TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1187, 5 February 1880, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

*"* 1 " (PElt PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON. February 4. By the recent fire at Tata Mr. Pike loses L 350. He wa3 insured in the South British for LIOO. The Supreme Court granted a rule nisifor a new trial in the case M'Farlane and others v. Rees. ■ The Torpedo Corps intend having a series of experiments in firing permanent mines and torpedoes shortly. A wellknown engineer here has placed a steam launch at their disposal. H.MiS. Cormorant leaves for the south on Tuesday. A number of penguins brought here by the Hineinoa from the Snares have been let loose in the harbor. Captain Faircliild at first intended to place them on Stephen Island.

DUNEDIN. February 4. J. B. Thallon, 8.A., of the Sydney University, is the successful candidate for the post of master at the Girls' High School. Febrnary 5. The Cromwell Gold Mining Company's crushing for the month gives 33S ounces of gold from 580 tons of stone. CHRISTCHURCH. February 5. The total receipts at the lato amalgamated benefit societies' fete amounted to L3G3, leaving a credit balance, after paying prizes and all expenses, of L4O. This will be divided pro rata among the lodges taking part in tho fete, on a basis of Is 2d per member. Sub-Inspector O'Donnell, of Clyde, succeeds Inspector Hickson at Christchurch. At tho recent examination in one of the Canterbury schools by the government inspector tho following instances of phonetic; spelling occurred in a dictation lesson:—"lzizone" for "Is his own," " Fosfrus" for 11 phosphorus." Tho new fire-bell presented to the citj' by tho Union Insurance Company was again tested last night, when it was worked by two men. The tone was loud, but very flat, and too much like a church bell. It.is believed that the tone can be improved by further alteration in the hanging.; For tho. Great Autumn Handicap the entries aro five less this year than last year.

The Oddfellows' Hall was crammed to excess last night to hear Pastor Chiniquy's third lecture." The Rev. Mr. Smalley, the Chairman, in introducing him, said that in spite of lying priests and lying editors, Pastor Chiniquy would continue to be regarded as one of the noblest men living. The lecturer, in the course of the .evening, referring to the Boxing Day riot, ■advised the audience not to conc&tl ■■their colors, and to go*"- into the :st-reets with them about their '.as, if not free to do so, it would he better 'to die thafl be slaves of the Pofie? He. lectures three nights more next .weekAc the quarterly meeting lastxevening of the Liberal Reform Association a resolution was carried on the motion of Mr. S. P. Andrews, M.H.R., that it be a recommendation to,the, Hon. the Minister for-Lands that it jiS'ilesirable to afford as much assistance as possible to the Cooperative .Laiid-'LaboL'" Company the settlement 011 the lands of the Colony.

AUCKLAND. " " February 4. The Alburnia has declared a dividend of 10 per cent-, per share, absorbing L4OOO. .... Mr. Riccardi, Mr. Harding, and Miss Leaf were passengers by the Rotomahana to Melbourne, under engagement as members of Mr. Williamson's company. They are announced to appear in " H. M. S. Pinafore," before the Melbourne people, on the 14th—Mr. Riccardi as Sir Joseph Porter,- Mrs. Williamson, as Josephine, Mr. Harding as Captain Corcoran, and Miss Leaf as Hebe. Mr. Seymour George, addressing the Rodney- ; electors-,, explained the circumstances .which resulted 111 the defeat of the Grey Goverriment/ When the dissolution took place lie had been beaten by 15 votes. Had an appeal been made to the people when the new Parliament assembled, and had every member kept his pledges, Sir George Grey would have had a majority in the House. He spoke for a considerable' time, and at the conclusion received a vote of thanks. A ; lively scene took place to-night at St. John's Church. Last week a resolution was carried that dancing and rinking bo allowed in : the- Sunday School Hall. Tonight a fresh meeting was convened, and the anti-dancing and rinking fraternity mustered in force. After a warm; debate, the former decision was reversed. The British Empire, which arrived from London to-day, has been placed in quarantine, owing to-the presence oil- board of considerable-sickness. During the voyage there have .been thirty-six cases of measles and eighty cases of scarlet fever. There were 111 all eight deaths, and of these three were from scarlet fever, two being children and one an adult, a man named Vetch. Another case'broke out to-day. The British Empire brings 400 immigrants, all paying their own passages. They are chiefly small farmers. When reported clean, she will load for Lyttelton. The Loch Urr brings eight Halswell rams. Three died during the voyage. A comet, has been clearly seen for the last three. . nights, extending from (he horizon to near the star Beta Serus, about 25 degrees. The appearance of the comet' is causing considerable excitement in scientific circles.,. The tail, is slightly curved, narrow, and bright, and inclined to eclipse at-80 degrees. It reaches from 25 degrees above the horizon to below the horizon.-' At sunset it is visible an the south-west, and it is believed to be approaching the suri. 'The comet was again rather bright to-night. " : . - v February 5.

Mr. Stewart, district engineer, has announced that he will to-morrow paj'the claims recovered by Dem'psey's laborers. Several others recovered judgment today. At the It. M. Court to-day Mr. Thos. Fitzgerald sued Mr. W. L. Hoes for L 25, money lent to pay election "expenses in the City 'East contest, and interest. Judgment was given for L 25 without interest. Th -the J case of Bowden and Co. v. M'lvor, claim for L 5, it was shown that the defendant was owner of Grey .Momus and. three other racehorses. Payment was ordered within two months or a term of imprisonment. A letter to the Secretary of the Sydney Exhibition, says that the medals are being prepared in London, and a plate for the certificates by New York engravers. The prize list will shortly be published.

NAPIER. February 4. Henare Tamoana, M.H.R. , through the Herald, gives notice to' the stewards of the Hawkes' Bay Racing Club that he will not permit the Club-to hold their annual race ineeting on the course. Tauioana also resigns his positiciri as 1 steward. It is alleged that the Club did not ask his'permission to use the course this year. This "is doubtless one of the causes of the notice in question. One of Thompson Bros., who lias been prospecting Kaimananta ranges, returned with about' 801b. of stone, which lie. declares is thickly studded with fine gold. Some of the stone is stated to be in possession of Mr. Mooi - e, manager of the Union Bank/ The rest is in possession of Thompson. Some specimens were shown to the Herald, but were not quartz, and contained but specs of mica. ■ ■ Messrs.. Hoadley and Lyon report the sale to Mr. John White of the Manawataganga leasehold, 12,000 acres, seventeen years to run,' at a rent ■of L 250 per annum. - HAWERA. February 5. The Hon. Mr. Bryce. arrived yesterday evening... .... ...... The Constabulary have finished their work east of the camp, and are -working westward.:: Tito Ko'waru is reported to have gone to Pariluika. He must have some important reason for the visit, as,there is no meeting called, arid the fact of his going now, after ah absence of some months, is pregnant with significance. KELSON. February 4. It is stated that some applications have already befen received for the office of Secretary to-the Board,' the salary for which is L3SQ. The appointment- will probably be made to-morrow. TIMARU. February 4. A very large comet was observed in the western sky last evening, its tail extending over fully 30 degrees. Its head was below the horizon.: The weather to-night is too thick to see it.