NTERPROVINCIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1417, 18 January 1879, Page 18

NTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, January 9th. A movement is initiated to bring'under the notice of the Government the desirability of removing, at stated intervals, the officer* of the Customb Department, in a similar way to the police. January 11th. The Catholic clergy have donated LSOO out of their maintenance fund for the new city school building. Dr Wood giyes LIOO. Certain school-teachn^ haying been gazetted land-tax valuers, the Education Beard declined to sanction the appointment, as likely to bring them into collision with the people. Hursthouse and Barry's tonder for the Strat ford contract (L1C,446) has been accepted. January 15th. Moanatairi shares were quoted at 18s this minting. In the forenoon the company .struck rich gold in their Point Kussdl ground, and the shares are now at 45s aud rining. Wellington, January 9,,h. On Mackie being brought up f<T sentence several wituesses to character were called. The Chief Justice said the cmne must he measured by the extent ot tlie trust placed in the offender. It was a bad case when embezzlement was accompanied by the deliberate falsification of accounts. The Jury, in their recommendation ot mercy, were misled by the youthful appearance of the prisoner, who was 31. The evidence did not show negligence in the inspection by the Bank authorities, and though he feared there was a tendency on the parts of Banks and others to employ men not trained to resist temptation in the way of handling money, while paying them leas than tradesmen, he did not think the question of salary should affect him in passing sentence. The prisoner was sentenced to four years' p<*nal servitude, with a similar sentence, to be concurrent, on the charge of embezzlement. Mr Frankland, actuary attached to the office of the Registrar of Friendly Societies, has compiled a valuable tablet showing the minimum rates payable during life, which would enable friendly or benefit societies to grant the various Bums guaranteed to members, and at the same time maintain a condition of solvency. January 10th. Up to 10 o'clock last night the position of Carterton was most precarious, but at that hour the wind fell. The buildings were repeatedly on fire, but were extinguished by vigorous exertions. A strict watch was kept during the night, and large quantities of fencing and timber were destroyed. The fire is still smouldering on all sides, but the danger is over. Great changes are being made in the Land Transfer Department. It is transferred from the Ministerial Department of Justice to the Stamp Department, and the officers have to communicate through the Under-Secretary of Stamps. Each branch is required to send in immediately returns of arrears of work. As far as possible, the officers of Registrars, Examiner and Deputy-Registrar of Stamps will be amalgamated. In March the stamp duty on Rhodes' estate, amounting to L 20,000, will be due. The Immigration Department has received information of the Failing of the Taranaki for Port Chalmers from Glasgow, on the 7th November, with 293 emigrants; and the Boyne, from Plymouth for Lyttelton, on the 18th of November, with 350. The Melbourne Argus state? that the Northam was burned off Bahi.i, that all the crew and passengers were Kaved and had arrived at Bahia, and that the ca r g<j was largely covered by insurances in Sydney. January 11th. Mr D. M. Luckie, editor of the Evening Post, is appointed Commissioner of Government Annuities and Insurance. Messrs Allan, Miller, and Spiller were so impressed by the capabilities of New Guinea, when they visited it in the barque Courier a Bhort time since, that they have determined to organise another expedition, to start from Wellington some months hence, for the purpose of opening up a trade with the natives. They have received offers from 40 persons willing to join the expedition, and they are sanguine that they will have no difficulty in securing quite a sufficient number of volunteers. A schooner of about 80 tons burthen is to be purchased, and thoroughly equipped with everything uecessary for such an expedition. Interpreters will be secured, and every precaution taken to prevent a fiasco such as occurred on the trip in the Courier. The promoters are satisfied that the expedition failed purely through the deception practised by the American captain from whom the Courier was bought. The expedition is intended not only for trading purposes, but also to thoroughly prospect the various parts of New Guinea for gold and other metals. A meeting of members of the various school committees in the city was held yesterday evening, when it was resolved that sewing should be taught in school houra ; that no teacher should be removed from a Bchool without the committee being consulted ; that in inflicting punishment no child should be struck on the head. The question of savings banks in schools was adjourned for future consideration, and a motion that teachers should be paid through the committee was negatived. The regatta subscription lists now