TELEGRAPHIC.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1540, 25 January 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

CABLE^EWS. ENGLISH AMD POREIGff. SPECIAL TO"THE GLOBE. London, January 21. Tho railway Ithllic through Austria and Poland bus boc-n stopped for fear of the plague. NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS, [PEB PRESS AGENCY.J , . Wellington, January 25. The sittings of tho New Zealand Primitive Methodist Conference are concluded. A good deal of business was transacted affecting both tho internal and external working of the Church. The next conference will be held at Christchurch. A telegram from Gore, at ten last night, says that Mr Conyera continues gradually to improve. He is yet in a semi-conscious and rather wandering state of mind. He had his wounds dressed afresh this afternoon, .and consequently experienced more ease. He shows every prospect of passing a quiet night. He is attendod by Dr Macoaffcr, of Gore, and is receiving all possible attention. In the vital statistics for this month Wellington had not only, with one exception, the smallest death rate, but also by.far.the largest number of births, which weie more numerous than those in Danedin and Auckland combined, were nearly twice as many as these in Christchurch and Auckland combined, or in Danedin singly, and nearly equalled tho aggregate of all other New Zealand cities and towns combined, Dunedin omitted. The births in Wellington also exceeded the deaths in the proportion of more than 4tol, a most remarkable excess. Wellington also occupies a high position as to its freedom from zymotic disease, not a single case of typhoid fever, diptheria or scarlet fovor being recorded. The Hydaspes has been removed two cable lengths off shore, and there is now no doubt of getting her off. At the annual mooting of the Wellington Gas Company, a dividend at the rate of 15 per cent, for the year was recommended. A thousand pounds was recommended to be addcd_ to the reserve fund, and the balance to be carried forward- The main has been extended four and a half miles during the year, making seventeen miles now laid, Very considerable increase also has been made to the plant during the same period. Nelson, Janary 25. Mr Acton Adams, one of the candidates for the city, addressed a crowded meeting of electors last night. He made a bold and determined attack on Curtis's Education Bill, and spoke strongly in favour of secular education, and was loudly applauded. He argued that the State could not afford to weaken its educational power by subsidising denominational schools, by which means it would increase the number of educational establishments, and, in proportion, detract from their efficiency. He pointed out, as another evil of the denominational system, that it would remove the control of the teachers and schools from the State, which paid them, to the sectarians, who used them for their own purpses. He concluded by appealing to the Protestants to rally round the standard of national secular education, and resist the attempts of the Catholics to force npon them the system which they specially patronised. It is evident that this point will be the turning point of the election, and the contest will be very severe, if not bitter. Mr Adams snoke strongly on tho question of including Nelson in the railway system. He pointed out that the land opened up would pay for the construction of the line, which, in respect of gradients, would prove far more efficient for coal carrying purposes than a line over the ranges to Lyttelton. He expressed his determination of not ceasing in his endeavor to obtain this work of colonial importance until his object was attained. Mr Pitt, the other candidate, addresses his electors on Tuesday. [from our own correspondent.] Dunedin January 25. An Italian working man, named John Exerith, on the Tapanui railway, was drowned yesterday afternoon whilst bathing in the Pomabaka. His son was in the water at tho time, but could not save him. A telegram, 9.20 a.m., from Dr. Macaffer says that Mr Conyers passed a splendid night, and is progressing steadily. During Mr Conyers' illness Mr W. M. Hannay acts as Commissioner of Railways on this Island. It is expected that between thirty and forty Otago men will take part in Nelson firing. North Dunedin sends Richardson, Waugh, T. Hutchinson, Johnson, and Millar. Tho City Guards, Captain Wilson, Volunteer Smith, and Sergeant Webster.

Mr Stout lias given an opinion to school committees that, in elections, if the voting paper simply shows John Smith as candidate, he, is only entitled to one vote. If the voter desires to give him more votes, he should add the number after the candidate's name.