LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 596, 26 August 1878, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[press agency.]

Christchurch, August 24. At a meeting of the Harbor Board, yesterday, Mr Harman called attention to the loss of interest which would be entailed upon the Board if the Government persisted in the system of having that portion of the wharfage dues which is paid through the Railway Department forwarded to Wellington and then returned to Lyttelton ; and an opionion was expressed by the Harbor Board that it was absolutely necessary to have a Resident Magistrate at Lyttelton.

A painful case of destitution took place at Ashburton, where an old man 64 years of age lay without food among the flax on the river bed for thiee days. He was di-covered by a sergeant of police in the last stage of inanition. A largely attended meeting Was held at Lincoln yesterday ; the action of the Government in re the grain duty was condemned, and the following resolution carried—“ That the president be requested to represent to the Government the injustice of the propsal to abolish the pi’otective duty on grain while retaining the protective duty on t’mb'T and the ad valorem of ten per cent, on corn bags, also that it be pointed out that the grain producers of this Colony have to pay the highest wages of any agricultural country, while the freight for grain to the Home market is also higher than that of anv other in the Australian Colony.” The missing man and child have turned up ; they had gone to Wellington, and have been sent back by the police in the s.s. Arawata. Wellington, August 24. A steam tramway was favorably oi>ened to-day by his Excellency the Marquis of Normanby. The compan} r having issued a great many invitations three engines and five large carriages were placed on the line. The Governor and suite, with the members of the Legislative occupied the carriage of honor. All the others were tilled by the citizens and their wives. The trip from the Government House to the tramway station was most successful, though nearly all the cabs in the city were continually driving with speed on both sides of the tramway carriages. About two hundred ladies and gentlemen sat down to a champagne luncheon. His Excellency in reply to the toast to his health, expressed his surprise at the rapid progress Wellington had made during the last four years, and complimented it upon being the firm city in the Australian colonies to venture upon the experiment of a steam tramway. Kennedy Macdonald in returning thanks on behalf of the directors, said the line, engines and carriages, with other expenses, had cost the company .£40,000, and before they put Wellington in complete tramway communication, they would have io spend another £60,000, and also expressed the deep obligation of the company to the Bank of New Zealand for the very favorable pecuuiajy assistance which had been rendered. The bay being very tine the streets along the line were crowded with people, and the whole affair was considered a great success. EARTHQUAKES. Port Chalmers, August 24. Two severe shocks of earthquake were experienced at 2.45 p.m., each of a minute’s duration. It travelled west to east. Back buildings shook, furniture vibrated, and some people rushed out of their houses in alarm. Lawrence, August 25. A shock of earthquake was very distinctly felt here yesterday at 2.50 p.m. Bluff, August 24. Two smart shocks of earthquake were experienced at 2.40 p.m., of a minute’s duration. They shook the houses violently. Riverton, August 24. A .violent shock of earthquake occurred here at 2.45 p.m. ; direction, south-easi by north-west; duration, 12 or 14 secs. Windows rattled and houses rocked. LATEST UNPUBLISHED. Dunedin, August 24. John G. Greeson was drowm-d at Dunedin Jetty yesterday, while attempting. when in a state of intoxication, to cross to the vessel to which he belonged. Arrangements are to be made for holding a grand Annual Musical competition at Dunedin.

Thanksgiving services for the preservation of peace were held in all the Dunedin Anglican churches yesterday.