TELEGRAMS

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 909, 15 March 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAMS

DUNEDIN. March 14. Mr. Simpson, the Engineer to the Harbor Board, has made an elaborate report in reply to Mr. Elder's statement at Port Chalmers the other day, which was to the effect that the bar and lower harbor had silted up greatly. He shows that by recent soundings it is demonstrated that rhe outer bar is quite as favorable as in Stokes' day, and that the inner bar, which Stokes laid down, has quite disappeared ; also that the 20 feet channel is rather wider than before. j Geo. Rignold and his business manager I (M-Donald) left by the Arawata to-day, j for Melbourne. It is stated that the insurance com- | panics have agreed upon a uniform ! tariff.

Mr. T. T. Ritchie, one of the Directors of the Kaitangata coal mine, has written to Dr. Hector a letter, in which he states that the late manager Hodge had always stated that the coal in the old workings had never given off gas while it was being wrought, and that after the workings had been partly abandoned he and his brother had been" through them upon several occasions, and never found the slightest trace of gas. In corroboration of this Mr. Ritchie states that two months before the explosion a party of gentlemen under the guidance of Hodge went into the old workings with a naked light, and explored them from top to bottom without the slightest trace of gas being discovered. He thinks there k a strong probability that the gas that caused the explosion made its appearance suddenly. Dr. Hector in reply says there is a strong presumption in his mind that the first appearance of gas in the old workings was sudden, and in a large quantity, and that it came and is still coining from a "blower" that has broken out in some part of the old working. TIMARU. March 14. The Chamber of Commerce decided today to send a strongly worded letter to Mr. Macandrew re the delay in ccmimencing the railway station improvements. and pointing out the immense loss and inconvenience merchants were suffering in consequence. INVERCARGILL. March 14. The crops in the Annandale district are looking remarkably well. In the ease of one farm it is confidently expected the crop will yield fully 100 bushels per acre. NEW PLYMOUTH. March 14. The Herald hears that Rewi, with five hundred followers besides his usual retinue, was to leave Taupo this afternoon for To Kuiti, where a meeting is to be held on the 21st. After the meeting j Rewi will come direct on to Makau, to be be in readiness for the Waitara meeting, which it is supposed will take place about the middle of April. The natives are passing through, the town in large numbers on their way to Parahaka, where one of the largest meetings 3-et held is expected to take placo. Natives from all parts of tho Colony will bo- present. To Whiti has announcod that Christ will appear at the meeting, and the natives are anxious to see if his words are verified. At the adjourned meeting of Mr. Faithful's creditors, held this afternoon, very few questions were asked him, and the estates having been purchased, very little interest was felt in tho matter by the creditors. INVERCARGILL. March 14. The captain of the Waikari Rifles sends to the Demonstration Committee an announcement that the attendance of his company will he increased to 50. Temuka accepts with 30 ; North Dunedin Rifles with 40. The Dunedin Artillery require to transport three guns, and Oamaru one. The acceptances to date amount to close on 400 from ten companies, and fortyseven more have yet to reply.