TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 160, 2 June 1876, Page 9

TELEGRAMS.

(From our Daily Contemporaries.) Brisbane, May 21. The Bowen, -with the Torres Strait Mail, has arrived. The following is a summary of the news : — The lateßt Perak intelligence states that Rajah Yusg, heir to the throne, has been committing cruelties and inflicting "brutal punishment for imaginary offences. His acknowledged brutality caused the Malay chiefs to endeavor to cut him off from the succession. The country is, however, quiet, some rebels, notably Kota Lama chiefs and followers, showing symptoms of submission, The Siamese Government is vigorously pushing on a telegraph line to connect Burmah with Bangkok, thence to Penang. There will thus hd two lines from Singapore to England. The Siberian lines have been much interrupted lately. The climat^ of Acheen still affects the health of the Dutch ► troops. Skirmishing is frequent. Governor Jervoise has formerly acknowledged the obligations of the obligations of the British Government to the Siamese Government and Rajah Quedah for their aid in the late outbreak. Melbourne, May 25. A large fire occurred at HarDer and Co.'s mills, Flinders-street, Melbourne, to-day. The mills and bonded stores adjoining were destroyed; damage, £100,000. The Wellington and Dunedin firemen performed creditably at Ballarat. The banquet in the evening was very disorderly. Sydney, May 25. The Government is giving free passages to destitute diggers to enable them to visit the country to search for work. During the Fire Brigade's procession yesterday evening, the balcony of an hotel, crowded with spectators, collapsed. Several people were severely injured.

Wellington, May 25. It is understood that Government will apply at the ensuing Session for power to appoint Commissioners to value the Canterbury runs, with a view of offering them to the present leaseholders on such terms as the Commission may recommend. A despatch from the Agent-General, received to-day, reports that conditions upon which suitable emigrants for Jackson's Bay Settlement will be taken have been distributed. Holloway and Booth have also been furnished with them. They have also been translated into Gei*man, with a view to getting a party of Pomeranians, who, the Superintendent of Westland stated, would, with their families, be sufficient at first. The mission to the Continent has broken down owing to the death of the New Zealand agent. Dr. Welch, late of New Zealand, has stated his intention to make up a party for Jackson's Bay, and has since been in communication with the Superintendent, but the result is not known in London. The list of nominations from Westland for Shetlanders has been sent to them, but at present there is no reply. Three hundred immigrants, including ninety per Camperdown, sent to Westland, have been shipped since Ist May. The Camperdown sailed for Nelson on 12th April. The tender of the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company has been accepted for a second Cook Straits cable. Auckland, May 25. The Governor has written to Sir George Grey empowering him to use the name of the Queen in instituting legal proceedings relative to the land purchases by Thomas Russell at the Upper Thames, within boundaries over which pre-emptive rights of the Crown have been exercised.

Alexandra, May 25. Yesterday the Native Minister, accompanied by Major Kemp and others, visited Tawhiao at Kaipahia, who received the Native Minister in the most cordial manner, and invited him to remain for the night, which is considered a mark of high respect. He said he would give Sir Donald his own mat. The party remained all night. A number of the principal chiefs were present. A public meeting will be held to-day. Tawhiao paid another visit of ceremony to the Native Minister. The conference so far is private, but it is understood to be most satisfactory. The natives say they wouid be glad to welcome Grey as an old acquaintance, but have no desire to discuss political questions with him. The conference will be resumed to-morrow. When matters are matured, full information will be afforded to the Press.

Christchurch, May 25. The Fire Brigade being unable to send a detachment to take part in the competitions at Ballarat, had a number of trial practices under the Ballarat conditions, with the most satisfactory results. The time made in each practice will be sent to Ballarat for comparison with the time made there.

Timaru, May 25. Large purchases of Crown lands continue to be made in various parts of the district, principally for agricultural purposes. Over eight thousand acres were sold last week in the Timaru and Waitangi Road District.

Stdnky, May 26. The vote for tho New Zealand Cable subsidy has passed. B. Cruickshanks, of Auckland, has been appointed the officer to make the contract and agreement for this Colony under the Agreements Validating Act. A. rich piece of country has 'been discovered west of Port Moresby, New Guinea, thickly populated. One town is laid out in streets, with flower gardens, and there is every indication of intelligence, industry and cleanliness. New Zealand, took the third prize at the Ballarat Fire Brigade's competition. Another large fire has taken place in Melbourne. Messrs. Larder and Lazarus' premises in Elizabeth-street were gutted. The loss is heavy.

