NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1570, 1 March 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

| PER PRESS AGENCY.] Wellington, February 28. The Government have received advices of 1400 immigrants being afloat for New Zealand. In view of the increased demand for laboring men, the Government are discussing the advisability of cabling Home for the immediate ship* ment of 2000 agricultural laborers. Nelson, February 28. The Northern representatives arrived per Taiaroa this morning. They were met by the Volunteer officers in uniform and members of the reception committee, and were driven to town in a coach and fonr, A large number of visitors are arriving. The Patea, which arrived this morning, reports the loss of the chief officer, who fell overboard about twenty miles north of Eapiti. The ship was brought to, but it was too rough to lower boats. A life-buoy was thrown to deceased by Captain Gibbons, but it is supposed Mr Chant was struck by the propeller. Deceased, who was the son of an old settler at Motueka, near here, leaves a widow and three children. Reei ton, February 28. News has just arrived from Boatman's Creek that Mrs Sibree has succeeded in finding the spot where Costello's body was buried by the murderer, and to-morrow the police start to dig for the remains. The ground having been repeatedly flooded dmnng the last seven yean, and heavy deposits of silt left thereon grave deubts are entertained of the search being successful. Detective Browne and Inspector Feast proceed to the locality. [from our own correspondent.] Tima.ru, February 28. The chairman of the late public meeting held at Temuka re inland railway, has received a telegram from tin Minister of Public Works stating that the survey of. the Temuka section will be proceeded with at once. [Press Special Wire.] Auckland, Fsbrnary 28. It is stated that the alternative tenders called for the Kaipara railway have resulted in the inland route, which the Publio Works Department has opposed, being several thousand pounds cheaper than the coastal route, for which the Government ordered an iron bridge. The" Star " sa y ß —lf a tender for the inland route is not accepted, leaving the Government to settle accounts at leisure with those who have led them into blunders, Ministers will undertake a new burden of responsibility and unpopularity on account of this line. They should be fully con* vinced by this time that the coastal line is without a friend except one or two speculators interested in the land. Tho whole mass of bona fide -ettlers from the Whau to Northern Wairoa, including the mill owners, who will send the chief freight, are favorable to the construction of the line by th route that best tends to develop the resources of the country, and make the railway payable. Reports from the country give f urther seoounts of bush fires, and narrow escapes to settlers and cattle. Mr InphV house on the Tav>h>awas totally destroyed by fire, and fifty acres of standing bush adjoining. A settler named Vipohd had his house encircled by fire, his haystackd destroyed, Ac. He returned from Mahurangi just ia time to save his house. Anothor fire destroyed 40,000 ft. of tinber at Nicholson's The public meeting convened by the Mayor appointed a committee to collect subscriptions for the Kaitangata colliery sufferers. An old woman named McGuinness, while nnder the influence of liquor, fell from her doorstep to-night and sustained serious injuries, her left arm being broken. Three doctors were applied to, but refused to go' to her assistance'. Finally she was carried to the Hospital." The Stewarts are drawing crowded houses nightly. At the second annual meeting of the Auckland Scriptural Gift Association to-night, Mr J. C. Firth in the chair, the report showed that the agent had visited seventy-six schools, and awarded 1519 prizes. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. McCarrick and Mason. Napibr, February 28. Sinking Fund has accepted for the Hawke's Bay Cup. , Ihe funeral of the deceased Karaitiana Taka* moana was postponed till to-morrow, in consequence of the illness of Tareha. A large Bum* ber of Natives from Wairarapa and the several districts of Hawke's Bay, arrived at Pakowhai yesterday, about 300 having assembled to do the last honor to their respected chief. A large brick mausoleum bus been built close to Whare Puni, at Pakowhai, to recaive Karaitiana's remains. The funeral will taka place between two and three to-morrow afternoon. The principal chiefs waited upon' Tareha this morning to receive instructions as te their proceeding when Tareha stated that in consequence of his health preventing him from speaking publicly, be should not add-ess the Natives on that occasion, but hoped to do so on the arrival of the Uriwcras, who were expected on the 4th of March, and trusted the Wairarapa Maoris would estend their visit till that date.

Wanganui. February 28. Six electors having petitioned for an enquiry into tVe validity of the recent election to the Harbor Bonrd of Mews Pharazyn and Bain, on the ground that tin place of electbn had not had not been fixed within the county boundary, the inquiry was held yesterday before Mr Hardcastle, R M,. who this morning in a lengthy judgment declared the election void. Wellington, February 28 At a meeting of the creditors of A. M Smith this afternoon, an arrangement whs proposed which, if carried into afftct, will remove the estate out of the bankruptcy court. No decision was arrived at, and the meeting adjourned fo.- a fortnight 'J he Rev. Mr Tneli3 finished a successful lecturing season here last night by a lecture on Temperance, Hon. Mr Stout pre iding. He goes South, per Rotorua, to mo row afternoon, and will give his opening lecture at Christchurch ou Monday evening. The mail steamer Zoalandia, with the January colonial mails, arrived at San Francisco on the 26th inst., a day in advance of due date. At the annual meeting of the " New Zealand Times " Company, this afternoon, a resolution was carried giving the directors power to sell the plant and paper, upon the understanding that, if not sold within six months, a general meeting of shareholders will be called to decide what steps shall bo taken. The Customs revenue for the port of Wellington for the month ending to-day was .£21,906, against £15,145 in February, 1878. Sixty-three births, fifty-three deaths, and twenty-six marriages occurred during this month.

Tho Government hope to open tho Wairarapa railway to Greytown in eight months. It is stated now that Mr Luckie's salary is to be £3OO. It ia reported that Another Cabinet difficulty has arisen ia the appointment of Speaker of the Legisl tive Council. It i 3 said that Sir Oeorgo Grey wishes the appointment of Sir W. Fitzherbert, and his colleagues that of Major Richmond. The Freemasons of Wellington are raiding funds in aid of the sufferers by the KaitaDgata disaster.

Dr. Hector goes south to-morrow, and will probably give evidence at the Kaitangata inquest i also Mr Cox, assistant geologist, as to the condition of the mine at the last inspection.

A list, consisting of 245 names of nominated immigrants, will be sent homo by the mail tomorrow.

Mr Sheehan left for the north to-day. Oamaku, February 28.

Tho meeting called by the Mayor took place to-night, to form a committee to raise subscriptions in this district towards the Kaitangata relief fund. An influential committee was appointed to canvass the town. Invercargill, February 28.

A meeting, at which the Mayor presided, was held this evening at the Town Hall to take steps to raise subscriptions for the Kaitangata relief fund A committee was formed to canvaßS the town

A meeting was held to-day to consider the expediency of forming a company to prosecute whaling from the Bluff. A commi tee was appointed to obtain data and report at a meeting te be called by public advertisement. Messrs Murray, Da'gleish, and Co. have employed a competent miner to raise a hundred tons of coal from the Night-caps measures, and Bend it into town for test by domestic consumption.