TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 633, 29 June 1876, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(Per Press Agency.) LATEST PROM AUSTRALIA. [By Submarine Cable.] Sydney, June 28. A new copper lode of great size, and of considerable richness, bas been found in the Ootbiug mine, Bathurst district. A telegram reports that the Macintyre river is rising fast, and there is every appearance of floods. Connelly, for the murder of his wife at Tara worth, was executed to-day. He died calmly, without confessing. Melbourne, June 28. The Chinese lottery keepers have obtained a victory over the Crown, who applied for the prohibition of the lotteries. Arrived—Otago. INTER PROVINCIAL, Auckland, June 28. lima de Murska has received a brilliant reception. She returns to Melbourne via the South. De Yivo goes to San Francisco. Some uneasiness is felt for the overdne English ship Wanlock, with the water supply material aboard. She is 130 days out. Buyers Shipping shares, 78s; South British, 53s ; Colonial Bank, 32s ; Bank of New Zealand, £lB 2s 6d ; National Bank, 755. Wellington, June 28. A sharp shock of earthquake was felt here at 6.40 this evening. The following tenders have been received for the Westport station contract—(Accepted) Mr Smith, Hokitika, £30,070; (declined) Messrs Butler and O’Connor, Greymouth, £81,485 ; Mr Proudfoot, Dunedin, £32,359; Mr Henderson (of Messrs Brogden), £32,458 ; Messrs Ker and Co, Christchurch, £33,433; Mr Topham, Westport, £34,496 ; Mr Dey, Mosgiel, £37.203. The Easby sails for South at 11 p.m. Passengers—Mrs Car, Mr Johnson. Blenheim, June 29. A smart shock of earthquake was felt here at 6.40 last evening, direction west to east. Port Chalmers, June 28. Arrived Argosy, schooner, from New York, 111 days out, with part cargo for Lyttelton, Wellington, and Auckland, Dunedin, June 28. The railway return just published shows that there was a great increase of all kinds of traffic, independently of that caused by the opening of new lines. The number of passengers carried during the year was 355,932, or an increase on the previous year of 114,473. The goods carried amounted to 202,378 tons, being an increase of 76,307. The money receipts were £104,219, being an increase in twelve months of £46,368. For the year 1874-5 the expenditure was 61.41 per cent of the receipts; for the year 1875-6 it was 63.90 per cent. This increase was occasioned by exceptional circumstances. The excess of receipts over expenditure was £37,367. At a meeting of the Presbytery held today the following resolution, moved by Dr Copland, was carried: —“ That this Presbytery declare its approval of the basis of union in the report of 1875, and in accordance with the Synod’s instructions remit the same to the kirk session to report to the next meeting of the Presbytery.” (From a correspondent of the Press.) TIMARU, June 28. Some matters of considerable importance to the Waimate district were discussed on Monday at the meeting of the Board. Early in the day it was decided to employ part of the large fund to their credit in constructing a road from Waimate township to the Pareora, a distance of nearly twenty miles. The road will run parallel to the great South road and railway line, skirting the foot of the hills, and opening up a large extent of country between that road and the Great South road, ou the hill sides, and in the valleys of the hills to the west. It will be an expensive work, but one that is bound to handsomely repay the outlay. A public meeting was held in the evening, comprising about 450 people, at which the Board were censured for transferring their account from the Bank of New Zealand to the Union Bank, the excuse for transfer being so paltry as to inspire the Idea among the majority that pressure had been exercised to bring about the change. The minority in the matter averred that the opposite party were raising the present agitation in consequence of Bank influence. Although asked by the meeting, the Board refused to re-transfer the account. It was also decided to petition the General Government to open up the Hakateramea Country and Mackenzie Country, by extending the Waimate branch line up the Waimate Gorge ; to provide a suitable hospital for Waimate ; to appoint a resident magistrate, who shall be a barrister ; and to hasten the completion of the section of the main line between the Waitaki and the Waimate branch, so that communication between Waimate and Oamaru may be effected simultaneously with that between Waimate and Timaru. At Timaru to-day the adjourned inquest, touching the death of John McGregor and hia wife, was held. The following verdict was, returned—“ That John McGregor died on the 20th day of June, 1876, from the effects of strychnine, administered by his own hand while laboring sanity ; and that fcora the effects ad in inis Hired ’■»* % ‘ *1 to show.” JU ' , ’ Th j se and the mM miles, '■'jfl-' „ A '- '* ” -V traffi

