BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3811, 12 May 1875, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

m. V . , Christchurch, May 11. The boat-makers’ strike is concluded. The workmen, after being ten days on strike, made a reduction in their demands, which was then agreed to by the masters. The advance in wages gained by this is very trifling.

In the Provincial Council last night, the secretary for Public Wonts made a long statement. The estimated expenditure for the ensuing year includes buildings and works, revotes, L 215,980, and new votes, L 85.169; municipalities road boards, new votes, L 75,000 ; harbor works, revotes L 228.778, new votes L 15.000; immigration, L 3,000 : railway works, revotes L 142.244, new votes L 61.381; Government offices, revotes L 14.540. By not Proceeding with the erection of the Museum additions and using one wing of the Normal Schools for college purposes, instead of erecting a college, and cutting down other items in the unexpended votes of last year, the Government effec * a , savin & of L 70.446; and as Lioo,ooo previously voted for works now in progress will not nave to be paid daring the current year, the estimated cash deficit on March 31,1876, was reduced to L 24,584, though the actual deficit, including the deferred liability of L 186.000, would be 1.210,584. The debate on the estimates was postponed until this evening. The Government policy is generally approved, and it is expected they will be able to command a good working majority. Yesterday the boats of the Eliza Adams caught a small whale in Akaroa Harbor after an exciting chase of some hours. All the Canterbury siliuon ova have turned out worthless.

~ „ , . Blenheim, May 11. Mr Moorhouse’s meeting last night was largely attended. Mr Moorhouae said, respecting the abolition of Provinces, that he would vote for no change unless ho saw something better to take the place of that to be abolished, but he was quite ready to consider any suggested reform. A curious episode occurred towards the close of the meeting. Mr Moorhouse said that Mr Seymour before leaving here offered, to place his name on his (Moorhouse’s) committee; while Mr Joseph Ward stated he would not have thought of coming forward had he not been induced by the request of Mr Seymour, who at the time knew that Mr Moorhonse desired to become a candidate. A vote of thanks was proposed and passed.

. ... . Auckland, May 11. A public meering to-day, convened by the Superintendent, adopted a farewell address to Sir George Arney, to be left at public places for signature.

v Wellington, May 12. Tim number of letters sent to England and America per the San Francisco mail yesterday was 4,230 j of papers, 3,172; and of book packages, 56. r

A slight shock of earthquake was felt at 10.30 to-day.

Picton, May 12. His Honor the Superintendent and Mrs Seymour were passengers by the Taranaki, en rou*' for England this morning.

{From our own Correspondents.)

Auckland, May 11. The jury awarded Mrs Hair LIOO damages against Wallace for driving a cart over her head.

The Minister Cf Public Works has telegraphed instructions to n?ake inquiries relative to the construction of a bridge over the Waikato River at Hamilton. In the Police Court to-day, Mary Ann Black, a simple-looking girl of seventeen, was charged with a breach of the Vagrant Act, by having no lawful means of support. The police asked that the case be withdrawn, as a gentleman had come foi ward and offered to provide for the girl, whom the police had arrested more out of onarity than from any other cause. The girl had been noticed for some time hanging about the wharves amou" the sailors. She came out by the Assn ye, avid has no friends or relatives in the Colony. The charge was dismissed. Nasebt, May 12. A meeting largely attended by miners and tradesmen was held in the Town Hall to-day, for the purpose of forming a company to teat the auriferous character of the main bottom in the vicinity. It was unanimously carried that a company should be formed. There was considerable enthusiasm displayed and confidence expressed in the ultimate success of the scheme, from the known results of previous efforts in deepsinking and the existence of gold in deep levels. A provisional directory was formed to launch the company. The proposed capital is L 5.000 iu 5,000 shares of LI. Before the meeting separated nearly 1,000 shares were subscribed. Clyde, May 12. The plant of the pneumatic dredge was so’d to-day under warrant. It realised L 3 6; Messrs G. W. Eliott and Co. being the purchasers.