TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4121, 5 June 1874, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[PKESS TELEGRAM! AGENCY.] Auckland, Thursday. The Clio, from New Caledonia, reports that. Bateman, formerly of Auckland, has been convicted of shooting a French officer caught embracing his wife, and has been sentenced to ten years' seclusion. Business on the island is active. Various gold discoveries are reported, but the ground has not yet proved payable. Prospectors are out in every direction. 'Nam En, Thursday. Mr. Ormond made 'a financial statement; in the Council to-day. The actual revenue for the year ending June 30 will amount to about £8(>,000. The balanco at the Bank on the Ist of May was £53,221. On the 30th June, after paying all claims, there will be an available balance of £34,334. The proposed expenditure on roads, bridges, and public works is £50,160. The report of the Inspector of Sheep shows

that there are 1,025,25(5 sheep in the Province —a very large increase on previous years. 70,000 bushels of grass seed have been sown. The Inspector points out the bad results of sowing grass seed exclusively, and suggests the substitution of cocksfoot, timothy, and tetane. Cii msTCHI'RCH, Thursday. A meeting of Good Templars last night resolved that it was desirable a Grand Lodge for the Middle Island of New Zealand should be established j and that the various lodges should be consulted whether Christehurch or Dunedin the best place for the Grand Lodge. At a meeting of persons favorable to the establishment of a Colonial Bank, held this afternoon, a very influential working committee was appointed to promote the undertalcing. There has been issued the prospectus of a company established to publish a new triweekly paper, to bo called The Guardian. The proposed capital is £SOOO. 8 p.m. The debate ou the Executive Council Amendment Ordinance was resinned by Mr. Kennaway, who opposed. Mr. W. B. Tosswill is now speaking in support of the Ordinance. The debate is expected to be a long' one. Dunedin, Thursday. It is rumored that Judge Johnston will take charge of the Otago Judicial District after the close of the sittings of the Supreme Court. In the Council last night, after explanations from Messrs. Keid and Turabull, the Speaker, Mr. Gillies, withdrew his resignation, and a motion was carried supporting him in his determination.