TELEGRAMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3209, 20 July 1878, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

«■ [pee press agenct.] Auckland, July 19. At a meeting respecting the Kaipara railway •extension, Mr Stewart, District Engineer, said. that Messrs Lawson and Conyers had adopted the coast line as being more economical than the inland line, which would cause too many steep gradients in view of extension to rHokianga and the Bay of Islands. Mr J. Buchanan moved — " (1) That' this meeting learns with deep regret that the Minister of Public Works has, in defiance of public \ opinion and repeated promises of the present and former Governments, abandoned the inland line extension of the Kaipara railway, and ordered a survey of whut is known as the coast line ;" " (2) That the coast line, passing through a barren and unpeopled country, •cannot possibly ever contribute to the revenue from railways, whilst the inland line passes through fair agricultural land, inhabited by energetic and industrious settlers for 25 years, ■and skirting the extensive forest at Waitakeri, a thousand acres of which never hzrc be~n touched, and would yield an enormous revenue for many years if its development were assisted It railway communication ;" " (3) That the Hon the Minister for Public Works be •earnestly requested to adhere to the inland .line." Mr Thomas Henderson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Wellington, July 19. A telegram from the Agent-General an<nounces the sailing of the ship Rakaia from Plymouth, with 260 immigrants for Wellington. She left on July 1. The outgoing mail took 57 nominations for immigrants. The total nominations for the year were over 900. An attempt is being made here to float a Tanning and Leather Company ; capital .£20,000. The Customs' revenue for Dunedin last year shows an increase over the previous year of £10,312 ; at Lyttelton there is an increase in the year of £28,211 ; Auckland, an increase of £12,399 ; Wellington, £18,028 ; Invercargill and the Bluff, £6897 ; Napier, £1133; Nelson, £507; Westporfc, Greyinoubh, , and Hokitika show a decrease of £7102 ; other ports an increase of £4919. The proportions of revenue contributed by the principal classes of imports are, spirits, £383,776 ; tobacco, cigars, and snuff, £151,034 ; wine and beer, £63,995 ; tea, coffee, &c, £89,401 ; sugar, £131,539 ; goods by weight, £77,860 ; goods ad valorem, £330,770 ; other duties, £4437. Sir George Grey has been so indisposed as to prevent him from attending his office during the last few days. . THE MAILS. * The Zealandia from Auckland on June 25, with the Australian and New Zealand June mails for London, arrived at San Francisco on July 17, a day in advance of due date. Dttnedin, July 19. The dead body of a child was found outside a fence at the north end of the town this afternoon. The mother i 3 supposed to be knowa. Inyeucaegill, July 19. Mr Goynes, State school teacher at Ballan, Victoria, has been appointed Inspector of Schools by the Southland Education Board. There were 20 applicants, the majority being high class men. (JVfftn the Own Correspondent of the Lyttelton Times.) Auckland, July 19. The disturbance for a Lang time kept up at the Thames by the chief Tutukino, by his opposition to making roads to the Upper Thames and Ohinemuri district, is likely to cease respecting the Tekoaniata block by his adoption of the suggestion of the Hon J. Sheehan during his last visit to the 1 names. Tutukino says that if Mr Sheehan's plans are carried out he will consent to the Ohinemuri road being ab once made and telegraph lines erected. This yielding will save extreme measures being resorted to, which the Thames County Council were likely to do. The talk of gold in the country is once more revived. The visit of the Premier and Uative Minister has no doubt tended to r favour the prospect of testing the interior Mice more, and Joseph Smallman, one of the earliest prospectors of the Thames, proceeds to the King country to enter upon the work. Smallman possesses an invitation, signed by V some of £the principal Natives, and is perv .aonally acquainted with Te Huhehu, who is also favourable to his visit. Smallman has been rusticating with the Maoris near Te Aroha for a few years past, but no doubt considers the time has arrived when something further may be done towards testing Tukukena and the other supposed gold-bearing districts in the interior, with the sanction and support of the Natives. Dtoedin, July 19. The dead body of a new-born child was found this morning at the rear of a house in Leith street. The mother is a woman named Young, who appeal's to have concealed her condition, and refused medical aid, and she is sow in a precarious state. The police have &c matter in hand. j Inyercargulii, July 19. Jt THE LONGWOOD REEF. dflv The following appears in to-day's Southfßiand Daily News from its Rivevton correspondent : — Mr France has come upon alluvial gold in the Longwood, some 20 feet down, and now I must give you the important news of the day. After a week's delay, Theophilus Daniel and party went up by boat to formally open and inspect the Hayes, Bros.' claim. I7p to this time the weather had been too severe to admit of even a peep at Longwood. The party consisted of Miss V. Howell, daughter of Captain Howell, My W. Gordon, Messrs L. Petchell, Cassells, Vaughan, and Patrick Kennedy. After landing they were met by a large number of diggers, then wading through a bed of mud. some two miles, Hayes hut was reached. Refreshments being provided, full justice was done to them ; a start was nbw made to the claim some 200 yards off. On arriving at the shaft, which was carefully pa. i locked, one of the prospectors descended by means of a sling some forty feet, being lowered by a windlass. Miss Howell took the first leap" in the dark, which should have been the duty of Mr Daniel, but was passed to the first lady that has yet gone up to the Longwood irith true gallantry. Mr Daniel soon followed, pick in hand, to open the vein. Taking out a couple of dishes of quartz rubble and mullock to the open air, washing commenced, with a result most astonishing to all who witnessed it. At Mr request permission was given to all present to take a dive down the shaft. I need scarcely add that each one availed himself of the kind offer. Upon returning each stated himself to be fully convinced of the solidity of the affair. " Shades of darkness stealing o'er," the diggers dispersed to their liuts," and the Hayes giving up their hut to lie Riverton party. Next morning before

leaving, by request, Mr Daniel brought down a small sample, and on arriving at Eiverton Mr JKennelly crushed it in the presence of some 50 persons, and after being washed, it produced a prospect which astonished the beholders. The claim was christened by Miss Howell the " Victoria claim." Mr Daniel made a capital speech on the spot, which brought to an end a most successful trip. A telegram from Mr Daniel, also published in the News, gives the result of the crushing at 50 ounces to the ton.