NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1592, 27 March 1879, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[PER PRESS AGENCY.] Hokitika, March 26. Mr Blair, the engineer, arrived from Christchurch by coach this morning. The Westland public bodies will meet him at the County Council Chambers, at eight o’clock, rc the West Coast Railway route. Forty applications have already been made for a free passage hence to Wellington per Stella. Bishop Redwood arrived from Nelson, per Murray, this morning, [prom our own correspondent.] Timaru, March 26. The steam crane started active work to-day, and laid three blocks. It will be under tbs charge of Mr Mcllroy, one of Mr Anderson’s ■engineers, for a time. The man who was scalded at the Washdyke Meat Works yesterday is still in a precarious condition. He fell head foremost into a vat of boiling water some two ffeet deep, and was hauled out by two companions. The result of the County Council meeting yesterday was, that the five remaining members resolved, by three votes to two, to bring the Act into iperation. The Attorney-General has, however, been telegraphed to to si Ate whether the fact of two members resigning makes three a majority of the whole Council, as required by the Act to adopt it. Public feeling in general has been raised to a pitch of extraordinary excitement anent the matter The whole proceedings were a disgrace to a 1 public body, each member trying to outwit the others. Messrs Ostler and Macintosh 1 a action in resigning is generally applauded. while Mr Acton is held responsible for the whole of the job. He promised his electors to vote against the Act, but before the Council met yesterday he expressed his intention of voting for it. This led to his colleague (Mr Macintosh) resigning. Mr Acton then turned round and threw the whole blame on Mr Macintosh, and voted ifndor protest against the Act, It is thought if the last-named meaber had remained he would have voted for the Act, in direct opposition to the wishes of his constiThe Council has succeeded in making Geraldine County an object of utter ridicule. The Rangitata fiver is showing signs of breaking through on the south side of the road bridge. Hitherto all damage has been done on the north side. [Press Special Wire.] Auckland, March 26. Mrs Churton, aged seventy eight, widow of the first appointed minister of St. Paul’s, died yesterday. The schooner Mar on to-day conveyed two hundred empty casks to the Taupo, to be used in floating her. The Sissy takes chains and spars, which, with a number of '’asks on the spot, and the cargo per Marion, will make sufficient to lift 500 toni, and the two schooners will raise W 0 more each. I»t the Supreme Court to-day, in the case Murdoch, of the Bank of New Zealand, v May and others. Judge Gillies dissolved the injunction to restrain defendants from pr ceeding with certain works adjoining plaintiffs’ property, on the ground that ample provision was made to prevent injury. Byers, the actor, who' was missing since Sunday, has turned up, having lost his way in Abe bush. Colonel Packe is inspecting the various Volunteer companies in Auckland district this week. So far he has txpressed himself pleased with their appearance and movements. Palmerston North, March 26. Richter, Nanneshed and Co.’s sawmill was burned down last night. It was insured—the plant and stock for .£201)0, namely, .£O9O in the South British, about A IGO in the North British, and the balance in the New Zealand. That amount does not cover the loss, *.i he mill was a large one, and a good number of men were employed. Several improvements were in course of introduction to increase the working machinery. Taupo, March 26. A large meeting is now being held at which a great many representatives of different tribes will be present. The object of the gathering is the opening up of land nd making ro id ■ rn the southern side of Lake Taupo. Mr Mitchell is attending on behalf of the Government, and MiGrace, of Wanganui, on behalf of the laud speculators. Wellington, March 26. It is stated that Ihaia Tainui, of Greymouth, a Native of high rank, will probably be the ■only candidate for the seat vacated by ! aiaroa. The “ Chronicle” says tb’t two persons bold ing high rank in the New Zealand Militia, and Ju ti -es of the Peace, have been fomenting discontent amongst the Natives in Waikato, and inciting opposition to the Government, and that a forcible remonstrance will probably be addressed to them by the Government. The Governor, not having arrived at 8 p.m., is not expected before to-morrow. It is stated that the Government have agreed, subject to ratification by Parliament, to carry out the agreements made by the original lessees of the Murimotu block. The title will have to be reheard by the Native Lands Court. The proposed sale of sixteen thousand acres of the Waimate Plains has been cabled to Australia to be advertised in the principal journals there. Dr J. P. Thomley, who cam > out in charge of the immigrants by the Hudson, has been appointed Medical Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum at Auckland. A movement, is on foot to form a football club, to play under the Victorian rules Mr Stanbury, representative of a San Francisco skip owner, has come here to claim the barquo Courier, which was sold by Captain Stan wood to the promoters of the late New Guinea expedition, who have her now employed trading. He says Stanwood had no right to sell her. Banks, the cook of the Loch Fergus, died this afternoon from the blow of a handspike received from an apprentice on board last Sunday. Mr Everess, a master at Mount Cook school, is charged with violent and unmanly conduct to the Misses McGowan, female teachers at that school. The local committee, after enquiry, considered the charges substantiated, and recommended the immediate removal of Everess, whose admissions showed that his violence and infirmity of temper quite unfitted him to deal with subordinates. Ross, March 3, Mr Gisborne, the member for Totara, addressed his constituents, explaining his views. He said he wished to see the franchise extended, and the system of local self government amended, so as to give it greater scope and flexibility. He also spoke strongly in favor of the re-adjustment of taxation. A unanimous vote of confidence in him was passed. Grf.ymouth, March 26. Great dissatisfaction is expressed here at so many workmen being knocked off the harbor works, which will now only employ about thirty men. a deput tion from the workmen waited on the local authorities asking them to consider their case. The men have families, have acquired small properties, and do not care to leave the district The attempt to depopulate the Coast by offering free passages to other parts is greatly co demned by workmen and business people alike. The sudden discharging of so_ many workmen is considered ns having to do with the Government offer of free passages. The Insurance Companies presented a donation of jGS to the brigade for its excellent work at the late fire. Dunedin, March 26. There is extreme pressure of work on the Otago railways, and it is said that double the number of engines now employed are urgently required to overtake the work. In the Police Court to-day two young lads were charged with having placed an obstruction on the Port Chalmers railway line. As it appeared that they acted without any felonious intent, they were discharged.

Invercargill, March 26. A sa 0 of Govermmnt land was held to-day by Mr Osborne, and included sections at Mataura, Gore, East Winton, Menzies ferry, Athol, Lowther, Longhush, Invercargill hnmired, and Pint’s Bush. The competition was spirited, and excellent prices were realised, much above the upset price in every case excepting two. atvery section was sold. In the R.M. Court to-day Patrick Kenny was committed on a charge of assault with intent near Oreti. A boy named Lock Reynolds was also committed on a charge of stealing a letter containing a cheque from the mail bag, whilst carrying the mail between Invercargill and Riverton. He is only fourteen years of age. At the meeting of the committee of the Kaitangata relief fund this evening, lists amounting in the aggregate to ,£350 were submitted. Several others have yet to come in. It is decided to canvass for subscriptions in aid of the Volunteer demonstration at faster. A valedictory tea meeting was held to-night, including members of all the Protestant denominations, on the occasion of Mr McNicol, of the Wesleyan Church, leaving the district to take up the ministry at Taranaki.