BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3991, 9 December 1875, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Wellington, December 8. Messrs Gisborne and Wm. Hutchison have been nominated for the Mayoralty. The poll takes place on Wednesday. Great anxiety was felt all day about a number of people who went out in boats yesterday being missing. One man was picked up on the beach in a half drowned condition, was taken to the Hospital, and lias not been sensible fdnce. Tie steamer Napier examined the coast this afternoon and brought back a party of five castaways upon Soames Isl md. There at e still a couple of seamen missing. Some of the squalls last night were the strongest felt here for many years.

Chbistchorch, December 9. The General Assembly of tbe Presbyterian Church of New Zealand closed its session las - , night. Deputies have been appointed to attend a Presbyterian Synod which meets in Edinburgh next May. The deputies from the Otago Synod were heai'd on the question of union with this Church, and deputies were appointed to attend the Otago Synod, with the view of completing arrangements for the Union. Deputies were received from the Canterbury Sunday Observance League, and regulations passed sympathising with the objects of this league and enpining all members of the Church to support them. Erection of a theological hall at Auckland was sanctioned and the desirability of Otago co-operating in this work was recognised. The Near Hebrides and Maori Mission reports was discussed with marked interest. 'J here were interesting discussions- on church extension aud the evangelistic movement recently going on in vaiious parts of the world. The report of the Education Committee called forth a warm expression ot opinion against denominationalisan, and in favor <>f a national system of education. In consequence of the meagre reports in the local papers, a resolution was passed that special arrangements be made and reporters engaged, if necessary, for future sessions of the hj eseaibly. | Mr. Horace Selwyn Smith has arrived from Melbourne to take the management of the IN.Z. Shipping Company's business. Yesterday afternoon a Total Abstinence Society was formed in connection with th-3 Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, with Mr John Lamb, of Waitemate Mills, Auckland, as President, and the Rev W. Sheriff, of Blenheim, as Secretary ; the committee was formed of residents in different parts of the Colony. (From our own correspondent. ) Queenstown, Deoember 8. I The Lake is very high. The weather continues threatening, with prospects of a flood. Shearing operations have been almost suspended during the last seven dnya through the iains. Many assignments are anticipated under tbe new Act when it conies inio operation.