TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4134, 20 June 1874, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[PItESS TELEGRAPH AGENCY.] Maketu, Friday. The Government Land Purchase Commissioners in the Bay of Plenty district, Messrs, Davis and Mitchell, have this day completed negotiations for the purchase of the Puhi Block, near Maketu, containing an area of thirty thousand acres of tho choicest arable’land on this coast. Nelson, Friday. The Governor’s yacht Blanche ran for shelter yesterday to Astrolabe, where she was seen this morning, Lyttelton, Frid.y. Tho Northampton’s immigrants are still in quarantine, and no particulars arc to hand from tho station. Pout Chalmers, Friday. The ship Himalaya, while being towed to sea last night, was caught in the north-east gale, and shipped her tow-line and dropped her anchor, but the chain parted, and she drove on to tho sand-bank, where she lies in a comfortable position, unhurt. Auckland, Friday. The Kenilworth lias arrived from the South Sea Islands, bringing Samoan passengers, who report that the first intelligence of the gold discovex-y in Samoa was conveyed to the residents there by the Now Zealand papers two months ago. They did not even know that Consul Williams took specimens from the islands. Thox-e is no truth whatever in the alleged discovery. Napier, Friday.

The case of Galbraith v. Harding, an action for damages for breach of contract for the sale and delivery of sheep, which was heard at the previous sitting of the Court here, resulted again in a verdict for the plaintiff, but with less damages than at the former trial. The whole case turned on the definition of fullmouthed and broken-mouthed sheep. A verdict of ton iwas taken for plaintiff, damages £IOO. Hokitika, Friday. A new Executive has been formed, as follows :—Charles Woolcock, Provincial Secretary ; William Todd, Provincial Treasurer. THE S.S. OTAGO AT THE BLUFF. Bluff, Friday. She s.s. Otago, from Melbourne, arrived at 7 p.m. Her passengers for Wellington are : Saloon—Mesdames Hannah, E. Homer, Tiffem Downes, Barlow, Tolliurst and two children and two servants, Miss Bowman ; steei'age, 7. She brings 57 tons of cargo for Wellington. KEUTEPv’S SPECIAL TELEGRAMS. Paris, June 8. The programme of the Left Centre of the Assembly demands the Proclamation of the Republic, or a dissolution. It refuses to form an alliance with the Right Centre, unless the latter accept a definitive Republic. Juno 11. The Assembly, by a majority of 31S to 337, voted for the restriction of the right to the franchise to the age of twenty-one, thereby defeating a vital clause in the Municipal Bill. Juno 10. The proceedings in the Assembly are daily marked by stormy incidents. Gambetta yesterday accused the Ministry of favoring the Bonapartists, and stigmatised the Bonapartists us wretches. This caused a tumultuous scone. Gambetta refused to retract the expression. Rome, June 10. The Pope has so far recovered that he has resumed receptions, and yesterday received two hundred American pilgrims. Madrid, June 10. Eight thousand Carlists, under Don Alfonso, brother of Don Carlos, were defeated by the Republican troops in the Province of Arragon. Galle, June 10. The Pera arrived on the Gth inst. The Baroda sailed on the Sth, at 7 p.m. London, June 10. The Australian April mail, via Brindisi, was delivered on the Sth ; the San Francisco mail on the 10th. Berlin, June 11. The property of Monsiguor Ledochowsld, Archbishop of Posen, has been sequestrated. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Melbourne, June 13. The debate on the Bill to reform the Constitution still drags its slow length along in the Assembly. It will be concluded, if possible, on Tuesday. It is likely the Government will have a majority of ten on the second reading, but many alterations will be made in the Bill in Committee. A petition against the return of one of the members for East Bourke has been referred to the Elections Committee. Lady Bowen proceeds to England in September. His Excellency follows in December or January, to bring her ladyship back. The schooner Lilian, from Tasmania, was wrecked at the Heads on Thursday, but the crew were saved, A fire has taken place in the store of Messrs. Lange and Thoneman, caused by . the heating of some New Zealand flax. Damage was done to the extent of £IOOO, but the firm were insured. In an action for libel brought against the Portland Guardian newspaper, damages to the extent of £SO were given. Major Ropata was amongst the passengers from Sydney yesterday. The ship British Admiral and her cargo have been sold for £2150, and arrangements are being made to save the cargo. In an action Coates v. Connell, the plaintiff, a storekeeper at Greymouth, claimed damages for breach of warranty in the supply of preserved milk. The verdict was for the defendant. The markets are very dull. Money is stringent. A late London telegram states that candle s and fruit are dearer. Breadstuffa are unchanged. Wheat, prime, Os. Od. to 6s. 7d. Oats are selling freely at Id. for good feeding. Bisquit brandy has been sold at a reduction of threepence. In Hennessy’s case there is also a reduction. Sugars are not so firm. Devoe's oil is very dull at Is. 4Jd. Sydney, Juno 13. H.M.S. Challenger, which had returned to port, resumed her voyage on Friday. On leaving Auckland she goes to Japan, and thence across the Pacific. The debate in reference to the release by the Governor of Gardiner, the bushranger, after lasting for several days, terminated in an equal vote. The casting-vote of the Speaker alone prevented the resolution disapproving of the stop being earned.

A serious collision has ocefirred on the Northern railway. Several passengers were injured. The Corporation funds are exhausted, and the works they have been carrying on have been stopped. Cohen, tho auctioneer, is insolvent, with liabilities amounting to £15,000. SHIPPING. Newcastle, July 12. Arrived : June 12—Edwin Bassett, from Wellington. Sailed : June 13— Frowning Beauty, for AVellinglon. The Otago left Melbourne at 5.80 p.m. on the 13th inst. She experienced heavy easterly weather. She brings in all 93 passengers, 361 tons of cargo, and 28 horses for all ports. She sails for Dunedin at 3 p.m. to-morrow.