in order to make another trial. Captains Gibbon and Holmwood are sanguine of ultimate success. Auckland, January 10. Mr. Hetly, accompanied by a native guide, has proceeded to make a flying survey of the route explored by Mr. Moss between Qhinemutu and Cambridge, with the view of discovering a practicable route for a road and railway. Mr. Charles Bush, landlord of the Old House at Home, has been charged with Sunday trading, and with permitting gambling in his house. The first charge was withdrawn, but a fine of £lO was inflicted for the second. The cause of the Waikato railway laborers’ strike was in consequence of Falloon, the contractor, insisting on the men workirg an ext-ta hour on Saturday. Henry Niccol, charged with stealing £4O from John Adams, has been before the Court all day. The case was adjourned. At the Supreme Court, Hesketh moved for a writ of habeas carpus to issue to the gaoler of Mount Eden Gaol, directing him to bring into Court the body of Thomas Rennell, charged with the murder of Captain Moller, in order that the Court might examine into the the cause of Rennell’s imprisonment, and the right of Courts in this colony to detain him in custody. The motion was made on affidavit. Mr. Hesketh’s contention was similar to that used by him at the Police Court, to the effect that the offence having been committed outside British dominions the Court of this colony has no jurisdiction over the culprit. His Honor, after examining the warrant, intimated that the Foreign Offenders Apprehension Act, 1863, gave no power to issue such a warrant of detention, and ordered a writ to issue commanding the gaoler to bring the body into Court. The cricket match—Taranaki v. Otahuhu—was won easily by the former. A woman named Alexander, who broke into a house occupied by Main, and stole a watch and gold chain, has been arrested. January 11. All the grocers closed their premises to-day at two o’clock, a 8 the commencement of the regular Saturday half-holiday. Henry Niccol, charged with stealing £4O, was acquitted. The Bench said the evidence

entirely failed except on one point, viz., the Bank of England note referred to by the prosecutor, and the similar note found in prisoner’s possession, which, however could not be identified as prosecutor’s. The cricket match between the Taranaki Club and Kemuera Suburban Cricket Club resulted in favor of the former. A new weekly journal—the Auckland Free Press —was published to-day for the first time. Sir Richard Colson was arrested last evening, and charged with maliciously breaking a pane of glass. Mr. Hampton, tailor, of Short-land-street, said prisoner thrust his hand through the window while in a state of intoxication. Colson has only recently been discharged from gaol for a similar offence. The Taranaki team were last night entertained at a banquet by the members of the Auckland club. They return by the next boat. Several cases of brandy, sardines, and pickles, were stolen from the ship Gladys on Friday night. January 13. At Hokianga, Te Whaka, convicted some years ago of killing a native here, and whose sentence was commuted to penal servitude, is at the head of fifty natives, aud has seized Point Mutuwera, where the natives are firing volleys of ball cartridges, and burning off the sci-üb. Endeavors are being made to settle the dispute amicably. A petition is being forwarded to the Governor, praying him to commute the sentence of nine months passed on English for wounding a native at Opotiki. William Serral, who recently met with an accident on board the steamer Taiaroa, died to-day fi'om his injuries. An exciting scene occurred on board the James Wishart as she was coming down the English Channel on her way to Auckland. A terrific sea broke over the vessel and did considerable damage. Amongst other things it broke into one of the deck-houses, where a quantity of gasoline and ammunition was stored. The concussion caused an explosion, and a man named James Henderson was injured. The sea washed away a portion of the ignited substance, and the captain threw the remainder overboard, the others not daring to touch it. This action probably 3aved the ship and the lives of those on board. The latest news from Samoa, by the arrival of the schooner Active, reports that General Bartlett, who came as successor to Colonel Steinberger, is unable to secure his footing. Latest accounts repert the natives very orderly, the three Consuls not having a single case to deal with during the last three months. Fourmen-of-war —English, American, German, and French—visited Samoa within that time. The prospects of the cocoanut and cotton crops are good. Trade is overdone, and is comparatively dull. During the last month Apia was visited by a severe storm, which lashed the harbor into foam, but did no damage. Grave apprehensions are felt regarding the Ohaupo swamp portion of the railway line, which is sinking, considerably embarrasing the railway management. The earth cracks through the dry weather, and the weight of the train causes the rails to sink. Two engines are kept exclusively for crossing the swamp. They have had the lifeguards and cowcatchers removed. Some of the rails have sunk twice in one day. At the District Court to-day, Charles Hawkeswood recovered £IOO and costs from the Waitara Steam Navigation Company, for materials and work. A guard was suspended on Saturday charged with allowing a woman to travel from Waikato without paying. The guard also is accused of conveying produce without a waybill. January 14. John Sullivan, the ringleader in the recent strike of railway laborers at Ohaupo, was charged with using threatening and intimidating language to workmen employed on the line. He pleaded guilty to the charge, and was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, with hard labor. January 15. There was a narrow escape from a serious catastrophe in the harbor to-night at half-past eleven