Telegrams.

Otago Witness, Issue 1248, 30 October 1875, Page 14

Telegrams.

Wellington, October 22nd. The draft terms of agreement for the construction of street tramways have boen arranged between the Committee of tho City Council and Messrs O'Neill and Henderson. The line is to be laid within 12 months, and the fare nob to exceed 3d.

. October 22nd. Ifc is said that one of the reasons urged by Mr Macandrew why the Legislative Council should not, in the Otago Waste Lands Act, take away the power of selling certain lauds at 103 an acre, was thab the Government had arranged several large sales at that price, in order to provide money for constructing the branch railways authorised by the Provincial Council.

The captain of one of the ships now in port here says he waa ia London when the Strathmore left. She was dreadfully overloaded with railway iron. Her Captain, on coming up from Scotland, declined to take her to sea, and 50 tons of iron were taken out. This was a mere nothing, and she sailed most unsafely deep. The Government fully intend to dissolve as soon as ever the new rolls are completed. October 23rd. This afternoon Messrs J. C. Brown, G H. Tribe, W. H. Harri?on, W. A. Murray and C. O'Neill, M.H.R.'s, waited on the Colonial Secretary to present a petition, addressed to His Excellency the Governor and members of the Executive Council, from members of the Waipori Miners' Association, praying to be relieved from certain fees which have been imposed on tho miners of the district of Ocago in connection with drainage works which have been effected by Government there. It is complaiued that these charges are unjust, oppressive, and calculated to discourage mining enterprise iv th« district. Mr J. C. Brown described the position in which the miners were placed, and pointed out that t!ie charges at tue present rate were excessive, and would tend to drive miners away from there, rather than to encourage them to remain and work ground which was unfit for any other purpose but gold-mining. Other members of the deputation having spoken, the Colonial Secretary replied that the question was one which rested with, the Provincial Government of Otago, as the interest aud coat of the work were charged against the Provincial Government. He would, however, communicate with Provincial authorities, and if they could act in concert with them, would gladly recommend the prayer of the petitioners to their favourable consideration.

His Honour the Superintendent, Sir George Grey, Mr Bunny, and Mr Sheehan leave by the Albion to-morrow, to accompany Mr Macandrew on hw return to Otago. At Lyttelton they will be joined by Mr Eolleston.

The boating season opened this afternoon with a procession, with about 20 boats and 69 members, 09 under :— Star, 11 boats, 42

men, Wellington, 4 boats, 11 men; Telegraph, 1 boat, 6 men ; Queenstown, 4 boats, 11 men. Mr Snow is Commodore, and Mr Wakefield Secretary.

October 25th

It is stated that His Excellency the Governor will visit Canterbury next month, probably leaving about the 6th prox. He will be present at the races. The Ne.v Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) furnishe-i the following pr.xlucn telegrams : — London 2ml October, 1875. Wool sales closed firmly at an average decline of from lAd to 2d. 20,000 bales have Won ht-ldover for future dispns-il. 15,000 bales havo been withdrawn. Doling past Bales 120,000 bales have buen taken for export. The continental demaud is limited. Trade in the manufacturing districts is unchanged. Next aaluM will commence on the -3rd November. London, 14th OctoberTallow is n-ady of fain. Public sales of Australian comprised 3000 casks. Mutton, £51 per ton, beef, £49. In th« leather trade the demand ia quiet. Arrivals are heavy. The market is quiet for wheit— stocks heavy. Adelaide is worth 44* per 496 lbs., -New Zealand,* 525.

October 26th.

The following are the weights for the Wellington Cup : — Tambourini, 93t Gibs ; Temy>leton, 9:jfc 3Uu ; Haphazard, 9at ; King Philip, Bst 4lbaj Rory O'More, Sat 3los ; Guy Fawkea, Bst 3ibs ; Hercules, 7^t 12lbs ; Tadmor, 7«t lOibs ; Tommy Dodd, 7st 9lba ; Glenary, 7at Gibs ; Voltaire, 7st Gibs ; Cornelia, 7st Gibs ; Maifl of the Mouutaiu, 7st 51b* ; Itanolf, 7st 4lbs ; Princess Mary, 7st ; Kauri. Gat 121bs ; The Chief, 6sfc lOlba ; Blair Athol, 6*t lOlbs ; Cloth of Gold, 6st lOibs ; Oooksure, 63fc lOibs ; Korari, Git lOlbs ; Caatalian, Gst 71bs ; Pungawerewere, 6st 71hs j Banker, G3t 71bs ; Folfarine, b'st 71bs ; Voltarine, 63t Gibs.

