TELEGRAMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3952, 17 December 1880, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

[Peb Pbbss Association.]

AUOKLAND, Duo. 16. The Customs' launch aud the Wator Police boat have left for Tiritin to search for the body of the unfortunate boy Lei f ,h, who fell over tbe cliff on Monday. Mr P. Q. Simmons/ tho Spiritualist lecturer, iB to leave for Nelson. Inspector Lewis and Mr Sharpe, Inspector for the South Auckland Cattle Board, inspected every head of cattle on the Waikato Land Association's property, and pronounced them clear of insect?. Of 22 applicants for tho position of English master at Auckland Golbgs and Grammar School, the head master reported that there was not one he could recommend. Some o£ the testimonials wero very peculiar. One applicant sent in a testimonial from his father, who, after expressing Borne delicacy in recommending his eon, spoke enthusiastically of his qualifications. Another called special attention to a fact that his moiher was the daughter of one of tbe Q-overnors of New Zealand.

Tho hotel, store, ntid adjoining buildings belonging to Lukeß, Tokatea, were .destroyed by fire last night at Coromandel. The hotel and stock were insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company for £700; the trade books and eight boxes of candles were saved. Some children playing in an empty house got hold of a box of matches and made a fie inside. A gale of wind blowing at the time, prevented thd possibility of saving anything.

Mr William Clarke, who was instrumental in securing the introduction of capital from Sydney to work the Poverty Bay oil Bpri&go, has aw-ived in Auckland from Gisborne for the purposo of floating a company to work another valuable block of oil land. The company is to be called the Southern Cross Petroleum Company, with a capital of 4800 shares of £20.

His Lordship Bishop Oowie returned from the Te Aroha diggings to-day. He waß shown some excellent auriferous quart z, and is impressed farourably with tho future prospects of the field and its future permanence, judging by indications. It has leaked out that the Mission schooner Southern Orosß, oh her return voyage from Norfolk Island to Auckland, made the land off Tauranga Heads, when it was believed she was off the Hen and Chickens, Whangarei. Before dusk, fortunately, Bishop Stuart and a native on board identified Mayor's Island and other places in the Bay of Plenty, and the real position of the vessel became known. It was blowing hard at the time on the land. Government have sent a message to the obstinate chief Tukukino that they have de« termined to construct a road through the -Komata block, to open up communication with Te Aroha. The citizens intend presenting a testimonial to Mr Peacock, the retiring Mayor. Preparations for erecting a glass manufactory at Auckland are nearly finished.

WANGANUI, Deo. 16. At a public meeting, called to consider ways and means for carrying on the public library, in consequence of the withdrawal of the Government subsidy, it was decided to hold an exhibition of fine arts, science and industry in April next. Tho large Drill Hall has been engaged, and an influential subCommittee appointed.

HAWERA, Dec. 16. At the eale of confiscated land at Waimate Plains, to-day, out of all offered about 6000 acres were sold, and realised over £38,000, or an average of £6 13s 7d per acre. The purchasers represented a good class of intending settlers. Xhe sections on deferred payments, consisting of about 2000 acres, averaged £7 2b 4d per acre.

