TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 833, 14 December 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON. December 13. The following is the resolution to be proposed at the forthcoming meeting on the Chinese meeting :—" 1. That the citizens of Welllington in public meeting assembled, desire to place on record their determination to oj>pose the introduction of Chinese labor into the colony. 2. That this meeting adopts to the fullest extent the policy of anti-Chinese petitions. 3. That all towns and districts in New Zealand be heartily welcomed to co-operate with Wellinotou in this case." It is said the General Government will allow their officers from Christmas Day to the following Monday morning as a holiday. December 14. The New Zealandei-, referring to the statement that the speakership of the Upper House would be offered to Sir William] Eitzherbert, says its statement should not I be assumed to be authoritative, and that in '

this particular matter its conjecture was premature, and that not only has no such offer been in contemplation, but that the Government has not yet considered the most-fitting successor to the late Speaker. It is understood that the Hon. Mr. Sheehan will only stay an hour or two in Wellington after arriving from the West Coast, but will proceed to Auckland wjth. the utmost despatch to confer with the Premier.

DUNEDIN. : December 13. v At the annual breaking up of the Christian Brothers' School to-day, Bishop Moran said that-CJatholjcs had within the past few years in Dunedin expended L 16,000 on education, exclusive of school fees. The Dunedin Catholic schools were now attended by nearly SOO children. He complained of the injustice of the Government towards Catholics, and they should nc-Ter cease to agitate until they got their rights at the hands of the Government.

Rifle Association, aggregate prizes:—First prize, cup presented by the President (Lieut. Colonel Stavely), value LI 5 15s and LI, LlO 10s and L 3 ; Vol. E. R. Smith, No. 1, C.G., 281 ; Vol. Mills, S.D.R., 267; Vol. Willoeks, Clutha, 267 ; Sub-Lieut. Reid, Bruce, 267 ; Vol. J. Webster, No. 1, C.G., 207 ; Sergeant Buckley, Canterbtu-y, 265 ; Tapper Chapman, Canterbury, 265 ; Sergt. Richardson, N.D., 263 ; Vol. J. Hutchinson, N.D., 262; Captain Wilson, No. 1, C.G., 202 ; Vol. Anderson, Clutha, 262. The following is the result of the competition for the Ladies' Challenge Shield :—City Guards, 339; South District Rifles, 325; No. 1, Clutha, 321 ; Bruce Rifles, 320 ; East Taicri, 310 ; Dunedin Naval, 314 ; West Taieri, 303 ; Waikari, 301 ; Portobello, 297 ; Dunedin Artillery, 291 ; North Dunedin, 257.

At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, this afternoon, Mr Blair wrote that the works were in such a state of forwardness that nothing could delay the completion of the whole line beyond the first week in January.

CHRISTCHURCH. December 14. At the distribution of prizes at the Girls' High Sohool last night, Judge Johnston said the institution had already proved itself a great succcess, and paid a. very high compliment to the teachers, from the lady principal downwards.

Thomas Hughes, farmer of Dunsandel, was killed on Thursday through being thrown from a roller, which passed over his groin. At the Banco Sittings yesterday the judge called the attention of the profession to°a very important change which had taken place in the law with reference to societies, whereby the management of the funds accruing had been taken out of the hands of the judges without any consultation with them. He further intimated that it would now be within the province of the Law Societies to appoint someone to relieve the judges of a portion of the burden of examining the candidates for admission.

The electric light will bo used at the head of the lire brigade procession on Monday night, and volunteers from Dunedin, Mornington, Waimatc, Oamaru, and Timaru will take part in the demonstration. There will be a luncheon at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, at which 200 will sit down. The various tire brigades will arrive to-night. There will be a church jiarade to-night. Entries are coming in very freely for the sports, which are also expected to be a great success.

LYTTELTQN, December 14. The Marlhorp,ugh has been jdaccd in quarantine, there being six cases of fever on board, Four deaths" have taken place during the passage—all infants, ■ ©- _ AUCKLAND, December 12. Sir George Grey, on his arrival, was received by the Chairman of the Harbor Board, Mr. O'Rorke, and other leading citizens. Mr. Macandrew is expected here to-morrow, and Mr. Shcehan on Monday. The sale of the Harbor Board endowments and wharf tools realised L4S7. At the meeting of the Hibernian Society last night, the Rev. Mr. Fyn.es, Vicar-General, introduced Father Henneberry, who said he was willing to give them the' benefit of his talents, and lie hoped the Society would stand by him. He then requested the Soeiety to assist him in securing denominational education. It was rumored that the Roman Catholics intended publishing a special organ, and he hoped that in a short time Catholic schools in Auckland under the pew-rent system would be in jiraotioal working order, and that the telegraph and other means would be utilised to obtain efficient teachers. The Crown Lands Ranger reported to the Waste Lands Board that "the Katikati farms were highly creditable, and the settlers healthy and jn'osperous. Mr. Macandrew proposes to extend the railway station temporarily to Queen-street wharf, along Customhouse-street. The Waikato and Thames railway line is to be begun immediately at both ends. Sir G. Grey visits the Thames with Mr. Macandrew about the end of next week to turn the first sod. They go to Waiwera and Whangarei to-morrow.

