TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 20, 25 May 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

[BY ELECTEIC TELEGRAPH.] [PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.} Wellington, May 22. Tho Stewards of the Wellington Jockey Club, after discussing all tho facts connected with the disqualification of Fishhook, and Derritt, the rider, the Jockey Club resolved to endorse the action of the Oamaru Jockey ClubFishhook and Derritt aro therefore disqualified from taking part in the Wellington races. A private telegram received from Melbourne to-day, states that two large Melbourne firms purchased all they could of tke stocks of brandy in tho Melbourne market, and brandy hero has in conse* quence risen 2a per gallon. The Under Secretary for Public Works writes in reply to a communication from the Chairman of the Westland County Council, asking whether tho Government aro disposed to hand over to tho Westland County Council the Mikonui and other races in the County, if so, on what terms the Government will place at the Councils disposal, the unexpended balances of the sums voted by the Parliament. He states that the Government are prepared to hand over to the County the Waimea and Mikonui races on condition of the County to undertake all future liabilities in. respect to thoso water-races. Tho expenditure on the Wavmea water- race out of the Parliamentary vote up to April 30th, amounted to £18,000, and works authorised in connection therewith, and now being expended, will amount to about £22,000 more, leaving tho balance of £12,000 for works still to be undertaken. Tho Government proposo to continue to the charge of the works authorised, and plaeo the balance of £12,000 at the disposal of the County to carry on such water races in WeStland as- the Council may recom* mend and the Governor approve. Out of appropriation for the Mikonui there is an unexpended balance of £15,000, which will also be placed at the disposal of the County,, to ba expended solely upon that race The- oust of further works require to be provided by tho County. The Government propose to make payments on the certificates of the County Engineer, that the specific work mentioned has been performed, or if that is inconvenient to- imprest the Chairman of the County 1 Council with ft sum of a £1000 to beaccounted for whenever an. application is made for subsequent imprests. The schooner Omalia, Captain Barr, arrived this morning front the Chatham Islands, where she left on the 18th. She brings the captain, officers, and crew of the ship Ocean Mail. Ib appears from accounts given by tho officers of the Ocean Mail, that after passing Pencarrow Heads, on tho 16th,, the weather wa» very thick for several days; until tho morning of tho 2.lst, when, during tho second mate's watch, sail was shortened. About 4 a.m. the third mato called the captain, . saying that the ship was nearly ashore. Every endeavour was made to work her off, but without avail, and she struck on a bed of solid rock, known as French Eeef, between Mataukere and Tupeka Points. On the pumps being sounded five feet of water was found in the hold, and the boats were then got but and tho passengers landed, and stores and other things taken into tho bush, until the surf became too heasy. The reof is about half a mile from the shore. On tho following Monday a survey was held, and the wreck sold to Mr Eichie. A.n inquiry into the disaster was subsequently held at Mataukere, befor Mr Deighton, R.M., and the. collector of Customs, tlio result of which wos that the captain's certificate was suspended foe nine months, and the officers for six months. Two of the officers have boon committed for trial for perjury for stating tliat the log was overboard when the vessel struck ; both have been lodged in gaol. A private letter from the (jhathams says the weather was very dark when the vessel struck, and bad been so for several days, Mr Ritchie has recovered between four and five hundred bales of wool and about a hundred casks of tallow, which came ashore one night. The letter says it was fortunate the night smooth, or all honds would have been drowned. A tidal wavo was felt at the Chathams on tho 11th, but nothing like so severe as on a former occasion in 1868. GEinAMsTcrwtT, May 22. A private letter received bore from Snn Francisco says : They are having bad times of it there, owing to failure of the crops in the southern portion of the States and depreciation of stocks, by which 4 every second man has been ruined. He advises the people who aro making a living in New Zealand to remain. l