o’clock. The paddle-steamer Annie Milbank, from Mahurangi, was coming up the harbor, when a yacht was observed a short distance ahead. Before the vessel’s course could be altered, she struck the yacht amidships. The smaller vessel had her starboard side partly stove in, and the other side considerably damaged. The steamer passed on, and the occupants of the yacht, six lads, headed their, boat for the shore. The boat filled rapidly, but the shore was reached before she sunk. The injured vessel was a fishing yacht named the Zodiac. She had no lights at the time. The Annie Milbank’s bows were somewhat damaged. The Norval sailed for Lyttelton via the Coast with timber for the telegraph at Gisborne. The Star says there appears to be a gang of skilful scoundrels at work in Auckland watching every opportunity to rob the coffers of tradesmen and hotelkeepers. Twenty-four sovereigns were abstracted fx*om a box in a bedroom of one of the hotels, but no clue has beeu found to lead to the conviction of the offenders. A mystery still hangs over the more extensive robbery from Mr. Warren, no trace whatever of the guilty party having been discovered. Other robberies of a similar nature are reported. The Waikato passenger train ran off the line just after leaving Mercer for Auckland. Through some oversight the points were not quite turned. One engine and two coal trucks ran on to the main line, the passenger cars turned off into the siding, the fore part of the train was thus running on one line of rails, the hinder part on a different line. The engiue was going at a good speed, and could not be brought up quickly. Amid considerable swaying of carriages, the passengers were much alarmed, and on a cry being raised to jump, all the passengers scrambled to doors

and jumped out. A first and a second class carriage were thrown off the rails before the engine stopped. A crowd of people came down from Mercer, and as the Auckland train had just before got into Mercer, the engine was obtained from it to pull the carriages out of the way, as the engine attached to the first mentioned train could not get back. After an hour’s work, the second class carriage was got back on the rails. There were 40 or 50 people on the train. The rails were twisted, and will have to be replaced with new ones. Grahamstown, January 10. The Hon. Mr. Sheehan will be at Tearoha to-morrow morning, and at Ohinemuri in the afternoon, to interview the great road obstructionist there, Tukukino. Mr. Sheehan will be invited to a public dinner here on Monday night, at which Hon. Hone Nahe will be present. The rateable value of property in this borough is £33,977. A large proportion of the mining property is not rated this year. The Water Supplj Corporation is in difficulties, and an appeal will shortly be made to the Courts in the interest of a large creditor. January 11. Mr. Sheehan and party have arrived at Ohinemuri from Waikato, and will come on to the Koroata settlement this evening to interview the chief Tokikino, in reference to his refusal to allow the Ohinemuri road to be made through his settlement. Mr. Sheehan will cot arrive here before Monday, when he will be entertained at a banquet in the evening. Some persons interested in the Big Pump Company’s affairs, and the impending stoppage of the company, telegraphed to Thomas Russell, at London, and a reply has been received that £50,000 could be obtained there towards !’testing the deep levels and maintaining the pumps if arrangements could be made in the meantime towards keeping them going. The Native Minister and party, consisting ing of Mr. Rusden, Mr. Lewis (private secretary), Messrs. Gill, Grace, and others, left Hamilton at 5 o’clock on Friday afternoon, travelling overland through the Piako Swamp. They reached Morrisville at nine o’clock. Mr. Sheehan was also accompanied by Mr. F. A. Whitaker and Mr. McMinn, M.H.R. They stayed there all night, and left at 9 o’clock on Saturday morning, arriving at Te Aroha at one o’clock, where Mr. Sheehan was met by several members of the Thames County Council, by Mr. Puckey, native agent, and other gentlemen. The Native Minister then proceeded to Omaha, where a number of natives had assembled to meet him. Various subjects relating to the subdivision of the reserves in the Te Aroha Block, the laying off a township in their lands, and other local questions were brought forward by the natives, and dealt with by the Native Minister. The Native Minister left Omaha at about four o’clock (Messrs. Whitaker and McMinn returning to Hamilton), and proceeded down the river, calling at Mr. Austin’s, at Te Puke, for a short time. He reached Grahamstown at midnight. Today has been wet, but Mr. Sheehan during the afternoon paid a visit to Taipare’s residence, and was taken to see his new house which is a fine specimen of modern Maori architecture. January 13. The Hon. Mr. Sheehan returned from Te Aroha aad Ohinemuri this afternoon. He landed at the new wharf at Kopna, on the Thames River, just completed by the Harbor Board and the County Council conjointly. Mr. Sheehan, at the requsb of the chairmen of these bodies, formally opened the structure. It is a splendid wharf, giving seventeen feet in deep water, and six feeet at the lowest tide. It is nearly opposite the Hauraki and Thames River Saw-mills, and two and a half miles from the township. January 14. The Hon. Mr. Sheehan visited the Ohinemuri settlements to-day, and was interviewed re the wants of the district. Assistance towards a coach road between Katikati and Tauranga was asked for, and attention was promised to the request. Mr. Phillips laid before Mr. Sheehan a number of resolutions carried at a public meeting, asking favor for the district. Mr. Sheehan promised £2OOO to the county for a bridge over the Ohinemuri River, and £250 to take snags out of the Waiou. He stated he would lay a request that work should be commenced on the railway