TELEGRAPHIC.

Evening Star, Issue 4311, 20 December 1876, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

»— , (Tib Subkabinx Cabli.] The Eastern Question. London, December 18.—The ‘St, Petersburg Herald * states that the neutral occupation of Bulgaria would be the extreme limit to Russia’s concession. The Forte, however, rejects any pro. posal for the foreign occupation of Bulgaria or any other Turkish Province. The augmentation and equipment of the Turkish army is being poshed forward with great energy. The preliminary business of the Conference is concluded, bat no formal resolution is yet drawn up. General IgnatieS has informed Lord Salisbury, - the English representative at the Conference at Stambonl that Russia would accept the Swiss (Servian P) or Bulgarian occupation of Bulgaria. The suggestion has beenforwaraed to the English Government, who have not yet replied to it. The Melbourne Champion Race. Mxlboubns, December 19.—The Barb and Melbourne have been scratched for the Melbourne Champion Race. The new steamer Kent, from London, has arrived. She was fifty-three days coming out. [Feb Press Agenot.] Was tbe Prorogation Legal ? Cbbzstchubch, December 19.—The ‘Lyttelton Times' devotes another article this morning to the illegality of the late prerogation of Parliament by commission. The points are, that the Queen has not, in respect of New Zealand under its present Constitution, any lawful power of proroguing Parliament ; and that, if she had the power, the document issued by the Governor in virtue of the delegation to him of such power is not a legal exar»ise of the delegated authority invested in him. The argument which relies on the necessity for express words for taking away the King’s prorogation is met by citing many oases in which the prerogative is universally admitted to have ceased without any express words having been used to t.Tmt. ftfiect. Ritualism at Kalapoi. December 19.—The City Council have passed a resolution favorable to asphalting footpaths throughout the city, four feet six inches wide. The cstHUated cost is L 13.000. A Court of Assessors asssembled at the College Library to-day, to snqmre into certain charges against the Rev. Mr Canyon, Incumbent at Kaiapoi, to the effect that he been teaching doctrines contrary to the authottseu teaching of the Church of England, and using <jgn.®omali contrary to the usages of the Church. Then' the facta in some of which . wß * e 18 Court decided that all the fee.* B . B ®*' forth in the charges had been either admitte d or proved, and these facts will now be submitted the Bench of Bishops to decide whether they N contravene the teachings and usages of the Church. TheiAraximu MnrderiV Auckland, December 19.—Further .pMtionlars show that three years ago Curtain BK'wght an action against the murdered man, and got w'orated. TTi» grass seed had to be seized, and this caL ,B ®d a grudge. About a week ago he told MzsShanag.hao* You will not have him long.” Curtain's staj** ment to the police is that he met Shanaghan, wind said, “ Come and see me bum your house down** ; that they then fought, he getting the better of ShftTiftghn.n, who said,“You’ve done enough. Curtain, let me up now.*' Curtain refused, and'tied Shanaghan to a stump with a halt-inch rope, with his hands behind him, and then rode into Panaknxa to get a warrant, ■ which was refused. Upon returning on Sunday menura, he went by • candle light'and ont away the cords binding the body. Drops of candle grmi.ee were found on the trousers of the murdered men, and a piece of sperm candle was found in Curtain's pockets when he was arrested. When ShsnagKSg ß wife was looking for her husband, she asked Curtain where he was. He said—“ He is lying down where he got his desserts." Shanaghan appears to haveblunggled • desperately to free himself, the repo, out into the wrist and the stamp to which he was tied. One of the marks on the skxul was made by a sharp instrument, and on axe was found in the ashes of the fire in Curtain’s house with the handle burned off. _ [Fbov oub own CobsxsfossxvJ Napibb, December 19.—Fhe Hon. Mr Ormond is expected here overland to-morrow to spend the Christmas holiday. The County elections ace causing some little excitement in the County districts. Among the candidates are Colonel Whit* more and Hon. H. B. Bussell. Great dissatisfaction is expressed at the Government not sen ding definite instructions to the returning officers as to whether Road Board ratepayers can use more than one vote. The ‘Herald: advises only one, while the ‘ Telegraph’ maintains that plurality of votes can be exercised, consequently some of the returning officers are in a quonday, and some intend only allowing one. Others tace the opposite view, , - . - I have been requested to say that Robjohns, who lately committed suicide here, was not connected -with jtobjohpg and Co., mnwhaatfr oplace.