Melbourne, May 26. Every insurance office was involved in the fires from £1000 to £5000, except the Liverpool and Globe Company. The insurance covers £90,000. A number of the principal merchants had their goods in Shaw's bond, valued at £150,000. All the suburban brigades were absent at Ballarat.

The National Reform League, at a meeting last night, seriously considered the propriety of taking steps to impeach Sir William Stawell for his late political action.

Auckland, May 26. It is stated that immediately on the return of Judge Gillies, the Superintendent will take action in the Supreme Ccurt relative to the alleged unlawful native land purchases.

Via Brisbane. A resolution has been tabled in the House of Commons praying the Queen not to use the titla of Empress. President Grant is iIJ, and refuses to receive visitors. The Prince of Wales visited Malta, Gibraltar, Cadiz, and Seville on his way home.

A notice has been posted at Lloyd's that the Loch Laggan is missing.

The Turkish Commissioners have agreed to* a cessation of hostilities in Herzegovina to April 10th, but they have refused to grant a formal armistice.

The Queen, accompanied by Lord and Lady Derby, arrived at Baden on the 29th March. Mr. Disraeli stated in the House of Commons that the Queen's visit to Germany is occasioned purely through the bereavement of a relative. The 'Times' in reviewing the recent "stonewall" agitation in Victoria, strongly condemns the factious policy of the Opposition.

New Zealand hemp is only sold for retail purposes. Superior to medium samples are quoted at £18 to £20.

The decree promulgated by Marshal MacMahon announcing that an International Exhibition will be held in 1878, is regarded as a proof of confidence in the existing institutions, and a general desire for peace.

The London Colonial wool sales have been resumed. The opening sales exhibited a languid tone, and prices are Id. a lb. lower. 110,000 bales were catalogued, of which 3000 were withdrawn. The market afterwards became firmer. Superior wool showed a partial recovery. The wheat market is quiet. Adelaide wheat is quoted at 50s to 525 ; New Zealand at 49s to 51s.

Wellington, May 27.

The Government have effected arrangements with the N. Z. Shipping Company, by which that Company will have the conveyance of immigrants to this Colony during the ensuing year. The terms of the agreement are undei'stood to be favorable to the Colony, and at a lower rate than previous arrangements. Alexandra, May 27. M'Lean and Tawhiao are still in conference at Kaipeha, and a lot of interviews are continually taking place apparently of the most friendly nature. Tawliiao himself speaks highly of the Native Minister, but as usual he has opposition to fight against. Sydney, May 27.

The Pacific Mail subsidy has passed. During the discussion, the Postmaster said he believed the contractors were anxious to change the route to Auckland or the Bay of Islands. Mr. Parkes adverting to the probability of a change of route as suggested, said it would all be in favor of New Zealand. Mr. Burns said the Government had no intention to propose a change, though the contractors expressed a desire to withdraw. Mr. Parkes, leader of the Opposition, has carried his resolutions for the expenditure of the surplus revenue in a comprehensive system of Immigration and Public Works.

Melbourne, May 27. The Prosperity's cargo of New Zealand barley has sold at an extreme figure. The National and New Zealand Insurance Companies are in for £1500 in the recent fires. The insurance on three fire in Melbourne has been ascertained to be about £82,000. May 29. Dr. Herr has been appointed medical officer to the Reefton (N. Z.) Hospital. A Brisbane letter from Mulligan states his thorough belief that the Hodgkinson will prove the largest and probably the richest reefing district in the North.

Invercargill, May 29. The sale of country town sections was well attended to-day. The total realised was .£1032.

Christchurch, May 29. On Saturday a man named Thompson died while under chloroform at the Hospital for a surgical operation.

At an auction sale of steeplechase horses on Saturday last, Royalty, winner of the Grand National Handicap, was sold to Mr. A. Cardale, of Christchurch, for 100 guineas, and Septimus to Mr. R. Mason, of Christchurch, for £53. Moose, Butcher Boy, Gazelle, Auckland Kate, Barmaid, and Brunswick were passed in unsold.