line north and south of Paeroa before the Minister of Public Works ; also, that the telegraph line to Katikati should be done if it was within the power of the department. Mr. Porter asked several matters, to all of which Mr. Sheehan promised attention, especially as to the price t.o be charged to occupiers on agricultural leases. He promised, if the Judge of the Native Lauds Court did not object, that the next Land Court would be held at Ohinemuri. He said the Native Department officers were instructed to purchase the freehold of the goldfield as fast as possible, and no delay would occur for want of money. He promised that he would communicate with Mr. Sheath and the Hon. Mr. Fisher rc telegraph communication. with Morranville or Katikati, the settlers expressing their willingness to give a guarantee if necessax'y. Other wants, such as footbridges to enable children in scattered localities to attend school, were referred to the county authorities. The settlers appeared delighted with the attention paid them by the Native Minister in making a special visit to the district to inquire into their wants and listening so patiently to them. He was accompanied on the visit by the County Chairman, the Mayor of the Thames, Wardens Fraser and Kendell, and other gentlemen. January 15. A bushman named Patrick McGlaston, working in Kauwaeranga bush, was killed to-day by a falling log crushing him against another. The body was brought in for the Inquest.

Mr. Sheehan leaves here to-night for Auckland. He has been arranging with the natives for land through which the railway will pass, and was met satisfactorily.

Taupo, Monday. A slight shock of earthquake was felt in the vicinity of the Hot Springs about half-past six yesterday evening, lasting about ten seconds. Tne natives are making preparations for a Land Court to be held here shortly. Several blocks partially gone into by J udge Rogan at the last sitting of the Court will pass into the hands of the Government. Napier, January 10. The Mayor and the Town Clerk waited upon the Colonial Secretary yesterday for the purpose of drawing his attention to the fact that the subsidies to the borough on the rates levied to the 31st March, and which he promised should be paid without any deductions for charitable aid, had not been received. His Worship stated that only half the subsidy had been received, viz., the sum of £1143 6s. 2d, whereas the whole subsidy due to the County of Hawke’s Bay had been paid in conformity with the Colonial Secretary’s promise. Colonel Whitmore, in reply, said that the other half of the subsidy on borough rates to March 31st last was not payable or due till June 30 next, and he distinctly denied the statement that the Hawke’s Bay County had received the whole of its subsidies. The Telegraph says it is to be regretted that Colonel Whitmore should have made a statement that cannot be borne out by facts. Hawke’s Bay County has received its full subsidy, the first half, £9BO 4s. Bd., was paid ou the 4th December, and the other half on the application of the chairman on the 21st of that month. James Cronui was the name of the man who was killed yesterday. At the coroner’s inquest it was stated he was thrown from hia horse, • one of his feet became fastened in the stirrups, and he was dragged thus thrice round the paddock. When the horse was stopped, life was extinct. A verdict of accidentally killed was returned. January 13. The immigrants per ship Adamant were all landed in good health, and will be open for selection here to-morrow. Recently two building contractors sought relief in the Bankruptcy Court ; their failure has thrown a number of carpenters out of employment. To-day Scarfe and Co., large storekeepers, filed their schedule ; their liabilities are said to be £40,000. A man. named Vernon Campbell was committed for trial to-day for forging a cheque to the value of .£36. He went to an unsuspecting horse-dealer on Saturday night and told him he was a horse-dealer, and was purchasing horses for Auckland and Wellington. He said he had sold a horse that day for £36 to Archibald McLean, Douglas McLean’s manager. After leading his victim on he expressed a desire to see what horses he had for sale. He was shown several, and chose two ; one he was to pay for at once (£l2), and the other to-day. He then handed the dealer the forged cheque, and in return received a receipt for the horse and Monteifch (the dealer’s) cheque for the balance, £24. When the cheque was presented by the dealer it was found to be a forgery. He cashed the dealer’s cheque, but when arrested none ot the money was found in his possession. January 14. Colonel Whitmore has sent a letter to the Mayor, in which he rectifies his former statement as to the payment of the subsidy to the Hawke’s Bay Council. He now says that the Colonial Treasurer informs him that the money was paid, and if the borough requires funds they will receive it, but will not be allowed to draw any further subsidy until the end of the year. January 15. At a sitting in bankruptcy this morning six persons obtained certificates of discharge without opposition. Wanganui, January 14. The sittings of the Land Court were formally opened by Judge Heale yesterday. Today he is occupied in hearing succession claims to subdivisions of Murimotu Block, which are expected to come on again to-morrow. Great dissatisfaction exists among the natives at the Court being held at Putiki, in Mete King’s runanga house, Mete being an interested party. January 15. For the Wanganui Education Board Scholarships, seven in number, of £2O each, there were twenty-three competitors, of whom five have been successful. Inspector Foulis awards the marks as follows:—Out of possible 200, for boys under 16 years, James McCalley, Turakina, 1204; under 14, J. D. Morton, Turakina, 150 ; Emma Laird, Wanganui, 139 Under 12, J. Flower, Foxton, 173 ; Robs. Saw, Wanganui, 152. A