Telegrams.

Otago Witness, Issue 1421, 15 February 1879, Page 17

Telegrams.

PROVINCIAL ITEMS. Oamaru, February 7th. Messrs W. N. Blair andUssher have just returned from inspecting the alternative routes for the Oamaru-Livingstone railway. Mr Blair expressed himself as greatly pleased both with the routes and the character of the country.' Very little excitement is manifested over the Harbour Board elections. There are seren candidates for the three seats. February 10th. At the County Council meeting today a letter was read intimating that no free passes would be granted to councillors, owing to a promise having been given to the House to that effect last session. The councillors accordingly voted themselves additional travelling expenses—Ll Is per day, and 6d per mile one way. The polling to elecfc three citizens to the Harbour Board to-day resulted in the return of Messrs G. Sumpter, H. Aitken, and J. Hassell, sen. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce waided upon the Hon. Mr Macaudrew, who arrived here by special train at 7 p.m., with reference to a new railway station. He promised that no time should be lost in the matter. Mr D. Sutherland also waited on him, as a deputation from the County Council, to ask the assistance of the Government in getting a site for a council chamber. The hon. gentleman promised to give the desired assistance if it was found that the site required had not been set aside for other purposes. Mr Robert Thompson, the collector of Customs at Oamarn, who is on the eve of his departure for New Plymouth, wa3 presented to-night with a silver stand containing 60 sovereigns. The Mayor occupied the chair, and the viee -chair was filled by Mr Hislop, M.H.R. February 11th. The Hon. the Mini&ter for Public Works inspected the country through which it is intended the proposed Livingstone railway shall pass,this morning, and expressed his, pleasure at its appearance. He was understood to promise that the work shall be pushed on at once. < t Lawrence, February 7th. The Hon. Messrs Stout and Ballance, accompanied by the Chief Surveyor (Mr M'lterrdw), visited the Teviot to-day, and went over .the block of land now being surveyed for settle, ment on Messrs Cargills and Anderson's tun. They will return to Dunedin via Naseby. ' Qceenstown, February 11th. The steamer Jane Williams brought down a large number of persons to witness the launch of the new steamer. The train also brought visitors. The weather was magnificent. Ministers lunched on board. The launch took place at 3 p.m. The new steamer is much admired. The banquet at Queenstown was a complete success. The toast of "The Governor" was well received, and the toast of "The Ministry" was drunk with enthusiasm. The Hon. Messrs Ballance and Stout replied. The former said he found the land tax was not unpopular, and that it was tending to promote settlement. He was glad he had made this visit South, as it gave him much information as to' the resources each part possessed. He gave a resume of the position of Native affair 3, and spoke on the Education question and many I other subjects, including the County system of subsidies. He said that the Ministry would well consider the measures they would introduce. The Hon. Mr Stout referred to the local requirements of the district. Both Ministers , expressed themselves well pleased with their visit and their reception in Lake County, for which they predicted a great future, owing to resources undeveloped, scenery, ana climate, that would attract thousands of visitors before many years had passed. The Hon. Mr Ballance proceeds at once to Wellington. Invercargill^ February 7th. At a meeting of the Municipal Council this evening it was decided that debenture-forms of LIOO each should be prepared, the debentures to bear interest at six per cent, and have a 50 years' currency. The town clerk was instructed to prepare an estimate of the probable water revenue, and it was decided that applica tion be made to the Waste Lands Board to reserve, and the Government to grant, the land necessary beyond the present grant at the Dunsdale Creek, so as to give sufficient elevation, and that Mr Dawson, the town surveyor, be requested to lay off the best route for the mams necessary to bring in the water from the creek. Evidently the Council will use every endeavour to prosecute the scheme to supply the town wibh water. There is a manifest indisposition on the part of speculators and others to invest in lauded property. The only sale of any importance reported during the past week was the little bush faim at Wainiwa. This farm, comprising 534 acres was disposed of at the rate of L 5 per acre. Mr Hatch, having retired from the contest for the Bluff Harbour Board for the town of Invercargill, the returning officer has declared Messrs J. T. Martin and D. Smith duly elected. Considerable inconvenience is experienced by the action of the various banks in calling in advances. This ha^ been done in a number of cases in which the assets were undoubted. At the Police _ Court to-day, Bartlett, charged with obtaining money under false pretences, was sentenced to four months' impri sonment with hard labour, in each case. The new Theatre, in Dee street, built by Sloan Brothers, is now in an advanced Bt&te, and the proprietors expect to be in a position to open it in about a week's time, The building is

