LAST NIGHT'S TELEGRAMS

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1563, 21 February 1879, Page 3

LAST NIGHT'S TELEGRAMS

AUSTRALIA. [BY SUBMARINE CABLE.] [HBDTBB’S TEIEGBAMB TO TUB PRESS AGENCY.] Sydney, February 20. Mr Roberta, the Mayor, gave a fancy dress ball last night, at which 2000 guests wore present. Brisbane, February 20. The Government have sent instruction ito the Agent-General to stop emigration from the Continent of Europe to Queensland, and reduce the number of British emigrants by one-third. The blacks continue troublesome. News has just been received of the murder of four Europeans on Burke River. NEW ZEALAND. [PER PRESS AGENCY,] Auckland, February 20. The following are the prize-takers in the first set of Rifles at the District firing Skinner, Ist, 64 ; Hay, 2nd, 64 ; A. B. Morrow, 3rd, 64; Captain White, 4th, 63 ; Lieutenant Kelly, sth, 62; Alderton. 6th, 60; Hill, 7th, 58 ; McDonald, Bth, 58; Allan, 9th, 58 ; {Stirling, 10th, 57 ; Fane, 11th, 57 ; Payne, 12th, 56. Wellington, February 20. Mr Macandrew has received a communication from the Agent-General to the effect that efforts, which are likely to be successful, are being made to float a company in London to work the Para-para iron works and manufacture rails for the New Zealand railways. Sir J. Vogel is taking a personal interest in the matter, Messrs Curtis and Shepherd were informed this morning by the Minister for Public Works that the ten mile section of the Foxhill railway will be pushed on as speedily as departmental circumstances allow, and that tenders for the work will be called for shortly. The vote would not be allowed to lapse. Mr Baird, C.E , goes to Nelson in the middle of March to report on the best practicable route to the West Coast, and a permanent engineer is to be appointed to superintend the line. The public line will be completed immediately Mr Baird reports. Westport, February 20. To-day, a hut belonging |to a miner named Peter Wilson, at Giles’ terrace, was smothered by a land slip. His wife and two children were inside at the time. The wife and one child were rescued. A daughter, five years of age, was smothered. Dunedin, February 20. There are 165 Chinese employed on the Tapanui railway contract. It is rumored that others are going to be put on. Two cottages in Howe street were destroyed by fire last night. One of them was occupied by Samuel Hawkins, commercial traveller, belonged to Mr Dudney, and was insured in the National for =62500. Hawkins’ furniture was insured in the Union for .£4OO, and he estimates his loss at .£10()0. The other cottage, occupied by Walter Scrivener, an accountant, was also insured, but to what extent could not be ascertained. Scrivener’s furniture was insured in the Standard for .£IOO. Most of the furniture was saved. The fire was caused by the bursting of a kerosene lamp used by Mr Hawkins.

[from our own correspondent.] Timaru, February 20. At tbo first meeting of the newly-elected Harbor Board to-day it was decided to refuse a request from the contractor for the steam crane to lay a siding from the main line of railway to the breakwater works, for the conveyance of the crane to the latter. Some surprise was expressed that the contractor had not long ago intimated to the Board that it was impossible to have the crane so made that it would turn round curves. It was stated, in reply to a member, that the sup of £55 had been exp nded by the Board as its share of cost of refreshments on the occasion of the opening of the railway. [Press Special Wire.] Grahamstown, February 20. Mr Peters, of Napier, rode through from Tauranga and Katikati to the Thames, arming to-day, and intimates his intention of putting a coach on as soon as the road is improved He says it will cost about £ISOO. A sum of £760 has been authorised out of the native vote for this work, and will be expended under the authority of the Thames County at once. If the Tauranga County will do the same thi g, this important work will be accomplished. Wellington, February 20. The “New Zealander” this morning suggests, as a preventive to any thing being made public of what occurs between the Governor and Ministers (excepting only such matters as Ministers may themselves think it desirable to make known), that Ministers should have the control of appointments on the Governor’s staff, so as to secure the services of gentlemen upon whose discretion, if not goodwill, they can absolutely rely. _ Owing to the refusal of the City Council to supply funds to the Wellington fire brigades sufficient to supply them with equipments, uniforms, and to pay the wages of the night watchman, it is feared they will break up. All the private property of the Wellington brigade is advertised for sale.

Mr Barton, M.H.R., intends leaving Wellington shortly fo' Honolulu. It is stated he intends re urning in time for the session. A novel fire dress has arrived for the Wellington Fire Brigade. It is something like a diver’s dress, and is designed to enable a man to enter a building filled with smoke. An important alteration in the mode of serving summonses has been suggested by Mr E. M. Mansfo/d, viz., that they should not necessarily be served pe sonally, but, as at Home, left at the house with any person. The matter will be brought before the Minister of J nstice. Dunedin, February 20. A statement has been prepared by the city treasurer, Mr T. M. Jamieson, by order of the finance committee, showing the present financial position of the Corporation. '1 his shows a balance at the credit of consolidated loan account in the Bank of New Zealand of £142,259 15s lid. The net available balances in the bank are as follows :—Municipal account, £37.060 19s 4d; water, .£28,903 14s 2d; gas, .£10,528. The balance of loans available for new was as follows: Municipal department, .£26,535; water, £129,770; gas, £17,163. A young man named George Slewart, late clerk in the National Bank of New Zealand, Balclutha, was committed for trialatthe ensuing sessions of the District court, Tokomairiro, on two charges of larceny os a bailee, viz., stealing two cheques of the value of £6 and £27, the property of William Henry Glen, Oamaru, South Molyneux.