TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 691, 29 May 1885, Page 20

TELEGRAPHIC.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, May 21. The Auckland Raciog Club have accepted the design of Messrs Grainger and Debro, architects, of Melbourne, for a grand stand, at a cost of £6OOO. Colonel Whitmore held a conference to-day with the Auckland Volunteer officers, at which forty were present. He said Government had determined to disband any coips which did not do its duty. News from Samoa by the Fleetwing states that King Malietc-a has declared war against the rebel chief Temsese, and intends to make an attack on the latter at Fort Albatross. Mr Churchward has been appointed consul. Messrs D. H. McKenzie and Co., of Auckland, ate establishing large premises at Samoa. New Plymouth, May 21. The following is the corrected list of risks held by the various insurance companies on buildings and stocks damaged and destroyed in the Devon-street fire on Monday last : New Zealand, £l‘soo ; South Biiiish, £959 ; Colonial, £BOO ; Union, £550 ; London and Lancashire, £BOO ; Standard, £1750 ; Northern, £875 ; National, £llOO ; Norwich, £I7OO ; Hamburg, £IBSO ; Victoria, £SOO ; United, £250 ; Fire Asoociation, £IOOO ; Mercantile Association, £1055 ; total, £14,580. The above are the toial amounts, but allowance ior goods saved will have to be deducted, Mr Samuel, M.H.R., addressed his constituents on Tuesday night, and received a vote of thanks. Dunedin, May 21. Mr David White, M.A., has received the appointment of Principal of the training department of the Normal School. Alexander Spiers, a steerage passenger by the Kaikoura, recovered £IOO damages against the New Zealand Shipping Company for injuries received by the falling on him of the steerage ladder, which it was alleged was not properly secured. The claim was £2OO. A motion was carried at the Education Board to-day that, in future, the minimum allowance of space be 200 cubic feet for each child. The salaiy of the Oamaru District teachers were fixed as under the regulations for District High Schools. Invercargill, May 21. At a well-attended meeting at the Bluff last night it was agreed to ask the Government to make a survey of the proposed canal between the Port and the Toi-Tois district, and in the meantime to withhold from sale all the waste lands in the vicinity of the £>robable route of the canal. It is estimated that the work would cost about £17,000, and the advocates of the scheme contend that it would be of great benefit to settlers by providing them with means of speedy communication with the Bluff Harbor.

Timaru, May 21. Mr James Scott, late head master of the Timaru Public Schools, waa this afternoon presented with a purse of about 100 sovereigns, and a clock, the former by the people, and the latter by the Timaru Debating Society. About 60 persons were present. Universal regret was expressed at his leaving Timaru for the Old Country. Ashburton, May 21. Mr Greig, member for Wakanui, addressed his constituents to-nigbt, and received a vote of confidence. He intimated his desire to resign if a suitable agricultural representative would come forward. Christchurch, May 21. The third annual meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held to-night, and was very successful. The Mg,yor (Mr C. P. Huibert) presided, and a number of prizes were presented to juveniles for essays on subjects of interest to the Society. The road between Christchurch and Sumner was blocked to-day by a landslip which took place the previous night. A large mass of rock, about forty tons, fell from an overhanging cliff on to the road about 3 a.m., and completely obstructed traffic on the road. A number of men are employed clearing away the debris. - Greymouth, May 21. The river is in very high flood, and there will be no departures to-day owing to the strong current. The Chairman of the Harbor Board will move at next meeting, “ That tenders be called for the construction of the North breakwater and training wall, and that they be advertised for at Wellington, Dunedin, and Greymouth.’’ It is estimated that the contract will amount to between £40,000 and £50,000. This is certain to be carried. There will also be locomotive rolling stock, &c. t purchased in connection with the harbor works. There has been and still is some difficulty with the unemployed. Auckland, May 22. Professor Tucker, of Auckland University, has been offered the Professorship of Classics at Melbourne University. The city expenditure for the ensuing twelve months is estimated at £76,991. A deputation of persons opposed to the Contagious Diseases Act waited on the City Council yesternight, requesting that a poll of the citizens be taken regarding the operation of the Act. Superintendent Thomson reported that the Act had worked beneficially in several respects, and it was decided Dot to comply with the request of the deputation. Dunedin, May 22. Mr Beattie, superintendent of the Hiilside Workshops, has been promoted to be locomotive superintendent on the Foxton - New Plymouth Railway. At the City Police Court, Lawrence White, who was concerned in the Nenthorne manslaughter, was sentenced to a fortnight’s bread and water for a breach of the prison regulations. Dunedin, May 22. The cook of the Arawa, who was suffering from small-pox on the voyage out, has been admitted to pratique. Nelson, May 24. The rains of the past few days have caused some heavy slips on the Buffer coach-road, also on the Marlborough coacb-road. Dunedin, May 24. Several hundred people assembled at the railway station to bid good-bye to Mr Booth, temperance lecturer. A man named Andrew Lockhart was brought up charged with passing a valueless oheque at Rakaia, and remanded. An unoccupied six-roomed house at Roslyn, the property of Mr William Fairbairn, waß burnt down last night. It was insured in the London and Lancashire office for £2OO. Auckland, May 23. The returns of the Board of Education teaching staff show that teaching is falling largely into the hands of females. There are only 14 male pupil teachers, while there are 173 female pupil teachers. Strong remarks were made at the Board as to excessive drinking among teachers. Ac the Oriental fair, opened in aid of the building fund of the new St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Sir Maurice O’Rorke delivered an inaugural address. There was a large attendance. William Bibby has been committed for trial for breaking and entering. Wanganui, May 23. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce waited upon the Hon. Mr Ballance on Thursday re the railway tariff and river improvements. He promised to inquire into the former. Regarding the latter, he said a party would be placed on the river in three weeks to clear out the snags, as the Central Railway material will be sent by river. Yesteiday a deputation from the Small Farm Association waited on the Minister to endeavor to get the average of the acreage for allotments increased. Mr Ballance refused to increase the average. Christchurch, May 23. Shortly after 2 o’clock this morning a fire broke out in a cheffonier in the dining-room of the White Hart Hotel, but the night porter fortunately extinguished it before it get a good hold. The origin of the fire is unknown. Blenheim, May 24. A case under the Licensing Act came before the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning on an information by the police against a publican for selling liquor at the Druids' ball in the Oddfellows’ Hall, such place not being a place of public amusement within the meaning of the 36th section of the Licensing Act. The publican held a conditional license granted by the Licensing Committee to sell at the ball, but it was contended by the pelice that the Committee had no power to grant it, as admission was by ticket, and the Druids had power to exclude the public;. Mr Allen, R.M., said the point was a very doubtful one, but he dismissed the information, recommending the police to have such an important matter tested by writ of prohibition m the Supreme Court. Christchurch, May 26. A boy nine years old, son of Mr Thomas Carter, assistant pilot at Lyttelton, died suddenly to-day. He was a strong healthy little fellow, and had been unwell for two or three days, when, to-day, from no apparent cause, tetanus eet in, and he died in a few hours. Mr Donaldson, chief gaoler at Addington, complained in the Resident Magistrate’s Court of the difficulties the gaol authorities had in

