TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 870, 29 January 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON. January 28. The Committee has decided that the farewell demonstration to the Governor shall be connfmed to the presentation of an address on the wharf. J. Henderson, C.E., plaintiff in the Napier Harbor Board case, and contractor for the Oamaru waterworks lias filed a statement of his inability to meet his engagements. W. H. Parnell, who stabbed his wife in the nose with a fork, has been committed for trial.

The Royal Commissioners for the Sydney Exhibition held their first meeting to-day, Dr. Hector in the chair. Immediate action was advocated by the Chairman, with a view of securing an adequate representation of New Zealand wool at the Exhibition. He urged that as it is so late in the season no time should be lost in obtaining samples from this season's dip, which is now being shipped. A telegram was received from the Sydney Commissioners, to the effect that the Sydney Government had taken over the entire management, and that a new programme was about to be issued—one thousand illustrated copies of which are being sent by Thursday's mail, for distribution in New Zealand, but the Commissioners think this will be inadequate if they receive proper support from the public throughout the Colony. It was decided to advertise for a Secretary at LI per day. It is understood the Government have placed L2OOO at the disposal of the Commissioners, to begin with. January 20. A large fire occurred in Greytown last ni'dit. It broke out at nine o'clock in Heeles' boarding-house, which was destroyed. The lire spread to the office of I'eethaiu (solicitor), Casselberg's large store, the police office, and the Courthouse, all of which were totally destroyed. The Telegraph Office, the Standard office, and Hughes' butcher's shop were saved with difficulty. The estimated loss is over LIOyOOO. The following are the insurances on Casselberg's stock and premises : —New Zealand, LISOO ; Victoria, LSOO ; United, LISOO ; South British, LSOO ; National, LSOO ; Imperial, LSOO. Of the New Zealand Company's risk LSOO is re-insured with the Liverpool and London and L 375 out of the Colony. The other buildings were not insured so far as is known.

DUXEDIX. January 2S. The railway picnic is postponed indefinitely, in consequence of the accident to Mr. Conyers. Mr. Dcnniston, solicitor, lias had a writ served on the editor of the Age for FIOOO damages for libel. The editor will contest the case and plead his own cause on principle, as he is determined not to be drawn into legal expenses. Mr. Macandrcw lias promised to have a survey and estimates made of the Catlin's River railway, so that data might be obtained on which to form a decision. January 29.

A deputation, headed by Mr. Vincent Pykc, waited on the Minister for Public Works this morning, to urge that the surveyed portions of the Stratli-Taieri r.iihvay be proceeded with at once. Mr. Macaiidrew promised that tenders should be called for one portion by the first week of February, and said that a section v.'ould be reserved for the unemployed, and that the completion of the rest would be considered.

The first prosecution under the Cruelty to Animals Act took place at the Police Court to-day, when John Meikle and John Swan were proceeded against for lashing a horse in a coal dray over its legs and head. The evidence showed that they had thrashed the animal till it broke one of its legs, then took it out of the shafts, tied its three legs together, and knocked it on the head with a hammer: and that, while still alive, Swan's father got a chain round its neck, secured it to another horse, and ? rind to drag the poor animal into a tilted dray. Evidence of a peculiarly revolting nature was given by Mr. Eliott, Justice of the Peace, who witnessed the occurrence. The defendants were only fined 10s. Captain Andrews' large saw-mill at Catlin's River was totally destroyed by tire this morning at daybreak. The origin of the fire is unknown. The loss is estimated at LSOOO.

CHRISTCHURCH. January 28. To. day no less than 202 loaded waggons containing nearly 1200 tons of goods, were sent through from Lyttelton to Cliri&tchurch. This is the largest number that has ever been drawn through in a day. The carnage of the goods only occupied four trips. An accident,resulting in death,happened to a seaman named A. Ericksen, on board the schooner Clio, lying in the port. Shortly before noon to-day, Ericlcscn was en"aged at work on the fore-yard, when he was seen to fall to the deck, striking his head and face with great violence. The hands aboard at once picked him up, and put him in the boat to bring him ashore ; but, just as the boat got inside the breakwater, the unfortunate man died. Dr. Macdonald was summonded at once, and found that his skull was fractured, as also his thigh, while several other injuries had been sustained. The body was convcyed to the Morgue. Ericksen was about 28 years of age, a native of Sweden, and had joined the vessel here on her last trip. It is not known whether he had any relatives in the Colony. The present month of January has been the worst ever known for sickness and death in the Cliristchurch district. Up to yesterday 90 deaths were registered for this month alone, and it is known that five or six deaths have to be registered. The average number of deaths in Christchurch and suburbs has been 50 for many months past, and it is not unlikely that the death rate for the present month mil reach 100 per cent, over the average mortality. The sickness has been of a varied kind, and it should be added that the increase of deaths has taken place in the suburbs, the proportion in the citybeing not more than usual, and considerably leas than was the case before the existence of the side channelling, and present sanitary arrangements. Five thousand shares having been taken up in the Temperance Hotel Company, it was this evening fairly floated. The meeting was very well attended.