. »». — __^— —— — — » — . very handsome, and will seat a very larga audience. Negotiations are said to be going on with George Darrell to open it February 10th. Arrangements are afoot for a Volunteer demonstration of all the force? of the Middle Island, as far north as the railway system extends, on Easter Monday. A considerable sum of money is already in hand for expenses. Mr Conyers is convalescent, and will be allowed to return to Christchurch on Saturday next. Mr Paterson, late sub-editor of the Melbourne Argus, is said to have developed in gaol undoubted signs of insanity of a permanent nature. Mr J. W. Mitchell was to-day elected by the County Council a member of the Bluff Harbour Board. For the suburban municipalities there were two candidates, Mesßrs Kemp and Stock. Kemp, a working man, was returned by an immense majority over his opponent, a merchant. Mr T. Roebuck and the Hon. Dr Menzies were nominated by the -Chamber of Commerce. Mr Brodrick, at the meeting, was taken to task severely for his action in personally. can vassing for votes, some members alleging that all but four present were pledged to vote for him against his opponent. Mr Brodrick admitted he had canvassed, and thought he was perfectly justified in so doing, arguing that it was usual to pursue such a course. He was also questioned relative to hia actionregardingthenegotiationsforthepurchase of the steamer Comarang entered into by the , Board, of which he was then a member. Mr Brodrick answered that he had no personal interest whatever in the'boat, and his only reason for voting in favour of her being tried as a tug-boat was to test the capabilities of the Harbour Board to support a steam-tujj. After a very warm debate, the candidature of Dr Menziea was withdrawn, and Mr Brodrick declared duly elected for the Campbelltown municipality. Mr G. Nichol was re-elected. Mr Joseph Schneider, a local man, addressed a small meeting of electors at Appleby this evening, on the principles of political economy and social philosophy, and the intentions of the present Ministry of the Colony. At the conclusion of his address he received a vote of thanks. February 11th. There is much dissatisfaction here in the public mind at the Harbour Bill giving County Councils and Chambers of Commerce the right to elect members. Some members have been returned again to the Board who would not have got back had they depended on a popular election. Four members were elected by the public — two new, and two old. The members of the County Council and Chamber of Commerce elected three old members and one new member ; the Governmentnominate two more— • making 10. The Mayor has called a meeting to arrange for a Volunteer demonstration. The public are disposed to take the thing up in good style and make it a success. A # judgment was given in the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day in a case recently tried to test the right to dispose of milk in the public streets without a license. The judgment was in favour of the defendant. February 12th. Mr Stuart, the sheriff, to-day received telegraphic information of the posting of the war1 rant for the execution of Welsh. He communicated the fact to the prisoner, who did not display any emotion. In all probability the | sentence will take effect about the beginning of the week. At a meeting to-night, preliminary arrangements were made for carrying out the proposed Volunteer demonstration at Easter. The affair promises to be a great success. \ w The winding-up meeting of the Railway Demonstration Committee, yesterday, showed the management of the affair to be a grand success financially. A credit balance of L2O odd has been devoted to the Volunteer Band, in recognition of their services on the occasion, Arrow, February 12th. The Victor Emmanuel tributers have finished a crushing, which yielded 57^ ounces from 56 tons of Btone. Mr Cope's machine, at the Homeward Bound claim, has _ broken down, and will have to undergo extensive repairs. Bluff, February Bth. The following councillors for Campbelltown municipality were elected yesterday : — Messrs Sullivan, Henderson, Waddell, Ward, Searle, Watt, Thompson, Tucker, and Hunter.