NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1540, 25 January 1879, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[Press Special Wire.] Ti.VARU, January 24. Tho date of tho Tiraaru race meeting has been altered to March 11th and 12th. WEr,T.TNC)TON, January 24.

The following gentlemen have been elected on tho Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute .-—Messrs K. Stout, Thos. Kirk, and Dr. W. Buller.

A Money Order and Savings Bank Office has been opened at Pokena, (Chief < >ffico at Auckland.) The election of Mr Jas. Stewart Shanks is gazetted. Mr W. H. Eyes has been appointed Registration and Returning Officer for tho election of members of the House of Representatives for the electoral district of Lytteltou vice Dr. Donald, resigned. The first meeting of the Board of Governors of Ashbnrton High School will be held at noon on the 29th January inst. The Hydrabad has been moved seawards another couple of lengths, and very little doubt is entertained that she will be hauled clear of the beach altogether to-night or to-morrow. The weather has been exceptionally fine, and has apparently set fair. A new wing is to bo added to the Lunatic Asylum, capable of accommodating thirty-six patients. Negotiations are in progress for the acquisition of a new site within a reasonable dii tanr*e of town, but a difficulty has arisen over the price, and another site will probably be selected.

A number of children had to be refused admission at the opening of the city schools yesterday. It is estimated that additional accommodation is required for fully 700. The following Commissioners are appointed to make arrangements for the representation of New Zealand at the Sydney Exhibition : Dr. Hector (chairman), the Mayor, Messrs William Hutcheson, Charles Lemon,! W. H. Levien, Daniel Mclntyre, P. A. Krall, and J. S. McDowell Thompson. After the removal of the old Hospital a small staff is to be kept in the present building, which will be converted into a place for emergency cases requiring instant attention. A meeting was held this afternoon, for the purpose of considering what should be done prior to the departure of the Marquis of Normanhy. The meeting was called by the Mayor at very short notice, and consequently the attendance was not numerous. The Mayor stated the object of asking a few gentlemen together and gave a 3 his opinion that the best way of showiug respect to the Governor was to present him with an address signed by as many citizens as possible. Mr Moorhouse moved that those present form themselves into a committee for the purpose of considering the best means of evincing respect towards His Excellency the Governor. The motion was carried, and the meeting adjourned till Monday. Most of those present consider that a more substantial demonstration than the mere presentation of an address should take place, and it i 3 probable a banquet will bo determined on.

Messrs Hiscocks and Hayman have made a liberal offer for a long term for the Theatre Koyal. The matter is under consideration. It is notified by Order in Council that in addition to the contents of the land tax district of Canterbury described in the former Order, the district shall comprise and inclnde all the islands nearest thereto which were not _bo included in the said Order in Council. Similar notifications appear in regard to Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, and Otago. The total Customs revenue for 1878 was £1,344,944. The total for 1877 was £1,213,479. The total value of gold exported from tho colonv for 1878, was £1,240,079. Auckland contributed £220,454; Picton, £1017; Nelson, £23.525 ; Westport, £b*o,7;iß ; Greymouth, £268,270 ; Hokitika, £243,052 ; Dunedin, £378,627; Invercargill, £43,770. The total value for £1877 was £1,496,080. Kumaka, January 24.

An inquest was held on the late fire to-day by the coroner. A verdict was returned that the Reefton Hotel waa wilfully and maliciously set on fire by some person or persons unknown. Dunedin, January 24.

The Cromwell Quartz Mining Company has obtained 73 lozs. of gold from 418 tons of stone. This was the result of three weeks' crushing. _ 'ihe Hon. Mr M..candrew was in the Minister's room to-day attending to public business.

Early this morning the grass in the vicinity of the Port Chalmers' cemetery was ignited through some sparks falling from the funnel of tho large engine attached to the early Christchurch train. The fire was promptly extinguished. The foundation stone of the Eoman Catholic Cathedral is to be laid on Sunday afternoon by Bishop Moran, assisted by Bishop Redwood and the clergy of the diocese, of whom there will be a large number present. Mr Denniston is about to commence legal proceedings against the "Evening Age," for an alleged libel uponjhim, which was headed, "An indignant attorney." At the Danedin School Committee to-night, letters were read from the head masters of two of tho Dunedin schools complaining that, owing to the crowded state of the schools, large numbers of children have to be refused admission.