NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2458, 21 February 1882, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[FEB PBESI ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, February £O. The Bifie Match. Seven Thames representatives have arrived, and with one Auckland man leave by the Penguin for the Nelson rifle competition. The Auckland Victorians are endeavoring to arrange for three of their men to proceed. A Hard CaseThomas Henderson was arrested at Helensville. Judgment had been given for a debt of £67 contracted at Oamaru. He said that the case had been heard in his absence, and that he never received the summon. On the advice of his solicitor he deposited the amount owing to the plaintiff in the hanis of the police until his cue is heard before the Court. Ministerial. The Premier left for the Thames and tbs Attorney General for Waikato. Mr Brjc© joins them at Te Aroha. WELLINGTON, February 20. Shooting Contest. The first of a series of carbine matches between the Wellington Artillery and other Artillery Companies throughout the colony was fired this morning, the match being Nelson v Wellington, and the latter won by twenty-five points. Quarantined. The Wakatipu arrived from Sydney at on© o'clock this morning, and proceeded to the quarantine ground and was admitted to pratique at noon. Four pe-eeDgerc —two saloon and two steerage—were quarantined. Among them is Jim Mace of Melbourne, and a number of the Williamson opera company, which arrived by the Wakatipu en route fcr Dunedin. On the night of .the 15;h Bobeit Roper, a steerage passenger, disappeared and it is supposed that he fell overboard. WESTPOBT, February 20.

The s-s. Westport. The diver this morning discovered a hole eight inches in diameter in the bottom of the steamer Westport. Farther investigations ere being made as to the extent of the injuries received. DUNEDIN, February 20. The licensing CommitteeFor Dunedin Central Licensing dietriot— Messrs Gore, Leslie, Fish, Street, and Donaldson were elected. INVEBOABGILL, February 20. The Crops. The crops generally throughout the country fire very indifferent, the only exceptions being on the New Eiver and other alluvial late, or on some other much favored land. The weather for seasonable purposes has been everything that is bad, and the loss from shaking has been serious. New Drill Shed. It is likely the ereotion of one of the largest drill sheds or halla in the colony will shortly be commenced in InvercargilL Trout. Fifteen thousand young trout have been successfully placed by the Acclimatisation Sooiety in the streams of the Southland district during the past season. [PBOM THK COBBBSPONDBNT OF THE WELLINGTON, February 20. The Postmaster-General (Walter Johnston) returned to Wellington this afternoon from Castle Point. It is understood that bin sudden return is in connection with negotiations between the Government and the directors of the Wellington and Manacalu Bailway Company, in regard to which a hitch has occurred, as telegraphed by me last week. Major Atkinson, as I mentioned on Saturday would probably bo the case, has been unable to leave Wellington by the Ta Aran to-day for the South. It was thought he might get away to-night by tho Wtkatipu, but I understand that it is doubtful whether he oan even start by Wednesday's boat. It is rumored that further extensive reductions and amalgamations in tho Civil Ssrvioc are in contemplation chiefly in the Justice Department, which it is reported will, if possible, be retrenched to the extent of some £30,000 per annum. This U probably an exaggeration, but I have reaiicn to believe that the absorption of the Justice Department into the Colonial Secretary's Department is under tha serious consideration of Government. It will be remembered that formerly the two usud to be in one portfolio, and the Department of Justine wes merely termed the " judicial branch " oE th<> Oolomrl Secrotary'e Department. It is now believed that large economy c*n bo effected by consolidating both under ODe permanent head (aa well as Ministerial), and it is not unlikely that tho present Undor-SccrcH.-y for tho Colony (Mr G. 8. Cooper) will have the offer of this position. Iu that easo Mr Fountain, the present Secretary for Justice, would proI bably retire on a well-earned pension. , Nothing, however, is settled e.j jot, cud ysu i must not regard this information m gir*n en ' any official authority, although I fancy yo* ! will find it not far wrong. In any case, I do , not expect matters to be settled until Ministers , re-assemble in Wellington. i I hear that Mr Walter Johnston will leave ' Wellington again thiß week for the country ' after he has concluded the business on which ha has returned, and that the Premier, barring unforeseen delays, will ba back here by next Sunday's steamer.