INTERPROVINCIAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1476, 14 June 1879, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[Per "Timaru Herald Special Wire.] Wellington, June 13. A warrant has been issued giving the Waimate Railway Company permission to useGrownlandsand public reserves vested m the Crown, and to construct the railway through such public reserves. Power has also been given to the Company to borrow L69,C>00. The following valedictory address from Sir W. Fitzherbert appears m tp-night's papers : — "Gentlemen — The Presidency of the Legislative Council having been offered me by the Government, I have decided, after a very careful consideration, to accept the offer. This stop requiresmeto resign my seat m Parliament as member for the Hutt. In thus severing the political ties which have united us for so many years, I feel a regret deeper than I can well express. In many fierce political struggles I have frequently advocated m your midst liberal and advanced viewß of policy, andl shall cherish as long as I live, a grateful memory of the generous support you always gave me. — I am, yours faithfully, William Fitzherbert." It is understood that Sir William, following the present rule established by Speakers of the English House of Commons, will bid farewell to the House ot Representatives by letter through the Clerk of the House. Mr Henry Jackson ib announced as a candidate for the Hutt, and Dr Buller and Mr W. A. Fitzherbert are mentioned as possible candidates. A petition is being adopted by the City Council for presentation to Hu Ex.

cellency the Governor asking that a grant of 2000 acrps of land may be given to the Corporation as an endowment under the 250 th section of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876. Chwstchctkch, June 13. Mr J. C. Boddington, Manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Lyttelton, was this afternoon presented with a testimonial on the occasion of his leaving that town. Tho present was a black marble clock. A young woman, whose husband had deserted her and sailed far England, threw herself into the river to-day. The water was shallow, and she was dragged out without difficulty. Orders fur employment on the Waipara Railway have been issued to the number of 195. Oamaru, June 13. At a meeting of the Harbor Board today the Secretary reported on the result of the boring operations which have been made with the view of ascertaining whether it is practicable to deepen the Harbor. Ho reported that three borings had been made within a radius of sixty feet from a point about two feet from the present end of the Breakwater. The surface consists of a layer of sand from one to two feet m thickness, which being removed exposes the hard surface of a shingly conglomerate formation on the bottom. It has heretofore been found impossible to penetrate this crust or layer with the steel-pointed tools used to try the depth of the Band or mud deposited on the bottom, and it was therefore deemed to be a continuation of the trap reef forming the bed of the shore from the low-water upwards. In the trials already made this hard bottom consists of shingle firmly imbedded m indurated mud, so well united that the diver has great difficulty m removing parts of the shingle from its bed. From its nature it is difficult to penetrate it with boring tools ; but onco penetrated, and a face obtained, there will be no difficulty m looseningaudremovingitinpieces. It appears to be abont two feet m thickness, and overlies a thick stratum of hard, tenacious mud, presenting the appearance of soft shale. This stratum has been penetrated to the depth of fourteen feet without change (this being the utmost depth obtainable with present t tools), and is uniform m all the trial holes. The first sod of the Waireka railway extension will be turned to-morrow at Windsor. At the School Committee- meeting tonight, it was resolved to request the head masters of the different schools to ask tho pupils to contribute sixpence each to provide fuel for the school, the Committee having no funds for the purpose. Dunedin, June 13. The tender of Messrs Smith and Smith, for L 240 10s, has been accepted for painting bridges on the Dunedin and Moeraki section of the railway. The Hon. Mr Macandrew left for Wellington this afternoon by the Hawea. Before leaving he visited the Graving Dock, m company with the Mayor and Mr Mills.