TELEGRAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1344, 1 September 1877, Page 14

TELEGRAMS.

INTERPRO> T INOIAL ITEMS. Wellington, August 29th. In the supplement to the New Zealand Gazette issued this evening is a proclamation announcing that the practice of shaving prisoners will cease in all the prisons of the Colony, under the Prisons Act, 1873. The prisoners will have their hair, beard, and moustach cut to a length proper to ensure cleanliness, once a fortnight. Judgment was pronounced this morning in the inquiry re the wreck of the Robina Duulop. The Court is of opinion that the vessel was lost through the culpable neglect of the master in not paying greater attention to the navigation of the ship, and not taking proper soundings. The chief officer is also blatneable for not paying better attention to the course and distance made. The Court, therefore, suspend the captain's certificate for two yeara, and hold that the chief officer merits severe censure. The Crown bears the expeuses of the case. Under the 16th section of the Act, the captain may apply to the trovernor for a certificate of a lower grade. The following list of successful and unsuccessful tenderers for the Wallacetown branch contract has been received at the Public Works office : — Accepted : Miller, Murray, and Walker, Invercargill, £11,358. Declined : Graham, Bennett, and Co., Inver* cargill, £11,536; John Mondy, Dunedin, £12,000; W. H. Topham, Invercargill; £12.150; Henderson and Fergus, Dunediu, £12,948 ; Martin, Hughes, and Co., Invercargill, £1b,657 ; J. B. Blair, Invercargill, £14,423. Auckland, August 27th. Captain Savory reports noticing fires at Maturoa Islands, where it is supposed the vessel from whish the wreckage on Ohora beach came may be cast away. A month has elapsed since evidence of a wreck was found, and no steps have been taken to identify or search for survivors. Augunt 28th. The steamers Rotorua and Hero left for Sydney together. Considerable interest is excited in the trip. The Thames Gas Co. has declared a dividend of S per cent. August 29th. The City of Sydney, with tne outward San Francisco mails, made the passage from Sydney in 4 days 12 hours — one of the fastest on record. She brings 24 passengers (including Wheatleigh and company) for Auckland, and 30 (including Emmet) for San Francisco. She leaves at 1 p.m. Christchurch, August 28th. Signor Majeroni made his first appearance at the Theatre Royal last night as the Old Corporal. His acting is exceptionally good, and the audience was very enthusiastic. Both morning papers say a finer .piece of acting has never been seen here. At the Magistrate's Ceurt this morning Mathew Henderson, clerk in the Public Works ofhee at the railway station, was committed for trial for embezzling Government money. One of his duties was to sell empty cases and account for the proceeds, but it appeared in several instances he had not accounted for the full amount. - ! August 29fr. • The land sales this month will be upwards of £160,000. Grahamstown, August 24th. Alburnias have receded to £5 each, the vein in the big reef having run out. The Caledonian has made a call. Moanataiaris have declined in price. The re-action in the market la very marked. August 27th. A rifle match was fired on Saturday between 25 of the Thames Scottish and 25 of the Hauraki Rifles. Five shots at 200, 400, and 500 yards. The match resulted in a tie, the aggregate scores being 1108 points each. Major Cooper, who acted as umpire, gave the match in favour of the Scottish, who made, the biggest scores at the long range. There was great excitement over the match, and the result is regarded as almost unprecedented in volunteering. The Alburnia crushing of general stuff and specimens yielded 21260z. lOdwts. of retorted gold. Hoiotika, August 24th. Messrs Learmonth and Co. report : Golden Fleece, 2 Is ; Wealth of Nations; 92s 6d ; Energetic, 1255 ; Independent, 7s 8d; Keep it Dark, 15s ; Hopeful, 120 a ; Fiery Gross, 13s; Just in Time, 15s; Welcome, 37a 6d. Business brisk. Gkeymouth, August 25th. An explosion of gas took place yesterday in the shaft of the Greymouth Coal Company. Three men were seriously injured. There' were three men at the bottom of the shaft. The first intimation, of the accident was a sheet of flame coming from the shaft, which severely burned the man on the top, and charred the poppet head 3. Immediately means were take* to rescue the three below, who it was feared were killed. On descending, they wera found alive ; one man comparatively uninjured, the ocher two severely burned ; one had both arms broken. They were taken to the Hospital. The names of the injured men are Crawford Kerr, and Has3all. August 27th. There wera four men injured by the gas explosion at the Grey Coal Company's pit. They were all taken to the Hospital, where one of them, John Kerr, died this morning. The others are in a very dangerous state. The exploaion was caused by a slight flame from the fuse, on which a ragged edge had been left, while being lighted with a hot iron. The shot which was fired at the time also exploded. August 28th. The St. Kilda is likely to become a com. plete wreck. Two of her mabts went by the board ye3ter.lay. The Catholics held a meeting last night when resolutions condemnatory of the Education Bill were carried unanimously. la the case of explosion in the Greymouth Coal Company's mine re the death of John Kerr, the Jury returned a verdict that the cause of the explosion was the cutting of a f uae with a ragged edge. The other three men who were injured are expected to live A meeting of the Catholics w*H be held