October 28th.

It is understood that the result of the Court of Eoquiry into the conduct of Colonel M'Donuell, re Brisaendea's letters, will be nothing more than an expression of regret that he should have beea so illadviped as to retain poßsession for more ti'an three days of a letter not intended for him, and that the Court entirely exonerated him from all blame or responsibility for fe manner in which the letter came into his possession.

Auckland, Ootober 21st. Father Hickey, who visited the Colony six years ago, collecting subscriptions for Chnrchea in Ireland, is expected to be Bishop Crokes's successor in the Catholic Bishopric of Auckland .

The alterations to the steamer Wellington are completed. They coat about £6000. The vessel is expected to attain a speed of 12 knots. She is finished in a very superior style.

Kirby was committed for trial on a charge of indecent assault.

A son and daughter of Mr Henderson, Messrs Brogden's representative in New Zealand, were aboard the Strathmore, retoirning from school in Germany, The son was aged 19, aud the girl 16. The charge of indecent assault against Kirby, ooal merchaat, waa again heard today, the Crown prosecuting. He was committed for trial. Addressing the Resident Magistrate, Kirby said, "Owing to the Government taking this up, he would offer no defdnce. No Magistrate in Auckland would or could have the independent spirit to acquit him. O£ this charge he would say no more."

The Provincial Analyst has reported on some Auckland grape wine submitted to him. Ho says ifc is perfectly pure, and specially adapted for Invalids. A London telegram oonfirmß Owen and Graham's appointment as Auckland agents for the new mail line.

October 22nd. Ifc is stated that when the crew of the City of Auckland were creeping over the kegs containing 25 tons of powder to get at the brandy, a candle slipped and fell down between the kegs beyond their reach and wa3 still burning when one of the sailors extinguished it with great difficulty. The bricklayers have resolved to demand 12s per day instead of Us— the present rate. Attention is being drawn to the practice of pillaging casks of liquor while on the wharf for sampling and gauging purposes. The action of Berry, a contractor, terms Brogden, for breach of agreement by refusing to allow plaintiff to complete contract, resulted today in a verdict for plaintiff of £122.

The revenue cutter sent in search of the capsized cutter Blonde found her afloat and towed her towards Mercury Bay, but setting on the rocks she had to let her go. Two men, who formed the crew of the Bio.ide, are, no doubt, drowned. The vessel was light, aad, probably, capsized ia a sudden, squall.

October 23 rd. There lias been a row between the Natives and Europeans at Kawa Kawa, owing to Marshall Brown and his Kawiti followers going to a hotel where Eugene Beda and his Maori wife were staying, and demanding that she be given up. Bushmen and others joined in the riot. Shots were fired from a revolver amougst the Europeans, and wounded one Native dangerously. One European was taken into custody. The Coronet, from Tahiti, reports the guano ship Eddystone, which pufc in there leaking, as repaired and sailed, but had to put iv again, leaking worse than ever.

October 25th. lbe steamer Wellington mado an official trial trip to-day. A hundred gentlemen were entained to dinner aboard. With twenty-five pounds pressure of steam, and seventy-three revolutions, a speed of twelve knots was attained.

__ _ , r October 26th. Ihe Bank of New Zealand's report at the halt-yearly meeting to-day showed that the net profit for the half-year, after providing tor bad aud doubtful debts, was L 47 103 • Ti^n^ " nd | v i ded fr om last half-year, L 1 61,974 ; total, L 64.077. A dividend of JO per cent, and a bonus of 5s per share weredeclareH. Ihe adoption of the report was moved by Mr btone, who said that, since its commencement, dividends had been paid to the sharefM'nnSf^ 8 was £180,000, and £100 000 had been written off Bank W nuses and furniture accounts. The balance.