match was fired this morning between Wanganui and Taranaki rifle teams; eight men ou each side ; firing on their own ground. Taranaki scored 535 ; Wanganui, 539, thus winning by four points. Between one and two thousand people assembled on the bank of the river this evening to see Professor Scott walk over the river on a wire rope. The wind was rather strong and the rope slack, and the attempt consequently was an utter failure. New Plymouth, January 10. A bed of shelly limestone has been discovered near the coast six miles from New Plymouth. A singular geological feature is that it crops up through tufa, and is part of an older formation. It will be valuable for mixing with the pozzuolana of that locality for mixing with hydraulic cement. January 13. By a return of land sales during the year 1878, laid before the Land Board to-day, 38 acre 1 * of town lands and 16,970 acres rural lands have beeu sold in the Provincial District of Taranaki. The average price of town lands was £159 per acre; of rural, £2 2s; total value sold, including deferred payments, £42,718; cash received, £32,180. January 15. The valuation of the Borough of New Plymouth for the current year is £27,000, being an increase of £%OOO over that of last year.

Patea, January 11. The natives, acting under instructions from Parihika, have refused to allow gravel to be taken from the Waimate Plaius by the side of the Waiugongora River to repair the road. and Ivatene went to talk the matter over, and though the opposition of the natives was strong, and violent language was used gravel pits were opened and carting commenced. The opposition natives look upon this as literally taking away the land, and cifT-'ced stronger opposition than to the coolzaeuooment of the survey. As however, their prophet, Te Whiti, has promised that everything shall be resolved to them in March they°have concluded to let the gravel be taken in the meantime. Blenheim, January 13. A fatal accident has occurred at Havelock. Two natives were going to Pelorus in a cart, and were capsized into the river through the horse shying. One of the occup mts, known as ■“Job,” was killed on the spot; the other, Mrs. Byrams, is not expected to recover. MV J. Chaytor met with a serious accident *,t Tua Marina on Saturday. His horse set its foot in an old well, and threw the rider on his head, producing concussion of the brain. January 14. The incendiary fire which occurred im1876 is still attracting the attention of Government. IL\*~day the town is placarded with bills announcing a Government reward of £2OO on tho conviction of the person who set fire to those buildings in that year. The Insurance Associated Offices offer a reward of £250 ; Mr. P, Lawrence offers a reward of £IOO ; another settler offers a reward of £l5O, making in all a total of £7OO. There is a good deal of excitement in the town about these rewards, which it 13 hoped will have the desired effect. Nelson, January 11. At the Police Court this morning Theodore Wilsen and William Mercer, workmen employed at James’s furniture warehouse, were charged with stealing a lot of furniture. They li*ve together, and their house was found to be completely furnished with articles abstracted various times and in the boldest manner, they having, in the absence of their employer, driven the van to the door and removed goods to their house. They were remanded for a week. Two town, sections were sold to-day under gale for nou-pavment of rates, one for £2OO, and the other for £57. January 13. Stevens, the secretary of the New Zealand Rifle Association, accompanied by several local officers, visited the spot selected for the prize firing, and was highly pleased with it. Ranges can be secured if necessary to fifteen hundred yards. It is fine dry land, close to the Bridgewater railway station, twelve miles from Nelson, and with a telegraph wire passing through it. The river is close by for bathing. Stores and provisions of all kinds are obtainable in the immediate vicinity. The light is good, and it is in every way most suitable, and range firing will probably commence on the first Monday in March. Christchurch, January 10. At a meeting the municipal committee today it was resolved to recommend the present yard of the City Council for the new building, including town hall, &c. The site is on the river. Competitive designs will be called for m soon as the sanction of the Council is obtained. Consequent upon the death of Mr. J. Gilligan, the celebrated thoroughbred entires J&valin, Laertes, and Merlin, also the filly Lady of the Lake, will be sold by auction in Christchurch by J. T. Ford and Co. on Friday next. According to announcement, the conference re hospital and charitable aid, consisting of delegates from the municipalities, the County Councils, and Road Boards, took place at halfpast 10 o'clock this morniDg in the Provincial Council Chambers. There was altogether thirteen delegates present, viz., the Mayors of Christchurch, Sydenham, Lyttelton, Ashburton, Rangiora, and Kaiapoi, The Hon. John Hail and Dr Turnbull repi-esentmg Oannty Gouncil; Messrs. Craig and Saunders of the Ashburton County Council; Mr. Charters of the Sydenham Borough Council ; and Mr. Higgins, of the Ashley County Council. Mr. EL Thomson, chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, was also present, and after some discu-sion was induced to take the chair. The following resolution, moved by the Hon. John Hall and seconded by Dr. Turnbull, was agreed to unanimously : “ That this meeting recognises the great advantage of local management of hospitals and charitable institutions, but is of opinion that it cannot be efficiently provided for without legislative provision for the purpose.” The next resolution, by Mr. Hall, was lost, namely, “ That pending stick legislation,and as a temperary proceeding, this meeting recommends the boroughs and counties of north Canterbury to accept