NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1515, 24 December 1878, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

[per press agency. J Wellington, December 24. Some months ago it appeal’s the Hon. J. Ballance caused a sample of Taranaki sand to be sent to Sir John Coode for experiment. It was by that person placed in the hands of C. W. Siemens, whom he says is believed to have a greater amount of practical and theoretical knowledge of the properties of iron ore than any one in England. Siemens gives his opinion of the sample sent to him, and says it was thought at one time the large percentage in the smd would improve the iron made from it, but it docs not, and has a disadvantage of producing a thick slag in the furnace, although it produces a good quality of iron or steel. In conclusion, he says “It will not pay to carry ore over to this country (England), but if coal can be obtained at moderate cost near the ore it would pay, under ordinary conditions of the iron trade, to smelt it in the colony.” The General Government holidays only consist of Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Mr Mackay, the manager of a branch of the Bank of New Zealand at the Upper Hutt, is about to be arrested on a charge of embezzlement of his accounts, which appears to show falsification and a deficiency of thirteen hundred pounds. Later. James Allan Mackie has been arrested at Upper Hutt this morning in the Bank. An urgent telegram having being sent in a few minutes a reply was received that he was arrested, The exact amount embezzled is <£l3lo. [from our own correspondents.] Dunedin, December 24, A testimonial to Cr. Fish will be presented on New Year’s Eve, it consists of a handsome claret jug and six goblets, all of solid silver, beautifully chased, weighing 155 ounces. An elderly woman, named Margaret Barrett alias Stepenson, was yesterday committed for trial for stealing a gold watch, chain, and appendages from a dwelling in Pitt street, Haugbton, the owner, valued the property at £SO.

Henry Lion Metz, arrested in Sydney on a warrant, was brought up at the Police Court this morning, charged with forging a bill for £93 12s. On application of the police, he was remanded until Monday next. A heavy thunderstorm is now on—2 p.m. There is every probability of its continuance over Christmas.