sheet showed magnificent deposits and circulation, amounting to £6,180,000," altfioughT £1,500,000 or this was the balance of the £4,000,000 loan. The demands on the Bank for accommodation during the past twelve months, consequent on the rapid growth of the business of the Colony, and apparent indisposition on the part of foreign banksto enlarge their advances, had been very great, and it has sometimes been apparent to the Directors that, without taking a very sanguine view of a futuro return as favourable, as prnpwed today, ifc could be paid by the Buik on considerably increased capital. The 1 Directors, therefore, determine to avail themselves of the power committed to them to make a further issue of 10,000 shared, which will be first offered to the present proprietors at a premium of £5, ' being £3 uolow the present Colonial value of shares, and £7 below the price in London. Paymenb for the new shares will not bo required till the Ist January, from which data new shares will participate in pr .fits of the half year, and, in the meantime, any shareholder electing to pay in advance, will, till tVe Ist January, be bu titled to inteiO3t at the rate of six per cent, per annum. It is also intended to alter the Deed of Association so as to increase the reserve f unds. .Referring to che Government account, the Chairman said the possession, by the Bank, of the Government account had caused such jealousy that, should the Government submit the account to tender, the Bank would not feel aggrieved. No doubt, if the account were to remain at pre lent, as during the pa3fc six months, there would be good reason to make it an object of desire, but that condition is far from being the normal condition of that account, ani it may well be apprehended whutht-r it will loug remain in such state as to make it an object of envy as of late. The Chairman then referred to Mr Bridges's evidence with surprise, and in terms of strong condemnation. Mr F. WLitaker also entered afc considerable length into Mr BtMges'B charges. He said, with reference to the Port Chalmers railway, that the matter waa one thafc Mr Bridges could have no knowledge of. He further said it was asserted ■ that ifc wji* resolved by the Bank to turn out the Ministry of Weld, and put in Stafford, aud so they came to the expressed determination thit they would make no advance to Weld. The accusations were in a general interest, but were as a specific charge against Mr Russell of having said this in so many words, afc a meeting. Of course the refutation of this charge must bo kfc to Mr Russell himself ; but for his own part he oould say, on his honour, thau having been • the confidential adviser of the Bank for fourteen years he had never once known the influence of the Bank used for political purposes, and it was impossible that it coukl have been so used without his knowledge. Mr Russell, he was sure, would feel ifc the highest of impropriety to advise such a course, and this charge, as well as the first, he felt morally certain was totally unfounded throughout. During the whole of his (Mr Whitaker's) connection with the B*nk he could recollect no action of which he was ashamed. Having had such close knowledge of the Bank's affairs, and having bepn lately a speefcntor of the proceeding* at Wellington, he had taken the opportunity of seconding the adoption of the report and balance-sheet for the purpose of affording thia explanation. The report was unanimously adopted, and Mr Taylor was elected a director.

October 28th. The fishing boat Tilly sunk ia a squall in Manukau Harbour. IVo men were drowned.

C. Higgins, for landing £4 worth of jewellery without passing entries, was fined £25.

The Hero arrived off the Bay of Islands, and stopped at Nine Pius instead of Whale Rock, six miles off, where a special despatch boat was waiting to convey news aahore to telegraph South, from Russell. The Hero then steamed to sea. The disappointed boat's crew have been camping out since Sunday. The Hero will arrive at Auckland to-morrow morning early. In the King's country all are busy putting in the main crop of potatoes. The Natives have to give up growing maize, the pheasants being so numerous and destructive that sowing seed of almost any description is labour in vain.

At Hikurangi, great preparations are still going on for Tawhiao's meeting. A large quantity of provisions is now stored there, a good deal of ifc consisting of Native food in days of yore, such as manuka, fern root, eels, &c. Of the latter, three large canoe loads were taken up alive last week in baskets, and several loads of prepared one's are coming up from Lower Waikafco. Flour, pork, and bullocks are all abundantly provided fer the great gorge. The appliances of a printing press came up last week to Tawhiao's place, near Kiapiha. The heavy machinery of the press is now some feeb under Waipd. It was landed some time since, and left; on the bank. Several freshes in the river lately have completely covered it, and it will cost 'some trouble to recover it. Tawhiao himself sets his face against the press. It was against his wish it was sent up. He wished it to remain in Teniharo's charge, and says : "The printing of newspapers will only cause trouble between his people and the Pakehas, and he would rather not have it." Howana and Tahi Howhera have brought it up, and it is now iv taeir hands — a white elephant, aud they do not know what to do with it. Ifc will be for sale ere long. In accordance with a resolution of the Synod, the leading Episcopalians have formed a Branch Church of England Temperance Association, to promote Temperance by providing rational amusements. Membership does not necessitate total abstinence.

Christchpech, October 28th.

The arrangements for the interprovincial pigeon match are progressing vi>ry satisfactorily. The Otago team is already made' up, and a strong one to represent Canterbury is being got together. Most of the Northern Provinces intend to compete. There are to be ten men in each team. The respective teams tire on their own ground. The prizes and general conditions, have yet to be arranged. The Ofeago men have suggested that the match should be tired on November 9fch, but the Canterbury representatives

wilLendeavour to get the date 1 altered -so as to avoid clashing with . the metropolitan show and races.

