NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2196, 10 March 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[pub pbbbs association.] AUCKLAND, March 10. The Direct Steam Service, The English steamer Norfolk, loaded by Shaw, Saville and 00,, was to have left for Lyttelton and Wellingtonjon the 20th, being completely icebound in the docks, could not leave till the 23th. She carries 181 passengers, but the majority, and a large portion of the oargo, are for Sydney. She will be followed by the Durham, also loaded by Shaw, Savillo and Co., for Lyttelton. The Meropo leaves for Auckland en March 4th with Fitzgibbon Zouoh'i special settlers for WhaDgarei. WANGANUI, March 10. AquaticThe annual regatta was held yesterday, with beautiful weather. For the maiden race two boats competed, both belonging to local clnbs, and was won by the Wanganui Club. The BCullers' race was won by Batkin of Wellington. The Senior Fours (inrigged) wri won by the Foxton crew, boating the Wanganui Bowing Club. The Jnnior Fours (outriggers) was won by the Wanganui Club's Tiger Lily beating the other local club and the Foxton crew. The inrigged race for men under lOst was won by the Foxton crew, beating the Wanganui Union Crew. The Junior Fours,. Inrigged was won by the Wanganui Club's Rata, beating the Foxton crew and another local crew. The Ladies' Plate for the senior outriggers was the principal race of the day, and produced a splendid contest between the Wanganui Club's Matai, and the Foxton Club's Dolly Varden. The boats were level for nearly the whole way, until within fifty yards of the winning post, when the Foxton crew gave up, thoroughly pumped out, leaving the Wanganui men to finish easily. Both of the Wanganui Club's boats—Batswing and Outrigger—were built by George Oummings, local builder. WELLINGTON, March His Excellency's MovementsThe Governor, attended by the Premier, leaves Wellington at 4 o'clock by the Hinamoa. The official landing at Lyttelton takes place at ten o'clock to-morrow morning. AUCKLAND, Maroh 9. SuicideEmily Barnett, a lodger with Mrs Alexander, Wynyard street, poisoned herself with strychnine. Dr. Alexander, recently from the South, who was in the garden, heard her screams, and found her in convulsions. She got the poison out of his study. Accident' A young man named Tom Watson, on board the Hawea, was caught by the machinery, and his stomach was cut right across. Advance AucklandThe Harbor Board has instructed their secretary to seek information from all ports in Australia and New Zoaland where there are large graving docks as to the number of vessels of over 1200 tons burthen docked during the years 1878, distinguishing men-of-war, steamers, and ordinary merchant vessels. The Board also passed amotion requesting the ohairman, secretary and chief harbor master to visit vessels of ELM. service and other war ships upon arrival in port, with a view of offering any information or assistance required. CrimeThe criminal calendar of prisoners for trial at the Circuit Court is exceptionally large,, and comprise amongst others:—One case ot murder, one of arson, one of rape, one of stabbing, one of "cropping by Maori with tomahawk." Fire. Mr B. Byoroft's new flour and flax mills at Tuakau have been burned. The insurance is unknown. The loss is £6OO. WELLINGTON, March 9. Presbyterianism. The Presbyterian Assembly met again today. The reports of the committee on Bills and overtures and of the committee of business were handed in. A report on the widow and orphans' fund was presented, and a subcommittee appointed to take the subject into consideration, and report at a future sitting. The general trustees' report will also be submitted at the same sitting. At the evening sitting deputies from Otago and Southland were introduced by the Bev. McNicol, the ex-Moderator, and Bev. Mr Christie. Beferenoe was made to the subject of the union of the Synod of Otago and the the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. The Bev. Clarke spoke on the same subject, referring to the action taken in the appointment of a committee to act with the Assembly in consultation as to the possibility of the union being effected with benefit to both churohes. The various committees appointed for the Synod were directed to meet tomorrow morning, and a public meeting of members and supporters of the church will be held to-morrow evening. TIMARU, Maroh 9. The Property TaxDuring the past two days £1750 has been paid to the Property Tax Commissioners. This does not include the amounts paid at post-offloes. DUNEDIN, March 9. Native Products. Mr Eoyse, miller, writes to the "Star" against the project for establishing an oatmeal faotory in the colony for supplying the Home market. He shipped 100 tons home last year. Frozen MeatA meeting of those interested in the shipment of frozen meat and other produce to Great Britain, was held this afternoon. It was resolved to form a company for the purpose. StatisticalDuring February 207 persons arrived at the port of Dunedin. The departures for the same period numbered 227. [FBOM OTJB OWN COBBBBPONDBHX.] WELLINGTON, Maroh 9. Both the " New Zealand Times " and the " Evening Post" express approval of the appointment of Mr Walter Johnston to the Ministerial vacancy, as telegraphed by me last night. The new Minister was sworn in this afternoon at Government House, and formally installed in office. It is not yet decided how the portfolios will be redistributed, and I believe this will be left over until the return of Mr Hall from the South, for it appears practically settled that he will leave with the Governor to-morrow for Lyttelton. It is rumored that Mr Hall will relieve Mr Bolleston of the Justice Department, but I have no authentio information on the matter. Very satisfactory news is to hand regarding Paletere, which may be deemed practically settled, and all in favor of the colony, a valuable block of land in a meet favorable position having been secured in consideration of past advances. As various stories were in circulation as to compensation being paid by the Government on account of the Rimutaka accident, especially to persons not in pecuniary need of aid, a return has been prepared of the actual disbursements en acoount of the accident, and this shows that not one farthing of "compensation" has been paid to anybody. The only payments which have been made at all on isocount of the accident hive been somo of the doctors' bills, others deemed excessive being still hold over. The expenses of medicine, nursing for tho wounded, the coot of the funeral of the two Nioholas' children who were killed, and lastly a " oompassionate" allowance of £lO to a man named Crouch, who was severely wounded, and who pleaded that he had been consequently reduced to destitution. The San Francisco mail arrived just in timo to oatch the Hawea which lift with the Southern portion this evening. She goes round by Nelson and Picton, but is expected to go in and out of Nelson on Friday's early morning tide, and so reaoh Wellington that night. If so, the Southern mails will be sent on immediately, and forwarded, »3 last month, by tho ordinary afternoon train, Obristohuroh to Tiiui.ru, thenco by special to lavercargill.