SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 998, 1 July 1879, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON. July 1. Mr. Ma cm drew denies that he is going to resign. He also says that none of his colleagues will.

PORT CHALMERS. July 1. Arrived—Owake Belle, which slipped her anchor and put to sou from Timaru on the 20th June. She ran into Port Chalmers this morning with the loss of several sails; and her anchors. The gale has now abated, and the weather is fine.

DUNEDIN. . . July 1. On the south line the water has gone down fast. But it is doubtful if the train can get beyond Greytown till Thursday. It will be days before the traffic on the north line is resumed, as the slips beyond Purakanui are very hcavr.

In" the case of North and Scoullar v. the Corporation, the jury found a verdict for defendants. This was a test c;>se to decide the Corporation's liability for damage by floods. Notice of appeal was given.

PALMERSTON. July 1. Mr. Jas. Duncan,.of the Empire Hotel, has just started with a trap, carrying the mails and passengers for Dunedin, via Blueskin. He will meet another trap at the Waikouaiti River, and transfer the mails and passengers. Two of the stone piers of the new bridge Lately constructed at a cost of LSOOO, are being washed away. The railway is blocked at Flag Swamp, Tumai Station, and very large landslips have occurred in the vicinity of Seacliff. The line is not expected to be opened for at least a week, but nothing definite regarding the extent of damage done is known at present. No mails or papers have come to hand since Saturday. A mail is expected from Dunedin to-day. Communication has just been opened with Oamaru, and the papers just received are the first from any source since Saturday.

CHRISTCHURCH. July 1. Edward Dillon is charged at the Resident Magistrate's Court with obtaining an order of payment from Royse, Stead and Co. for L 75 on false pretences, and on a second count with obtaining an order for payment of LiO and a threshing machine which lie had obtained on the faith that his farm was freehold. Since bankruptcy, however, the farm had appeared in the name of his brother. The case is remanded to the 4th.

The floods up country are decreasing. There was heavy rain last night. The Committee appointed at the meeting re charitable aid last week met for the purpose of drawing up a report on tke subject of forming a Benevolent Society for Christchurch. Only preliminary steps were taken, as information from other sources lias to be obtained before a final report can be drawn up. The shipwrecked crew of the barque D. L., cast" ashore on the coast, are now .sfiivin" Christchurch, and will leave a-;ain to-day for New Brighton. It is thought that a good part of the cargo may be saved.

A man named Paul Clifford was smothered yesterday while working as a diver at the wreck of the barque Bells. He had a diving apparatus with an air tube. When released a very small quantity of water was found in the helmet, but the man was quite dead, although down only" a little over ten minutes.

The Registrar's returns for Christchurch and district during June are as follow : Births, 107 ; marriages, 29; doat-hs, 39. The half-year's returns arc as follow : Births. 1023; deaths, Ho : marriages, 231.

Dr. Fpster, r. leading Christclutrch lawyer, was yesterday fined 10s forgetting 011 :i train while in motion.

Another batch of parents have been summoned by the Kaiapoi Sciiool Committee for not sending their children to school. In four out of eight cases the Magistrate made an order for the children's attendance. The action of the Committee is said to excite considerable resentment.

LYTTELTON. July 1. Arrived : Wellington, from Akaroa. Sailed : A'nsdell, for Kaipara ; Emperor, for Newcastle ; Wanaka, for Wellington.