TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4224, 3 October 1874, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Pbess Telegkaeb: Agency] Auckland, Friday. The Hon. James Williamson has entered an action against the Improvement Commissioners to compel them to buy a, piece of land in Shortland Street for £5500, the price fixed at arbitration under the Laud Clauses Consolidation Act. The Commissioners had given notice to withdraw after the award was announced, on the ground that the amount was excessive • Mr. Williamson's counsel contends that they cannot do so, and maintains that an award under the Act stands in the same position as a judgment of the Court. The case is regarded as one of great importance in connection with the compulsory taxation oi: land for public purposes. Ghahamstows, Friday. The promoters of the Miranda Coal and Mineral Company met a number of mine and battery managers last night, and after some ' discussion as to the prospects of the company, the promoters agreed to send a trial lot of five tons of coal to one of the batteries, and the managers have pledged themselves that if the trial is satisfactory they will do all in their power to forward the company. The master of the steam launch trading to Piako writes to the Advertiser, and gives the words used by Adlam by way of threat, which are almost identical with the version given by Major George. There was no opposition to the steamer on her last trip. A. digger's hut was burned last night. The inmate escaped through the window, getting his face fearfully cut and singed. The Sham-

rock battery was endangered for some time, the hut being very near it. The man is in the hospital, and is expected to recover. New Plymouth, Friday, Henry Wright, Sergeant- A.C., has been committed for trial on a charge of forgery. The double telegram delivery commenced yesterday. The Phcabe has sailed for Auckland. It was too rough to land cargo. The Luna has arrived with the English mail. She sailed again immediately (11.30 a.m.) for the Manukau. The Bluff, Friday. The Tararua arrived at 7 a.m., and sailed again at 9 a.m. She took no cargo from the Bluff. A galo is still blowing, and the weather is very thick. Dunedin, Friday. The stock assessment for 1574-5, exclusive o£ Southland, amounts to £54,01.8 lis. 8(1 The stock assessed numbered 7000 great and 1,810,000 small cattle. There was also payable at Invercargill yesterday an amount of £O6OO. The annual procession of the Fire Brigade last night was a success. , • . Pout Chalmers, Friday. The immigration to the port of Dunedin for the quarter ending the 30th September, from the 'United Kingdom, amounted to 4196 souls ; from Australia, 192; and from Africa, 1; total, 4959. The emigration from the port for the same period was 667, leaving a net increase of 4322 souls, 127 of the emigrants were to the neighboring Provinces. The immigrant ship Christian McAusland has not yet got in. CAPTURE OF TWO LIVE MO AS. Christchurcii, Friday. A letter is published in the Press this morning from a man named R. K. M. Smyth, stating that he captured two live nioas in Browning's Pas 3 on the 26th September. Smyth says that when near the top of the saddle his dogs suddenly set off at a great pace, and commenced barking furiously. He followed. After going a short distance, to his inexpressible astonishment he saw two large birds, one of gigantic height, the other smaller. Seeing that the dogs were getting the worst of the fight, he ran back and cooeed to his mate, after which they got a tether rope, and under shelter of a small patch of bush got behind the largest bird and roped it'at the first cast, when he took a turn round a birch tree with the rope. Contrary to expectations, the large bird did not show fight to any great extent, and the smaller one remained quietly by it. After this they had very little trouble in securing the legs of the large bird, and they left it fastened to the tree for two days, the young one making no effort to leave its mother. On the following Thursday, with the assistance of Mr. Frampton's shepherds, they took the old bird to the camp, the young one following. The old bird is eight feet high, the young one five feet. The former appears reconciled to captivity. Smyth intended starting for Christchurch on Thursday last. At yesterday's session of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars it was resolved to establish (jistrict lodges ia Otago, Southland, Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland ; also that a prize' of £2O should be offered for the be3t essay on the origin, progress, and objects of the Order.