TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 785, 18 March 1887, Page 26

TELEGRAPHIC.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, March 10. Mr Oddie, President of the Ballarat Society of Arts, has purchased three pictures in the Canterbury Art Society’s Exhibition oue by Gibb, price £l2 12s; Peele’s “ Hokitika Bar,” for £ll 10s ; and Wilson’s “ Preservation Inlet,” for £SO. Auckland, March 10. The Hon Mr Ballance returned from the Waitangi meeting this morning, and, after receiving several important deputations, left at 1 p.m. for Wellington. Mr Lake, M.H.R. for Waipa, will not seek re-election, owing to private engagements. Mr Samuel Vaile is now stumping the district with his railway reform scheme. John Henry Stubbs, charged with setting fire to his house at the North Shore, was brought up to-day and discharged. The Bench praised the police for their action, which saved the house being destroyed, and said the insane conduct of accused at the time fully justified the police in arresting him. The Hawea left for the South with the San Francisco mail at 10 o’clock. Great indignation has been caused among persons interested in the timber trade by the discovery that the specifications for the Customhouse provide for outer doors and sashes of Baltic pine. The Russell regatta was a great success, over 2000 people being present. Dunedin, March 10.

William Watkins, aged 20, died from eating mushrooms, and his companion is also suffering from the same cause. Wanganui, March 11. A storekeeper at Moawbanga, named Louis Lawton, was to-day fiued £2O and costs £4 9s, for selling liquor without a license. Auckland, March 11. Arrangements have been made to give the Auckland representatives l-eturning from the New Zealand Rifle Association meeting an enthusiastic welcome. A meeting of persons interested in the timber trade, re the decision of the architects of the new Customhouse to use Baltic timber for the front, side doors, and window sashes, was held to-day. It was said that kauri was suitable, if properly seasoned. A deputation was appointed' to wait upon the architects to explain the matter, and induce them to reconsider their decision. The Industries Association have appointed Mr John Brame lecturer for the district, to act as soon as the £2OO guarantee fund is raised. £l3O has already been promised. The members of the Assembly for Auckland North and Newton to-day addressed the following telegram to the Minister for Public Works : —“ Considerable indignation here at architect stipulating Baltic pine for doors and sashes in new Customhouse. Auckland timber known to be suitable. Can you assist? T. 'lhompson, T. Peacock.” On account of some alleged breach of the Volunteer regulations in regard to recent promotions, the Ponßonby Rifles have resigned en masse by way of protest to the Government. Hokitika, March 11. Great dissatisfaction is expressed at the importation of kauri timber from the North Island for the Arahura bridge, when black and silver pine and rimu (superior timber) is procurable locally at a lower price. Ihe officials of the Public Works Department are blamed. Auckland, March 12. Messrs Peacock and Thompson, M.H.R. s, have received the following reply from the Minister of Public Works, re the protest about the use of Baltic timber in the doors and window sashes of the hew customhouse : —“ln reply re customhouse: Specification made by private architect, and we interfere with as little as possible, as dual control never worliß well, and it was desirable that the architect should feel himself entirely responsible, which he would not do if we chopped and changed at his desire. Will not interfere now in any case while tenders are pending. I was not aware foreign timber was specified, but will consult the architect on the matter before finally settling the contract.— Edward Richardson.” As a result of the recent interview with Mr Ballance on the sugar-beet question, it is probable further efforts will be made to establish the industry in the Waikato. The railway employes annual picnic wa3 held to-day. It was largely attended, and an excellent series of sports was held. In the Police Court, C. Davidson, Alex. McPherson, and George, were charged at the instance of Captain Ross, of the brigantine Myrtle, with impeding the progress of the voyage of the vessel at Lyttelton on the 2nd instant. The men had refused to finish loading the vessel after 6 p.m. Mr Laishley, in defence, submitted there was no contention that danger to the ship and cargo was occasioned ; also, that no Gazette was handed in, and no proof that the Myrtle was a British ship. The Bench dismissed the action on the technical points raised, and allowed £3 3s costs. Dunedin, March 12. The Invincible Company at the head of the lake have crushed 1670 z of retorted gold from 280 tons. The Governor, assisted by Miss Burns, will unveil the Burns’ statue a week hence. March 13. At the invitation of Jatnes Macdonald, proprietor, a large party visited Walton Park yesterday to witness the starting of machinery for the manufacture of Portland cement. Specimens of concrete made from the cement were tested in various ways, and found to be quite equal to any imported. March 15. The dull times have forced the Young Men’s Christian Association to retrench in the matter of salaries, and the general

secretary, the Rev W. J. White, has sent in his resignation, which has been received with regret. Christchurch, March 14. At, a meeting of draught players held here to night, it was decided to play a match with Otago in Dunedin on April 9th. Blenheim, March 14.

The Borough School Committee have recommended Miss Morgan, mistress of the Wellington Training College, to the Education Board for appointment as head mispress of the Blenheim Girls’ High School. West Tort, March 14. The town was lit with gas on Saturday. The works proved first class. Dunedin, March 14. A successful t ial on a limited scale has been made of an automatic street lighter. AUCKLAND, March 14.

A deputation from the Builders’ Association waited on Mr Mahoney (architect for the new Customhouse) to-day, re the specification of Baltic timber for doors and sashes. Mr Mahoney offered to make an alteration to kauri on condition that the builders accepted the responsibility of shrinkage. Timaru, March 14. A distillation case. Customs v. Matthews and Bills, is proceeding here. Possession of a still-head in the loft of the house, of the still itself in the stable, and the presence of tools, casks, whiskey, &c., on a spot some half-mile from the bouse, and connected with it by a dray track, were all proved. Auckland, March 15. At a meeting of the Hospital Board tonight a resolution was carried declining to lease land to the University College Council for the purpose of erecting dissecting rooms near the Hospital. At a meeting of the Uuiversitv College Council, Sir G. M. O’Rorke '(chairman) intimated that he would probably call the Council together about the end of the month, to consider the matter of abandoning the medical school if, in the meantime, no favorable answer was received from Glasgow or Edinburgh. The Independent Order of Oddfellows, American constitution, opened their session to-day under Grand Master Williams. Timaru, March 15. The case Innes v Moore, a claim of £9, the cost of two hogsheads of beer delivered, in which Mr Moore refused payment beoause the casks were seized by the Customs direotlv after delivery, came before the R.M. to-day. The evidence was all heard last week, and the legal argument is now being taken. Greymouth, March 15. James Kerr, late Chairman of the Harbor Board, who resigned, and was re-appointed along with Mr Kennedy, was re-elected Chairman of the Board. The average depth of water on the bar last month was 16ft.