the management now offered to them by the Government if, upon further explanation, the Government proposals are found to be likely to be more satisfactory.” The following amendment, proposed by Mr. John Grigg, was carried hyneven votes to six, the chairman not voting, “ That, pending legislation by Parliament, it ia undesirable to undertake any temporary management of the hospital and charitable institutions as requested by the Colonial Secretary, and this meeting desires to express itg disapproval of the voluntary aid principle afi expressed in that letter.” The following resolution was then moved by the Mayor of Christchurch, but after some discussion was withdrawn :—“ That in the opinion of this meeting the Customs revenue, contributed equally by all classes of the community, is the mjmfc desirable source from which to take the necessary funds for the support of the hospital and charitable aid.” A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close. At the trial of reapers and binders Mr. Jno. Anderson, of this city, will exhibit one of the Koval Agricultural Society's first prize

agricultural locomotive engines. It is stated with reaper it will cut 30 acres a day with ease. In addition to the seven different sorts of reapers and binders to be tried on the 16th, an eighth has now arrived in the shape of the Edward Harvester, from Minnesota, U.S., but it has arrived too late for competition. During the last week 140 loaded wagons per day have been sent down tho line with a view of getting rid of the late block on the south line. ~ January 13. There is a great feeling of dissatisfaction at the new Court fees. To-day has been one of the hottest of this year. At noon tho thermometer registered 130 degrees in the sun aud SS degrees iu the shade. When placed upon a piece of white calico in the sun, about midday, the glass went up to 140 degrees. Two hundred of the Australian minahs, brought from Victoria by Mr. Butts a few days ago, were to-day liberated. Miss Amy Sherwin was a passenger by the Taupo this morning from Wellington. She cnves a concert here on I’uesday. Mrs. Walter Hill and Miss Hill (Miss L. May) were passengers by the same boat from Auckland, where they had been playing a long engagement under Mr. De Lias. They join the theatre here on its re-opening. A bowling match is to be played on Friday next between a Dunedin and Christchurch team, numbering sixteen each. The number of railway waggons on Thursday received from and despatched to Lyttelton was 388 and 32G respectively, and on Friday 354 and 320. Mr. Varley, the Evangelist is a great success. He appeared last night at the Theatre Royal, which was densely packed.. He spoke for an hour from the words, “ That I might preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” This evening he gives a lecture entitled “ Lamed for Life.” A common jury was occupied for several hours at the Supreme Court this morning hearing the case of Clark v. Hirst, which was an action brought to compel the defendant to fulfil a certain agreement into which he had entered for the purchase of Snead’s Hotel, Kaiapoi. The defence was that he had been entrapped iuto signing the agreement while in a state of intoxication. The jury found for the plaintiff on all the issues submitted. The land tax return officers are now very busily engaged all over the city and suburbs. January 14. After raining heavily for twenty-four hours it has just ceased. The rivers Rangitata aud Rakaia overflowed their banks, and washed away the railway ballast between North and South Rangitata, so that the traffic was interrupted in the middle of the day. The damage was, however, made good in the afternoon, and the Southern express reached . Christchurch to-night just half-an-hour late. The Rangiora people haye been in a state of great excitement to-day in reference to the case of a man named Bassing Thwarte. A short time ago he filed his schedule in bankruptcy, showing liabilities at £3006 and assets which would only pay a few shillings in the pound. Subsequently at a meeting of creditors he offered a small payment in the pound, which was refused. He informed his creditors that £2OOO had been stolen from him in or on his way to Dunedin, which he had in a pocket-book for the purchase of horses. He had dealt largely in cattle. Last night Detective Benjamin and a female searcher recovered £4OO in gold in a box in his house, aud a number of notes sewn in the quilting of Mrs. Bassing Thwarte’s petticoat ; in all £Bl2 ia recovered. Bassing Thwarte has been arrested on the information of Mr. Kerr, the creditors’ trustee, charged with wilfully withholding a true return of the real and personal estate. The case will be heard on Friday. A large crowd followed Sergeant Pratt and the prisoner to the lock-up. The Water Supply Committee having received a grant of £250 from the full Council, will commence their experiments at once. Designs are to be immediately called for the new municipal buildings. At the Supreme Court to-day the special jury case of Cleave v. King and another was commenced. Mr. Macassey, with Mr. Harper, were for the plaintiff, and Mr. Garrick, with Air. Holmes, for the defendant. The cause of action in this case was explained be Mr. Harper to be the sale by the defendants to the plaintiff of about 1500 weight of seeds, purporting to be purple top yellow turnip seed, which in point of fact was purple top white turnip seed. The plaintiff i 3 a nurseryman at Invercargill, and the defendants are wellknown grair. merchants in Christchurch. The consequence of the error in the species of seed sent was that the plaintiff suffered serious loss, inasmuch as he had to make compensation to farmers and others who purchased the seeds from him. The amount of damages was £2OOO. A large number of witnesses were examined, and the case was not closed when the Court rose. Seven witnesses have to be called for the defence.