show a total of L 245. To this the New Zealand Ship, ping Co. gave a donation of Lls 155,, Shaw, Savill, and Co., a cup ; Messrs Kohn and Co., acup ; Messrs Jacob Joseph and Co., a cup ; Mr Cohen, a cup ; Mr Hislop, a cup ; Mr Shaw, a silver salver; the Union Steam Shipping Co.. LlO 10s. The Anti Chinese Immigration Committee held a meeting in the City Chambers last night. The Hon. Mr Gisborne gave particulars regarding two Acts against Chinese immigration which were passed by the Queensland Parliament and received the Royal assent. By one of these a penalty of LlO was imposed on every Chinaman who landed, the captains or owners of ships having to pay the amounts. Vessels might be estreated if the penalties were not paid. The other Act compelled the Chinese to pt»y L 3 for a miner's right, and LlO for a business license. Mr Gisborne suggested that these Acts should be published, and a committee appointed to draw up a report on the subject. Parliament is prorogued until March 14th. Some nine months ago there was a deficiency of L 123 in the accounts of the late treasurer of the Star Boating Club. The Club has, within the last week, received the whole amount. The Government have chartered a steamer of 2790 tons, through the New Zealand Shipping Company, to sail about the 28th instant, with emigrants. January 13th. A teacher writes to the Tim.es complaining

strongly of the now scheme of classification. He says fche men previously holding second and third-class certificates are now made equal with first-class men. The Government are preparing new tables of life insurance, under which premiums may be paid fortnightly into any post-office. It ia rumoured that Mr G. B. Barton, editor of the Jurist, is to succeed Mr Stafford as assistant law officer. Tyson, the champion wrestler, passed through here to-day with his trophies. He does not intend to compete any more, having now won the belt three years in succession. He will settle at Kopua, Hawke's Bay, where he has a saw-mill. January 14 th. Charles O'Neill, engineer, has recovered a verdict for L 225, as commission, from Mr Samuel Brown, tramway contractor, in a special jury case. The ketch Forest Queen, employed in taking cargo from the Hyderabad, was driven ashore about a mile from that vessel during a heavy N.W. gale tbi-3 morning. She is likely to prove a total loss. The ketch is insured in the New Zealand aad Colonial Offices for L7so— two-tbirda of her value. The New Zealand Shipping Company had reinsured LSOO of its risk on the Forest Queen — L2J3O in fche Colonial and 1/250 m the Standard Office. The ketch was in tow of the s.s. Gleneltf, but the gale increased to such a degree of violence, blowing dead on Bhore, that the Glenolg at length was obliged to cast off the Forest Queen, which then drove ashore, while the Glenelg herself had very great difficulty in steaming clear, being at one time in a position of imminent danger. After a long and hard struggle, however, she managed to force her way out in the teeth of the storm, and to reach a safe anchorage. Mrs Jones, late matron of Wellington College, is suing the principal for LSO damages, for unlawful detention of letters, papers, and sundry articles. Interesting disclosures regard- j ing the late College scandal are expected to come out during the hearing of the case. Father Chiniquy has written to the Evening Post a letter abusing in mest intemperate language Father Hennebery. He says he is coming over shortly. When he and Hennebery arrive we shall have another example of " how these Christians love one another." The Supremo Court was occupied to-day with a special jury case, in which William Henry Gollop, publican, of Hawke's Bay, was the plaintiff, and F. Atcheson, superintendent of Police, Wellington, was the defendant. Mr Travers, with Mr Edwards, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Buckley, with Mr Stafford, for defendant. The plaintiff claimed L2OO as damages for slander, and for slanderous publication in terms of the following telegram :— " Wellington, April 16th, j 1878.— Inspector Scully. — Re Gollop's application for license. A robbery was committed at the Pier Hotel here about two years ago by three men ; one was convicted at the Supreme Court. Gollop, I believe, was implicated in the robbery, and I told him so. I have no reason to change my opinion. Subsequently he kept a hotel in Nelson. I refer you to the police there respecting transactions which occurred between himself and a bank official. Gollop is not suited to hold a house. I have told him that I would oppose the application.