Mr. Shcehan is expected here on Monday to address his Rodney constituents. Sir G. Grey will probably address a public meeting in Auckland before going to the Thames, and Ministers will visit the Waikato.

The Theatre Royal has had a narrow escape. At midnight, a fire broke out in a shop occupied by Mr Hoag, tobacconist and fruiterer. It was discovered through the smoke issuing through the shutters. The Fire Brigade promptly arrived, and with a strong force of water extinguished the fire. The damage is about LSO. Another incipient fire occurred at the Auckland Timber Company's Mill at 3 o'clock this morning, but it was put out with a few buckets of water. No damage was done. ALEXANDRA. December 13. The Kingites are about to establish a press of their own at Kopua. Honare Te Waihoa is collecting money for the purpose. GRAHAMSTOWN. December 13. At the Thames, a deputation, headed by Sir George Grey, waited upon the Minister for Public Works to-day, respecting the Thames railway. He agreed that tlxe work should be commenced at both ends without unnecessary delay. The L 30.000 voted is to be expended before Parliament meets. A suggestion has been made to Ministers that the first sod may be turned by Sir George Grey, who will be at the Thames on Saturday, December 21st, to address his constituents. The Hon. Mr Maeandrew and Mr Blackett will accompany the Premier.

NELSON. December 12. The Good Templar Grand Lodge election of officers for the year resulted as follows: G.W.C.T., Jago, Dunedin ; G.W.C., Earll, Blenheim ; G.W.V.T., Allsworth, Wanganui; G.W.S., Cameron, Dunedin; G.W.T., Carr, Dunedin ; G.W. Chaf»lain, Rev. Dr. Roseby, Dunedin; G.W.M., Webber, Christchurch ; G.S.J.T., Smith, Chri3tchurch ; 1.G., Coles, Wellington ; G.S., Barrowman, Kumara ; G.A.S., Hudson, Y\ r ellington; G.D.M., Sister Lamb, Dunedin! The Grand Lodge decided that members of seceding lodges wishing to return to their allegiance may do so and retain all honors. It was resolved—That the next session of the Grand Lodge should be held at Christchurch, December 14. The Good Templar's Grand Lodge closed its session yesterday, and last night the delegates addressed a public meeting in the Theatre, which was crowded to excess in every part. They spoke in warm terms of the reception they had met with here, and of the beauty and delightful climate of Nelson. They leave per Arawata to-morrow. Colonel Whitmore arrived this morning, and is now engaged \rith the Mayor and Hospital Committee, discussing the question of charitable aid, —«. NAPIER. December 12. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court closed with the trial of Kepa Wharekua, for stealing a letter containing a cheque from a mail bag that he >vas carrying. He was found guilty and sentenced to three years 1 penal servitude. The arrest of this prisoner |

was made under unusual circumstances. He was m a pah, about ten miles from Waiuku and 130 from Gisborne. Constable Dorris reached the pah early in the morning, and managed to get the prisoner out qSickly before the" other occupants of the place were up. Some little distance outside there was another constable waiting, and on reaching him the prisoner was hurried off to Gisborne It is believed that is the first instance that a native prisoner has been openly brought through the Maori country. In the case of the murder of the woman at Waiapu, the prisoners wore brought by sea. Mr. W. H. Floyd, who for a number of years lias held the position of Electrician and Inspector of Telegraphs on the East Coast, and who is leaving to take charge of the railway telegraphs of the Middle" Island, was presented to-day with a handsome marble eight-day clock, a silver liqueur frame, silver cake basket, and gold pencil case, altogether to the value of LSO, the gifts of the officials m his circuit. The presentation was made through Mr. Stringer, tiie officer in charge of the Telegraph Office.

INVERCARGILL. _ , December" 13. Devereauxs stable and store, and a saddler s shop at Winton were burned down this morning. At the Supreme Court sittings to-day, Welsh pleaded not guilty of the murder of his wife at Waikawa. The trial has been on all day, and two more witnesses for the prosecution are to be examined. The case is likely to last another day. Mr Wade is defending the prisoner ably. Prices of produce remain the same as last week.

December 14. At the twelfth annual Show of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Society there was a largo attendance. The weather was fine. The entries are not so numerous in the live stock classes, but there was a large accession in the implement, &c, class. Of draught horses there were seven exhibits, and the first prize went to Mr. Young's Prince of Wales, owned by the Prince of Wales Company. For the best thoroughbred entire of any age, Mr. Basstian's "Vermicell was first. in the best shorthorn bull, Mr. Beren's Cannell Knight obtained the first prize. In sheep (merino) : for best ram of 4-tooth or over, Mr. B. Kingswell took first prize ; and best pen of three, Mr. A. D. Johnston ; in Lincoln, for best 4-tooth and over, Mr. F. Sutton.