TELEGRAMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3147, 10 May 1878, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

1 [PBB PBBSS AGENCY.] j Auckland, May 9. The contest for Franklin -will probably be between Messrs Hobbs and Harris, of Waiku, both, being Grey supporters. Sir Arthur Gordon, Governor of Fiji, received a very friendly reception from the Natives of Tonga. The chiefs declared their determination to maintain their own Government, which Sir A. Gordon highly praised. The Hew Zealand Insurance Company lose £1200, and the North British £3000, by the foundering off Cape Horn of the ship Hazel- : line, from New York to San Francisco. The risks were taken by the San Francisoo agents of those Companies. New Plymouth, May 10. RAILWAY ACCIDENT. This afternoon the train from town ran over a horse at Henui, completely cutting the animal in two. The engine and train were thrown off the line, but all the passengers escaped uninjured. One truck and the engine ' are considerably damaged. The horse nad lumped the cattle stop, and that part of the June being on a steep incline it was found impossible to stop the train in time to avoid the accident, "Wellington, May 9. DEFENCE OF WELLINGTON. The Hons. Colonel Whitmore and Fisher, Colonel Reader, and Captain Johnston inspected the harbour this afternoon with the vjew pf deciding where to place batteries for defenoe purposes. The general impression was that, instead of placing all of their artillery at the Heads, it would be better to have one battery of three guns on Ward's Island, which commands the entrance to the Heads as well as the anchorage, and another either at Point Jerningham or at Pipitea Point. Kttmaba, May 9. An inquest on the late fire was held before 'the Resident Magistrate. The verdict was that the fire originated in the Club Hotel, but now was unknown. Oamabit, May 9.. The annual meeting of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association to-day resolved — "That in the opinion of this meeting the time has arrived when steps should be taken to establish an Agricultural and Pastoral Association in New Zealand, holding periodical Exhibitions at centres on. the plan of the Boyal Agricultural Society of England or the Highland Society of Scot-land." _ " That the Secretary bo instructed to write to the different Societies throughout the Island, asking the concurrence and assistance in establishing Mich an institution." It wasal9O resolved — " That a Company should be formed for the purpose of erecting a public Market and Corn Exchange at Oamaru j capital, 1000 shares at £10 each." DtTNBDIN, May 9. At the Education Board meeting to-day, it was resolved — "That a report be obtained from the Inspector of Schools and the Inspector of Sohoolßuildings upon the schools of the Education District, the accommodation afforded, the accommodation needed, and the approximate sum in such case necessary to eupply such accommodation j" also, " That it

be specially submitted to the Audit Committee to draw up a scheme for the payment o£ salaries of teachers and for determining the strength, of the teaching staff to bo allowed in the different classes of schools j also, to ascertain whether the Board has any funds disposable for new school buildings, and if so to advise the Board regarding the allocation." 11 That the Chairman and Messrs Bastings, Clark, and Fulton be appointed a permanent committee for the purposo of advising the Board regarding the appointment and promotion of teachers, and that the committee be empowered in cases of emergency to promote teachers, such casea to be thereafter reported to the Board at its first meeting." The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce has received a communication from Mr Macandrew in reference to the Chamber's remonstrance re different charges for conveyance of grain on railways. Mr Macandrew hope 3 that when the line to Dunedin is completed the tariff will be arranged on such a basis as will put all parties on an equal footing as much as possible. Mr J. C. Brown will bo entortained at a banquet at Lawrence next month. [From the own CorretyondenU of the Lyttriton Times.) DtrNBDiN, May 9. The land revenue of the Provincial district of Otago for the 10 months ending April 30, 1878, was £182,636 12s lOd, against £197,311 4a for the corresponding 10 months of the previous year. The items were — Rural land, £102,627 la lOd 5 town land, £6141 16s 6d ; assessment on stock on runs, £58,521 17s Id ; deferred payment rents and deposits, £13,075 10s 9d ; miscellaneous, £2270 6s Bd. Only a portion of the deferred payment rents appear in this return. The gross amount of the yearly rental of the licenses, and exchange of agricultural lea9es under the deforred payment system due on March 31, 1878, amounted to £20,524 10s lOd, The rents of agricultural leases (in goldfields) being collected by the goldfield receivers are not included. With reference to the Inspector-General of Schools* circular re classification of teachers, the Education Board passed a resolution — " That in the opinion of tho Board it would be more convenient if the Inspector- General communicated with their officers through the medium of the Secretary," but instructed the teachers to supply the information required. An interesting breach of promise case will shortly occupy the attention of the Supreme Court here. The plaintiff is a young lady who recently presided at tho bar of a wellknown Dunedin hotel, and who has since been in Invercargill. The defendant is the son of a gentleman holding a prominent position in the Civil Service. Everything had been arranged for the marriage, which was stopped by the intervention of defendant's father. The letters which will be read are said to be of a particularly gushing nature. Some excitement was caused here to-day by the rumoured outbreak of war between England and Russia.