The hatching of trout ova has been very successful this year, and the result ia a lnuoh larger number young fish than on former occasions. Tip. to the present time 6796 young trout have been removed from the hatchingboxes to the breeding pond in the Gardens still upwards of 2000 trout remain in the hatching- boxes. Thus the total number hatched this season is about 9000. Last season the nuuibrr did not exceed 8000.

Nelson, October 21at. ; The chief officer of the Chile, who was charged with larceny, was discharged this morning, it bein« proved that the jewellery he had sold was picked up by him in the hold in the presence of two witnesses.

„. _. Blupf, October 2lst. ' lne Kingarooma, with the Suez mail 6a board, arrived this niorniag. She left Melbourne at 7.40 p.m. on the 17th, and on th lysn. experienced a terrific uorth-wester, accompanied with thick equalls and a -heavy sea, which compelled her to heave to for nineteen hours, arriving here at 10 30 this morning. Sac briuga 40 saloon and 35 steerage passengers, 360 tons cargo, aud 200 sheep, for all ports. - " , Passengers : Mr and Mrs Neill and servant, Miss Boyd, Mrs Hoskins, Mrs Boyd, Mr and Mm Moody, Kev.,,J. Wood, Mr tfarthron, Mr and Mrs Larnach and family (2) Hr Do-ids, Mr Eva, Mr Barker, Mr Lindsay, Mrs Hart, Miss Cameron, Mr Neill, Mr and Mrs Scotland and family (2)1 Mrs Dads, Miss Dods, Mr Parsons, Mrs Lees, aud 30 steerage. 270 tons cargo ■

•Rivertojt, October 22ud. Mr Proudfoot, the contractor, informed Mr ineophiluß Daniel, Immigration Officer of his intention to biiug an action- for- libel against him (Mr Daniel), as being the author of a paragraph which appeared in the Western Star of tfce 9th inst., referring *to immigrants not being able to get employment on the railway worka through a ' misunderstanding between the Government and the contractors.

■ur mv Watoanot, October 23rd. Mr inomaa Powell, a merchant and old settler, died last, night, aged 68. He had been suffering tor months from the effects of an upset of a buggy.

Lyttelton; October 2£rd. * Captain Smith,, of the barque Coqueda Village.- committed suicide this' morning. The mate found him dead in his berth,<with a bullet hole in the temple. Pecuniary difficulties are supposed to be the cause of the rash act.

.... . October 25th. . At the mquost on the body of Captain Smith, the Jury returned a verdict of, temporary insanity. The nautical inquiry waa resumed to-day, and is likely to occupy some days. "\

Napier, October 2sth. ' Trial borings commence to-morrow to I ascertain the nature of the bottom along the line of the proposed Harbour Works. The line w;ll be so situated that the works, when constructed, will reduce the channel to about a third of the present width, A fatal accident occurred in the Inner Harbour to-day. A boat containing four men capsized, and one, Nicholas ' Christian Frederiosen, was- drowned. The rest^jjot aahore. , s »c „.„ Ootober 26th; Mr Miller reports the sale of Todd's* Homewood property, 2000 acres, to Duncan M'lAren and W» White, of Canterbury, for £9,750 ; and the lease of Chapman's Okawa property, 1280 acres, to Franklin White. Canterbury, for U yearg— atook at valuation. Wano^ci, October 25th. The Supreme Court opened to day. There was only one criminal case — Regina Collons, late clerk of the Foxton Tramway for embezzlement. The Grand Jury brought in no bill, and the case dropped^ It ia considered the Tramway accounts were kept in a very loose manner. The wife of a carpenter, named Hughes, committed suicide by drowning in the river on Sunday morning. She had been in a desponding state for some time,' but was thought quite safe. She leaves & ohild 1 two" years old. ' * • mv tt „ . October 2BH»;' ihe Herald, in an article, suggested that Sir Julius Vogel should be returned as 'the second member for Wanganui. The response (?) in favour of the idea seems to be well received throughout the community: '

„„ - , Timartt, October 28th. At the .Lemuka luncheon yesterday, celebrating the opening of the Timaru aud Temuka railway, Sir George Grey, Messrs FitznerberC, Rolleston, Macandrew, Sheehan Bunny, &c, attended, having arrived by the Albion en route for Dunedin. All fopr Su■permtendents made strong Provincial speeches, with direct bearing on the coming elections. Before anyone had a chance to speak on the other side, Mr Rolleston vacated the chair," saying Sir George Grey wanted to go for a walk, and the whole attair came to an abrupt termination. The affair fcook the puople certainly , by surprise. There were scarcely any of the leading settlers outside of- Temuka present, the luncheon having been intended as a quiet little local demonstration. A reporter sat at the head table with' the Superintend, ems, taking notes.