Telegrams.

Otago Witness, Issue 1161, 28 February 1874, Page 16

Telegrams.

Wellington, February 19th.

The Gazette contains a notification that a bonus of sixpence per gallon will be paid on kerosene produced within the Colony to an extent not exceeding 50,000 gallons, and on quantities net less than 10,000 gallons at a time. The kerosene must be approved by the Government, and sold at a fair market price. Mr Benjamin Smith has been appointed Auditor of Public Accounts for the Province, in the place of William Dorsetfc, reraovfifl. H M.S. Blanche has left for Auckland Islands, Antipodes Islands, and Campbell Islands. Afterwards she proceeds to Auckland, and then returns to Fiji. The toll-gates of the Province have been leased to-day for twelve months for £5430. February 20th. ■ The Government have received information by telegraph from home that £500,000 unguaranteed four and a-half per cent, debentures, without a sinking fund, have been sold at £98 ; also that £200,000 of the debentures guaranteed by the Imperial Government have beeu sold at £3 premium. The following ships have sailed during January [The names are in some cases so incorrect in the telegram chat they cannot be guessed] :—: — Annette, for Auckland, 300 souls ; Navvie, for Buff, 300 ; A9ia, for Otago, 500 ; Pennington and another, for Wellington, 6(50 ; Varina and another, for Canterbury, 806 soiils. The screw steamship Atrato was to sail on February sth for Otago and Canterbury direct with 700 souls. Three were to sail during February, 6000 tons (query for shipping in all). A large quantity of railway plant was to be despatched during February, including three locomotives and six carriages. A proposal is being mooted to form a company to purchase land upon which to erect working men's cottages. In tbe wholesale market Mr O'Shea reports :— Oamaru flour, £13 10s to £14 ; Canterbury, £11 10s to £12 10s'; new oats, 4s 3d ; old do, 4s 9d to 5s ; wheat, 3s Gd to 4s 6d. No milling in the market. Pollard, Is 3d; bran, Is Id ; maize, 5s Cdj bacon, lid; cheese, 7d. February 21st. Considerable interest was displayed upon the arrival of the Phoebe this morning to learn whether Sullivan was on board. Nothing, however, wa3 seen of him, or Warder Watson, They are believed to be still in Auckland. Captain Lloyd, of the Rangatira steamer, accidentally broke his leg in three places, and dislocated his inkle, this af bernoon. The Phoebe takes South several of Mr Redwood's horses for the Dunediu races, including Calumny. He will pick up others in Canterbury. February 23rd. The booths, gates, and cards for the Hutt Course Races were sold for £200 to-day. The Customs revenue for the last week amounted to £2372. Captain Hepburn takes command of the Rangatira until Captain Lloyd's recovery. February 24th. Mr B. Smith has resigned his appoint ment aa Provincial Auditor. A great deal of incouvenience ia felt amongst tradesmen in consequence of the duties of the office not bsing performed. For the Wellington Cup the following horseß havo accepted : — Mr Watt's Hatred, Mr Watt's Batter, Mr Campbell's br f by Traducer, and Mr Brown's Lochinvar. The foremast hands of the steamer Albion struck work last night as the steamer was leaving. The vessel had to be taken on by the cooks, stewards, and firemen. February 25th. A Commission of Enquiry is to be held on board the steamer Mongol to-morrow, for the purpose of ascertaining the cause of the disease which broke out on board, and whether the people ill of fever were sent on board in England. The Daily Tribune made its first appearance this morning. Tho bakera are about to raise the price of the four-pound loaf from eightpence to ninepence. Cameron, who made the splendid score of 99 in competing for the selection of representatives for the Colonial Prizo Firing, is disqualified, because he did not attend the proper number of parades last year. A four-oar crow has arrived from Hokitika to train for the Interprovincial Regatta. The Irishmen of this Province intend commemorating St. Patrick's Day by a public dinner. It is expected to be a vory larpe gathering. Mr 8. Looko has concluded the purchase of 62,000 acres of valuable Native land in and on behalf of this Province. It ia the residue of the Seventy Mile Bush. Auckland, February 20th. An influential deputation of tho Thames mi Moklaad sub waited uj>o» tUo JWw

to-day, tourgethe construction of the Thames and Waikato railway, and adduced statistics showing that the population expected to use the line amounted to 22,077. The area of land contiguous, and fit for cultivation, was 614,973 acres. The consumption at the Thames of coal, stores, etc., which Waikato was capable of supplying, was 27,602 tons. Mr Vogel said he would bring the views of the deputation before his Cabinet, but expressed personal opinion strongly unfavourable. He thought it quite sufficient that work was proceeding for the labour available, and considered the Waikato line to Auckland would afford the Thames ample communication with that district.

A Committee is forming to entertain Mr Vogel at a banquet.

