NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1865, 14 February 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[pee press association-.] DUNEDIN, February 14. Racing. At the Mount Ida races Raven won the District Handicap, and Sailor Boy the Club’s Handicap. Suspected Loss of a Whaleboat CrewThe master of the schooner Awaruareports to the Collector of Customs that he fears that the whaleboat’s crew of eight men, which went out sealing in July last, and have not since been heard of, must have been drowned. The Awarua returned to the islands immediately to make a complete search.

The Seal-killing CaseThe recent prosecution against Captain Drew, of the schooner Onward, for catching seals in the close season, has fallen through, owing to Mr Watt committing the defendant for trial instead of enforcing the penalties under the later interpretation of the Act. Mr Oliver and the Chamber of Commerce-

The Chamber of Commerce has deputationised Mr Oliver on the subjects relating to railway management. It was urged that all unnecessary stoppages between Dunedin and Invercargill should be at oided; that the present discriminatory goods tariff should be replaced by a simple one giving uniformity and charging by weight wherever possible; that batter accommodation and refreshment rooms should be provided, and it represented that, whilst Mr Armstrong was in charge of the locomotive department, he was earnest in his endeavor to utilise colonial coals, .but his efforts were obstructed by his subordinates. Mr Oliver replied that until the railway receipts greatly improved the recently adopted reforms would be continued, but he was hopeful that passenger trains only stopping at all stations would replace mixed trains on the main lines. He was arranging with the Commissioner to curtail stoppages as much as possible, and to modify the goods traffic, where practicable. Where goods of more than one class are sent down to the train by one person at the same time they would all be charged as belonging to the highest class. The Government would endeavor to provide better station accommodation and would see that the use of colonial coal on the lines was not obstructed. He would be glad when Chambers of Commerce acted as a medium between the Government and the public, suggesting improvement of details in railway management. As to the West Coast service being called for omitting Dunedin, he was ignorant of the matter, which was in the province of the Postmaster-General, whose attention would be directed to the matter. AUCKLAND. February 14. Fire.

At five o’clock this morning one of the chimneys of a large detached wooden building situated near PhUlips’ Foresters’ Arms Hotel, Albert street, caught fire. It was, however, speedily tut out by two servant girls by closing the dampers. At eight o’clock the fire was observed breaking out through a corner of the upper story, and an alarm was given. The brigade promptly arrived, but before the fire was extinguished the building was completely gutted. It was used as a kitchen and diningroom by the landlord of the hotel, and the servant girls slept there. Messrs Martin and Watson are the lessees, and Mr Sadgerow is the owner. The insurance is unknown, but the landlord had no policy. The building, later accounts state, was insured in the national for £2OO. Accident Insurance Co-

The New Zealand Accident Insurance Company have commenced business. Shares are at a premium. The Board of Directors accepted one hundred and fifty proposals for large sums at the last meeting. A Happy Release. The single people were landed from quarantine to-day; the married will be on Monday or Tuesday. Mr Sheehan. Mr Sheehan has gone to Eatikati to visit Rewi. Sudden Death. A gum digger named Robert Reid has died suddenly. WELLINGTON, February 14. The Wellington Morning Papers. The shareholders of the “ Times ” have confirmed the resolution of the directors for selling the paper to Mr Ohantrey Harris. The amalgamation takes place early next week. Pedestrianism.

Young Scott, the pedestrian, will essay to walk seven miles in the hour to-night. HAWERA, February 14. Ihe Crisis Explained-

It appears that the wire which was reported yesterday to be cut was snapped in consequence of the wheel of a dray coming in contact with the telegraph post.

AUCKLAND, February 13.

