NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1912, 10 April 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBESS ASSOCIATION.! AUCKLAND, April 10. Mortality among' FishToo mortality among fish along the coast is increasing. The theory that it is attributable to an eruption in Wiiite Island is doubted, because the dead fish are found at too great a distance from the island. VolunteeringThe Thames Volunteers will be asked to attend the Birthday Review. The Mormon EldersA copy of the '• Salt Lake Tribune” received here, strongly denounces the Mormon Riders who visited New Zealand. It says one is an expelled mason, the next an atheist, and the last a fraud. NEW PLYMOUTH, April 10. The Stratford Hawera Railroad. A deputation waited upon the Minister for Public Works this morning in reference to the

construction of the railway from Stratford (0 Hawera. Mr Hulke urged that it was a very desirable work, and should be pushed forward as rapidly as possible, as part of the road was almost impassable during the winter months. The Hon, Mr Oliver stated that the Government would complete the work with all expedition, and intimated that the delay which had occurred already was solely due to the fact that the settlors of the district had a dispute as to the direction of the line, and it was only in consequence of his recent visit to Hawera that the Government would be enabled to come to a decision upon the matter, and the work would consequently bo undertaken immediately. WELLINGTON, April 10. The San Francisco MaiI-

The Secretary of the Post-office has supplied the following particulars relative to the delay of the San Francisco mail. The mail from the United Kingdom left New York on the 9th March, but owing to a heavy fall of snow along the railroad the train did not reach San Francisco until 3 p.m. oa the 17th. A further delay took place owing to a fire which broke out on the City of Sydney on the evening of the 14th, amongst the cargo for Honolulu, stored in the forehold. The origin of the fire oonld not be ascertained, though the matter was thoroughly investigated. The portion of the mail, consisting of 109 bags, which was on board the steamer at the time of the fire, was not in any way damaged. The damage to the steamer was repaired with all possible speed, ond she was ready for sea on the morning of the 20th, and left San Francisco at 12 30 p.m. She arrived at Honolulu at 6.30 a.m. on the 27th, and left the same day at 11.40, finally arriving at Auckland at 3.30 p.m. yesterday, after a very fast passage, occupying nineteen days fifteen hours. The Southern mails leave Manakau by the steamer Taiaroa on Sunday. She comes to Wellington via New Plymouth, connecting with the Rotomahana, which leaves for the South on Monday. The Maori Prisoners. Mr Travers renewed his application yesterday for a writ of Habeas corpus to bring up from Dunedin one of the Native prisoners. Hia Honor granted a rule nisi. It is understood that the whole of the legal questions relative to the confiscated lands will be raised and arranged on this rule. The Melbourne Exhibition. At a meeting yesterday of the Melbourne Exhibition Commissioners, Dr Hector was appointed Executive Commissioner. It was resolved that the local committees which acted last year be asked to act again for the coming exhibition, which will be opened on October 18th. The Fire BrigadeAt the meeting of the City Council last night re the the recent resolutions passed by the brigades, it was resolved to go on paying the brigades as usual until the committee come to a decision. Waimate PlainsMr Parris, the Chief Surveyor, has roughly defined the Native reserves on the Waimate Plains. The chiefs, when told by Mr Parris, made no comment, and were vary friendly. So far things are working satisfactorily. It is reported the Government are going to employ the local Native police, who have interests on the plains, to assist as guides in cutting the bush road from Stratford to Opunake. If true, this will lead to complications. The majority do not desire to interfere with" the European working parties, but are determined to shoot down any Maori owners of the disputed laud employed by Government. All Natives were warned of this last year. OAMARU, April 10. EarthquakeTwo tolerably heavy shocks of earthquake were felt this morning.

DUNEDIN, April 10. Civil Service Commission.

The Civil Service Commission closed its sittings here to-day. Mr Caldwell Logan (Inspector of Telegraphs), Mr Floyd (Inspector of Eailway Telegraphs), and Commissioner Weldon were examined.

EarthquakeA short but sharp shock of earthquake was felt all over the Otago stations at 9.43 Direction, N.N.W. to S.S.E. DUNEDIN, April 10. Charge of Infanticide.

At the inquiry rc the death of an infant at Balclutha, the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder, and the police yesterday arrested Isabella Hamilton at Tokomairiro.

MiningThe Cromwell Company have lodged a cake of 194 ounces from 230 tons. AUCKLAND, April 9. Gold ShipmentThe Bank of New Zealand shipped by the mail steamer for Sydney 61,219 ounces of gold, valued at £250,000. BLENHEIM, April 9, Mining News. The latest news from the Upper Wairau goldfields is that a party of three, after washing up four days’ stuff, obtained a yield of five ounces. The flood did no damage to the diggings. HOKITIKA, April 9. The Albion. The very heavy weather that has set in prevented the Albion from being tendered, and she has proceeded on her voyage to Nelson, returning here on Sunday. The Christchurch CoachThe Christchurch coach, due here on Wednesday last, has not arrived, being stuck up at the Taipo, through floods in the river. DUNEDIN, April 9. Racing. Nominations for the handicap to be run at the Queen’s Biithday races closes at 8 o’clock to-morrow evening. Divorce CaseThe divorce case Herbert Ferguson v. Jane Ferguson, and John Prendiville,co-respondent, is down for hearing on Monday. Educational Statistics. The quarterly attendance returns which have been compiled by the Otago Education Board, show that the number of children on the roll at the beginning of the quarter was 16,020, and at the end of the quarter 18,834, consisting of 9638 boys and 9196 girls. The average attendance for the quarter was 7972 boys and 7500 girls, making a total of 15,472, which is an increase of 835 over the previous quarter, and 1633 over the corresponding quarter last year. Thera was an increased attendance in nearly all the schools in the district, but in and around Dunedin it was most noticeable.