TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1403, 19 January 1899, Page 22

TELEGRAPHIC.

Dunedin, January 11. The Finance Committee of the Harbour Board has recommended a reduction of the export dues on frozen mutton and lamb from l£d to Id, and that the Wellington Board's system of collecting dues be adopted. Dunedin, January 16. Otago will be represented at the Catholic Synod by Bishop Verdon, Father Murphy (the Bishop's Theologian), and Dean fJurKe, of i tivercargill. The complete moa's egg found last month in tho well-hole of a dredge on the Molyneux has been purchased to be add< j d to the late Huron Rothschild's worldrenowned collection. It is understood, however, that the Government is ondea\ouring to secure the detention of the egg in tho colony. Dunedin, January 17. Heavy rain took place yesterday, causing a flood in the Water of Leith, but no porious damage was done. In North-east Valley there was about a fool of water on tho ina.in road, and many gardens and several houses had some inches of water in them, which was disheartening, as the householders were getting their places in order after the recent hailstorm. The Taieri river is not in flood yet, but the Silvei stream has overflowed, and it is feared that it has caused serious damage to tho crops on the plain near Mosgiel and towards North-West Taieri. Auckland, January 11. A protest has been made to the Exhibition Executive Committee against the " desecration of the Sabbath by the visiting teams in the military tournament being taken for a trip round tho harbour on Sunday last." Auckland, January 12. The Harbour Board has received & cable from Mr Brigham, secretary of the Board, who is now in London, re the Calliope Dock, as follows :—"Have arranged with the Admiralty for a subsidy of «£4244 per annum for 30 years, sinking fund on .£32,000." It is stated that certain members of the City Council and also the Mayor have received anonymous letters couched in threatening terms warning them of divers pains and penalities if they vote for certain resolutions and proposed measures of municipal reform. The " proposed measures of municipal reform " referred to are no doubt those included in a notice of motion which the Mayor intends to bring forward at next meeting. It is to the following effect: — "That considering the state of the Corporation finances and the necessity for retrenchment, a special committee be appointed to investigate and report on the* expenditure connected with all departments under the control of the Council,, with a view to showing where reductions! can be made, so that the expenditure shall not exceed the income." The City Council to-night appointed a committee to examine the finances of the Corporation with a view to bringing the expenditure within the income. Auckland, January 16. The General Synod of the Catholic Church—the first held in New Zealand—to be opened at Wellington on the 21st instant will be presided over by Archbishop Redwood. Bishop Lcnahan, Dean O'Reilly (the Bishop's nominee), Dr Egan and tho Rev Messrs Lightheart and Gielan leave by the Mokoia to-morrow to attend the {synod. Important questions affecting the Catholic Church in this colony will be discussed. A prospector who has been at work for some time past near Taupo is reported to have made a discovery of great importance, namely, that alluvial gold deposits exist in that locality. On Saturday the Maoris interested in a large block of land near Taupo held a meeting to discuss the matter. Mr McKay, the Government geologist, wished to inspect the alleged find, but the matter was referred to Te Heuheu Tukino, a well-known chief, and he vetoed any further exploration at present. This isto be regretted, as the prospector — an old West Coaster—wished the Govern* ment expert to examine his find,

Christchtjrch, January 16. The following are the officers of the Primitive Methodist Conference now j sitting here: —President, the Rev P. W. Jones; vice-president. Mr J. Taylor; secretary, the Rev J. Sharp. I The following is the first draft of stations :—New Plymouth, the Rev J. Olphert: Wellington 1., the Rev G. H. Mann; Wellington 11., Revs J. Dawson and R. Hall; Auckland 1., the Rev W. Laycock and ,the Rev H. Williams; Auckland 11., the Rev J. Sharp; Invercargill, the Rev C. B. Ward: Timaru, the Rev R. Itaine; Thames, the Rev E. Drake; Greendale, the Rev J. Ciover; Christchuch, the Rev T. H. Lyon; Ashburton, the Rev W. S. Potter; Peilding, the Rev P. W. Jones; Geraldine, the Rev J. Nixon; Dunediri, the Revs J. Guy and P. Cossura; Foxton, the Rev W. Woollass: Halcombe, the Rev S. Henderson; Invercargill. the Rev T. A. Pybus; Stratford and Eltham, the Revs G. Clement and B. Dudley; Waimate, the Rev J. W. Heywood"; Westport, the Rev W. Harris f Hunterville, the Rev G. P. Hunt; Inglewood, one to be obtained; Bluff, the Rev F. W. Boys; Waihi, too Rev S. Barnett; Wanganui, the Rev J. Cocker.

To-day the Revs R. Hall, T. A. Pybus and P. Cossum, on the examiner's report, were passed in the second year. ChristcAurch, January 17. The Primitive Methodist Conference resumed its sittings to-day. The Sunday schools report showed that connected with the church thero were 68 schools, 654 teachers and 4770 scholars. There were also 3273 juvenile abstainers. The receipts for the year had amounted to £913 and the expenditure to £768. The Home Missions' report showed an income of £2Bl, in addition to £IOO raised for the Wanganui mission. A motion was carried making it imperative to use unfermented wine only at the Lord's Supper. It was decided also, by 26 votes to 11, that total abstinence from intoxicating liquor should be a condition of church membership. At the office of the Official Assigneo to-day, Charles A. W. Bailey made a statement before the Assignee as to his connection with the yacht Laurel, and a recently-won £IOO prize. The statement in the newspapers that the bankrupt was the owner of the yacht was, he said, untrue. He sailed the yacht without remuneration, either directly or indirectly. He had no monetary interest in the yacht or its winnings. Wanganui, January 17.

A peculiar accident happened to two Maoris while rid-nsr sime distance from Wanganui. One of bad strapped to the pommel of bis saddle 101 b of blasting powder, which exploded from a spark from his pipe or from friction. Both the horses were killed and the riders considerably burned and shaken.