TELEGRAMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6496, 7 December 1882, Page 2

TELEGRAMS

(Pkh Unitkd Pkess' Association.)

Auckland, December 6th,

It is stated that the Surrey Hill Estate, Ponsonby, belonging to the Hon. James Williamson, has been sold to the Waikato Land Company. Consequently Thomas Russell and M'Lean and Co. are largely, interested in this purchase.

The Waikato Natives are availing themselves so readily of the Government offers of land through Judge Fenton, that the difficulty now is to find enough suitable blocks for them.

judgment was delivered, in !which Mr Justice Williams concurred, affirming the decision of the Court below, and dismissing the present appeal with costs. In Connor v. M'Kay (2), the,order was varied, and no costs of appeal were allowed.

Gretmocth, December 6th. A very bad case of blood-poisoning has occurred in this'town. A girl named Whitinore cut her foot, and the wound bocame poisoned by her stockings, which were of a brilliant colour. Her head and limbs are swelled abnormally, and her life is despaired of.

' Christciiurch, December 6th. Xho weather promises very badly for the transit to-morrow. It is blowing steadily from the north-east, and tho sky is thickly clouded.

Another case of violent assault in the streets was. before the R.M. to-day. From the evidence given it seemed that the prisoner, whose name is Brown, met a man named Holt at Addington, seized him and, with the assistance of another man, knocked him down. Brown accused Holt of being a Fenian, crying out, " Down him and rob him !"■ In Court he said he respected the plaintiff as a brother, but his Worship said he took a singular way of showing hi 3 respect, and remanded him, bail being allowed. At Leeston early this morning a swagger, who had been about the place for the past three or four days, was found dead in the middle of the road with his throat cut. It is understood he was suffering from a weak constitution, and was also deranged. An inquest will be held.

A lively discussion took place at the meeting of the Kaiapoi Borough Council last night respecting the action of the auditors in passing and signing as correct the annual balancesheet, when, at the same timo, the rate-book had not been submitted to them. By a list then read it was shown there was £329 outstanding in rates. It was finally resolved that the accounts be re-audited, and that Cr Champion and the Mayor act with the auditors. Watson was presented with a bat for his fine batting in the Auckland match, and Fowke, who kept the wickets so well, received a couple of presents also.

Timaru, December 6th. Archdeacon Harper will observe the transit of Venus here to-morrow, in connection with the English party at Christchurch. The weather to-night is very fine and clear.

Oamahc, December 6th. The corner stone of the Columbia Presbyterian Church was laid to-day, with Masonic honours, by Mr T. Procter, W.M. of the English Lodge, and Mayor of the borough. The Hon. Mr Johnston was interviewed by. a number of merchants to-day, who protested against the new railway tariff, as it pressad heavily upon the people of the district, and handicapped the port to the advantage of larger centres. The Minister for Public Works made no definite promises in regard to the matter. Ho said the rates were fixed to promote settlement on the land.

(Reuters Telegrams.) Mei.bour.ve, December 6th.

(Received December 6th, 1882, at 3.5 p.m )

The inquest on the body of.W. Thomas, who died from the effects of injuries received by the railway collision at Hawthorn, was commenced yesterday, but the inquiry was adjourned to the 13th inst.

In tho Legislative Assembly last night Sir Bryan O'Loghlen made a statement regarding the Hawthorn collision, but deprecated any discussion on the subject at the present time. Mr Gillies made a lengthy speech, in which ho insisted that a radical change was necessary in the railway service, and declared that the political system of management had completely failed. Many other speakers' followed, and supported Mr Gillies' criticisms. Mr Bent, the Commissioner of Railways, spoke at length and defended the conduct of the Railway Department. A desultory discussion followed, lasting for six hours. Mr-Bent later on introduced a Bill for the Better Management of Railways, which was announced in the Governor's Speech at the opening of the session.