BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3117, 14 February 1873, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(From the New Zealand Press Association.) Auckland, February 13. The Kaipara railway works are so far completed that in a month hence they will be ready to lay the sleepers. Mr George Rodgers is dead, Auckland Colonial Representatives held a practice in rapidity, running, and skirmishing matches yesterday, and obtained excellent results,. Cotton has been grown successfully on Captain Steele's farm, near Hamilton, in the Waikato district. Mr Backland’s sheep fair yesterday, at Remuera, was attended by over a thousand persons. 5,000 sheep were penned. High prices ruled for good animals. A number of two-tooth long-woolled ewes were bought on account of the Hnn. Mr Waterhouse, from Mr Kerr of Springfield. A number of farewell addresses to the Governor from the Maori tribes are being sept in, and preparations are making for a large meeting of Natives at Ngaruawahia to bid farewell to his Excellency. A monument to the memory of Tamati Waka is coming by the Phoebe, and will be erected at busstdl, and the Governor will be at the uncovering. There will he an immense meeting of the P orthern Natives. Stormy meetings are being held respecting the education tax. Wellington, February 13. The recommendation of the Otago Provincial Council under the Southland Waste Lands Act, 1865, for reserving 21,150 acres for public works, is confirmed by the Governor. Mr Vogel telegraphs that there is every probability that Mr Webb will get an American subsidy of LIOO.OOO for ten years, but that the Intercolonial Conference is not likely to do anything. An offer has been made tp the Westland County Council to lease 5.000 acres of the coal reserve on the Westland side of the Grey Ri\er, to work in opposition to the Brunner mine, The General Government is likely to grant a bonus to the first steam collier that is put into the Grey River trade, Hokitika, February 13. The Westland rifles fired a match, to-day, against the Christchurch ArtiUery, making 659 points, winning by 131 points.

Kelson, February 13. At the Waimea Steeplechases to-day, the first hurdle race, over eight Sights, one-and-a-haif mites, was won by A/r Simpson’s Modesty, Mr Hayzen’s Eclipse being second. The Great Waimea South Handicap, three miles, 75 sovs, was won by Mr Hughe’s Misletoe ; with Mr Saxton’s Lucifer second. The VVakifhld Free Handicap, two miles, was won by Mr Scbioeder’s Rustic, Mr Thomas’s Kangaroo being second; time. 3min. 33sec. The attendance was fair, and the weather fine.

Christchurch, February 14. A fire occurred in Colombo street shortly after midnight. The total loss is estimated at about L3OOO. The insurances are—South British, L'OO; New Zealand. L3OO ; Loudon and Liverpool, Llol) ; Victoria, LI GO,