The Schooner Sophia

The three-masted schooner Sophia, from Oamaru to Brisbane, which put in here leaky, having struck on a rock, has bean taken into dock for examination. Part of her keel had been carried away, and on the port bilge a small portion of the rock was found sticking in. She will require a large portion of new keel and some fresh planking and coppering. CommittalStephen Hughes, charged with attempted rape, was committed for trial, bail being allowed, himself in £4OO, and two sureties each of £2OO. Criminal Assault. A girl, aged twelve, was criminally assaulted by a young man who was riding along at a lonely place. From the description given by the girl the Police arrested a young man named Michael Brien, a stock driver. He was brought up and remanded. The Harvest. Threshing is turning out very poorly, and it is estimated that the yield wiU not average above twenty-five bushels. NEW PLYMOUTH, February 13. Armed Constabulary. The detachment of Armed Constabulary which arrived yesterday from Wellington left this morning by the 7 o’clock train for the Whitecliffs. The Harbour BoardThe Harbor Board met this afternoon to consider some correspondence received from Mr Bees, the Engineer who was sent home to consult Sir John Goode. Mr Bees states that Sir John Coode had adopted the modifications suggested, and has prepared a concrete section. He stated that he had also received tenders for plant to the amount of £IB,OOO, which the Board gave him authority to accept. The Reason Why.

It was stated in town to-day by a party who was on the plains yesterday, and saw the Natives digging potatoes, that they wore complaining of the man at the camp stealing the potatoes, and that was why they were digging them up before they were ripe.

WELLINGTON, February 13. NZ. Rifle Association Meeting 1 . Suren member* of the Naval Brigade have? entered for the prize firing at Nelson. Th Union Steam Stripping Company will carry member* of the New Zealand Rifle Association from the various port* to Nelson and back at single fares. The cup given by the Company has arrived here and is being now engraved. The medals are being struck off and will be ready for presentation at the meeting at Nelson. The ribbon, which is the reverse to that attached to the New Zealand, war medal, has been made by Mr Greenshield of Auckland. The secretary reports that entries are eoming in fairly. Stealing a Cash. Box-

J. P. Davis, charged with stealing a cash box from the house of Wm. Clydesdale, was sentenced to sir months’ imprisonment. “Gazette” Notices-

A list of judges of Assessment Courts under the Rating Act 1876, appears in the “ Gazette.”

The list of officiating miniaters for 1860 is published in the “ Gazette.” Louis Fredk. Clayton, Leonard Rose Jaggar, Alfred James Renner, and Ohas. Dnrbridge have been dismissed from the Telegraph Department. James Lowrie, harbor master and pilot at Kaipara, has been dismissed from the public service. AppointmentsThe following appointments have been made—H. Hail, Deputy-Registrar of Court of Appeal, Wellington ; W. E. Gudgeon to be Resident Magistrate at Poverty Bay, with jurisdiction up to £2O ; Hudson Williamson to be Deputy-Sheriff for district of Auckland;. W. Scanlan to be Assistant-Draughtsman in the Survey Department. The following Volunteer appointment has been made—Volunteer Aristide Fastier to be Sub-lieutenant Waikari R : fl-«.

OAMARU, February 13,

The Lincolnshire Delegates.

The Lincolnshire farmers’ delegates arrived in Oamaru this evening, and will make a tour of the district to-morrow.

The Totalizator.

The privilege of using the totalisator at the coming race meeting has been granted to Lyons and Hart, for the sum of £2O. DUNEDIN, February 13. Accident.

J. Eeid and A. Muir, laborers on the railway works near Hindoo, were injured seriously yesterday by blasting powder. They had inserted a charge of powder into somerock, but the charge not going off they endeavored to withdraw it, and whilst so engaged, it exploded. Both men had their right arms fractured, were injured on the face, and greatly scorched about the head. They were forwarded to the hospital at Dunedin by rail this afternoon.

[PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLING! ON, February 13. Civil Service Examination. The following Canterbury candidates passed 1 the Civil Service examination held in December : —George Lawrenson, Thomas Meldrum Marr, Wm. Alexander Day, Percy Gudgeon Withers, William John Wratt, Edward Hy. Kane, Charles Samuel Haines.