NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1497, 3 December 1878, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

[PBE PHEBB AGENCY.] Waitaba, December 2. Rewi left here this morning for Waikato overland. Dr. Hector leaves in the Hannah Makakata to-night. He ■will endeavour to get up the Mokau river as far as its source, cross the watershed, and return by the Wanganui river to Wanganui. Taubanga, December 2. A preliminary investigation into the loss of the Taranaki was held this afternoon privately before Mr McKellar, Collector of Customs, and Mr Marks, Harbor Master. Neither the public nor the Press were admitted. The official inquiry will probably take place on Wednesday or Thursday, before Mr Brabant, E.M., and others. New Plymouth, December 2. The Hon. Mr Sheehan leaves here to-morrow morning for Wanganui and Wellington by way of the Coast. During the last twelve months upwards of .£20,000 has been spent in New Plymouth alone in new buildings which have been erected. Wellington, December 2. Sir Julius Vogel reports to the Government with regard to the steam service between England and the colony that Denny and Galbraith have made certain proposals, but their plans were not ready when the mail left. Messrs Green will also make an offer, and Anderson and Anderson, the founders of the Orient line, will also make proposals. One of the brothers Anderson is now in Melbourne, and it is thought very possible he will come over and consult with the Government at an eax-ly date on the subject. Referring to the proposed direct steam service with Great Britain the “ Chronicle ” says “ The Government have arranged the contracts for the conveyance of immigrants by sailing vessels in such a way that they can be determined at four months, should a steam line be adopted. On this point Mr Macandrew wrote to the Agent-General on April sth :' ‘ Looking at the whole circumstances of the case, the Government is prepared to accept the tender of the Albion Company from Glasgow to Otago and thatof the New Zea'and Shipping Company from other ports in the United Kingdom to New Zealand, provided the tenderers will consent to the contracts being determined in case arrangements can be made for a steam line for the conveyance of cmigrants,to New 1 Zealand; four months notice at least of such determination t y be given on behalf of the Government. The latest correspondence to hand shows that this plan was carried out, “and fcir Julius Vogel has been making efforts in every direct on to get a direct steam service established It appears by the latest letters received by the present mail from the Agent-General, dated l"th September, that he opened negotiations with Messrs Galbraith and Denny, of Glasgow, who are largely interested in the Albion Shipping Company. 'J hose gentlemen sketched out a preliminary plan tor carrying out a direct steam service, the main features of which arc—(l) That a sufficient number of steamers of from 4000 to 5000 tons each bo specially built for the serv ce; (2J That six voyages a year should be made; (3) That the Government should guarantee a certain number of immigrants to go by each vessel; and (4) That a sub-My should be pi id annually towards the service. The subsidy asked for was £00,600. Ministers expect to bo shortly in possession of full information as to the cost of a direct etearu service from home.

Dunedin, December 2. A. cake of g'ld weighing 54802. his been obtained from 308 tons stone, from the Cromwell Quartz Mining Company’s claim. Sir Julius Vogel, in acknowledging the receipt of a copy of the New Zealand Anthem, writes to Mr Woods, its composer : —“I think the idea is excellent of associating our colony in the minds of children being educated in this country with a pleasing melody they can never forget, and the remembrance of which will bring before them the Britain beyond the seas.” An inquest was held at Taieri to-day on the body of a man named John Scanned, found dead under mysterious circumstances. The result of the inquiry went to show that death was caused by exposure while under the influence of drink, and by asphyxia, caused by tightness of the shirt collar. [FEOiI THE COEEESPONDENTS OF THE PEESS.] Auckland, December 2. Mr Sheehan is expected in Auckland tomorrow. He visits Wangarei with the Premier. Mr Jack, General Manager of the National Insurance Company, during a visit to the United States, completed arrangements with the South British Company for the agents of the latter in California, Messrs Callingham and Co., to represent also the National there. The two companies now issue joint policies in California and the adjoining States, and the papers speak approvingly of the financial strength of the combined companies, and of the agents in San Francisco. An old man, David Buchanan, a waterman, was found dead from natural causes. News from ijamoa reports great scarcity of food at Tonga and Ellice groups, and considerable distress among the natives. Miss Coleman and Miss Mary Coleman received a handsome present upon retiring from the telegraph department. Mr and Mrs George Darrell took a farewell benefit to a crowded ho se, under the patronage of the Auckland Volunteers and Athletic Club. Mr and Mrs Hoskins commence a season at the Theatre Royal with the “ School for Scandal.” The “ Evening Telegraph,” belonging to Fisher, Chapman and Co., is receiving general support from business and other commercial firms here. The paper will probably be issued about December 10th. Wellington, December 2. Plans for the defence of various harbors in the colony have been prepared, but it is not considered advisable to make their details public at the present time. Before the plans are finally decided upon an officer of experience will be selected to report upon them. It is proposed to establish a Board of Conservators for the Hutt river. Timaeu, December 2. The Registrar’s returns for the last month show thirty-one births, twelve deaths, and seven marriages. The next criminal sitting of the Supreme Court will be held at Timaru on the 16th prox. There are about a dozen cases for trial. Heavy rain still continues, and is doing an immense amount of good. The schooner Saucy Kate, from Uyttelton, which arrived yesterday, reports picking up on Friday last, twenty-f ur miles outside the Peninsula, the fishing yacht Mistletoe, with two men aboard. The yacht had been blown off the land by a heavy gale some days before. The crew had been four days and nights without food or water, and had been constantly bailing all the time to keep the yacht aflo t. Great difficulty was experienced in rescuing them, owing to the heavy sea. The yacht sank almost immediately afterwards, and Capt. McKenzie, of the Saucy Kate, finding the two men were in a very weak condition, put into Akaroa, and landed them there. There has been a sudden stop in land speculation here during the lastfort night, and a number of properties, owing to the extravagant reserves put on them, failed to find purchasers. I FKOM A CORRESPONDENT.] Dunedin, December 2, A match was made to-night between Agent and Eversley to run two miles over hurdles at the Christchurch Autumn ’meeting, for <£soo aside —£2oo forfeit; 10 stone each.