this week to consider the new .Education BilL ' Alexandra, August 27tK/ The Natives are passing here in large numbers on their return from the .Native » meeting. They report that the Kingites »re~ i determined to remain more isolated than ' ever. No' Pakehas will be allowed to travel' in their district for the future. ' ■ ,' z Westport, August !28tn.' A meeting of the Koronui Coal Co. has arranged with Mr J. Rochfort, surveyor, to complete permanent surveys, and supply, the: s estimated cost of a brinch line, and the coat of delivering coal at Mr Roehfort'a- main ,. line. The Company will call for tenders, and actively push on the work immediately.' The estimates are furnished. ' ' Invercargill, August 29th. There was a crowded meeting ef ratepayers held last night to express opinions re the Invercargill > Gas Loan Bill, now before/ the Legislative Council — the Mayor presided* _ The following resolution was carried after considerable discussion, there being only fiye dissentients: — "That, in the opinibn"of thig meeting, the action of the 1 own Council M' asking Parliament to pass an Act to enable" the Corporation' to. borrow ■ the . sum; of £14,000, for the purpose of extending the., gasworks, meets with the general approval of the ratepayers;" It was -decided to forward the resolution to the Speaker of thej Legislative Council and the Hon. Messrs/ Menzies, Russell, Holmes, and BelL * ' \ Balclutha; August 29th. The Town Council has resolved to take the necessary steps for adopting the new Municipal Act. • ' A numerously signed petition forwarded to the Minister of Justice, prays for' v new '■■ Court House. The present one is far too .small, is built npon a street, and must be •- removed. ' , The Council has promised trees to plant the avenues in the streets. < * :> • ' ■ ■ SPECIAL TELEGRAMS. (FROM OUR OWN" CORRESPONDENT.) Auckland, August 23rd. The Dunedin whaling barque Splendid ; was lying at Vavace on the 25th July. She had taken two sperm whales since leaving Russell, and one humpback. ParfTof each , ( of the sperm whales was lost through" had gear. What was tried out yielded 1 76 bar- ' rels. The whaler Isabella was. at Haopi on < the 31st ult. Her boats had struck several whales, but captured nothing.. „ ; ' August 28th, The share market has been rather flat, since Alburnias fell to £5 per share. ' Tne yield of gold from the Alburnia for the' month exceeded 4000 ounces, from 260 tons of stone. Moanataiaris slightly firmer; buyers at £7. . ,• , Oamaru, August 24th. Yesterday evening the-Mayor, Mr W. J. Steward, gave an entertainment , to jthe past and present Councillors, and the officers of the Corporation. The dinner took .place at . Earle's Dining-rooms. The Councillors and' officers availed 'themselves' of 'thisroppoW tunity to present to the Mayor .-a :very. elegant silver cradle in token of their.estesai and regard, and to commemorate .the birjih iof his son during his past year of office^ "" Two caaes of runaway 'horses occurred' to* day. Through one of them a 'man was' run over and badly hurt. LATER AUSTRALIAN. NE^S. ' (Per Hero at Auckland.) Melbourne, August;l7th;: < The land, sales have averaged, 125,000 acres monthly, against 85,000 for last; year... - monthly. ' » ' A party has gone to Flinders Island to - try to raise the .wrecked ship City of- Foo Ghoo. In the Financial Statement the Treasurer referred to the proposed Industrial Exhibition, which -is to cost from £80,000 to £100,000, extending over -several years, and £7000 is now asked for its commencement. , Ttie land tax would be the same as.that previously proposed. From this source 1 he estimated to receive £200,000. Duties at fixed rates would be remitted, to the, amount of' £56,753, and new duties would be imposed to the amount of £15,000, and increased duties of £28,500 or £28,000 for the present . year. * > ' - : Brisbane, August 18th. i Some Chinese stuck up Warden Hasard, and' robbed him of £200. The steftmer Normanby struok on an unknown reef off Percy Island, at $he, west end of Pine Inlet. The first soundings in the fore compartment showed 2ft. 6in. of water. The vessel was beacheel off Lagoon Island at ' half-flood, when there was Bft. of .water in the fore hold. By the time her passengers, stores, and mails were landed, the ship was full of water in the fore and main hold,- but there was no water in the engine-room ,and after hold. The Bhip was aground" fore and , aft at low water. All the passengers, mails, and spece were transhipped.' Divfirs.witn pumps, leave for the scene of the wreck on Saturday. Captain Reddell considers the vessel may be saved if immediate assistance is sent. ' ' " ' i ■ The schooner Bob-tail Nag has arrived from Rockhampton with labourers; I The vessel was fired at by the Natives of one Of ihe Islands when leaving. Ten- of .'.the recruits becoming home sick, jumped over* board and were drowned. (Per Ringarooma, at the Bluff.) Melbourne, August 22nd. • The Treasurer made his Budget speech in the Assembly on last Thursday night, and the task occupied two hours and a half. The expenditure for the year is estimated at L 4,860,000. The revenue, after allowing for remission of' Customs, is L 4,476,880,, 476,880, shewing a deficiency of L383,C00, but to be added to this is a credit balance from last year of L 205,671, and the land tax is estimated to produce L 200,000, and - a tax on live stock, L 50.000. The result is that he carries forward a balance of L 44,066. In the ravision of the tariff, new duties are imposed, amounting to L 15,000, the principal articles being bags &ud woolpacks, while the duties are increased on children's boots, doors, matches, earthenware, &c, so as to yield an additional revenue of LIB.OOO. On the other hand, fixed duties to the amount of L 86,000 are remitted ; dried fruits^ galvanised iron, and '

