INTERPROVINCIAL TELEGRAMS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 63, 23 February 1877, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL TELEGRAMS.

[From the Press Agency]. Auckland, February 20.

Sterndale, in the Press, strongly denies ever being concerned in the Canterbury schooner, and denies that he is indebted to Henderson and Macfarlane. He says his arrest was a ruse to prevent the departure of the schooner.

The Railway Commissioner, to-day, examined several witnesses, who deposed that the rates were excessive and anomalous. If lowered, there would be an increase of goods and passenger traffic. One witness deposed that 21 sheep were charged as two score, and an empty woolpack the same as a full one ; that lis 6d was charged on the carriage of a cookery book from Mercer to Auckland. This was admitted to be the mistake of the clerk. The Commission takes evidence to-morrow at Onehunga. A warrant was issued to-day for the arrest of Show, who went by the schooner Canterbury, on a charge of obtaining money by false pretences on a valueless cheque from a publican. The police at Port Russel were telegraphed to. When the lona steamer arrived the Custom-house officer and a policeman went in her in pursuit of the Canterbury, which passed two hours previously, but returned unsuccessful. The Mayor presented a prize bat to Yates to-day, as the highest scorer in the English match. The Mayor expressed a wish that the Canterbury team would prove victorious, and redeem the credit of the colony. February 21. At Ngaruawahia a man named Samuel Morgan was murdered by a Maori named Te Patiri in the lock-up. Morgan who has lived with the King Natives as a Pakeha Maori, was driven out by the Kingites, and a few days ago was sentenced to imprisonment by the Resident Magistrate for vagrancy. The Maori escaped on Detective Doolan's horse, which was outside. He was re-captured near Alexandra. The

gaol is said to be insecure. Alexandra, February 21. The Maori, Patiri, who murdered his fellow prisoner Morgan fast night, by cutting his throat in the gaol atNgaruawahia, having been re-captured, was taken before Major Mair this morning. He confessed the murder, and said Morgan was constantly cursing him, which made him angry, so he killed Morgan. Wanganui, February 20. A party started with Mr. Booth, Resident Magistrate, yesterday for the Taupo country, taking with them a staff of surveyors. A final effort will be made to settle the Murimotu difficulty. Dr. Buller will represent the Native tribes, and Mr. Moorhouse the interests of Studholm and Co. It is understood that the solicitors receive a fee of £200 each for the trip, from their respective clients. A general meeting of the tribes will take place on February 24. Foxton, February 20. Beathy's store was burnt down last night. Very little of the stock was saved. It was insured in the- National for £2600, and in other offices for £500. Nelson, February 20. Pitiable tales having been received of the distress occasioned by the floods at Motueka, where many of the settlers have lost their all, homes, stock, crop, and, in some cases, the land itself, a public meeting was called by the Mayor for last night, which was well attended, the Bishops of Nelson and Malanesia, and Messrs. Curtis and Sharp, M.H.R., taking pari in the proceedings. A resolution of sympathy was passed, and a committee appointed to collect subscriptions. £90 was paid in the room.. Hokitika, February 20. Heavy rain fell last night, and there was no firing until after breakfast, when the third carbine match came off. Kettle, Dunedin, 33; M'Lean, Auckland, 31 ; Strange, Christchurch, 30 ; Kissel, Nelson, 30. Not only are the winning scores much higher this year than last, but the general average is far superior to any former shooting. The third rifle match is finished—Parker, 32 ; Keefe, 32 ; Willocks, 32 ; Armstrong, 32 ; Stonebridge, 31; Paynter, 31; A. Sutton, 31 ; Acheson 31. Weather fine.