NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1614, 23 April 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

fFEOM ODE OWN COEEE3PONDENT.] Auckland, April 23. The Bogus Telegram.

The “Star” has just issued the following extra: —“The pirates trapped red-handed! The bogus telegram ! Who promoted G. .M Reed? “Thou shalt uot steal.” Finding it impossible to shame the “ Herald ” from stealing our costly cable messages wo forwarded by the Zealandia to Sydu y to our Australian partners in procuring these messages the following bogus despatch, concocted in the_“ Star ” office :—“ It is understood that Sir Julius Vogel shortly retires from the Agent-Generalship to join a comme'cial firm, and that Mr G. M. Reed, recently arrived from the colony as Immigration Agent for Ireland, will administer the affairs of the London office until a permanent appointment is made by the New Zealand Government.” The tele gram was published in Australia with other special messages as a trap, and was, of course, pirated by tbe agents of the “ Herald.” It appears this morning in our contemporary under large headings as “ From our own Correspondent,” and in a leading article thereon the “ Herald” says—“ But this time the statement comes to us in such a way that we must give it credit,” It is needless to say ttiatthe statement is without more substantial foundation than the ingenuity of its author, and we can picture the astonishment of the Agent-General and Mr G. M. Reid when they hear it. Now, what of the repeated denials by the “Herald”? A full expose in to-night’s “ Star.” [PEE PRESS AGENCY.] Auckland, April 23. Three boys were charged to-day with absconding from the Industrial School. The Inspector of Police showed that one boy demoralised the home. This boy had repeatedly escaped, and been ordered to be whipped six times, but as the regulations required that the punishment should be witnessed by a member of committee, and none attended no punishment was inflicted. The Bench dismissed the cases, _ intimating that they would decline sentencing boys to punishment in future unless the committee would guarantee that it would bo carried out. _ The race between Hutton and Sphinnix for JSIOO aside is uot coming off. The backers have withdrawn. In the third billiard match between representatives of both North and Houth the game was closely contested. The North again won. Wellington, April 23. The Bogus Telegram. The “New Zealander,” referring to the retirement of Sir J. Vogel from the AeentGeneralship, says It will most probably be found expedient to convene an earlier meeting of the Assembly than is now proposed, for the position becomes fraught with grave responsibility. It is admitted that it is necessary to either raise at once a new loan in tbe London market or to obtain temporary advances on debentures in anticipation of a loan. It says the land fund baa fallen off, and will not yield the means to extend tbe railway system, which cannot be done until money becomes more plentiful in the colony. The “ New Zealander ” suggests that the services of Sir J. Vogel should be obtained in floating the new loan. The?Greymouth and Hokitika Railway. Tenders for the Groymouth and Hokitika Railway, beginning at tbe Greymouth end, have been approved and will shortly be accepted. There is a balance of .£15,000 of tbe vote taken last session still in band, and it is intended to spend that at the Hokitika end, and thereby connect tbe railway between Hokitika and Greymouth at each end. Public Works. The Minister for Public Works is said to have assured a gentleman that the tenders for all kinds of public works now being received are from 25 to 40 per cent, higher for the same work than they were last year. The “ New Zealand Times ” urges the advisableness of contracting a new loan for public works, and Las little doubt but that one will be proposed next session. The Sydney Exhibition. The Sydney International Exhibition com mlttee have resolved to ask the Sydney committee to send over photographs of the interior of the building. New Plymouth, April 23. The Native Crisis. Mr Sherwood, of Carlyle, who has just arrived by the mountain road, reports that a Maori has ordered the surveyors off the lands abutting on the eastern part of the mountain road, stating that the lands have not been paid for by the Government. Reports of this kind are creating considerable excitement here. Greymouth, April 23. Unemployed at Greymou'h. A Groymouth public meeting was held last night, to express disapproval of the price for work offered to the unemployed by the Government. Resolutions were carried to tlm effect that the prices by schedule were not sufficient to exist on. The Government and aHoffi ials concerned were condemned by per onalitles amusing to the mooting. The affair was a burlesque, and but few men of standing were present. OTAGO EDUCATION REPORT. [Duress .S|H*fisi3 Wire.] Dunedin, April 22. The Education Board’s annual report has been issued. It shows that the number of schools in operation at the end of the year was 134. In these there were 33 4 teachers employed. This shows an increase of 44teachers during the year. In 1878 the daily attendance at the Dunedin schools averaged 2912, and in all the schools ‘.'707, ) and at the close of the year the respective

totals were 3480 and 12,598. The figures for 187 S show a very great increase in the average attendance at the public schools of the district.

The report states that the Education Act is based on a system of free and compulsory education, but in (ho absence of an adequate supply of school buildings and teachers or of means providing them, the compulsory clauses are a dead letter; that the Board being charged primarily with the advancement _of the interests of education in this education district, it feels it would fail in its duty if it did not point out (he utter inadequacy of the funds at its disposal for carrying out the objects of the Act.