• WELLINGTON, Duo. 16. At the Magistrate's Court, John M'Solvin, charged wich issuing a valueless cheque afc ' Christohuroh, was discharged. > The now tariff for Press telegrams, which comes into force on Jan. 1, is gazetted ; also, the appointment of the Hon Mr Bolleston to be Minister of Justice and Mines, and the ' Hon Mr Dick to be Minister of Education. - Mr Edward Shaw has beon appoint el District - Judge of Wellington, and Chairman of the T Licensing Bench for Wellington city and suburbs. The newly elected Mayor* have • been appointed Justices of the Peace ; also. > Mr C. R. Bidwell, of Pabautca. | No satisfactory tender having been re- • ceived for the purchase of the Evening Chronicle, publication lias been ei:spended. The witnesses in tho Opunake murdor case return by the Hinemoa this evening. It is stated that Warepa, the Native committed for trial for murdering his wife at tho Chatham Island*-, ouee resided in Wellington, having come from Taranaki, nnd that he belonged to the same tribe as the condemned Native Tuhi, and is also related lo him. 1 The trustees in the bankrupt estate of T. S. 1 Wymond, draper, Nelson, have resolved to prosecute him for issuing a fraudulent balance-sheet. . The annual session of tho Grand Lodge of Ne w Zealand of the ln d ependent Order of Good \ Templars, was opened last night. Alarge ■ number of representatives from all parts of the Colony were present. A deputation from the district officers of Bechabites, presented an address oi welcome to the Grand Lodge on their first visit to tbo North Islund. Tho report of the Grand Secretary showed an increase of two in nurabor of the lo Jgcs ; but, notwithstanding this the number of members had decreased by 561 ; the total on Iho roll was 7090. Six new lodges are in proc-*?-; of being commenced, tho charters bavin;* beon issued since Nov. 1. The Degree Templars showed same number. A number of special sessions had been held on tho West Coast of the Middle Island, and at Nelson, L-lenboim, and Wellington, which havo beon productive of great good. It was resolved— "That tho Executive bo recommended to continue the visitation of the district. -ho financial report showed that tho position was fairly good. At 8 o'clock this ovening, the Grand Lodge again met, when tho report of ttie representatives of the Great Intercolonial Temperance Conference, recently held in Melbourno, waa read, giving somo results of the Confer* ence, which wero that the deputation had waited on Mr Berry, calling hia attention to the fact that the Act for closing public-houseß on Sunday was violated with impunity. _ Tho result of the deputation was deemed satisfactory. It was deciJed that tin* deputation wait on the Government of >ow Zealand, calling attention lo similar transgression of the licensing laws in New Zeu lind. At this evening's meeting, the G.W.C. ''. said it devolved on him to present Bro. J. W. Jago, P.G.W.C.T., with a testimonial of the regard in which he was held by tho Toinplar Order in New Zealand. The testimonial consisted of an illuminated address, accompanied by a handsome gold watoh and chain, and a very

chaste tea and coffee' service for Mrß Jago. Many represent at ires from all parts of the jurisdiction testified to the services rendered to the temperance cause by Mr Jago, and the i respect and esteem in which he was held. * Mr Jago returned thanks for the very handsome testimonial which had been presented to him, and was very glad that he had been fitted with a mind and reasoning faoulties in order to do his share in wagiDg war against the great evils of intomperance. The Lodge resumes business to-morrow. "The acceptances for the Wellington Cup close to-morro it night. WELLINGTON, Deo. 17. A fire lm»[e out in an unoccupied cottage in Eraser's lane at 1.30 this morning. The building waß soon burned to the ground, and tbe flames ppread fco a five-roomed cottaga OCCvpied by Mr A. Cutler, and owned by Mr J. Gascoigne, which was also destroyed. An attached house, occupied by Mrß De Lacey, was partly burnt. There was no insurance on the occupied house, but Mr Gascoigne was iniured for £150 in the New Zealand. Mr Cutler ia a heavy loser, as his furniture is uninsured. The origin of the fire is un« known. BLENHEIM, Deo. 16. At the Supreme Court to-day, before the Chief Justice, Emanuel Ambrose Simpson, for horse-stealing, was sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment. On another charge of stealing a saddle and bridle, the same prisoner received six months' hard labour. In the case Kuril v. Knight, a contraotor, defendant did not appear, and a verdict for £406 6a 7d was given against him. The longstanding libel case, Griffiths v. Johnson, late proprietor of the Exprets, will be heard to-morrow. HOKITIKA, Deo. 20. Messrs Mandel and Stannard, brewers of Hokitika, received the first prize for bulk ale at the Melbourne Exhibition, not Franks, as telegraphed from Melbourne nnder date Deo. 1. They were the only 'exhibitors of ale from herd, and there is no firm named Franks in Hokitika. OAMARU, Deo. 16. Mr W. Baternan intends to deliver a sories of lectures in this district re CO operation amongst farmers. The railway line to the Euro* is completed sufficiently to allow of the wool clip being brought down by it. DUNEDIN, Dec. 16. M. Henri Ketten will make his appearance in Ghristchurch, at the Oddfellows' Hall, on Dec. 27. Sir F. V. Bell was a passenger to Melbourne by the Te Anan to-day, on his way to England. Sufficient inducement has offered to enable the Union S.S. Company to continue the usual excursion to the West Coast Sounds. Either the Taiaroa or Penguin will be put on, according to the number of passengers. Judge Williams has obtained leave of absence to proceed Home in March. The Harbour Board has increased the salary of Mr Simpson, the Engineer, to £800, he giving them the whole of his time. The Australians definitely, leave Melbourne on Jan. 11, leave of absence for Messrs Slight and Qroube having been obtaiaed. The Dunedin match ia fixed for Jan. 20, 21, and 22. Dunedin plays with 22.