TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 829, 10 December 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON. . | December 9. Complaints are being made as to short weights in tradesmen's shops, and the bad quality of the milk brought into the city from the country districts. The heavy rain of Sunday morning did considerable damage to the roads and bridges in the country places outside the city, but none iii tpyra. A number of bridges were carried away, In consequence of the prevailing fine weather a good deal of the cargo of the Southminster is being saved, 200 cases of kerosene, amongst other stuff, being brought up to-day. The Chamber of Commerce intended moving in the matter of the railway terminus, with the object of getting the Government to reconsider their decision, and place the railway station where it has always been understood it would be placed. Mr. Justice Richmond has nearly recovered from his bad attack of inflammation of the lungs, and will shortly go to the Hot Springs. An attempt was made to upset the Hutt train yesterday, by placing a log of wood on the line.

It is stated here in official circles thst Sir Hercules Robinson is not to be the Governor of New Zealand. December 10. The K..M. .Court has been occupied all the morning'over the case of M'Elwain, who is charged with having wilfully set fire to one of his houses. No evidence being taken, the case will scarcely be concluded to-day. It js thought that the prisoner will be committed for trial. The shin Otaki, from London, is at the Heads. Later. M'Eljyain's case is concluded. Some very strong evidence having been brought forward, the prisoner was fully committed for tpial, bail being allowed —prisoner in LSOO and two sureties of L 230 each. The Chronicle is informed that the Government do not contemplate holding the next session of Parliament at Christchureh, no vote having been taken, and they decline to take the responsibility of the expenditure upon then; pwn shoulders. It also says that it Is rumored Government intends taking active measures 'to prevent the influx of Chinese in the Colony, and that it is probable that the Government will bring in a Bill next session imposing a polhtaE upon them of L2O per head. The Hon. Mr. Stout, who goes south to-day to address hir constituents, will very probably make some statement h} reference to the matter.

CHEISTCHURCH. December 9. The three boys charged with incendiarism were discharged with a caution, it being clearly proved that the firs was the result of an accident through their playing with matches. At a meeting of the City Council this afternoon, a long letter was read from Dr.

Foster, the city solicitor, who stated that the many decisions that had been given in the Police Court against the Council on the subject of the city by-laws arose altogether through the Council not having consulted him in framing them. The letter added that it was his intention to resign his position as city, solicitor, but he should not do so until the motion that had "been tabled with regard to fees paid to him had been dis,posed of. The motion in question will be dealt with, this evening. ..' The amount raised in Chrisichurch and Sydenham, on behalf of the sufferers by the Waimate fire is L3OO, of which Mr. John Ollivier personally collected L 260. A very successful bazaar in aid of the Convent funds was opened this afternoon. At a meeting of the Supply Committee this morning, the feeling seemed to prevail that for the present at least it would be advisable only to provide a temporary scheme for supplying water for sanitary and fire prevention purposes. The Timaru portion of the immigrants per Opawa were landed this morning and forwarded to their destination.

Three boys named Joseph Wade, Charles Wade, and Fredk. Chisholm are now before the Magistrate charged with setting fire to the kerosene store yesterday week. The Union Steamship Company announce their annual excursion trip round the South Island, the Eotorua being the boat this year selected. The Harbor Board waited on the lion, the Minister for Public Works on Saturday in reference to the various matters connected with the harbor works. The eleven to proceed to Victoria will be selected to-day. There are only twelve men to choose from, some of the best men being unable to go.

DUNEDIN. December 9. Several young men while bathing at the Ocean Beach on Saturday had a narrow escape. A shark fifteen feet long was seen prowling about a few minutes after they left the water. Mr. G. M. Reed, on relinquishing the editorship of the Daily Times, was presented with a diamond ring on Saturday by the staff of that paper. Mr. Macandrew has directed that free passes shall be issued to volunteers attending Sir John Richardson's funeral.

AUCKLAND. December 9. The Sydney Morning Herald states that at a recent meeting of the High Commissioner's Court at Levuka, a summons was applied for against the Rev. J. Brown, for alleged manslaughter, but his friends at Fiji thought it would be fair that he should be tried in New Britain. It will probably be some time before the High Commissioners can proceed to Fiji to inquire into the matter.

Only one firm now holds out against the grocers' half-holiday. Eleven hundred Catholics formed the temperance procession yesterday, headed by the Union Jack, with bands and green banners, and marched through the principal streets.

BALCLUTHA. December 9. The weather is extremely stormy, and the river bank behind the township has been washing away at an alarming rate for the past few days, and worse than at any time during the floods. Since last night the bank has gone 27 ft., and the river is now only 100 yards from the houses in Charlotte-street. Mr. Hislop's house is to be removed tomorrow. The river is now within 12ft. of the house. Protective works are to be commenced to-morrow. The engineers have been examining the bridge, with the view of reporting the cost of re-erection to the Government.

INVERCARGILL. December 9. A meeting of the citizens of luvereargill was held in the Athenaeum this afternoon, to take steps for the institution of a memorial of the late Sir John Richardson. The attendance was influential, although not numerically large. It was unanimously agreed that the memorial should be of an educational character, as the form most compatible with the career of the deceased gentleman. Three suggestions were placed before the meeting, viz., the creation of a scholarship in the local High Schools in Otago, in the University, or in connection with the New Zealand University. After some conversation it was agreed that the last-named was the only suggestion that would appropriately do honor to the memory of the deceased, and a committee, consisting of Messrs. Wade, Deimiston, and Pearson, were appointed to correspond with the centres of population in the Colony, for concerting measures for raising funds for the establTshmcnt of such a scholarship. Mr. Pearson, who is to visit Dunedin to-monwy, was authorised to put the matter in train in that city.

NAPIER. December 9. The Supreme Court sittings opened to-day, before Judge Gillies. His Honor congratulated the Grand Jury on the calendar not being heavy. In respect to the horse stealing case, from an outside district, he remarked upon the disgraceful -way in which the depositions were sent up. Were ii not, he said, that the Magistrate was already removed from the Bench, he would have reported the matter. Thomas Trout was convicted of forgery, and sentenced to IS months' hard labor. Kereke Keramihi, for horse stealing, was remanded for sentence. William James Hickson, for uttering forged cheques, was sentenced to nine months. In the case of Charles Stewart, for stealing jewellery from a post office letter, the jury are still considering their verdict. December 10. The barque Helen Denny sails for London to-day with 3552 bales wool, C bales hides, 23 sacks tallow, 1 case effects ; the whole being valued at LGS,I23 7s. lOd. <j> BLENHEIM. December 9. A severe hailstorm passed over Pieton and the coast this morning. The hailstones were as big as marbles. Several windows were broken, and the crops were damaged. It did not spread into Blenheim, but was within a few miles of it.