NEW ZEALAND.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 9313, 4 January 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

(* I BOM OUR OWN COBBESPONDENT.)

Wellington, Jan. 4,

Fourteen sections, containing 1500 acres, in the Momahaki block, have been set aside in the Gazette of the 2nd January on deferred payments. Date for receiving applications, 14th February. SPECIAL TO EVENING PAPERS. Dunedin, Jan 8. It. H. Leary, late Mayor, has been elected unopposed for the representation of High Ward in the City Council. At the police court this morning, Hans Metz was committed for trial on a charge of forging a bill of exchange for £33. The father of the prisoner stated that the prosecutor had been pledged not to prosecute his sop, but tha Bench said there was no alternative but to commit him. Metz is respectably related among the Jewish fraternity. Auckland, Jan 3. December Customs returns — £13,275. The schooner Mezeppa has arrived from i the Islands with Captain Trayte and crew of the wrecked Ship Talisman. G. M. Reed, immigration agent, leaves for Sydney per Rotorua. He expresses himself greatly pleased with his inspection of the Kati J£ati settlement. Nothing doing in stock markets owing to the holidays. January 4. The verdict on Bridget Connelly was -" temporary insanity."

Watt's horses Lady Elizabeth and Repudiator have been shipped to Napier. The criminal sessions of tho Supreme Court commence on Monday, There are fifteen cases, but none of them are serious.

Mr Sheehan lectured last night at the Working Men's Club. Addresses were also given by Bishop Cowie, the Mayor, Mr Swanson, and Mr Tole.

Mrs Aley's store and dwelling was burnt down at Whangarei heads- The family were visiting Auckland. Suspected incendiaries. Uninsured. Invbrcakgill, January 4. A. Kinross has addressed the Mataura electors in the Grey interest. Timartj, January 4. • Dr Buckingham, who was nominated with Mr John Studholine for Geraldine, has retired from the contest, leaving Studholme returned. Studholme is a strong Oppositionist,and supports denominationalism.

Chbistohurch, January 3. The repairs, to the Rangitata bridge have been pushed forward so expeditiously that the railway department hope to run through passenger trains during to-morrow. The goods traffic will be resumed early week.

The committee appointed to consider the schemes sent for the supplying Christchurch with water are going to make an experiment with a three feet cylinder sink at one of the islands in the Wainuakawu. This plan has been suggested by Mr Win. White, the well-known provincial contractor.

Dr Donald, for many years .Resident Magistrate at Lyttelton, retired from the Bench yesterday. He is about to visit his native land.

The Agricultural and Pastoral Association complain of the treatment of the show grounds by the Foresters at the fete on Boxing Day. The amount of rent will not compensate for the damage.

It has been raining nearly all the night and hopes are entertained by the farmers that with a little more rain the crops will yet turn out well.

January 4. Mr C. C. Bowen, M.H.R., is likely to be appointed inspector of the Trust and Loan Company.

Wellington, January 4. Judge Kenny goes to Napier as R.M. and District Judge. The West Coast railway route referred to by Mr Macandrew leaves the Hutt line at Kaiwarra, and goes through Porirua. It has been surveyed by the Climie gradient, which nowhere exceeds on« in fifty. It is estimated that the cost will be £6000 per mile. The Hon. R. Hart retires from legal practice. H. Fitzherbert and Stafford, now assistant law officer, will probably loin Buckley. The Fernglen's Westland immigrants all go 1o Wanganui. She is expected here to-day.

The Eoyal Commission on higher education commences to sit on February 15. They will visit each educational district.

The analysis of the Mokau coal at the colonial laboratory shows 87.1 per cent of combustible matter, 2.5 per cent of ashThe evaporation power is so great that lib of coal will convert 71bs water into steam.