The Globe MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1875. TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 220, 22 February 1875, Page 2

The Globe MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1875. TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(Press Telegraph Agency.') Auckland, Feb 20. The Macgregor arrived last night. Mr and Mrs Hoskins were amongst the passengers to Auckland. She left Sydney early on the morning of the 14th, and proceeded to San Francisco early this morning. The following are the only items of Austialian news additional to those brought by the Omeo :—The barque Alexandra, forty-three days out, from Newcastle to Yokohama, returned to Newcastle dismasted. The Adelaide banks have raised the interest on deposits to 5 per cent. Business is completely suspended in the city, all the shops are closed, and thousands are at the Superintendent’s funeral. The Hon Mr McLean and Pollen arrived by the Luna to attend it. Natene, who was hung yesterday, confessed to the Rev Mr Pomare, a native clergyman, that he committed the murder exactly as indicated by the medical testimony, and yet again denied his guilt on the scaffold. February 21. Mr Williamson’s funeral procession was about a mile long. There were over sixty carriages. • Each side of the road along the route was thickly thronged with spectators, of all ranks and ages and dresses. The balconies and verandahs were crowded. Good order reigned. The service at the grave was conducted by ministers representing the various Protestant denominations. First the Wesleyan, to which deceased belonged; then the Baptist, and then the Anglican. The Bishop next read a chapter from Corinthians. Mr Hill, the Presbyterian clergyman, gave the closing prayer and Benediction. Grahamstown, February 20. A great number of persons have proceeded to Auckland, to be present at the funeral of the late Superintendent. The Luna, with Sir Donald McLean, came down the river this morning, and called at Tarani for Dr Pollen and Thames citizens, and proceeded to Auckland. In answer to a deputation which waited upon him yesterday, Sir Donald McLean stated that so far as he could say the field would be opened in about ten days, as the regulations had not been completed. He said distinctly that the Government would not grant concessions to, nor recognise any rights acquired by, persons before the opening of the field. Cheers were given for Hon D. McLean, Dr Pollen, and Mr Mackay. Ninety-seven signatures have been attached to the agreement, Mr Mackay is still at Ohinemuri, preparing the schedule to the agreement. He will came down on Monday to attend a public dinner by the Thames citizens to him, in appreciation of his perseverance in compassing the opening of the country. Two bottle-nose whales, about thirty feet long, have been caught near Grahamstown, at the goods wharf, at ten o’clock to-day. The animals were gambolling about, and got into shallow water, and fell an easy prey to the crews of three collier schooners, with harpoons and extemporised lines. Wellington, February 20. Mr R. C. Hammerton, who was recently appointed temporarily assistant secretary of stamps, has now been appointed permanently. Mr Fox does not resign his seat until the eve of his departure for England, alleging, as his reason, his unwillingness to be mixed up with the turmoils of a contested election. The harvest about Wellington turns out to be the best for many years, and is mostly all got in in good condition, Mr Martin, of the New Zealand Steamship Company, who left for England a few days ago, goes with the object of purchasing a vessel, fitted with compound engines, and of high speed, adapted specially and exclusively for the conveyance of passengers, and fitted with first class accommodation for at least 200. If Mr Martin cannot purchase a suitable vessel, he is to have one built to order with the utmost despatch. The Agent-General, writing to the Hon Minister of Immigration, on the 17th December, says :—” I regret to in form you that the Edwin Fox put back to the river on the 13th instant, having, as I understand, during the heavy weather touched the Deal sands. The ship is now undergoing a survey. It is believed the damage sustained is very slight. Two deaths occurred since the ship left the dock, and there are three cases of sickness among the married people. In a supplementary letter, dated 24th December, Dr Featherston reports—“ That the vessel was examined in the dry dock a few days ago, and it was ascertained she had sustained no injury whatever. The emigrants re-embarked from the Blackwall depot.” The Post publishes a report of the case of suicide of Joseph Patten, chie f steward of the Berar, on the voyage out. He drank two ounces of laudanum, having got at the mec'icine chest. Efforts were unavailing to save his life. Nelson, February 20. Mrs MacDonald, wife of the manager of the Union Bank, died last night. Dunedin, February 20. At a meeting of the Waterworks Company held yesterday it was agreed to grant a dividend for the half-year of six per cent on the shares issued under the Act of 1864, and of five per cent under the Act of 1871. It was agreed to give Mr Dick, the late secretary, £loofor winding up the company, and the balance of money (£200) it was agreed to hand over to the benevolent institutions. The City Guards fired a friendly match against the Oamaru rifles to-day, making 434 at the ranges 200, 500, and 600 yards; five shots; tea men aside.