TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 813, 20 November 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

CHBISTCH UIICH. November 10,

I The turning of the first sod of the South Rakaia and Ashburton railway took place at Rakaia this afternoon. A special train arrived from Christehurch, bringing large numbers of visitors, and a number of settlers were also present from Ashburton and the surrounding districts. The Christehurch party wero met on the platform by school children, carrying banners and evergreens. The Ashburton band was present. After the ceremony of turning the first sod was performed by Mr. George Hart (Chairman of the Directors), the party adjourned "for luncheon, when speeches of the usual character were ma le. This will be the first private railway constructed under the Act. The length will be 22 miles, and amount of contract L 5500 per mile. It is to bo finished in ten months. I

November 20. Yesterday Mr. Alhvright was elected Mayor of Lyttelton. A man named Henry Dunne, a storekeeper at Wairoate, while coming to Christcliurch in the express train last night, and when near Adilington, was thrown from the platform and had his leg broken above the ankle. The Kelly and Leon minstrels open here next week.

A subscription list has been opened here for the Waimate Relief Fund.

INVERCAEOILL. November 19.

The Waterworks Committee decided to recommend the borrowing of LIOO,OOO for the purpose of bringing in water from the Dunsandel creek, for the supply of the town. The Mayor will be recommended to call a public meeting to take the opinion of the ratepayers on the subject.

WELLINGTON. November 19. Colonel Whitmore and the Hon. Mr. Sheehan arrived to-day. The Premier leaves for Kawau by the Hinemoa to-morrow.

Mr. Maeandrew is expected to be absent in Dunedin about a fortnight.

Mr. Ballance has returned from Wanganui. Captain Rayncr, of the Carlotta, has had his certificate returned. The Court considered he was not to blame for the loss of the vessel.

The inquiry into the cause of the wreck of the City of Auckland has closed, and the decision is expected to be given to-morrow*. Natator is scratched for the Wellington Cup. November 20. Under instructions from the Colonial Secretary, an information, for misdemeanor will lie laid against George Wood, who kept his lunatic sister under restraint for twenty-one years. 'Die information will be laid under tin; 40th section of the Lunatic Act, ISGB.

The Agent-Ucneral telegraphs, under date 13th November, that the ship Taranaki had sailed with 208 immigrants for Port Chalmers.

According to a public notification from the Secretary of Customs, fencing wire may be landed on payment of a deposit, ■which will lie returned subsequently when the new tariff comes into operation. The notice reads as follows :—" As fencing wire cannot be warehoused, the lion, Commissioner authorises you to allow it to be landed until deposit entry, and afterwards to be cleared by free entry as soon as the exemption in the S w tariff becomes operative. "W. Skf.D."

The Nautical Assessors, Captains Halliday and Hewitt, disagreed as to the decision regarding the wreck of the City of Auckland, and Mr. Mansfield, R.M., is to give an independent judgment to-morrow.