Mr. Stout, Attorney-General, and Mr. Rees, of Napier, are engaged in the Napier Harbor Board case fixed for to-morrow.

To-night the Theatre Royal is crowded on the occasion of the re appearance of Miss Amy Sherwin, who in conjunction with the amateurs is playing the last act of “ Maritana,” and one act of “II Trovatore.” To-morrow night Mr. Graham takes his farewell benefit. On Thursday the opera of “Martha” will be repeated by the amateurs, Miss Amy Sherwin probably sustaining th e-fHlc role, and on Friday a grand concert in aid of the hospital funds will take place, for which the same lady has kindly given her services. The Southern express to-night was only a quarter of an hour late. The line is very little damaged, and can be repaired in a few hours. January 15.

The result of the last mafceh of the Canterbury Cricketers has been received with great rejoicings here, a 3 the East Melbourne Club is supposed to be the craok club of Victoria.

The rain yesterday came in st both the Supreme Court and the Resident Magistrate's Court. At the latter place counsel received permission to keep their hats on. The rain has now ceased, but it has come too late to do any good to the crop 3. In fact, in some parts of the district harvesting has already commenced. Timaru, January 14. At a meeting of ratepayers held to-night, for the purpose of considering the proposal of the Municipal Council to borrow £40,000 more in order to complete the waterworks scheme, the Mayor occupied the chair. The attendance was large. The Mayor made a long and able speech, giving the story of the waterworks scheme from its commencement. A few questions were put and answered, and a vote of thanks accorded to the Mayor for his address. A poll is to be taken on Thursday, the 23rd instant, whether the Council be empowered to borrow the additional money. It ia certain a large majority will be in favor of the proposal. Dunedin, January 11. The sale of the township laid out on Meolove’s Windsor Park estate, took place to-day. A good number of sections were sold, fair prices being realised. The Hon. W. J. Miller and S. E. Shrimski, M.H.R , will probably be appointed governors of the Waitaki High School. The single female passengers by the ship Oamaru were landed this morning, and conveyed to town by rail. The contract between Proudfoot and the South Dunediu Council for the extension of the tramway to the municipality, was signed last night. At the meeting of the City Council on Tuesday next, a motion will be brought forward affirming that ia future the heads of the various municipal departments shall submit annual reports. Mr. T. S. Clemishaw, engineer of the Christchurch Gas Works, in his report on the Dunedin works, attributes the majority of complaints as to the quality of the gas to the adoption of bad burners. He thinks that considerable care and management must have existed in regard to the works to have brought them to the state in which they now are. The returns of the Education Board for the quarter ending December 31, have just been compiled, and show that there were 135 schools opeD, employing 18s) male and 129 female teachers, besides several teachers of sewing. The number of children on the roll at the beginning of the quarter was 14,942, and at the end 16,078, composed of 8291 boys and 7787 girls. The average attendance for the quarter was 7046 boys, and 6445 girls, making a total of 13491. The most largely attended schools were those of Dunedin, Port Chalmers, and Oamaru grammar schools. January 13. The debate between Mr. Charles Bright and the Rev. Mr. Green on “ The Divine Origin of Christchurch” commences on the 21st of this month. The Diocesan Synod of the Roman Catholic Church will be opened on the 22nd. The foundation stone of the new cathedral will be laid on the 26th instant. Mr. De Lautour intends to address his constituents towards the close of the present month. A house owned by Mrs. Ridley, and occupied by Mr. Scott, situated in George-street, was burned down last night. The house and furniture were insured for £3OO. A lad named Arthur Stoneham narrowly escaped drowning at Pelichet Bay on Saturday evening last. He was seen to fall into the water by two gentlemen, who swam to his assistance and brought him safely to shore. The tenders for the Waimea Plains railway have been referred to the company’s engineer, and will be made known in the course of a few days. The Attorney General left here this morning for Christchurch ; he will return in about a week, probably accompanied by Mr. Macandrew. A number of the lads employed in a boot factory assaulted a Chinaman to-day while passing through Clark-street. They first throw dust over him, and then one of their number struck him in the mouth. The National Insurance Company is interested to the extent of £2OO, and the Union