dealing with persons who were committed to gaol when suffering from lunacy from drink He said that he had at present five such cases, in which the men concerned were raving mad, and in fact the gaol was tiansformed into a regular Bedlam. The enforcement of proper discipline with the present staff was almost prevented. Mr Beetham, R.M., advised Mr Donaldson to telegraph to Government for more assistance.

The Directors of the Southern Cross Petroleum Company have received intelligence that the depth of the No. 4 bore on Friday last was 240 ft. The same favorable indications continued, and everything was progressing satisfactorily. The Acclimatisation Society have fixed the season for trout fishing in North Canterbury from October 1 to March 31, They have also decided to communicate with kindred societies throughout the Colony, asking them to assist in endeavoring to obtain a Government grant towards sending Home for another supply of salmon ova next season. Dunedin, May 26. The weather took a sudden change yesterday, the ram coming down in torrents in the early evening. To-day has been showery and intensely cold. There were two inquests yestsrday. The first’was on the body of Richard Pope, who was killed by a fall of stone from the new building of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, on which deceased was working. The verdict was accidental death. The second was on the body of Frederick Alexander, 12 years of age, who died in the Industrial School. The verdict was that the boy died from syncope, the effect of croup upon a feeble heart. Invercargill, May 29.

A meeting of policyholders in the Government Insurance Association was held last evening to consider the proposal to establish local Boards in Christchurch, Auckland and Dunedin. The following resolution was submitted : —That this meeting is of opinion that the business of the Government Insurance Association can best be administered by one Central Board, both on the score of efficiency and economy, besides securing uniformity of administration. It therefore disapproves of the proposal to establish local Boards of Directors, as being mischievous, extravagant, and unnecessary. It was objected that the motion was too sweeping in its terms, and ultimately it was withdrawn in favor of the following, which was carried unanimously :—That in the opinion of this meeting the proposal of the Central Board to create local Boards in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin is premature; and, further, that before local Boards are established a vote of the policyholders should be taken on the subject. During the discussion it was stated that the meeting had been called out of no spirit of antagonism to the Central Board, but merely to elict the views of members on the matter, regarding which there appeared to be great diversity of opinion. Greymouth, May 26.

Madame Rita and Mr Radcliffe opened last night. The weather was had, and against the attendance, but the performance was unanimously pronounced one of the very best ever seen here.

John E. Warner, a well-known solicitor, died this morning, after a long illness. Blenheim, May 26. Tbe Queen’s Birthday was celebrated here by a parade of Volunteers and a grand ball given by the Blenheim Rifles. During the ball, John Tucker Robinson, who has been captain of the company for 15 years, was presented with a valuable marble clock, subscribed for by the officers and men. Hokitika, May 26.

