TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4019, 5 January 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

Wellington, January 4th. A sharp shock of earthquake was felt here at 7 p.m.

A writ his been issued from the Supreme Court here, and addressed to the Hon. Julius Vogel, Colonial Treasurer, which prohibits him paying to Hayden Hczekiah HaU and Paul Simeon Forbes, contractors for the San Francisco mail service, any money due to them, until the action now pending in Court here against them, at the suit of the Rev. John Raven, formerly of Christchurch, is satisfied.

The Criminal Sittings are concluded. Robert Taylor, for a violent assault, received two years' hard labour; Ivor Geislgaard, for burglary, twelve months' hard labour ; Williams, obtaining money under false pretences, two years.

The Grand Jury made a presentment to the Judge, expressing their regret at his departure from a district which he had presided over in the Supreme Court for 16 years, and expressing their deep sense of the ability, courtesy, and impartiality which uniformly marked his career. The Judge made an appropriate reply. t The following are the fixed sittings of the District Court for the Otago goldiields:— Naseby, second Wednesday in February; Clyde, Monday, the fifteenth ; Queenstown, Monday, the twenty-second; Lawrence, Tuesday, March nine.

Judge Johnston, after charging the Jury this morning, addressed a few farewell remarks to the Court, bar, and public, saying that he might not have another opportunity of doing so. He displayed some emotion in bidding farewell to the place where, he said, he had spent so many happy years of his life.

Auckland, January 4th. At the second day's races there was only a moderate attendance. For the Free Handicap four started. Parawhenua led all round and won, Yatterina second, Belle third, and Never Miss fourth. It is feared that Kangi's accident on Tuesday unfits her for running again. The Handicap Steeplechase was won by Earey, Moose second. Arrow, Highflyer, and Darkie also ran. The Town Plate was won by Templeton, Ngaro second. The Customs revenue for the past year was £221,130; for the previous year, £194,182—being an increase of £26,947.

Thompson, Mr Quick's manager, who attempted to abscond, pleaded Guilty to embezzlement to-day, and was recommended to mercy on account of his previous good character and family. Sentence waa deferred.

The Chief Justice, in charging the Grand Jury, referring to the case, of Cecilia Allen, accused of arson, said it was impossible in a small community to make a special provision for a reformatory, and suggested that one or two should be established for the Colony. He did not consider the calendar a formidable one. He spoke in eulogistic terms of the conducting of the Auckland Gaol.

Nelson, January 4th. The Supreme Courfc opened to-day wifch a very light calendar. The Judge, in charging the Grand Jury, remarked upon his approaching departure from the district, and congratulated the Province and Colony on the general lightness of the calendars, saying that, if this lasted, the Colony would have cause to congratulate itself on the character of the immigrants introduced. . The Grand Jury made a presentment, expressing regret at the Judge's departure, to which he made a feeling reply. Arrived: Gladstone, from London. No passengers. Napier, January 4th. The Hawke's Bay Times ceased publication with the New Year. The William Cundall, the firsfc wool-ship of the season, sails direct for London tomorrow. The Customs revenue for the past year amounts to £43,398, as against £33,100 for the previous year—being an increase of over £10,000.

Christchurch, January 4th. The criminal sessions or the Supreme Court opened this morning. There was a. very short calendar. Judge Gresson, in hi 3 charge, said it was the last time he should preside at that Court, as he had received a communication from the Colonial Secretary that the Nelson district had been assigned to

him, and wishing him if possible to be there by the end of the month. The Grand Jury made a presentment expressing their sense of the impartial, digniSed, and courteous manner in which Judge Gresson had discharged his duties during a period of eighteeen years, regret at his retirement, and a nope that his connection with the Province wonld not cease. _• LrrrELToir, January 4th. _ The Magellan Cloud arrived yesterday from the Chatham Islands.. There was no observation of the transit of Venus made by the party there. LATER ENGLISH AND AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Aucklanc, January 4th. The steamer Hero, Captain Logan, arrived to-day from Sydney. She left on the 29th ulfc., and brings English news to December 25th. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Melbourne, December 29th. Two drunken men on the Yarra on Boxing day upset, a boat and were drowned. Twenty Sisters of the Cross and several Catholic priests were passengers by the steamer St Osyth. Sir George Bowen will be entertained at a banquet by the Mayor previous to his departure for England. / Owing to the general holidaying business has been entirely suspended. Sydney, December 29th. New Zealand Five per Cent. Debentures are being finished off at par. The ship Windsor Castle has arrived. She reports passing a burning vessel, 500 or 600 ton--, on October 22, in latitude 5 20 longitude 23-50. A full rigged ship was standing by, and had evidently rescued the crew. Afc the Hawkesbury Baces the Maiden Plate was won by Mr Tait's Melbourne, Sst , 101b ; Gazelle, 7st 61b, 2ad. For the Hawkes bury Handicap, Blair Athol, 6sfc 61b, was 1 first. Lord Lyon and M'Callum Mohr ran a dead heat for second place—the Arrow was . third. Thakombau proceeded in H.M.S. Dido to Fiji. Brisbane, Dec. 29fch. It is reported that the. Communist refugees were set adrift by a ship now off the coast. 1 _ Newcastle, Dec. 29 ;h. Arrived.—Firefly and Merriett (?), from [ Dunedm. Robert Jones, Endymion, Levi . Stevens, Hadda, and Espicaldo, from Lyttel- . ton. Sailed—Easby, s.s., on the 25th, for W«l lington, with ISOO tons of coal.