AUCKLAND, January 28. The following are appointments made of Wesleyan ministers for 1879 :—Auckland, Revs. W. Morley, G. Boyd, F. J. Parkes, J, Hobb, J. Walls, H. H. Lowry, and J. WhitweU; Principal of the Wesleyan College, Rev. Mr. Buddel; Thames, Rev. W. J. Watkinfl; Manukau, Revs. J. Law and J. Warren ; Waiuku, Rev. T. Issitt; Waikato, Rev. H. Bull; Raglan, Rev. J.

Schenecberg and two native ministers ; Raipara, Revs. W. Gittos, A. J. Brook, and a native minister ; Hokianga, Rev. Hammond and a native minister; New Plymouth, Revs. D. M'Nicoll and L. Hudson; Patea, Rev. P. W. Fairclough; Wanganui, Revs. W. Lee and Stannard; Rangitikei, Rev. S. Lowry ; Mauawatu, Revs. W. B. Martin and 0. Dewsbury; Wellington j Revs. W. Kirk and J. J. Williams; Hutt, J. S. Rashworth; Greytown, Rev. M. G. Thomes and J. Dillow : Napier, Revs. W. Oliver and C. Berry; Norsewood, Rev. E. Neilson ; Gisborne, Rev. W. Slater; Nelson, Revs. R. Bavin and W. Rose; Blenheim, Rev. T. G. Carr; Hokitika, Rev. J. Smith; Greymouth, Rev. C. Strange ; Kumara, Rev. T. G.' Garlick; Christchurch, Revs. A. Reed, W. Banner, J. Aldred (editor of the Wesleyan), and J. Armitage ; Colombo Road, Rev. J. S. Smallev; St. Albans, Rev. W. N. Richardson ; Lyttelton, Revs, W. Beck and Te Rohi; Springston, Rev. J. Taylor; Leeston, Rev. W. Walker; Kaiapoi, Rev. J. Armitage ; Rangiora, Revs. W. Connell and H. Ellis ; Timaru, Rev. J. H. Simmons ; Waimate, Rev. T. Fee ; Temuka, Rev. W. S. Harper ; Ashburton, Rev. W. Knell; Dunedin, Rev. J. Crump ; Mornington, Rev. J. Lewis ; Port Chalmers, Rev. W. Larsey ; Balclutha, Rev. J. W. Buttle ; Lawrence, Rev. J. A. Luxford ; Roxburgh, Rev. P. Willis ; Invercargili, Rev. L. Bunn ; Oamaru, Rev. H. Dewsbury; Tapanui, Rev. J. Gray.

January 29. James Demausey's tender of L3G,000 for the reclamation of the harbor works has been approved. A regatta, in celebration of the twentyninth anniversary of the Province, is now proceeding. There is splendid weather, and a fine sailing breeze. For the champion race for brigantines, schooners, and k' tches, with prize of LIOO and a 30 guinea chronometer, there were eight competitors. The Onward led by one minute around the north, followed by the Albatross, Myrtle, and Torea. In the open sailing boat, open to all comers, 13 started. The Brothers is just round the buoy, followed by the Yolante and Toy. The latter was the winner at Southern regattas. She carried away her gear, and had to put in to the North Shore. Thousands of people are lining, the wharves and cliffs of the harbor, watching the contest.

INVEr.CARGILL. January 29. Mr. Conyers' condition is favorable, but he is feeble. The contract has been let for a large block of buildings ill Esk-street of magnificent architecture, designed on account of Mr. Thomson, Surveyor-General. A thousand ounces of gold has been escorted from Waikaia and Switzers, being the product of eight weeks' work. The Registration Office here lias been provided with forms to enable the clerks of Road Boards and Town Councils to register property under ratepayers' qualification.