A portion of evidence in an inquiry at the instance of the Hon. E. Richardson into the sale of a piece of land to E. P. Sealey, then a contract surveyor under the Provincial Government, by the Timaru Land Office, is published. It appears from complainant's statement that on February 1, E. Richardson, jun., applied for a piece of land between a two-acre section owned by E. P. Scaly and the river Te Ngawai. But before the application was completed Henry Sealey called attention to it being past 4 o'clock, and Richardson was told to come again at 10 o'clock next morning. Before leaving, Richardson set his watch two minutes fast by the office clock, and next morning, after waiting outside some time, during which no one entered the office, he went in exactly at 10 o'clock by his watch, when he was told that he was too late, and that the land had been applied for by E. P. Sealey, for whom it was then being measured off. He said that must be a mistake, as it was only just 10 o'clock, when the clerk said it was three minutes past 10*

and on looking at the clock, Bichardson found to his astonishment that the hands pointed to three minutes past 10. Richardson said his watch had habitually gained prior to this, and it continued to do so afterwards. The Land Office officials, so far as the evidence goes, assert that it was 10 o'clock before Sealey' s application was taken, and that Richardson did not come to the office till a minute or two after 10. Several papers accompany the evidence, from which it appears that the Waste Land Board, after considering the whole matter, decided that Sealey Brothers were not entitled to do what they had done ; but the Board had no power to reverse the granting of the land to E. P. Sealey, and that matter can only be dealt with by the Supreme Court. The Superintendent wrote to Scaly advising restitution, but no reply is given. Evidence shows that the Land Office clock was a good time-keeper, never varying more than one minute per week.

Wellington, May 30.

It is understood Mr. Fitzgerald has been engaged drafting the new Local Government Bill. It is stated that the new Municipal Bill being prepared will contain provisions by which the accounts of all bodies administering local government will be subject to an official audit, similar to that existing for Provincial accounts.

The Taranaki arrived from Lyttelton and Otago at noon. A saloon passenger named Bass is supposed to have jumped overboard during the night. He was not missed for some time. There is no trace of him discoverable.

Cambridge, May 30.

To-day the Native Minister informed a deputation of settlers that the result of the interview with Tawhiao was highly satisfactory. They could rely upon his assistance in the future in carrying out beneficial measures. The King had promised to co-operate with the Government. The future of Waikato looked better than ever. The settlers need be under no apprehension in settling in the district. The settlers expressed great pleasure.

Hokitika, May 30.

Kortegast's brewery, at Koss, was burned to the ground at 2 o'clock this morning. No other property was destroyed. The hydraulic apparatus worked admirably. The building was insured in the Imperial for JE9OO.

Sydney, May 30. A flood threatens Queensland. The water at Gympie is 15ft. above the bridge.

Melbourne, May 30. Sir Julius Vogel communicated with the Victorian Government, suggesting a conference of Colonies in reference to telegraph communication with Europe, with a view to Australian Colonies being represented at the next conference.

Wellington, May 31st A published despatch from Lord Carnarvon to the Marquis of Norrnanby, stales that Her Majesty will not be advised to exercise her power of disallowance in respect to the Act providing for the abolition of the Provinces

Auckland, May 31sfc. Scarlet fever has broken out at the Maori Hostelry, and the patients have been isolated.

Christchtjbch. May 31st. The New Zealand Shipping Company have received the following shipping intelligence from London, under the date 33rd April : — " Arrivals from the Colony : Columbus, from Auckland ; British Empire, from Napier ; Border Chief, from Wellingtrn ; Mataura from Port Chalmers, in eighty days. Departures for the Colony : England's Glory amd Yallejo, for Auckland ; City of Dunedin, for Canterbury ; West York, for Otago."

The Acclimatisation Society have voted £150 for co-operation with Auckland in introducing salmon ova from America, and it was decided that the Auckland Society be recommende i to introduce proportion of trout ova, if possible. It was also decided to take immediate steps to procure prairie hens from America.

Further correspondence connected with the Timaru land sale, just published, shows that Me-srs. Sealey Bros, decided to accept the Superintendent's recommendation to give up the section in dispute. Sydney, May 31st. Press conespondence is proceeding as to the adaptability of Kandavu as the port of call as compared with the Bay of Islands.

Mr. Shellbach, manager of die Aberfeldie Gold Mining Company at Wood's Point, was shot at yesterday by one Ctarles Graves, in the company's office. He was slightly injured, as were also two shareholders who were present.