TELEGRAMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7557, 7 May 1886, Page 2

TELEGRAMS

(Phh United.Press Associatios.)

'■-•"'•'■■■• ■"■AuckliAnd, May 6. The field force of constabulary at Waikato is to be transferred. to Auckland-to undertake duty at North Head batteries. ■ :

Through a misunderstanding no cool chamber was built on the Rimutaka for the Auckland fruit exhibits for the Colonial Exhibition as promised, but the exhibits were placed amongst the ordinary cargo in the hold. ; The shippers of fruit are indignant after the trouble and expense, and feel.certain the exhibits will reach London ruined. • :

A wealthy farmer named Wm. Hirst, Marton, has been fined £15; and costs (£11), or one month's imprisonment, for cruelty to animals. The cruelty consisted in that after buying pigs in the market, instead of branding them, he scored with a pocket knife gashes in their backs 7in and sin long respectively! ; ~ "

Warrants have been issued for the apprehension of five men on a charge of forcibly entering, with violence, the residence of James Dyer, New Lynn. This is an agrarian dispute, and defendants claim to have acted under legal advice, • ■

New Plymouth, May 6.

The charge of conspiracy brought against the three justices of Mokau; occupied the court all yesterda}'. This morning the R.M. dismissed the case, as there was not even a scintilla of evidence against defendants. - ~ .

. . Wellington, May 6. The Defence department has secured the services of a man thoroughly conversant with laying submarine mines, and in a short time he will enter on his duties as instructor to the torpedo corps in that special department. The appointee was until.recently in the service of one of the Australian Governments. He was one of the firsc-class instructors of submarine engineers at Chatham. -

Mr W. J. Speight, ex-M.H.R. for the Thames, has been appointed Auckland manager of the Government Life Insurance Association.

Sergeant M'Goven, who took a prominent part in the capture of the murderer Winiata, has been appointed inspector in charge of the Kawhia district.

Blenheim, May 6. At the Supremo Court to-day Thomas O'Rourke was acquitted on a charge of horsestealing. The trial of Patrick O'Sullivan for stabbing John O'Sullivan (both parties being publicans) is now proceeding.

CHEiSTCHnncH, May 6. The census returns for Kaiapoi district are as' follow : —Males, 3471; females, 3424; total, 6895. Buildings, 1342. The above figures include the Kaiapoi borough (728 males and 794 females) and Rangiora borough (789 males and 792 females). Ashley district: Males, 2643 ; females, 2150; total, 4793. Buildings, 956. Cheviot district :• Males, 2655 •;'" females, 1941----total, 4596. Buildings, 977.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS. (From Our Own Correspondents.)

Wellington, May 6. THE NEW GUINEA QUESTION.

With, reference to the Sydney conference on the New Guinea question, I understand that the New Zealand Government are quite willing that the Queensland Government should administer New Guinea affairs. The question will be further considered at a Cabinet meeting to-morrow. .

MILITIA, VOLUNTEERS, AND POLICE.

I hear that the Armed Force Bill which Mr Ballance is to introduce will consolidate all existing acts relating to volunteers, armed constabulary, and militia, and will make provision for altering the constitution of the militia. The alterations to be proposed are understood to be as follow:—The first-class militia will be composed of unmarried men between 17 and 30 years of age, the second-class will comprise

married men from 17 to 30 and bachelors from 30 to 40, and.the third class will consist of married men from 30 to 55 and bachelors from 40 to 55. It is also intended to change the title of the armed constabulary torpedo and artillery forces to that of the " Permanent Militia." The Defence Minister will also introduce a bill entitled " The Civil Police Bill," which will consolidate existing acts having reference to the liolice and change their name to that of armed constabulary. "--.■•"■

Timaku, May 6. EDUCATION BOARD.

The Board of Education held its mouthly meeting., to-day. After disposing, of routine business, a discussion on scholarship regulations came up, caused by a notice of motion by Mr Talbot. A short statement of the facts of the case is as follows:—At the annual examination of pupils for scholarships, a girl named Margaret Austin, daughter of James 'Austin, farmer, of Winchester, won a scholarship. The board's committee recommended that the girl be sent to the nearest high school to her resi-' dence—viz., the Temuka District High School. The father demurred to this decision, and as his house was over two miles from a railway station and the girl was of delicate health;' requested the board to allow her to go to the Tiiriaru High School—of course the board to pay lodging allowance. On a vote being taken, Mr Talbot's motion that the request be granted was lost by live to two, the majority being firmly of opinion that it was illegal^ in the face of the act to accede to Mr Austin's wishes. However, to enable parents who wish to send board's scholarship - holders to the Timaru High School.a notice of motion was given by Mr Barker for next meeting which sets forth that the parents can do so on apply-" ing to the board and ou paying the extra cost of tuition over and above, the actual ordinary scholarship grant. The question of school libraries also came up, as raised by a circular from_th3 Education department received last meeting. The members decided as follows:— "1. That the board read with pleasure the circular re school libraries provided by the Minister of Education to head teachers. 2. That while, cordially concurring with the Minister in respect to the educational value, of school libraries, this board has as yet taken no steps towards" the establishment of such libraries. 3. That seeing the' board's funds'are limited and unable to: bear much strain in the direction of •school libraries, it is respectfully suggested that in voting the usual annual grant for public libraries Parliament might include a reasonable sum in aid of school libraries." ,