February 21st. A Newcastle telegram states that a petroleum spring has been discovered near Itahni Pakakoe, (sic) eleven miles from Newcastle.

Mr Alexander Saunders reports : — Sales — National Bank of New Zealand, £3 4s ; Caledonian, £10 10a; Kurunui, 13s 6d ; Moanataiari, £1 7s 6d. Buyers — National Bank of New Zealand, £3 4s ; South British Insurance Co., £2 ss; National Insurance Co., £1 3s j Caledonian, £10 103 ; Crown Prince, 14s.

February 24th.

At a meeting of iron workers it was resolved to give one day's pay weekly towards the support of their fellow craftsmen in Sydney, now locked out. Sullivan remains in Auckland. He was sent to Onehuuga to embark on the Phoebe, when he declined going, consequently tho warder remained with him. The Auckland authorities are said not to know what to do with Sullivan.

February 23rd. The City Council have passed a resolution approving of the Western Springs, as recom* mended by Mr Moriarty, the Syduey Gn. vernment Engineer, as the source of the water supply. A deputation waited on Mr Vogel, urging the necessity for legislation in allowing the use of dams to drive timber down the creeks. Mr Vogel regretted that the legislation of last session was influenced by personal dis» putes. There is a considerable exodus of miners from the Thames and Coromandel for the Painter diggings, in Queensland.

Mr Vogel will be entertained at a banquet at the Thames to-morrow.

The Superintendent has been enthusiasts cally received by the Natives at Rotorua, who presented a memorial urging that stepa should be taken to stop travellers disfiguring the natural terraces by writing their names and breaking off specimens. In reply to a deputation, Mr Vogel stated that the Government was anxious to extend the railway to the South as rapidly as possible, and had offered £500 per month for thd completion of the Waikato line within the contract time, He said that the Kaipara railway to River Head would be finished this year. The construction of the cable to Australia had been delayed owing to the Sydney Government not having presented a proposal to Parliament while in session.

CiiRiaTCHUBCH, February 20th, Large sales of wheat are reported. No oats are offering ; barley, 4s to 4s 6d ; butter, scarce, 9£d to lOd j hams and bacon, 9£d. February 2 1st. Mr De Bourbel reports :— Sellers: National Insurance Co., £1 4s ; National Bank of New Zealand, £3 6s 6d ; South British Insurance Co., £2 4a ; Shipping Co , Bs. Buyers — National Insurance Co., £1 3s ; National Bank of New Zealand, £3 6s ; South British Insurance Co., £2 3s.

February 23rd. Mr E. H. Rhodes having resigned his seat in the General Assembly for Akaroa, Mr W". Montgomery, President of the Provincial Executive, and Mr Pelliet, formerly the Resident Magistrate at Akaroa, have offered themselves as candidates for the vacant seat.

February 24th. A meeting of the United Boating Club will be held on Ihursdaj next, to make final ar« rangements for the Interprovincial Regatta. No crews have yet been selected to represent Canterbury. IS is doubtful whether more than one really good crew can be obtained.

There is a great influx of people from Auckland Province to settle here.

Mr De Bourbel reports : — Sellers—National Insurance Company, £1 4s ; National Bank of New Zealand, £3 6s 6d ; South British Insurance Company, £2 4s j Shipping Company, 8s ; Gas Company, 19a. Buyers— National Insurance Company, £1 3s ; National Bank of New Zealand, £3 6s j South British Insurance Company, £2 3s ) Gas, third issue, £3,

Grahamniwn, February 25th. The Railway Committee waited on the Superintendent this morning, respecting thet Thames Valley Line. The Superintendent Baid he and the Executive) were favourable to the construction of the line, and proposals would be submitted at the next meeting of the Counoil, authorising the Province to go to Parliament to borrow the requisite amount. Tho deputation was a large one. Afterwards, a Doep Sinking Drainage Deputation waited on the Premier, and laid the Elans and report of the proposed works before im. The question was fully ventilated. Mr Vogel made a lengthy reply, the tenor of which was favourable. But he thought such an application should be mado through the holder of delegated powera. If he approved of the works proposed, aud the Government approved of a meaaure to Bupply the requisite assistance, it should have then Government support. Parliament, hj pt*tud, would bo Mti^ dwr^iUtfttyy to

