NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1595, 31 March 1879, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[per press agency.] At7CKLANi>, March 20. The Education report for the last year shows 193 schools in operation, 30 being half-time schools, 6 receiving aid by itinerant teachers ; also 2 training classes for a girls' hirrh school. The number of teachers are males 127, females 58. The total number of pupils on the roll is :—Boys 5210, jjrls 4075 : over 1877, 1300. The Board had kept the expenditure within their income. Thirty-two new schools have been erected or are contracted for. At a meeting of the creditors of Captain Dennis Wright, half pay officer, a composition of 10s in the £ was accepted. Port Chalmers, March 20. Two black game have arrived in good order for the Acclimatisation Society. Intercarqill, March 30. Father Hennebery opened one of his missions to-day. Considerable dissatisfaction is expressed here at the decision of the Government, to make Lumsden the starting point of the Mareora railway instead of Dipton. It is said that tee flying survey made to determine which of the two routes was best was a farce it is loud'y ur k ed that the Mini-tec of Works is working in the interests of Dunedin in the matter. An immense number of app ioations to be placed on the electoral roll have been sent in. [from our own correspondent.] Dunedin, March 29. The inquest on the Saddle Hill fire has resulted in a verdict of incendiarism against persons unknown, with a rider suggesting further inquiries by the police. The evidence disclosed very suspicious circumstances. Birtles maintained his story of having been assaulted and threatened by a man whom he declared he recognised as John McMaster, a farm laborer, to whom he would not give credit. Inquiries instituted by the police have satisfied them that McMaster never left his house on the night in question. After survey the amount of Messrs Sargood's lojses by floods was reduced to a little over £SOO. Timaru, March 30. The train ran into a dray near Bruce's mill yesterday evening and smashed it. The driver of the dray narrowly escaped. As the up train to Albury was nearing Waitohi station yesterday afternoon, the driver observed a number of stones on the line, and was just able to stop the train in time, otherwise a serious accident would probably have happened. The stones are eupposed to have been placed on the lino by boys. [Press Special Wire.] AucitLANb, March 20. The Opera Company will produce "LaSonnambula " on Monday. Henry Crichraond, proprietor of the Nevada Hotel, on two charges of selling on Sunday, was fined £lO A deputation, consisting of representatives of different denominations in City v est, headed by Mr Firth, will wait ou Dr. Wallis. M H.R., on Monday, to exact a pledge of support to secular ed cation and opposition to any tendency to revivo the Denominational sys'em. If Dr. Wallis refuses such pledge he will probably bo asked by a majority of his constituents to resign. A t the Volunteer inspection last night Major Mrrrow brought under notice of Colonel Packe the f<vt that tin rifles issued to the Infantry Company in 4 uckland are not Government tested rifles, mid therefore inferior, preventing Auckland Volunteers accepting or issuing chal-

engcs to Southern Volunteers, and causing many good shots to resign. Major Morrow stated that the Government have in stote in Wellington 2000 stand of arms of a superior description, and corps recently formed are armed with while the old established corps are n°gl cted Complaints werj also made by the Naval Brigade of the bhort supply of carbines. Colonel Hacke said a supply of cari>;nc3 had been ordered from England The athletic sports in aid of the Kaitangat?, Belief fe'und were largely attended. The Kaitangata Oip was won by Goodfellow. Wel.i.inoton, M&rch 20.

His Fxcellency accepted an invitation to a ball to be given in his honor shortly after Easter.

The nominations for immigrants by this mail from Wellington number 205. Ihe Government have promised to a Wairarapa deputation all th • as.-istanee in their power for the formation of a Waiohine Hiver Board. Mr : rawford, late R.M., left en roulc for England. A cabman is being prosecuted for carrying a corpse in his vehicle, as an offence again; t the city by-law. The two lowest tenderers for the GreymouthHokitika Railway contract not having taken up the contract, the Government are calling for fresh tenders. Complaints from ship captains are frequent of the ease with which seamen desert in the port, and the want of some preventive means such as water police. In one night ten men deserted from the Warwick, taking their effects with them. The next night three more followed in the same way. It is said that criuiping is carried on to some extent. It is the intention of the Government to put a further quantity of the Thorndon reclaimed land into t e market at an date. Mr Charles Bright gives a three-night sories of lecturer here before leaving for Sydney. A "Gazette" supplement issued to-day notifies that the Hon Henry Stuart Lyttelton has been appointed private secretary to his Fxcellency, and Captain Kdward Beaueharop St John, 35tli Regiment, his Excellency's aide-de-camp. A full dress levee will be held at Government House on the 3rd April. The following land has been taken for Government works at Timaru :—All the area in the provincial district of < 'anterbury situated on the beach at Timaru, being part of reserve No. 384 (iu red), being also part ot the land vested in the Timaru Harbor Board by the Timaru Hi.rbor Board Endowment Act, 1878. Oamaru, March 29. A man named Mathew McLure was arrested to-night, charged with attempting to shoot a man at the Royal Hotel. Mci.ure was aecnstd of having robbed him of j 625 in the hotel, when he hecame very violent, iie was ultimately ordered of the hotel, when he threatened to shoot tre man he had been accused of robbing. The police were sent for, and when they arrived McLure bolted, taking the precaution to throw away his revolver. He was captured after an exciting race, and taken back. The revolver was picked wp and found to be loaded, he will be brought up at the Magistrate's Court on Monday morning.