— F. Atcheson." The sending of the telegram was, after some evidence and long argument, admitted, but the Chief Justice granted a nonsuit, on the ground that no express malice having been proved, the communication must be considered a privileged one. January 15th. The New Zealander has a long leader this morning justifying the conduct of the Ministry in commuting "Welsh's sentence. It says : "It appears that Ministers are not satisfied that the prisoner was in a reasonable state of mind when he committed his fatal crime, and of course when a doubt has once invaded the Cabinet, it might safely be inferred that the culprit would not be consigned to the scaffold. From what we know of the case, we should say that most men would be likely to decide that if capital punishment is to be retained at all, few cases could present stronger reasons for the sentence to be carried out. After all, that is only saying that the unhappy wretch would have met with a sterner measure of the vengeance of the law if he had happened to fall into other hands than the existing Cabinet. The humane sympathies of the Premier will be the target at which reproaches will be hurled by those whose temper disposes them to be adverse to the judgment of the Cabinet. It is not the first time that Sir George Grey has been content to encounter a storm of dissatisfaction for preserving a fellow-creature from the ignominious doom of the murderer. The case of Tricker, who, under a subsequent Governor of the Colony, was restored to the liberty which he now enjoys, is not exorcised from his memory." The Governor and suite leave per Arawataon the 11 th February, and will probably go overland from Christchurch to the Bluff. The Forest Queen is not much injured, and may possibly be got off. The books prepared for the school savings Banks will render the account keeping a very simple matter. It will rest with the local school committee to appoint trustees and treasurers, and in many cases the master will probably undertake the duty of cashier. Any scholar having saved five shillings will he able at once to transfer his account to the Post Office Savings Bank without expense, as the two banks will be connected. The seventh New Zealand District Meeting of the Primitive Methodist connection is being held in Wellington this week, A large number of delegates from all parts of the Colony have arrived in the city, and it is anticipated that the fproceedings will be of an important and interesting nature. The opening sermon was preached last evening by the Rev. B. J. Westbrook, at the Sydney street Church. To - night an ordination service will be held at the same church, when the Rev. James Guy, who arrived from England last July, and has since been assisting the Rev. J. Ward at Dunadin, where he has achieved a considerable amount of popularity, will be fully admitted to the ministry. New Plymouth, January 13th. By a return of sales during the year 1878, laid before the Road Board to-day, 38 acreß of town lands, and 16,070 acres of other lands, have been sold in the provincial district of Taranaki. The average price of the town lands was L 159 per acre, and of rural L 2 2s. The total value of land sold, including that under deferred-paymenta, waa L42,718j the total cash receipts, L 31.180. Westport, January 14th. A heavy gale raged early this morning. The brigantine Lizzie Guy, from Lyttelton to Hokitika, in ballast and with 10 tons of produce on board, was stranded over a mile south of the Buller River. Two of the crew are disabled. She is owned by Craig and Howorth, of Hokitika, and is insured, but the amounts are not known. Nelson, January 11th. Wilson and Mercer, two journeymen employed by Mr James, cabinetmaker, have been arrested on a charge of robbery, &c, from their employer's warehouse. Their premise* were

found well stocked with goods, and everything has been identified by Mr James. Both weie about to be married. They have been remanded for ten days. Two town sections were sold to-day under the Sale for Non-payment of Rates Act— one for L2OO, and the other for L 57. Christchurch, January 10th. Mr Bills arrived here yesterday from Aug. tralia, He brings 400 minahs, several magpies, larks, and three Australian magpies for the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, __ January 9fch. Mr Henry Varley arrived in Christchurch yesterday, and held bis first meeting in the Congregational School jat 3 in the afternoon. The audience was not numerous, but attentive. # Mr Varley had no assistance. In the evening he held an open-air meeting in Cathedral square. The audience was very large and attentive. | The Star this evening publishes a letter that appeared in the Hobart Town Mercury, asking questions about Mr Varley 's retirement from the Good Templars, violations of solemn obligations, and indecent pamphlets of a very damaging character. The immigrant ship Piako sailed from Pernambuoo on December 29th. The fire waa confined to the cargo in the fore-bold principally, and the ship was practically uninjured. She was sunk, but raised again three da*L afterwards without any difficulty. * January 14th. The heavy rain during the whole of last night has been general throughout the district. As was anticipated by many, the ballasting on some of the lines of railway has ' ■ > »n washed away. Should no moderation take piace in the weather before afternoon, and the nor'-wester set in heavier, the probability is that traffic will again be interrupted on the south line. From Ashburton information waa received at 12.20 p.m. that the south express train had gone to North Rangitata. The line was damaged between the Rangitata Bridge and South