BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3082, 4 January 1873, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

{From the Nero Zealand Press Association.) Wellington, January 3. It is understood that no tenders have been received for the additions to the Government Buildings, owing to the short period allowed for their completion, and the heavy penalties imposed for exceeding the allotted time. 6 p in. The conditions as to the time for completion having been modified, the tender of Mr Lockie of Wellington for the new Legislative Council, for L 5999, and Messrs Archibald and Scoular of Wellington, for the new House of Representative, for L 4550, have been accepted. The Phoebe’s firemen struck for an increase of wages. They demand L 7 a month and overtime. She left last night for the North with temporary hands. January 4. Governor Bowen assumes the Governorship of Victoria early in March. ChiefJustice Arney will administer the Government here till Sir James Fergus on’s arrival. A number of the Taranaki natives, hitherto most opposed to laud sales, have made overtures to the Government to sell a quantity of valuable territory. Mr MM.eau visits Taranaki about the middle of the month to conclude the negotiations. Jonas Woodward is gazetted Public Trustee. The regulations under the Act are also published. It is gazetted that Mr Driver has ceased to be American Consul of Dunedin. Auckland, January 1. The Tararua Hotel had a narrow escape from burning, owing to the falling of a kerosene lamp. Several ladies’ dresses ignited, but were extinguished before any serious injury was done. The Bank of New South Wales shipped 20,000 sovereigns to Dunedin yesterday. The potato crop is a failure, owing to the drought. Tnvercargi' l, January 3. The Caledonian gathering yesterday and the day before was the most successful ever held here. About 3000 persons were present. Auckland, January 3, The Household Education Rate of is to be collected by quarterly payments of five shillings each. The Dakota leaves for the South at 10 o’clock to-night. A boy named James Middlebrook, while marking at the butts at Tararu yesterday, was shot through the arm. Solid iron has been successfully puddled at Sutton, Calder, Clement, aud Co.’s, at Onehuuga. The Native meeting at Matragatautau tliis month is to be non-political, by order of Manuwhiri. Business has been resumed after the holidays. LATEST FROM AUSTRALIA. [Via Hokitika.] A delaide, December 20. A discovery of extraordinary richness has been made at the Moouta mines, consisting of an abundance of malleable copper and diamond oxide in considerable quantities. Pleuro-pncumonia has broken out amongst the town herds. Post viortems have been held on several of the animals that have died. The insurance companies have resolved to charge 4 s per cent, on cargoes of wheat for England. Melbourne, December 21. Referring to Mr Vogel’s published strictures on the circular despatch from Earl Kemberley re intercolonial reciprocity, the Argus enquires who authorised Mr Vogel to interpret the sentiments of the Australian Colonies and to admonish and reprimand the Earl in the name of two millions of people, instead of that of a quarter of a million New Zealanders. Mr Wiiberforce Stephen is the new Minister of Education. Sydney, December 20. A rumor is current that Mr H. H. Hall s tender for the Californian service is lowest, and that of the A. S. N. Company next.