Mr John Bevan, M.H.R., has just concluded a series of most enthusiastic pre-sessional addresses throughout the district, large meetings having been held at Ross, Rimu, Woodstock, Kaneiri, and Hokitika. On each occasion he received unanimous votes of thanks and confidence. He eulogised the actions of each individual member of the Ministry, and the policy now being pursued in advancing the best interests of the Colony, aud looked forward at no distant date to a season of prosperity arising out of the able and intelligent administration of public affairs by the present Government. He referred at great length to the important Colonial questions of federation, defences, expansion of trade, mail services, financial operations, and other matters of local interest. Auckland, May 26. Among the passengers by the City of Sydney for England are the Hon James Williamson and Mr D. L. Murdoch, General Manager of the Bank of New Zealand. The Lumpers’ Union has declined the proposals of the Mercantile Marine Association as to working with non-unionists. Mr Waterhouse Nicholson, aged 20, son of the late Dr Nicholson, was accidentally shot last night at the Mount Eden railway station while holding his comrade’s gun. They had been out shooting together, and his comrade was getting luggage out of the train at the time of the accident. The jury’s verdict at the mquesfc was accidental death. The gun was a pin fire cartridge gun. Mr Robert Graham, formerly Superintendent of the R.ovince of Auckland, and a colonist since 1842, died this morning of pleurisy and bronchitis. He had been ailing a fortnight. Napier, May 26. An infant child of Mr Cotterell, tailor, met its death by the accidental spilling of some carbolic acid on its body while being bathed. A verdict of accidental death was returned. At the Petane racecourse yesterday a horse harnessed to a cart bolted into the crowd near the stand, aud injured several people severely, but no fatal endings are recorded. Marton, May 26. The working men ore greatly dissatisfied with the conduct of Mr Johnbton, the contractor for the Porewa section of the Central Railway. They burnt him in effigy on Saturday night, about 400 people being present. New Plymouth, May 26. The settlers on the West Coast have requested Major Atkinson to call a meeting to discuss the aspect of affairs in the district. Inspector Pardy has returned from the West Coast. He says the settlers had grounds for alarm, but he has quieted their apprehensions, and has made arrangements for arresting the first man who commits any depredation or attemps to annoy the settlers. In hia house to house visit he sajs the settlers appeared to be doing well, and they assured him that if only freed from the anxiety the Natives have caused them, they would consider their lines had fallen iu pleasant places. The opinion is

gaining ground that if the A.C.’s in the district were replaced by a Civil Police Force, the Natives would cease to be troublesome. Dunedin, May 25. The weather is beautiful for the holiday. George Tucker has committed suicide at Arrow by cutting his throat with a razor. St. Joseph’s Cathedral is to be opened in February. Archbishop Moran and several Bishops are likely to be present. By a stack fire at Kyeburn, which destroyed 4400 bushels of wheat, the New Zealand Insurance Office lose £290. The Volunteer parade and sham fight was a great success. The town in the morning having quite a military appearance. The total iurn-out was 650 of all arms. After some drill, a review took place, and then the force was marched out, when a sham fight took place. The football match between a team from In»ercargill and the Pirates Club resulted in a drawn game. Christchurch, May 25. The recent bazaar in aid of the Catholic Convent Building Fund realised £1094 net. The turn out of the Canterbury Volunteers held here to-day was a great success. Seven hundred and four officers and men were on parade, including the Honorary Reserves Corps of seventy-four men, who were paraded apart from the main body. The companies from Temuka, Timaru aud Ashburton took part in the demonstration, which was held on New Brighton beach. The mounted infantry, organised during the past few weeks by Major Slater, turned out for the first time, and acquitted themselves very creditably. The colors which were presented to the Canterbury Volunteers by the ladies of the province in 1864, and which have not seen the light for several years past, were carried by a color party. Taubanga, May 25. Mr Kelly demanded a scrutiny, upon tk* grounds that the Maori voters had personated others not present. The scrutiny was gone through to day, and resulted in three informal votes being struck off, leaving a majority for Mr Sheehan of twelve, instead of fifteen.. The Returning Officer will declare the poll on Thursday. Professor Rice, mind-reader, had a crowded house on Saturday, and appears again to-night in the new theatre on the Strand. * Oamabu, May 25. The first regatta held at this port took place to-day, and waß very successful. There were good entries, and the competition in many instances was keen. The Timaru Club’s boat won the piincipal pulling race. The ether events were confined to local crews. V. ; . Nelson, May 25. To-day has been observed as a general holiday, and tbe weather has been glorious. In the morning the artillery fired a RojaL salute in honor of Her Majesty, and later a review of the Volunteers of the district waa held by Lieut.-Colonel Pitt. The review was followed by a sham fight, which took place on a portion of the town and over the port hills. It was witnessed by a great crowd of people. “ Old Ben Crisp,” as usual, organised a, children’s treat in which a thousand took part, and in the afternoon there was a football match between the Wellington (Poneke) Club v. the Nelson Prince Alberts. It attracted a great crowd. The visitors won by two goals to nothing, after a very hard game, their success being due to their admirable passing. Auckland, May 25. At the Volunteer review to-day 500 Volunteers were present, Sir G. Whitmore being reviewing officer. ; The first meeting of the Auckland Coursing Club took place to-day, when 800 persona were present.