Rangitata, and at several other places the water was flowing over the line. Up to 2 p.m. the express train, which is due at Timaru at 12.52, had not reached there, and it is thought the train must have been stuck up at North Rangitata Bridge It is expected that the Orari is up, and that the water has rushed along the line, breaking through in places. The midday train got through all right to Southbridge, and the ordinary traffic was in no way interfered with on the north line. At 10.30 a.m. a telegram waa received from Southbridge saying it was raining heavily, and the water was all along that branch line, and was running three inches over the rails near Hill's road. Platelayers were stationed along the line, and the train had been compelled to stop twice. No damage had been done so far, but if the rain continued it waa feared that some would be. We have since received the following message: — "2.15 p.m. It has been raining heavily for the last 20 hours. The South line is damaged about half-a-mile south of Rakaia. The ballasting is washed away for six chains caused through the works of the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks # railway damming back the storm water, which burst and swept it away. South line traffic has been stopped since the Dunedin train passed south this morning. Men were sent from Ashburton to repair, and expect to have traffic resumed to-night." A case was heard at the Supreme Court today in which Cleave, a Southland nurseryman sued King and Co., merchants, of Christchurch, for damages consequent upon 15cwt of turnip seed supplied to him turning out rubbish. Mr Macassey and Mr Harper appeared for the plaintiff. The case was heard before a special jury ; and after a great deal of evidence and argument, Mr Macassey applied to make important amendments in the declarations Counsel for the other side then obtained time to consider whether he should apply for a nonsuit or not. _„ _, . January 14th. Ihe Mayor intends to take legal opinion regarding the right of the Government to erect telegraph posts in the streets of the city whereever tney may choose. From a report sent to the City Council by the surveyor, it appears that during the laJt, six months the larrikins of the city have smashed latnp.glass to the value of L 43 ils. The Lyttelton Times has compiled a table showing that during the year ended June 30th, 1878, 145,614 tons of grain were carried on the Christchurch section of the rail ways, which then extended as far as Palmerston. North of Dunedin, there were shipped at Lyttelton 87,399 tons; at Timaru, 13,376; and at Oatnaru, The case Cleave v. King and another resulted m a verdict for the plaintiff on all the issues, subject to saveral questions of law. The damages, other than special, were assessed by the Jury at Ll5O, and the special damages will be settled by the Court above, from the notes taken by the Judge, and the evidence taken at Invercargill.

Timaru, January 9th. As soon as the 60-ton steam crane for the harbour works is delivered, rapid progress will be made, as about 50 blocks, varying from 25 to 30 tons, are ready to be laid. The Harbour Board calculate that they will have at least LIOO.OOO in hand after paying for the 30° ; mole now under contract. : i> -• - ,»: A number of sections of land, 2£ >'»"> U '- Vt -Ti2mk Timaru, were sold to-day, and aver L olf f^^M per acre. * jJ^M At an important meeting of the Chamber^HH Commerce to-day, resolutions were passß^^ referring the questions of the new railway station and grain tariff to a committee to report upon on Wednesday next, i A most bitter feeling was expressed as to the undoubted intention of the Government to entirely shut up the port and ruin the trade of Timaru. Eesolutions were also passed urging the vital necessity of continuing the local immigration officer, and the want of increased court accommodation. A deputation was appointed to wait on Messrs Stout and Macandrew. January 15th. An inquest was held yesterday, touching the death of Mary Connor, who hanged herself at Waitohi Flat on Monday. A verdict of " Suicide while labouring under temporary insanity" was returned. The deceased had only been in the Colony about a year. It will be seen by an advertisement in another column that the great debate between the Rev M. W. Green and Mr Charles Bright will take place at the Queen's Theatre on the evenings of the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd instant. Mr Bright'a ability as a public speaker is well known. We may mention that the Rev. Mr Green stands equally high, and that he greatly distinguished himself lately in Melbourne, where his discussion with Walker, the trance-speaker, was for ten nights attended by large audiences. Fifty-six written applications for single female servants were received at the Caversham Immigration Barracks on Wednesday, and between 30 and 40 persons attended at the dep&t. The following engagements were effected :— One at L4O per year, two at L 35, two at L3O, three at L 26;2 6; one at L 3 a month j and two at 12s and 10s a week respectively, A farming band was engaged at the rote of LyQ a year,