NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2408, 23 December 1881, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBB PUBES ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, December 22Customs Said for Penalties. Twelve informations have been laid by the Collector of Customs against publicans and storekeepers in the city and suburbs for breaches of the Boer Duty Act. These prosecutions are the result of seizures of unstamped beer and cigars made last Saturday. Bicycle Club. A bicycle club has been formed, with Mr J. E. Macdonald, R.M., president. Sixteen members wore enrolled. The Compulsory Clause. At Onehunga, several prosecutions were instituted under the compulsory clausa of the Education Act and the offenders fined. New Local Steamer. At the trial trip of the new ferry steamer Victoria to-day she averaged over the twelve miles an hoar guaranteed by Mr Bayley her builder. University Examinations. At the New Zealand University matriculation examination fourteen students presented themselves. There were great complaints of the difficulty of the Latin prefix. HAWERA, December 22, Land Sales. At the Land Court to-day, sixty-nine applications were received for fourteen deferred payment sections. Prices averaged from £2 10a to £4 10s per acre, the upset prices being from 35s to £2 ss. The bush land is rather heavily timbered, but all the land offered sa . the newly surveyed block, including some 7000 acres of bush land, was sold at good prices, from the upset price of 30i per acre at the lowest, up to £3 Is per acre, the average being about 10a per acre above the upset price all round. Suburban sections near Mania averaged about £lO per acre for nearly , 100 acres. A few sections of bush land in the Ngairie block, about 500 acres in all, whiek had been passed at the previous sale, were sold at the upset price. The sale was very successful on the whole, and the bidding brisk. PUNGAREHU, December 22. - The Weather. The weather for the last few days has been too wet for anything to be done. The telegraph line is finished through to Parihafca, and operating has begun. WANGANUI, December 22. ; Effects of the Fresh. The crane punt, which was carried out, ta sea by the fresh in the river to-day, was found ashore at Kaitoke. The machinery was wrenched off the punt by the action of the sea. The punt lies on the shore stove.in and the crane is out in the surf. If it is not raised during the next few days it will be irrecoverable, as it will bo embedded in sand. It will be a serious loss to the Harbour Board. WELLINGTON, December 22, The Late Explosion. An inquest will be held on the body of Mrs Anthony to-morrow morning. The Nor’-Wester. A heavy N.W. wind is still blowing. Judicial.

The preliminary rules under the Election Petitions Act, 18S0, which are required to bo sanctioned by three Judges of the Supreme Court, will appear in this evening’* “ Gazette,” and a copy of them will be posted to night by the Clerk of Writs to each returning oHirer. GKEYMOUTH, December 22. Gold for Shipment. The amount oi gold to bo shipped from this port by the Alhambra when she arrives on Saturday is 701 ounces. TIMARU, December 22. The American Wool Duty. At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to-day the following resolution waa passed—- “ That this Chamber felly endorses the action being taken by the various New Zealand Chambers in the matter of representation to the American Congress, urging the great importance of the duty being removed from wool imported to America, and the Chamber is further of opinion that the matter of representation should be left in the hands of Sir Henry Patkes.” The annual export of wool from this district is about 16,000 bales, one half being long wool and one halt merino. DUNEDIN, December 23. Fire Brigade ConferenceThe following fire brigades have intimated their intention of sending delegates to the Association Conference, to bo held at Timartr in February .-—Ashburton, two ; Christchurch, three; Invercargill, twoKaiapoi, one; Lyttelton, on a j Napier, one; Naseby, one ; Rangiora, one; Spit (Napier), two; Waim&te, one. The Late Judge. The Hen. J. Chapman, formerly Judge, ha* been seriously ill during the week, but is now re thor better. Narrow Escape. Yesterday aftercaon near Port Ohalmer* a boy fell out of a bout into deep water. Anengine was passing at the time- along the railway line and the-engine driver, named Rraoebridge, stopped her and swam off to the boy and rescued hita. Tfeom; the own ooeeespondkkt op the p'gppp.. * * | WELLINGTON, December 22. An important communication is expected by the Government from the Agent-General by next mail in reference to a direct steam service between Now Zealand and Great Britain. Since the cession instructions have been sent to Sir F. Bell to make all possible enquiries us to the practicability of unoh service at a moderate cost, and the best terms on which this could be obtained. Sir F. Sell i» directed to transmit a full detailed report at the earliest opportunity, and this is understood to be nav on its way out. | The Hon. J. Hall probably gees South by j to-morrow’s etoemer for the Christmas and I New Year's holidays