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allow the Thames to languish for want of I assistance in developing the low levels. He | was opposed to subsidising works, and sugfested the formation of reserve funds in diviend paying mines to meet future contingencies. He recommended the deputation to , make their proposals as simple us possible, and to take the same before the Superintendent as a preliminary step. Any advance made would have to be on the security of the mines benefited. Their proposal to meet the interest on the loan by an additional duty on gold would be objectionable. I Nelsox, February 23rd. Edward O'Rielly, post-oliice clerk, has been charged with stealing money from a post letter. February 24th. Reilly, the Post-office clerk, has been committed for trial on a charge of opening a post letter. Blenheim, February 19th. The polling here for the Superintendency election is— Seymour, 154 ; Baillie, 71. The other returns are not in. February 20th. The returns for the Superintendency election are— Seymour, 405 ; 'Baillie, 217. The returns not in will slightly increase Seymour's majority. Napier, February 19th, A large grass fire has occurred at Waipawa. Two boys have been severely burnt. One lived only three hours afterwards. The Napier Rifles fired a match with No. 1 Company of the Auckland Rifle Brigade. Napier was victorious by 20 points. Large numbers of carpenters have recommenced work at 12s per day. Several are still out on strike. New Plymouth, February 24th. The Council will be called together on the 9th March. The meeting called by the liquidators of the Pioneer Steel Company was held yesterday, for the purpose of shareholders passing a resolution that, to avoid litigation, the liquidators be authorised to make a call of 15s upon the holders of unpaid shares, the proceeds with other assets to be divided amongst the shareholders in proportion to the amount paid-up. The meeting got noisy, and was adjourned for a fortnight. The paid-up shareholders are the original promoters, who hold three-fourths of the Bhares. Others have paid half the value of the shares; and as the Company is in liquidation, they object to pay more, as in a division of proceeds the promoters will receive the greater part of the hinds. February 25 th. The trout sent from Otago all died on the passage. Taukanga, February 25th. Sickness is very prevalent amongst the Natives. Alexandra, February 19th. Tawhiao and party arrived from Kawhia this morning. Lytteltoh", February 25th. It has been determined at a large meeting of seamen that the rate of wages for home ships shall be £10, and Intercolonial vessels, £8 per month. Hokitika, February 20th. The s.s. Albion arrived at 2.30 this morning. She left Melbourne at 5.30 p.m. on the 14th, and brings 200 tons cargo and 120 pas seugers for all ports. She was tendered here at 11.30, and sails north at noon. February 24th.

The Provincial Council met at 3 p.m. today. Mr White, M.H.R., was unanimously elected Speaker. The Superintendent in his address alluded to the important change in administration from the County to the Province, and also the necessity for keeping legislative and executive functions distinct. He approved of the clause enabling the Superintendent to sit with the Council. The finances for the past half-year showed a surplus of receipts from ordinary revenue to be £1410, including the amount due by Nelson for maintenance of prisoners. The Province has not yet received any portion of the £50,000 authorised last session, but arrangements are being made by the late Chairman to pay off' certain liabilities by an advance from the Banks. He was justified in saying that the Province would commence a career frea from debt, so far as ordinary accounts go. The working of the districts by the two wardens only provided was satisfactory, also the maintenance of the Christchurch road by the Government. Arrangements have been concluded for purchasing the Arahura bridge, now in private hands, and placing it under the control of the Province. It would, he aaid, be idle to conceal the fact that Westland is not sharing the general prosperity, and has not yet received the fair measure of consideration to which it was entitled. The carrying out a lino of railway from the East to the Weat Coast would secure the permanent prosperity of the Province. ft was also necessary to construct a line from Hokitika to Greymouth, and the special Bettlftments in the south. The completion of the Waimea race by Government and the Kanieri race by private enterprise, would contribute to settlement and future prosperity. It was also very desirable to make the Mikonui race. The state of the finances only admits of current expenses, therefore a loan was necessary of such a sum as could be profitably expended, and doubtless the authority of the Assembly could be obtained for auch. The present session would be a short one. The Council will meet again before the session of the General Assembly. It would be necessary to vote supplies at once, and pass an Ordinance for tho administration of

the Government. He would not allude to the tramway law suit, being sub judice. The Council then adjourned till to-morrow night. Oamabu, February 25th. A fatal accidenb on the railway works near Oainam occurred yesterday. A young man named Wessex was killed by a heavy fall of earth, weighing about 30 tons. An inquest was held to-day. It has rained steadily all day. The Albion, s.s , is in the bay. Clyde, February 21st. i Over 1000 acres were applied for yester- j day at the District Land Court in the Roxburgh block. Lawrence, February 19th. At the races to-day the Maiden Hate was won by Young Leamington ; Nelly King second ; Miss King, filly, third. Three ran. Lawrence Handicap : Tambourini 1 ; Ada, colt, 2 ; Verbena 3. Wild Boy last, pulled up. Tambouriui won by two lengths. For the District Handicap : Sultana, 1 ; Young Leamington. 2 ; Raven 3. German Louis ran, and would have won easily, but he bolted off the course eight lengths from the winning post, having a strong lead at the time. Novice was scratched for the Flyiug Handicap, Colour Sergeant bsing first, Wild Boy second, and Patch third. Three ran. ! Malabar, Miss King, filly, and Ada, colt, were scratched. The race was won in n canter by twelve lengths. The day finished ! with a Hospital Race of 18 soys., won by Raven beating three others. The weather was splendid; about 500 people were present.