TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 978, 7 June 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON. June G. A telegram has been received to-day by the local commission from the executive commission, dated Sydney, June 5, stating that the date of the opening of the Exhibition would be finally decided in a few days, but the probabilities point to its being the 17tli September. Arrangements are being made by the Corporation with the Bank of New Zealand for an advance upon the municipal loan about to be floated, so that the city public works can be entered oil as soon as specifications can be prepared and tenders accepted. This will enable a good deal of employment to be given during the winter. The Gazette notifies that the time for making objection to the valuations under the Land Tax Act, 1878, has been extended to 18th June. All the articles intended for the Sydney Exhibition will be carried free over all the New Zealand railways. All exhibits must be legibly marked for Sydney Exhibition,

DUNEDIN. June 6. There was a narrow escape from a serious fire this evening. Soon after 6 o'clock, it was discovered that the shop in front of the City Dye Works, Stuartstreet, was in flames. With the assistance of the neighbors and a constable, the fire on the premises was subdued, after LIOO worth of stock had been destroyed. It is supposed the fire was caused by the explosion of a kerosene lamp, Hall, the proprietor, was only insured for LIOO. It is understood, on the best authority, that Parliament will, next session, be advised to authorise a loan of from L 5,000,000 to L 9,000,000. No less than 300,000 rabbit skins passed the Customs during last month. AUCKLAND. June 7.

During the storm Mr. Smith's cowshed at Pah Farm was blown over, and four valuable cows were killed. Another slice of Marsden Point, Waipu, is going, as is also a large store containing settlers' goods. Large buildings at the Parawai gardens, Thames, were blown into the sea and lost. Telegraphic communication with the North was interrupted, and steajners windbound along the coast. An elderly naan named ''Paddy" Sjnith is missing. A half-caste named Grundy and a Maori named Henare have been arrested for alleged cattle-stealing at Lucas Creek, The Eev. Thomas Buddie lectured last night on Maori Kingism. He said that Maori Kingism was in a rapid process of dissolution. Hardingfcon's hotel and stables at Onehunga were burned down early this morning. Twenty men of the Armed Constabulary were quartered there, en route for TaranakL

NEW PLYMOUTH. June 7. The Wellington has just arrived'. Professor Eraser, the Phrenologist who went on a visit to Te Whiti, returned to Stoney River last night. Te Whiti received Fraser in a very friendly manner, and he felt his bumps. Fraser will probably give a lecture respecting his visit. Volunteering is still going on. The mounted rifles now number 70 members. Major Atkinson has gone on a visit to Hawera. The Stella has left for the Manakau to bring down the Constabulary from Auckland. The natives are still ploughing up Mr. Courtenay's land. CHRISTCH URCH. June 0. During the past few days OS men have applied to the immigration agent for work, 42 of whom are married, with 70 children between them. Of the single men, 24 were Government immigrants, and of the married lot, 23 were Government immigrants. Work will be commenced on the railway to-day, but as many of the married men as possible will be kept in town. The New Zealand Shipping Company have received advice of the arrival of the Stadt Haarlem at Rio Janeiro. A woman named Ashwin, and her son Martin Ash win, were arrested on a charge of setting fire to a sawmill at Decanter Bay, Banks' Peninsula, in December last. They were brought before the Akaroa KM. to-day, and remanded for a week. Bail was allowed in two sureties each of L3OO. The 4th of the month passed off much better than was expected. More money is offering on mortgage now than for some time past, and when this has percolated through the ordinary channels of business matters will be easier. A good deal of satisfaction has been caused by the receipt of a telegram from the Hon. Mr. Maeandrew sanctioning the employment of Oxford birch" for sleepers. This is the wood that has been commonly used under the name of black birch, and the refusal of the Government to use it had caused great consternation amongst the sawmillers. Mr. E. C. J. Stevens, one of the members for the city, met his constituents this evening in the Oddfellows' Hall. There was a thin attendance, and the Mayor took the chair. After replying to several questions of no great interest, Mr. Stevens received a vote of thanks and confidence, moved by Mr. H. A. Davis, and seconded by Mr. Toovey. Mr. Murray-Anysley addressed the electors of Lyttelton this evening. His speech was almost wholly devoted to reviewing the session. A vote of thanks for liis attendance was passed at the conclusion of his speech. TIMARU. June G. At the Police Court to-day, a respectable looking man named William Burgess was sentenced to three days' imprisonment for wilfully breaking a borough lamp. The offence was committed deliberately, right under a policeman's nose. The accused stated he had walked all the way from the Taieri, in Otago, in search of work, and as he was almost starving, he was determined to get locked up, so as to obtain lodgings and food. The steam crane being thoroughly repaired and strengthened, is to be again officially tested to-morrow. Captains Phease and Culbert, of the English barques Edwin Fox and Chili respectively, were violently assaulted late on Wednesday night, in Church-street, by six ruffians, who knocked them down and mauled them severely. No clue has been obtained to the perpetrators of the outrage, but it is clear they mistook the captains for some other persons. INVERCARGILL. June G. At the Education Board meeting to-day, a resolution favoring Bible reading in the State schools was passed by five to two.