NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2397, 8 December 1881, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[PUB PBESB ASSOCIATION.J AUCKLAND, December 7. The Natives and their King.

The returned WaikatOß from Purihaka have Bent a letter to Tawhaio, stating that they had arrived in the Waikato, should he wish to see them. It is not thought probable that Tawhaio will reply to the message, or take any notice of them at all. Tea Culture. The Acclimatisation Society have engaged the services of a practical tea grower, to make experiments as to whether the tea plant can be profitably grown in tho oolony. The Licensing Question. At the Onehunga Licensing Court, the ap plication of Samuel Stevenson for an hotel license at Mount Albert under the old Act was refused, the Bench deciding that the residents were entitled to have a voice in the matter under the new Licensing Act. Great publio interest was taken in the matter. GI9 BORNE, December 7. Gas Explosion.

An alarming explosion of gas took place at the Southern Oross Petroleum Company's works on Friday last. It appears that with careful working the rock was safely reached at 125 ft, and a very excellent show of oil continued in the bore. In the middle of the

night all hands were roueed by the violence of the outburst of gas, and after examination it wai found that beyond the scare nothing more serious had happened than the smashing of the seven- inoh oable used in the tube. Oil appeared in considerable quantities at ono hundred feet depth. WELLINGTON, December 7. The Gaming Act.

With regard to those whose names were taken at the Hutt raoeoourse as being engaged in sweepstakes, the whole of the evidence has been submitted by the Inspector of Police to the law officers of the Crown, who will advise whether the cases should be taken before the magistrate. Railway Extension.

The following tenders were received for the Vernon contract of the Picton-Hurunui railway :—O'Malley and Easted, Christchurob, £4270; J. Kellaher, Wellington, £4278 1 Davidson and Oonyers, Dunedin, £4385 ; H. Maskell, Christchuroh, £4455; Lyon and Shields, Wellington, £4609 j M. Eelleher, Wellington, £4617 ; P. Bcalley, Wellington, £4642; Mace and Baseett, Wellington, £4657; B. Maddook, Blenheim, £4967; J. Hypolite and Co., Blenheim, £5443 ; Scott and Brown, Wellington, £4571; J. MoLean, Nelson, £5819; J. Goodfellow, Wellington, £5869; G. A. Smith, Picton, £6574 ; A. Thompson, Blenheim, £7091. DUNEDIN, December 7. The Polling Day. The Mayor was asked by several city candidates to proclaim a holiday after 4 p.m. on the polling day, but replied that he had no> authority, and could only request employers to consider the matter favorably.