TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4029, 16 January 1875, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

Wellington, January loth. -The Te Ore Ore bridge at Wairarapa was •opened . yesterday by the Superintendent, over 400 people being present. A lunch was ••afterwards held in the Town Hall at Masterton. In reply to the toast of his health, the Superintendent said that the* erection of ■ -the bridge was not to be regarded as a work of local, but of a Colonial character. He felt that he would not be doing his duty as Superintendent if he did not bring to their notice the connection between such a work -and the present position of public affairs. He named men—notably Mr O'Rorke and ■Sir George Grey—to prove the statement made on several occasions that only Superin•tendents, Provincial Secretaries, &c, were ■averse to the abolition of Provinces, was incorrect. The proposal to abolish the Pro"vinces has been brought forward in the barest possible manner, aud it was impossi■bie to reply to the proj:>osition unless some •measure of detail of how it was to be done •was brought forward ; and yet, because his 3>arty did not reply to anything, to a mere -abstract proposal, it waa / said it was clear they had nothing to say in defence. It was a people's question, and involved rights for "which, blood had been freely shed in other •countries. The question had been brought forward in a hurry, and without mature consideration, and the present time was not the time to bring it forward. The Colony was .not in want of money now, bub would want it soon, and it was highly injudicious to disturb the mind of the public creditorwith •constitutional changes. Something had been .proposed in the shape of self-government, but he would warn them not to go after an ■ignis faluus, but to cling to the privilege of ■electing their own executive officers, and the right of expenditure of local revenues, which "was the essence of Provincialism.

Yesterday's Gazette contains a proclamation with respect to the bonuses for the manufacture of pottery ware, linseed oil, iron, steel, and paper in tke (Jolony. The vital statistics for December are as follows:—Boroughs: Auckland—Births, 53; ■deaths, 16; proportion of deaths per 1000, 1.25. Thames—Births, 19; deaths, 8; proportion of deaths per 1000, 0.99. Wellington—births, 54; deaths, 24; proportion of deaths per 1000, 2.27. Nelson—Births, 17; deaths, 15; proportion of deaths per 1000, 2.64. Christchurch—Births, 41; deaths, 22; proportion of deaths per 1000, 2.13. Danedin—Births, 73; deaths, 42; proportion of deaths per 1000, 2.27. Hokitika—Births, 10; deaths, 30; proportion of deaths per 1000, 0.59.

Yesterday's Gazette contains a list of officiating ministers under the Marriage Act, 1874. The total number is 395. This includes the following denominations:—Church of England, 165; .Roman Catholic, 60; Presbyterian, 84 j Wesleyan, 51; other denominations, 35.

Arrived.—TaTarua, via the West Coast, and Omeo, from the South.

Auckland, January loth. The Wesleyan Conference opened last evening, when thirty-five ministers were present. The Church was crowded with visitors. The Rev. G. Buddie presided, and the Eev. J. Waller was unanimously elected President. There were missionaries from Samoa present, including native assistants. The meeting was most impressive and imposing. The famed Conference hymn was sung with great spirit. The City of Auckland has cleared for London with a cargo valued at £48,654. Mr Buckland reports :—Fat sheep abundant, at lower values—3d per lb. ; fat cattle, j6l 2s 6dto £1.7s 6d per 100 lbs. : lambs, 10s to 14s.

Mr G. W. Binney reports business to be <dull. Flour, £L 4to £14 10a ; bran, £7 ; sharps, £7 ; wheat, 6s to 6s 3d ; barley, 4s Gd; maize, 6s; ham and bacon, Is Sd; butter, lOil; potatoes, £6 10s to £7 10s; oats, 6s to 6s 3d.

Mr Alexander Saunders reports sales of ■National Bank, £3 10s ; City of London, £1 8s 6d. Buyers of Bank of New Zealand, £18 15s; South British, £2 Ss ; Cure, ss. Sellers : Fiji, £3; National Insurance, £1 7s.

Hokittka, January loth. An alarming thunderstorm passed o ter the town last night. At 10 o'clock the storm culminated in a quick succession of fearful flashes of lightning and loud thunder. One flash of lightning, resembling a big comet, or the popular idea of a thunderbolt, was seen to strike the Bell Tower and Fire Brigade JEall, and in a few seconds the buildings were in flames. There were few people in the ■street, and a perfect deluge of rain at the time. No • alarm of the fire bell could be given, as the bell wasTsuddenly engulfed in flame 3. Both engines were got out, but the ■wood-work 6f one was on fire. The light ning first struck the summit of the tower and the steel. bell, running along the iron wire ■Teaching from £he tower to the engine-room. The Savings Bank, a small building, was saved with a -struggle. The surrounding buildings were uninjured, and no person was hurt. Fox, the watchman, left the tower before the storm was at its worst. There -■was no insurance on the building, and the Brigade are the only losers.

Lyitelton, January 15th. . . The Lady Bird.was to sail South, at 4.' The Elizabeth' Graham has sailed for Lon--don.