TELEGRAMS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 192, 20 January 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(Per Anglo- Axistraiian Press Telegraph - Aoency. )

Wellington January 19

The Wesleyan Conference to-day discussed the question whether the Hokitika and Greymouth circuits should be transferred from Nelson to the Canterbury district, but decided not to alter the present arrangement.

Wellington, January 20. The Suez mail per Tararua consisted of 696 letters and 377 newspapers. The San Francisco mail, per Wellington, consists of 3893 letters and 2790 newspapers. On the occasion of a soiree on board the Soukar on the Anniversary Day, the ’tween decks will be lighted by gas.

[FROM OUR AUCKLAND CORRESPONDENT.] Auckland, January 19. A smuggling case occupied the Police Court to-day. John Harrison, captain of the schooner Dauntless was charged with landing 1 cwt of tobacco. The chief officer was the principal witness for the prosecution. He deposed that before the vessel arrived, a biscuit case was filled with tobacco and lowered into the hold. On arrival at Auckland it was landed in a boat shortly before one o’clock in the morning at the end of Albert street. The captain was convicted on three counts, and fined £IOO for unloading, £25 for dealing in contraband goods, and £IOO for making a false entry at the Customs. He will be imprisoned till the fine is paid. During the examination the Magistrates ordered the Crown Prosecutor to lay an information for perjury against one Herman, a seaman, who denied all knowledge of the tobacco, but was flatly contradicted by other witnesses. Herman was arrested before leaving Court on the charge of perjury. A mysterious death has been cleared up by the finding of the skeleton of a girl named Bridget O’Sullivan in the bush on the bank of a creek at Puhoi. Several months ago the girl left her home to go to her uncle’s house not far off, and was seen a short distance along the road, but has never since been heard of. Suspicion of foul play fell on a resident in the district, but the body could not be found, though many search parties were out. The discovery of the skeleton satisfactorily proves that the girl lost her way in the bush, and miserably perished from hunger. The seizure of the schooner Dauntless, in consequence of the conviction of the captain for smuggling, is considered a great hardship to Conroy the owner, who seemed to be in no way connected with the illegal act. Captain Harrison purchased the smuggled tobacco in Noumea on his own account. The Government brand was put on the schooner to-day, but she will probably be given up to

the owner after a rigid investigation and reference of the case to the Government. Several Australian diggers came over by the last trip of the Wonga Wonga, in consequence of the reported intention of opening Ohinemnri. They went to the Upper Thames River yesterday to await the proclamation. [FROM OUR DUNEDIN CORRESPONDENT.] Dunedin, January 19. The sittings of the Presbyterian Synod are drawing to a close. Yesterday by 20 to 8 they carried resolutions in favour of union with the Northern Church. The Union committee could not recommend concurrence in the Northern Church’s proposition to give parties an appeal in cases of discipline and doctrine, and suggested that for the first five years the right of appeal in such cases should be withheld. A motion to send the suggestion to the different Presbyteries for consideration was met by an amendment proposed by Mr Bannerman—“That there is no immediate call for union.” The general ground of objection was that union meant an introduction of instrumental music into churches here, but many ministers admitted this was only a question of time. A clerical supporter of the amendment termed instrumental music in church a ritualistic practice. The Chain Hill Tunnel makes but little progress. Dui’ing the last six months only two claims have been completed, making seven out of the twenty required to finish the work. The workmen are on very hard stone, and find the water pours upon them. At the present rate of progress it will take nearly three years to complete.

The Athenaeum committee have decided to provide card rooms for members. J anuary 20. After all Kettle cannot play, which is a great loss to our team. His place is taken by the twelfth man, Rhodes, who is a fair change bowler and inveterate slogger, scoring quickly or none. It is greatly feared that Downes will be unable to come down owing to illness In his farmly, In that case Clark plays; failing him, Morrison, a colt. Reade telegraps that he cannot play. Our team is thus considerably weakened. A strong effort is being made to induce Collinson to play.

Dr Webster has resigned his seat in the Executive and Provincial Council. He is going to England. The quarter’s provincial revenue was £332,861 for the December quarter.