gloves, being placed on the free list, bnt it is toVbe expected that dried fruits and gloves being considered as luxuries will not be allowed topasafree. The live stock tax is at the rate of Gs «ach for cattle and horses, 9d for sheep, and 2s each for pigs. The expenditure contains several heavy items, including Lloo,ooo for carrying out Sir Wm. Jervou's plan of defence, L 50.000 for additional rolling stock, L 20.000 for the Patis Exhibition, and L7OOO towards the erection of an International Exhibition in Melbourne, which is eventually to coat from LBO.OOO to Lloo.oGo— the expendi- , tore to ba extended over three years. All these j extra expenses are to be paid oat of the j ordinary expenditure for the year, as the . Treasurer objects to go to the London market for s loan until he submits his railway proposals. The land tax is the same as previously propounded by Mr Berry, and which he states has received tlie approval of the country. Last night, the debate was opened by Sir John O*Shannassy, who was followed by Sir James M'Culloch, and both opposed the land tax and the live stock tax. The Macartney business having been settled In one Assembly by the adoption of Mr Berry's declaratory resolution, Dr Macartney has again appealed to the electors, and the result is to be decided this week. A return read by the Treasurer during his budget speech shows that daring the seven months of the present year, 991,000 acres of land have been applied for, being an average of 125,000 a month, as aghinst 30,000 last year. The settlers are described as of the right clas9. The prospecting vote last year amounted to L 4698, and the gold received was 4ozs 25dwts lEgs, or over LIOOO per ounce. The prospecting vote has now been discontinued. i Something like a palatial building is to be J erected in Carlton Gardens for the purpose of an International Exhibition. It is to be of a permanent character, and when completed will coat something like £100,000. The Roads and Bridges Department is Co be abolished, and the officers have received notice to quit by the 30th of September. Sir Bryan O'Loghlen, who lately succeeded to the bmronetoy on the death of his brother, Sir Column, has since been elected for Clare as member of the House of Commons. Sir Bryan, ! who was a candidate in the Berry and Duffy interest at the last general election, was rejected at North Melbourne, bnt lias petitioned against one of the sitting members, and if he succeeds may not go Home at aIL The small-pox patients by the Macduff are all progressing favourably. There have been so fresh cases. A testimonial and purse of 300 guineas have been presented to Mr Julian Thomas, who" is known in literary circles as " The Vagabond." The last mnrical event has been the production of Wagner's opera of " Lohengrin" for the first time in any of the Colonies. It has been 'magnificently placed on the stage, and has proved an immense success. There was a great curiosity to hear the musio of the future. John O'Neill, who killed his mother at Footscray, has bean acquitted on the ground of insanity} and Bacnael and Mary Willis, mother and daughter, have also been acquitted of the charge of child murder, the facts not bdng sufficiently proved. The Orient steaaer Chimborazo left London on the 13th inst. She is of the same «lass as the Lusitania, and brings 860 passengers. Nothing has yet been finally arranged as to a subsidised Cape service. Business is slightly improved. There is a good demand for oats, but breadstuffs are rather duD. The weather continues very dry, and tiie most disastrous results are anticipated from the drought, unless there is Borne speedy (mange in the weather. A schooner called the Eleanor Johnstone was canghtinasquaUon the coast the other day, and tumbled right over. The crew only just managed to escape with their lives. • The Western Australian telegraph is completed all but 160 miles between Eucla and a place called Eyre's Land Patches. A horse express is being run to the Bridge over I that distance. The first journey has been made this week. We shall shortly have the Suez mail news more than a week before the steamer can teach Melbourne. The political deadlock continues in Adelaide. A new Ministry has been formed in Tasmania, with Mr Fysh as Premier. Large ironworks for working up the Tass*«u*n iroointo pipes are about to be constructed in Melbourne. {Per CUy of Sydney at AucMand.) Sydney, August 24th. There baa been a great destruction of property at Wallsend, Newcastle, owing to the falling in of the coal pit. The Wesleyan chapel entirely disappeared, Watkin's Hotel ka» settled down, and the streets are full of great openings. Considerable alarm prevailed in the district. The Brisbane Exhibition had 20,000 visitors iv two days, ■The Governor of Queensland and Commo* dore Hoskins attended a ball at Brisbane, in aid of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. All the business places at Gnlgong closed for a day of humiliation and prayer for rain. Thomas Walker, f ermerly undertaker, and member of the Sydney Municipal Council, am established bis title to property in Wales of the value of a million sterling. , MffißOtmws, August 24th. The land tax resolution has been carried. The attempt to float the City of Foo-Chow lias been abandoned. In reply to a question, the Government laid they were determined to carry out protection in its entirety.