bell had been rung by a lad named Sargent. Mr Superintendent Harris and Sergeant Hughes were soon at the scene, but their services were fortunately not required, as Mr Stephens, the landlord, aided bj some neighbours and passers by, had put the blaze out with a few buckets of water. It seems that a lighted kerosene lamp had been placed on a sideboard in the room early in the evening, and shortly afteT nine o’clock Mr Stephens was startled by its explosion. On rushing in, he found that the flame had communicated to some Toi Toi grass suspended from the wall, and thence to the paper, lining, and ceiling. All was ablaze in a moment, and having given the alarm, the fire was put out as previously mentioned. About £lO damage was done. The furniture is insured in the New Zealand Company’s office for £125. The Friendly Societies Bill'— An adjourned meeting of delegates from the various friendly societies was held yesterdayevening at the Foresters’ Hall. The delegates present represented Oddfellows, Foresters, Sons of Temperance, Hibernians, Protestant Alliance, &c. Provincial Grand Master J. Taaffe (North Canterbury District Oddfellows) occupied the chair. The remaining clauses of the Bill left over from the previous meeting were gone into, and various amendments made. A letter was received from Mr S. P. Andrews (Wellington) referring" to the working of the committee there, and recommending a unanimous expression of opinion on the part of the various societies. It was unanimously resolved—- “ That a cordial vote of thanks be given to that gentleman for the trouble he has taken in the matter,’’ A telegram was received from the district secretary of the A.0.F., Wellington, asking for information re the Act. It was resolved—“ That a reply be forwarded," The business of the meeting was expedited by the delegates coming prepared with their suggestions for amendment. The report of the delegates will be drawn up and submitted at the adjourned meeting to take place on Wednesday, July 12th, prior to its being forwarded to Wellington. Education Rate. —An argument was heard yesterday before the Resident Magistrate in the case of the Superintendent v Freestone, for the household rate under the Education Ordinance. The defendant occupied an office in town, but it was shown that though part of a building occupied by others, there was distinct egress from this office to a right of way. which was solely used in connection with the office. Mr G. Harper, who appeared for the defendant, while somewhat yielding the ground of structural severance under the circumstances, contended that the notice served was not sufficiently specific in respect to the kind of property rated, citing authorities in support of his view. Mr Garrick, for the Superintendent, held that section 43 of the Ordinance simply imposed a rate; that there was no necessity to strike a rate, use any rate roll, or give any notice whatever; and in answer to Mr Harper, citing Burn’s Justice, p. 383, and Queen against Justices, Hampshire, 8 Dowling Reports, said that no appeal could lie unless it be given by statute.; therefore the party could not appeal, and the only test was by common law liability. Mr Garrick also expressed a wish that the amount might be made £5 Is, to admit of his testing the correctness of his contention. As Mr Harper’s client is already on his way home, he desired time to think over the matter, and his Worship mid he would look through the authorities quoted and consider his judgment. it' * ' Cable Negotiations.— Ooote, the representative of Brothers, constructors of teleoßhioi cables, had a long interview withGeneral on the 16th, sayaJßFMelboutne Argus, and submitted to proposals for establishing communication with Europe by ‘ routes. Captain Coote has New South Wales and has urged on the Governments also the necessity for action Mr Robertson, the Premier Wales, has expressed his conference as suggested by Sir should be held; and this carried into effect without will be called together the result of Mr Cracknell’s mislij^^^BUnited States is ascertained, within the next three of the construction of a Zealand to San Francisco two millions, and unless the States Government should be grant a large subsidy, it is route will not be entertained. Coote, when on his way out to had an interview with the in New York, and his there is very little prospect of granted. Another route, to is also the great drawback, is and Mauritius route, have to be 8250 miles long, ah 4 the telegraph department's there are also scientific route. The proposal considered most feasible is the construction from Perth to Ceylon via the ''fHH Islands. The distance would be miles. The Keeling Islands would f station midway; the line wpuld follo-\y the mail route, and could be more easily repaired in case of interruptions, and direct communication would be obtained with England through British territory only. The cost to the Australian colonies would not exceed an annual subsidy of £55,000. Oapt. Coote has promised to submit to the Post-jjmster-General a written statement setting BfeHto^rjoposals.

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