BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3730, 5 February 1875, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

, Christchurch, February 4, w1 he cabmen decided last night by a large majority not to give the new scale of faresla trial, as suggested at the last meeting of the City Council. They are determined not to give any scalejof fares except the one prepared by themselves. Efforts made by some .people for arbitration on the matter, are, therefore, not likely to succeed. The Canterbury Woollen Spinning and Weaving Company expects to commence operations about the end of this month. The plant comprises ten looms, with a full complement of other _ machines for supplying them with material and finishing off the goods. The company will commence with the manufacture of blankets. rm. ~ February 6. Ihe accident at the Rangitata occurrred yesterday. Mr Hunt, head master of the Titnaru school, his wife, and his m-law, a Airs Cunningham, were crossing in a buggy, driven by the former, when the Xadies getting frightened, stood up and capsized the buggy. The ferryman caught hold of Air Hunt, but the stream carried him away again. The ferryman then caught hold of Mrs Hunt, and took her ashore, but life was extinct. The party were crossing at the proper ford, and the nver was low, and no accident would have happened if the ladies had not got frightened. Efforts are being made to establish a Pigeon Flying Club here. The cabmen now offer to submit the dispute between themselves and the City Council to arbitration. A Dog Show will probably be held in conjunction with the next poultry exhibition. r, ~. Wellington, February 6. Returns published in the * Gazette ’ show an increase in the imports of the past year over 1873 of nearly twenty-five per cent., but in the exports there was a decrease of L 359.102. The ? ere L8 > 121 .812 5 the exports, L5,2^1,269. The unjftrta at the principal ports for 1874 stand as follows: Uunodin W89.560; Auckland, L 1,546,438; Lyttelton’ ; L 1.084,657; Nelson, ; Greymouth, L 69 473 ’ D 167,435; Wailganui,

(From our own Correspondents ) Auckland, February 4. About two hundred diggers, many from Australia and America, are now at Ohinemuri. Diggers from the Palmer state that if payable gold is found at Ohinemun thousands will leave the Palmer and rush thither. The indecent assault case has commenced against Pattison. The evidence tended to show that the crime was committed on Sunday evening. The evidence against the prisoner is only circumstantial, and rests largely on the testimony of children. The victim amused herself m court by eating buns and lollies, apparently unconscious of the nature of the proceedings. The case is not concluded. In committing Legett, Clerk of the Provinciai Council, for trial, the Resident Magistrate said he would probably get fourteen years’ imprisonment. The remark is looked upon as uncalled for and unfeeling, considering.the position of the accused. Chbistchdbch, February 5. A presentation by the employes of the Press newspaper to Mr Pritchard, managing director of the ‘ Press ’ Company, who leaves for England to-day, per Otago, took place yesterday. All the employes met on the premises and Mr Colbome Veel, editor of the * Press/ made the presentation, which consisted of a handsome silver tankard and gold cigar holder. Mr Veel in his speech referred to the prosperous state of things brought about by Mr Pritchard’s management. Mr Pritchard briefly replied. He will be absent about eight months. Wellington, February 5. At a meeting of the City Council last night, a notice was received from the Trust and Loan Company, calling in the Waterworks mortgage of L 25.000 on the Ist May. The Mayor stated that, in addition, the general account* was overdrawn L 6,000, and the Waterworks account L9,G00, and that the bank was unable to sell the LIO,OOO debentures it held against the latter sum. He said the position of the oily was far from a pleasant one, and gave notice that he would, at the next meeting, move for a committee of the whole, to consider the city’s financial position.