BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

Evening Star, Issue 3835, 9 June 1875, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

_ The Committee of the Agricultural Association offer a prize of twenty guineas for the best essay on the recent appearance of ergot in rye and other grasses, and on the best mode of or curing the disease. The petition against the new Education Bill signed by nearly 400 people yesterday in Christchurch alone. It was presen ted to the Provincial Council last night, but had no effect, as the BUlwas further considered and severalclauses were agreed to. A motion to alter one of the clauses so as to make it compulsery for school committees to set apart one whole day or two half-days in each week for religious instruction by ministers of various denominations, was negatived by eighteen to ten. An amendment “ That school fees should remain at 5s instead of being increased to 10s as provided in clause 43,” was negatived by twenty to thirteen. Wellington, June 9. It is understood tnat Mr Vogel has not resigned, though reported in some quarters; but his colleagues are in a position to tender his resignation, if necessary. , Chhistohdroh, June 9. In the Provincial Council last night a motion that L 20,000 be voted for the drainage of Christchurch and suburbs, to be expended by a Board of Commissioners specially appointed, was negatived. The Government opposed it on the plea that there was no money to spare, and, as usual, they were backed up by the country brigade, most of whom seem determined to sacrifice the centres of population entirely to the country districts. One member who supported the motion argued that the Government estimates of leceipts were altogether too low, and unnnecessaiily alarming, as i proved by the fact that during the past two months, which were the first of the financial year, the receipts for land sides

were £30,000 In excess of the Government estimate. This makes the fourth attempt to get something like justice for Christchurch that has failed, notwithstanding that the bad state of drainage has caused an immense amount of sickness, and the City Council are powerless to raise more funds by a rate or otherwise. Public feeUng here is very strong against the Government and their country supporters in the Provincial Council. The opinion is freely expressed that their persistent of tho city will have the effect, grefttly increasing the supporters of abolition of the Provinces.

Wellington, June 0. It is understood that Mr Gisborne retires from the civil service in August next, when he will be entitled to a pension under the Civil Service Act of 1860. He will be a candidate for a seat in the House of Representatives at the next general election. The Governor leaves for Nelson immediately after the arrival of the Luna. {From our own Correspondents.) Auckland, June 8. J. C. Sextie, the sharebroker, who poisoned himself yesterday, cane from Victoria eleven years ago, two years in Otago, and then eame to Auckland. He had recently removed to a new house. Last night he came home in a Very depressed state of mind, and unde• the influence of drink; he spoke to his wife in a despondent tone, remarking that it would be his last home. He then lay down on the sofa in the sitting-room, and when Mrs 'extie retired insisted on remaining there, and refused to allow her to put any covering QJ§V him. His wife heard no noise during the night, but about four o’clock in the morning, iri consequence of sounds proceeding from tho sitting room, she got up and went in. when sb© found her husband in th» ftgoSi§9 Pj death. A messenger was despatched for a doctor, who arrived within a very short time, but life was then quite extinct. A cup, coot lining a few crystals like strychnine, was found in his hand. He has lately been yejry straightened in circumstances. He leaves a wife and four children totally unprovided for. Cottles, Olson (?) a manufacturer of tomato sauce, was sitting on a box, driving a cart down hill, when the horse bolted, precipitating him on to his head on the road, cutting his cheek opep to the bone, and rendering him insensible. He now lies ip p dangerous state. The horse plunged right through a strong fence, carrying the palings and posts away, and drew the cart after him without injury to it.