BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3829, 2 June 1875, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

. Christchurch, June 1. The extension of the Southern Railway, Ashburton to Rangitata, a distance of twenty miles, was opened yesterday. This makes a total of seventy miles opened from Christchurch southward.

The New Zealand Shipping Company has received advices to-day from London that contracts have been made for the immediate building of five new iron ships of the highest class at L:oyd’s, and of extra strength. The ships are each to be a thousand tons register, and to be named as follows;—} furunui, Waipawa, Wairoa, Orari, and Otaki. They will all arrive in the Colony, in time for next wool season.

The City Council have decided upon the general use of earth closets in the city

Christchu! ch, June 2. Justice Johnston arrived per Phoebe yester day, and was formally received by the Superintendent.

There are only four candidates undergoing the annual examination for the Civil Service. Mr Webb, of Riccarton, has obtained the astonishing yied of 100 bushels oats per acre, from an eight acre i addock.

In the Trovincial Council last night, the Government were requested to obtain a report from the medical staffs of Christchurch and Timaru Hospitals as to the advisability of receivig pupils as hospital dressers.

Alexandra, June 2. Manubiri is reported to be very ill, and not likely to recover. Major Te Wheoro has gone up to see him.

Tadranga, June 2. Rewi aud the Maniapoto and Waikato delegates returned to Matapihi yesterday afternoon. To-day Rewi meets all the Tauranga Natives outside the Government Buildings, and will address them on Native affairs.

, Hokitika, June 2. The Albion arrived to-day from Melbourne, but her news was anticipated by the Hero.

{From our ovm Correspondent.)

Lawrence, June 2, A. Roxburgh telegram in to-day’s ‘ Tuapeka Times ’ says there is very little doubt but that Mr Kinaston was drowned in the Molyneux. He occupied the dual position of town clerk and correspondent of the ‘ Tuapeka Times ’ and in those capacities left bis home for the Council on Monday night, and has never been seen since. He hat and books were found on the punt the next morning. His had been very depressed in spirits of late; therefore it has been conjectured he had thrown himself in. The man named Giles who was hurt at Blue Spur on Monday, remains in much the same state. The doctors dofnot give a decided opinion yet as to whether he will recover his sieht. But little surprise is expressed here at the defeat of the Government, which was anticipated. The supposed discovery of coal at Havelock turns out to be lignite of very superior qualify.