TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 847, 2 January 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(PER TRESS ASSOCIATION). WELLINGTON. January 1. The Customs revenue at Wellington for December was L 14.545, as against L 15.123 for the corresponding month of last year. For the December quarter it was L47.SSO, as against L4s,sStt for the last quarter of the previous year. The births in Wellington city during IS7S were 9SO, and the deaths 296. Marriage certificates were taken out to the number of 345. In the previous year the figures were : —Births, SSS ; deaths, 3SS ; marriages, 2CS. A liberal political league is in course of formation here. new pLTmocth. January 1. A contract has been accepted for the erection of a theatre. All the single women by the Hermione have been engaged at from 10s to los a week. The single men are refusing high wages. Two men were offered LI 10s a week, and board and lodging in town, until the grass was ready, when 1b an hour would be paid, but they refused it because the engagement was not a permanent one. January 2. Yesterday was observed as a general holiday. The Waitara races were the chief attraction. The principal event was the Waitara Cup, of 40 sovs, which was won by Speculation. Between two and three thousand persons were present. Reporters for the press had to pay their railway fares. CHRISTCHURCH. January 1. The Press newspaper appears to-day at the reduced price of one penny. There were two trials at Rangiora yesterday of the Marsh harvester in paddocks of oats, containing 35 bushels. There was a large attendance of farmers, who expressed themselves well satisfied. The railway traffic on the north line has been resumed, and on the south line the Rangitata bridge has been so far repaired as to carry foot passengers. Complete traffic is expected to be resumed in a week. All the ordinary trains north and south, are announced to run. A letter from the General Manager of Railways, published this morning, announces *' We have instructions to discontinue issuing out lists of rates to the public. Information may be obtained at thi3 office 'Christchnrch)."

Dr. Donald, for many years Resident Magistrate at Lyttleton, yesterday announced his retirement, as his term of office had closed. He retires much respected and regretted. The celebration of New Year's Eve was quiet in town. There was the ringing of i hells, the usual church services, and a few singers were in the streets, but no special demonstration took place. At Lyttleton, a torch-light procession by the Fire Brigade took place, and was followed by a grand display of fireworks, the ship 3 in the Har[bor firing guns and discharging rockets. There was a very large crowd, and much I friendliness wa3 displayed. Great preparations are being made for the I Lyttclton regatta. A special steamer has been laid on at Timaru, on account of the damage to the railway. NAPIER. January 2. A presentation was made yesterday to Mr Robert Stewart, ex-Mayor, he having held otiicc for four years. The gift was a handsome ormolu clock, which cost L4O. The New Year was ushered in by a grand fireworks display from the fire brigade tower. The weather yesterday was glorious, and the sports successful.

AUCKLAND. January 2. A woman named Bridget Connolly has committed suicide in a most determined manner. The deceased was supposed to be a reformed drunkard, and for some years had led an orderly life in Newton. Yesterday morning a little girl informed the police that deceased had taken poison. Dr Young was sent for, and the woman was taken to the Hospital, but she was beyond recovery. It appears that she rose very early in the morning, and asked her husband for money to buy drink with, but he refused. She then said she would take a bitter cup before the day was out. Subsequently she got a bottle of carbolic acid, poured the contents into a cup, and drank it. The only words she uttered after help came were a curse on the drink. Her husband says she resumed drinking on Christmas Day, when she left

home with L3O, and was afterwards found drunk in Chanceryrlane with only L 7. One of the crew of the Taiaroa was struck down into the hold by some cargo which was being taken aboard. His spine is severely injured, and he is not expected to live. The contractors for the Asylum additions have successfully exploded a mine for getting out the stone for building purposes at the Whan. A mass of 2000 tons was lifted by electricity. L6OOO to L6O has been taken against the colt Omega, for the Dunedin Cup.

[PEB PBESS AGENCY.] WELLINGTON. December 31. One of the Hermione's immigrants dropped down dead while mowing in a paddock in town. The weather was not hot enough for a sunstroke. Some months ago certain representations were made here by an American shipmaster regarding a valuable trade to be developed on the north-east coast of New Guinea, which he said he had been in for some years, exhibiting at the same time a number of specimens of the produce. In consequence of this, a company was formed, who purchased his vessel, the Courier, and fitted her out for the trade, taking two men to leave behind as post-traders. She left here on 27th September. On 25th October she sighted Cape King William, and by evening was within a few miles of the entrance to Astrolabe Bay, a gulf about 30 miles long and 20 miles wide, but utterly destitute of shelter or anchorage, but with 75 fathoms of water within a quarter of a mile of shore. They were several days occupied looking for an anchorage, which they subsequently found on the west side of Astrolabe Bay, due south from Dampier Island. The country proved totally unlike what it had been described to be, being exceedingly wild, barren, and mountainous, and is thickly wooded with inferior looking timber. The natives, who are very numerous and almost entirely naked, are short in stature, black, and of inferior physique. They are exceedingly friendly, but no women were seen. They were evidently hidden away in the bush. The natives seemed to be very poor. A few yams and cocoanuts, and a sample of ginger and sugar cane were the only native 'products obtainable. The natives appear to have no wants, not coveting the iron, cloth, or beads, and had no notion whatever of trade, and nothing to offer in barter. The weather was excessively hot, the thermometer showing 92 in the cabin at 9 p.m. After further explorations, during which little of interest j was discovered, the vessel left, on the 15th November, on her return to Wellington, arriving here this morning. It is understood that a deputation of members of the Wellington press will shortly wait upon the Minister for Public Works, with a view of urging upon him the propriety of reconsidering his order prohibiting the issue of free railway passes to the Press of the Colony. GISBORNE. December 31. The residence of Messrs. Hubbies and M'Leod, close to the powder magazine, is now in flames. The ammunition is being removed, lest an explosion occur. There is no water available, and the Fire Brigade is powerless. The insurance is not known. Should the wind change the town will be in danger.