(Per s.s. Te Anau, at Auckland.)

Otago Witness, Volume 15, Issue 1487, 15 May 1880, Page 11

(Per s.s. Te Anau, at Auckland.)

Auckland, May Uth. . NEW SOUTH WALES. FMr Buchanan, on the 4th, proposed resolutions for the discontinuance of State aid to the denominational colleges associated with the Sydney University. Several members opposed the motion as inopportune, and it was negatived by a large majority. Gaulthard, who at Yass gave himself into ctfijiody some time ago, confessing to having murdered his wife in England, now retracts. He says that when he made this confession he was under the influence of sunstroke, aggravated by drink. He asserts that he believes hiß wife to be now living with her father at Bristol. He is willing to remain in gaol till the result of the investigation in England is known.

Dr Hector has purchased for his Government a diamond drill capable of boring to a minimum of 1500 feet. It is similar in ev6ry way to the one which has bored 2000 feet deep in the vicinity of Sydney. "With accompanying engine, it goes per Te Anau. It was tested yesterday by an experienced hand, recently engaged working a similar drill here.

The annual licensing meeting was concluded on the sth. Renewals have baen refused in almost every instance to notorious nighthouses in the vicinity of the theatres, Before closing the proceedings the Magistrates formally thanked the police for the service rendered them in bringing evidence, and also passed a resolution approving of the new Licensing Bill now before the Assembly, which abolishes the jurisdiction of the Benches and substitutes Licensing Boards. Nearly all the saw-mills about Eehuca have discharged all hands. On the lower Murray the milla have also discharged 100 men, owing to lack of orders. Ifc is expected that at tbe end of the week over 300 will be out of employment in Eehuca,

The aboriginal lying under sentence of death has had it confirmed by the Executive. The deed was committed under peculiar circumstances. He was jealous of another black, who went away with the girl. He followed with a gun, and, coming to where they were sleeping tog-ether, he fired at tbe woman, but the ball glanced round her ribs and entered the abdomen of the blackfellow, who died. She, however, recovered.

Complaint* are made of the larrikins, who have established a reign of terror in Alexandria and other suburbs of Sydney. The Municipal Council have decided to bring the matter under the attention of the police, but resolved to suppress the names of the councillors who participated in the decision.