TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6501, 16 February 1882, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(united press association.) - Dunedin, February 15. The girl Duncan, alias Glassett, 14 years old, charged with forgery at Palmerston, made an attempt to cut her throat with a penknife in the police-cell there. She was prevented doing so, only inflicting a scratch. She has been committed for trial. Mr J. Brittain, past-member of the Council of the Essex Chamber of Agriculture, is now in Dunedin, having visited New Zealand and the Australian colonies to report on their agricultural and pastoral resources. In the main more than the full cumber of candidates for Licensing Committees are coming forward in .the i.suhdrbaurdistricts. In sotne districts there tsve been less, and in one district only one candidate. Ltell, February 15. A new reef has been discovered about twelve miles up the Owen River, forty-seven miles from Lyel). Several leases have been applied for. The prospects are said to ;ba very good, but no detailed particu’ars to hand, OPUNAEE, February 15. Last night a very large and influential deputation waited on Mr Bryce, urging the great necessity of opening the laud surrounding Opunake for settlement. Mr Bryce, replying, said that the Surveyor-General, the Public Trustee, and Commissioner Maekay, were here for the purpose, and in two months the large block, Taungatara, would be in the market, Auckland, February 15. _ The Hon. P. Lalor, Speaker of the Victoria Assembly, has stated that he intends purchasing an estate and settling.in this colony. ■ The Rotorua Railway Company have given instructions for the survey of the line, to be proceeded with immediately. The first survey party, under Mr Smith, started to-day. Tawhiao has issued printed • circulars of invitation to the Alexandra meeting, to be held in April. Lynch, the cricketer and captain of the West End team, has left Auckland, to settle at Nelson. At the annual meeting of the-Council of Rechahites the report read showed 203 members, and accumulated Sick ■ Fund of £1564, and £1376; to the credit of the Funeral Fund, from which latter no expenditure on account of deaths has been made during the year. The Scripture Gift Association distributed

3718 prize books in the public schools during the year. It is stated that a Maori newspaper will again be started in Waikato to promote the interest and give expression to the views of the Natives. Mr Thompson, husband of the well-known operatic artiste, Miss Carrie Godfrey, is arranging for a band contest. Heir Carl Schmitt is in correspondence with the' Commissioners of the Christchurch International Exhibition to take the Choral Society’s orchestra there during the exhibition in April, to perform at the proposed musical festival Christchurch, February 15. Sericiculture seems fairly established in Akaroa. Some thousands of mulberry trees have been planted, and the settlers appear to take a lively interest in the matter. O AMARU, February 15. Mr Sherwin having retired from the position occupied by him of Handicapper to the Oamaru Jockey Club, three members of the Committee, Messrs Patterson, Moss, and Sutton, have been appointed in his stead. The contract tor piercing the first tunnel on the Windsor-Livingston railway line has been let. Mr Dargaville, the Managing Director of the Bast Coast Native Land Company, explained to a meeting of shareholders last night the position of the Company, and refuted statements that had been made that the land was unfit for settlement. Napier, February 15. It is reported that Mr Tyler, Commissioner of Crown Lauds, wishes to retire on his pension, and go to England. Mr John Chambers, proprietor of a i#rge sheep run here, who is now in England, nas perfected and patented a new meat freezing machine, which he believes will result in great economy. The police are enforcing the compulsory clauses of the Education Act here. Several country Committees have also decided to bring them in force, but want of sufficient school accommodation deters the majority of Committees from taking steps.