to the extent of £IOO, in the George-street fire. In the Police Court to-day Adam Gordon Seymour was proceeded against on two charges of embezzling money belonging to Hamilton, a Sydney bookseller; each information preferred against the accused was dismissed. January 14. The annual Synod of the Presbyteriau Church of Otago and Southland was opened this evening. The Rev. Dr. Copeland, Moderator, in his address referred to the fact that during the past year death had left them untouched. He then proceeded to say that it could not escape notice that infidelity was raising its unblushing front in a manner which gave uneviable prominence to this city. The common school and colleges, and the many influences afforded by the Press, and the powerful authority of legislation, were sought by many to be used in such a way as to quench the light of God’s word, and soften the voice of man’s conscience, and destroy God’s authority amongst men, and reduce the moral law to a state of chaos. He urged upon his hearers to be diligent in proclaiming the Gospel as an antidote to the evils of which he complained. The postal authorities are indignant at the fact of the City Corporation having valued the Dunedin Post Office, with a view to raising it. Explanations followed, and it transpired that the object of the Corporation was to impose a rate on the building in the event of its using the water supply. The estimated value of ratable property iu Dunedin for the year 1579 is £275,000. As showing the increased value of property, the following figures may be interesting. In 1874 the value was £158,534 ; iu 1875, £187,089 ; in 1876, £209,649 ; in 1577, £227,034 ; and in 1878, £249,693.

The immigrants by the Oamaru were engaged to day. Laborers obtained as high as £6O a-year. The Ringarooma, which su-rived from Melbourne yesterday, brings a splendid collection of Shorthorn cattle, purchased at Gardiner’s and Robottson’s sales, Colac, for Mr. Simpson, of Manawatu. One of the bulls is worth 1000 guineas, and another £1650. «, Mr. John M. Shaw, a member of the commission recently appointed to take in hand the revision of the Nee Zealand statutes, arrived in town by the Ringarooma to-day, and will proceed to Wellington to-morrow. A case of robbery from the person has occurred at the Taieri, and will be investigated in the Police Court to-morrow. The amount stolen is £l4O. A number of notices of motion were given at the meeting of the Synod to-night iu reference to the endowment question. Some are iu favor of endowing chairs of literature and rhetoric, and others of altering the laws so that the money may be voted for bursaries at the Otago University. January 15. A letter received from England states that the Prince of Walee intends to send his eldest son to the Australian naval station ; also, that the Priuce himself would be glad to visit Australia if asked by the colonists to do so. An arrest entitling two members of the police to some mark of credit was effected last night. A farmer from the up-country reported to Constable Gilbert at Mosgiel at five o’clock yesterday afternoon that he had been robbed of a purse containing £l2B, and giving a description of the suspected person. The authorities ia f;lie town were at once acquainted with the circumstances, and Detective Henderson was told off to inquire into the case. Several places of business in the city were visited in the course of half an hour, and it was found that a man answering to the description furnished by Constable Gilbert had changed a £SO note in one shop, after purchasing some minor articles. By the night train Constable Gilbert arrived in town, and then went out in company with Detective Henderson in search of their man, who was arrested an hour later. On his person was found £ll3 odd, and a-s goods purchased by him of the value of £lO 7d. 6d. were secured, all the money with the exception of £5 has been accounted for. The name of the thief is William Wallace. He was brought before the City Police Court this morning aud committed for trial. A telegram from PapaLui states that the continued delay in opening the Clutha-Clinton line is causing great inconvenience here. A large quantity of goods were ordered at Dunedin in anticipation of the opening of the line on the 7th. The goods are still in town, and buyers are at their wit’s end. Wool and other produce were kept here for weeks, and nowhave to be forwarded to Invercargill and the Bluff. The principal business at the Land Board to-day had reference to the runs. The Chairman asked the Board to consider as to the mode of dealing with runs the leasee of which expire in 1889, in terms of section 114 of the Lands Act of 1879. The following were the decisions arrived at :—No. 98, Teschemaker, the whole lands are required for sale as rural lands ; No. 99, Dr. Webster, a