TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 821, 8 February 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(Per Press Agency.') LATEST EKOM AUSTKALIA. ——« [BY Submarine Cable. J Sydney February 7. The Gold Cup weights have b' Q h ; decla ed The six highest are Sunlight, Sterlu'.Si Maiton, Imperial, Pride of the Hills, Valem'oe Melbourne. A deficiency of three thousand pounds has been discovered in the accounts of the secretary of a suburban building society. [Per Arawata.] Melbourne, January 31. The Cable Conference now sitting in Sydney, seems to ba thoroughly impressed

with one thing, and that is in any duplicate line that may hereafter be decided upon, fhe land line through Java is to be avoided. Sufficient information has been placed before hem to show that all the bungling and mutilation in the messages has been caused luring their transmission over the Dutch ines. Nothing has yet been definitely decided upon, but it is more than likely that the conference will agree to duplicate the cable between Singapore and Banjoewaugio, and perhaps also as a greater means of security to duplicate the cable between Port Darwin and the latter place. This would entail a very heavy expenditure, and a proportionately heavy subsidy. The election fever is daily getting stronger. Candidates are beginning to announce themselves, and also to hold meetings. The various political associations are astir, and there is every prospect of a very vigorous campaign within the next two months. Parliament stands prorogued to the 6th of March, and it is likely to be dissolved about the end of that month. The new Electoral Bill has considerably altered the boundaries of several of the electoral districts, and many of the old members are leaving their old loves in order to woo the sweet voices of new constituents. As yet none of the prominent politicians on either aide have made any sign. Mr Berry has been ruralising, and it is said maturing a policy in company with his most trusted henchmen, but the principal policy of the Opposition will be war to the knife against McCulloch. The Minister of Justice, upon being banquetted the other night by his late constituents, promised that, at the proper time, Government would introduce a liberal policy, in accordance with the matured public opinion, The publichouse question is just now the prominent one of the hour. Every Sunday the publichouses in the city and suburbs are religiously closed, and the poor man is robbed of his beer for this one day. The publicans are not so much actuated by a due respect for the Jaw as to place the drinking public at an inconvenience in depriving them of their Sunday refreshments; but against this, every Monday morning the blank drunkards’ list at the police court tells its tale in favor of the Sunday closing, and once the novelty is worn off the public would become quite used to the Sabbath abstemiousness. Many of the publicans already show signs of giving in, and before long it is not unlikely that the old state of things will be restored. A case of attempted murder and suicide, similar to that which recently occurred at Emerald hill, has been enacted in Collingwood. A married woman named Dicker cut the throat of her husband while he slept, and then cut her own. Neither are very seriously injured, and are likely to recover. There is a prospect of the Torres Strait mail steamers ceasing to run. The contract, which is only £20,000 a year, does not pay them. They have had several heavy losses, and hitherto they have been performing the service with new boats. Now the time has arrived when they require repairs, which will involve a heavy expenditure, INTERPROVINCIAL. Auckland, February 7. Curtin’s body was given up to his relatives and buried in the Catholic Cemetery.

The case of Shera v McArthur aud Co, has been settled by the payment to Mr Shera in full satisfaction of the partnership accounts.

A seaman of the German ship Hertha fell overboard to-day, and was drowned. At a ball on board the Hertha last night there was a large attendance, including Mr Whitaker, Dr Pollen, and other notabilities. The Working Men’s Horticultural Show to*day was not so well supplied as last year.

The City Council to-day negatived a motion to discharge the city treasurer. Sailed—Taranaki. Passengers—Rev Mr Hodgson, Mrs Burch, Messrs Stack, Smith, Jackson, and Buckland, Arrived—Atlantic, schooner, from Lyttelton.

Auckland, February 8. The Thurland Castle has arrived from London, after a passage of ninety-five days. No immigrants. She brings several passengers. Inspector Broham has gone to Wellington to attend a conference of Inspectors of the Armed Constabulary relative to the redistribution of the force.

Dr Aiken, surgeon, and Miss Hamilton, matron, of the Lunatic Asylum, have resigned in consequence of dissatisfaction at the manner of conducting the enquiry. Hew Plymouth, February 7.

The rain has caused all the rivers to rise. At Eaglewood fears are entertained that some of the new bridges will be washed away, owing to drift wood floating down. One of the protective buttresses to the railway bridge across the Waiwakaio was smashed, but no further harm has been done to the bridge. The rainfall has been heavier than for many previous years. ‘ Wanganui, February 7.

The English cricketers won’t agree to come in the steamer Napier, therefore the match has fallen through. People are displeased with the Englishmen’s conduct. Wellington, February 7.

The meteorological records at the Museum show the rainfall in Wellington from Fridayevening last till 8 a.m. to-day (Wednesday) to have been6.B4in. The total fall for Feb ruary, 1876, was 1.565 in, and the average for February during the past thirteen years was S'oQSin, Wellington, February 8. The Taiaroa put back last night, owing to the heavy sea and bad weather. She left again at ten this morning. Blenheim, February 7. Entrances and acceptances for the races close on Saturday evening next, at 8 p.m. Hokitika, February 7.

There was continuous rain the whole of last week till yesterday, when the weather broke. The river is flooded, but no damage has been done. The Christchurch coach came in last night. All communication with the country districts was stopped till last night.

Westport, February 8. There was a heavy storm from the south ward this morning. The river is flooded, but no damage is done to the town. The new stone protective works are standing well so far as constructed.

Dunedin, February 7. has ceased, and the floods are subsiding cxT-ept on the Taieri plain, where the water has n'joa considerably to-day, and for miles the plain Is under water. A well-known Taieri settler named Borrie was drowned to-day. A newspaper-runner was fined this morning for selling the Daily Times newspaper on

the railway platform without the consent of the Minister of Public Works. Messrs Beed and Fenwick have obtained the sole right of selling literature on the platform, a.id have excluded all local papers except their own, hence the action. For the defence it was urged that the travelling public complained of not being able to obtain copies of the Times and Star. Dunedin, February S. Mr James Green has been appointed a member of the Otago Waste Lands Board, in place of Mr D. Reid. In consequence of the late fall of rain the cricketing oval will not be fit for practice for some days. The Davenport Brothers are announced to appear at the Princess’s Theatre on the sth March. Mr Weldon, Commissioner of the Otago Police, has left for Wellington to confer with the Government in reference to police matters. Two thousand sheep have been drowned on the Henley estate on the Taieri plains. Large numbers of cattle and sheep were carried down the river. Balclutha, February 7. The town is flooded by back water three and four feet deep, and the river is still rising. There is great danger. Later. The river is falling. All danger is over. No mails from Dunedin for two days. As the ordinary road is undamaged, it is re> garded as great neglect, and there is a strong feeling that the Government should cause an inquiry and restore confidence. Bluff, February 8. Arrive—Wanaka, from Sounds, on Wednesday evening. She has sailed for Dunedin. {From a correspondent of the Press.') Wellington, February 7. The races are postponed till Friday. The weather seems likely to clear up. Guy Fawkes and Templeton are the favorites for the Cup.