BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

Evening Star, Issue 3091, 15 January 1873, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

(From the New Zealand Press Association.)

Auckland, January 14. A rush has set in to Whaugamata, the newly-opened Thames district. Further successful experiments have been made in smelting the iron sand. The Wonga Wonga sailed yesterday for gydney. She took 25,176 ounces of gold, valued at L 87.515. It is rumoured that the strike of the hands on the public works at Mahurangi is false.

Christchurch, January 14. Owing to the drought, crops will be 15 to 18 per cent below the average of last year.

Bluff, January 15. Sailed-Celestia, for Wellington, avith 135,000 feet of sawn timber. The Tararua sailed for Melbourne at daylight this morning. A strong westerly gale has been b’owing since yesterday morning.

Queenstown, January 15. The Governor and family were warmly received on their arrival here. There w ire few decorations. The weather yesterday and this morning was quite wintry, but is pleasant this afternoon. The Chinese made quite a sensation by their numerous appearance and exhibitions of loyalty. There were no public demonstrations, but balls, etc., will be given. All is as if the visit was a quiet one for rest. There is no betting on the races. People are dubious as to the combinations amongst Hie qwners of horses. The town is crammed with people. The miners say the present year will witness great returns of gold.

THE JUBILEE WEEK IN MELBOURNE. On the 26th December, the Intercolonial Musical Festival was commenced at the Town-hall, with moderate success: The general programme included concerts for the Opening .Night, the Victorian Night, the Combination for Juveniles, the New South Wales Night, the Tasmanian Night, the South Australian Night, and the Closing Night. There were some 28 solo vocalists, containing representatives from each of the adjoining Colonies, a chorus of 250 voices, besides schools, and a selected company of part singers, orchestra, and organ. Three new works have been produced—namely, “ Jrroi/tor, At the Dawning”—the words by Mr Marcus Clarke, the nude composed by Signor Giorza expressly for the occasion ; selections from ‘'The Crown of Thorns”— ap oratorio of high merit, composed and conducted by Mr Charles S.' Packer, from Sydney ; and “The Wreck of the Hesperus ” -—composed and played by Mr F, A. Packer, of Hobart Town. These are all works of special merit. These concerts have served to introduce new vocalists to the Melbourne audience, all of whom have been favorably received. The scheme was projected by Mr George Coppiu, and entails a very heavy expense. The attendance, however, has not been in accordance with the magnitude of the undertaking ; but since the prices have been reduced, the festival is receiving more support. The next moat important event of the week was the intercolonial cricket match between eleven of Victoria andtli rteen representatives from the combined Colon es. The match formed part of the programme of the festival week organised by Mr George Coppin, of the Theatre Bo.yal, a veteran caterer of amusements for the public. The arrangements for the match were left in the bauds of an experienced member cf the Melbourne club, who carried them out to a successful issue. Tbe rival teams comprised most of the leading players ip the Colonies, atthoffgl], owing to the absence of a “crack” bowler, the Viptoriau team was weak in that essential of cricket. The combined team included seven representatives from New South Wales, three from Tasmania, and three from Mouth Australia. The game was commenced on Boxing Day, and lasted the following Friday and Saturday, • resulting eventually in a victory for the combined team by rive wickets. The attendance of spectators was large, and proved the interest felt by the general public in “ noble game ” when properly played. The Victorians were the first to go to the wickets, and their score for the first innings reached a total of 136. Several of the players made good scores—Cosstick, 36 ; B. B. Cooper, 29; and Gaggin, 27 The combined team in their first innings retired for 113 the principal scorers being—E. Gregory, N.S. W. (ciptain), 23 ; Barnes, Tasmania (not out), 20 ; and Arthur, Tasmania, Jo. The Victorian eleven made 89 in their second innin .s, of which Gibson contributed 24 and Conway (not out) 17. Their opponents had, therefore, to repeat their first score to win, and this they did, leaving 5 wickets to fall. Arthur, of Tasmania, played a good innings of 34 (not out), and K Gregory made 27. I’n bowling the Victor!m eleven wfere very weak, while their opponents were unusually strong in this respect. T. W, Wills, the Victorian captain, who was relied on as a bowler, was no-balled, and was forced to retire. The trophy for the highest scorer was carried off by E. Gregory (Sydney), and for bowling by Cosstick (Victoria.)