similar decision ; No. 418, Campbell, to be re-let for ten years at an upset price of £6O per annum ; No. 424, McLellan, to be re-let in two portions for ten years at £l2O per annum; No. 425 a, Cargill Anderson, 1300 acres to be added to No. 42b ; No. 425 b, J. and A. Clarke, to be re-let for ten years at £IOO per annum; No. 426, A. M. (Jlark, to be re-let for ten years at £SO per annum ; No. 437, A. M. Clark, to be re-let for ten years at £4O per annum; No. 428, A M. Chirk, to be re-let for ten years at £7O per annum; No. 429 a, J. O. Hill, to be re-let in two portions for ten years—24,ooo acres at £l2O per annum ; 1550 acres at £9O per annum ; No. 429 b, Campbell, to lie re-let for 10 years at £6O per annum; No. 430 a, W. Fraser, to be re-let for 10 years at £6O per annum; No. 430 b, H. Campbell, to be re-let for 10 years at £35 per aunum; No. 431, Campbell, to be relet for 10 years at £SO per annum; No. 433, Fraser, to be re-let for 10 years at £55 per annuo; No. 437, Strode and Fraser, to be re-let for 10 years at £6 > per aunum; No. 416, Campbell, to be re-let for 10 years at £l3O per annum; No. 423 a, D. A. Cameron, to be re-let for 10 years at £SO per annum; No. 423 b, Jas. Gall, to be re-let for ten years at £SO per annum; No. 436, Joseph Clarke, to be re-let for 10 years iu two portions—34 500 acres at £IBO per annum, 23 500 at £l5O per annum. The Victorian Company had a risk of £3OO on the barque Schiehallion, wrecked on the voyage from Auckland to London. From a report read at the Synod to-night it appeared that the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland have 91 schools, 6891 scholars, and 664 teachers ; 106 of the teachers are not Church members. Also, 9745 volumes in the libraries. Invero are ill, January 10. After what occurred yesterday, the Waikaia lock-up should lie doomed. It is notoriously insecure. A drunken man was confined in it. and not liking his quart- rs deliberately broke through the roof and escaped. At the meeting of the Education Board today regretful allusion was made to the death of Sir John Richardson. A resolution was passed by the - Board which desires to record their sorrow at the death of Sir John Richardson, and express their deep sense of his untiring zeal and energy in discharging his duties as a member of the board, aud in the case of education generally, for the many services rendered by him in his long career of usefulness as a pub ic man. The chairman said that he had taken the necessary action re electing the new school committee on the 4th Thursday in January. The election of two governors for the high school resulted in the re-elec-tion of Mr. Harvey, and the election of Mr. Macdonald vice J. C. Cuthbert, resigned. Tho poll of burgesses in Invercargill was taken to-day to test the opinion upon borrow-

in" £IO,OOO f >r Witter works, and resulted in a majority of 48 in favor of the proposal. January 11. A somewhat alarming 1 accident occurred here this af.eruoon. Mr. J. McDonald, Crown Prosecutor, was being driven by a man named Hughes, iu a buggy and pair, when the horse bolted, and, making a sharp turn in TayBtroet, the vehicle upset and the two occupants were thrown out. .Neither was hurt, but the machine was all smashed, and the escape was a narrow one. Janrary 13. At the Resident Magistra'e’s Court to-day William Robinson, aged 19, was charged with forging a cheque for six poinds five iu the name of Walter Brown, blacksmith, i i whose employment he had been. The cheque had been presented and paid by the Bank of New Zealand. The signature was proved to be a forgery, and in the prisoner 3 hand writing. He was rem aided till 'J hursday for the hearing of l.he second charge. The prisoner was arrested on the Ist inst. A woman named McShane was committed to prison lor six weeks for keeping a house of ill fame. , ... The Times this morning closely criticises Mr. Stout’s speech, and condemns the evident intention of the speaker to unduly foster a certain class. Invercargill, Wednesday. The polling for the Mataura election has resulted as follows so far: Waipul, Shanks, 124 ; Kinross, 174. Campbell Town, Shanks, 114 ; Kinross, 13. Gore, Shanks, 40 ; Kinross, 12. Mataura, Shauks, 43 ; Kinross, 3. Woodlands, Shanks, 35 ; Kimoss. 13. Koslyn Bush, Shanks, 0 ; Kinross, 31. Wyndham, Shanks, 52 ; Kinross, 3. Total, Shanks, 288 ; Kinross, 249. The Fortrose return is n>t yet to hand, and is sure to increase Shanks’ maThe educational statistics of Southland district for the quarter ending the 31st of December are as follows : Attendance at the beginning of the quarter, 2790 ; at the end of the quarter, 3976 ; aver.ge nnmber on the roll, 2900 ; strict average, 2465 ; working average, 2507. . . . The polling of the Mataura election is proceeding. Both parties are working hard. Ihe result is doubtful.