LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 693, 17 December 1878, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[press agency.]

Westport, December 16. The Government works were commenced up the Buller River this morning. It is intended to cut a new channel almve Snag Falls to divert the main current from encroaching on the Orawaiti stop bank The work will engage 120 men for two months, and will absorb most of the available casual labor here. Christchurch, December 15. To-day was the 28th anniversary of the settlement of the Province in Canterbury. Glorious weather. The celebration com induced with a special service in the Ca.thedial to welcome the return of the Bishop Iran England. There was an address to the Bishop and a full choral s-rvic- ; also a grand banquet to the visiting members of the Volunteer Fire Brigades from Dunedin, Port Chalmers, Waimite, Moruington, Kaiapoi, Titnarn, Uangiora, and Lyttelton. The anniversary sports at Hagley Port were a great success, there bei..< 14,000 people on the giound. The t,,ir ot war against the visiting brigades won iu every instance by Cluislciuircb.

To-night there will be a torch light procession and grand pyrotechnic display. Invercargill, December 14. The murder case has finished. The Judge summed up exhaustively, and with extreme impartiality j his deliverance occupied two hours. The jury retired, and withinhalf-an-hour returned to Court with a verdict of guilty. The prisoners demeanour was impassable, and when asked if he had anything to say in defence mattered almost inarciculartely that he knew nothing about it. Me kept his eyes steadily fixed on the Judge, and did not display the slightest agitation when the sentence was passed. The Judge was much affected, his hands shook when he placed the fatal cap on his head, and with tremulous voice addressed the prisoner. He said he had had a long and fair trial, and was convicted by a jury of his own countrymen, and with that verdict he (the J udge) thoroughly concurred. He then sentenced him to death in the usual form. The verdict is regarded as righteous by everyone here. The Southland Times came out this morning double-royal, and has been permanently enlarged. A leader on the subject alluded to the necessity of enlargement through the progress of the town and district, and the hearty supports warded the paper since it cam£ in the company’s hands. Wellington, December 16. Captain Roberts, of the Herraione, reports that typhoid fever made its first appearance on the 16th nltimo, since which two deaths occurred, nine cases being still under treatment, two being somewhat critical. The Hermioue sailed from Loudon on the 30th August. The fever showed itself iu several members of a family named Goose, of whom three are now ill, and then spread to other passengers and crew, of whom two are now ill. It is supposed the passengers will be detained in quarantine for a mouth or five weeks. Auckland, December 14. Grey and Macandrew left to-day for Waugarei, visiting Hawaii anil Wwiwera en route, ami returning on Wednesday.

LATEST UNPUBLISHED.

Alexandra, December 17. A Native named H die |>r, a near relative of Ngatim.miapoto, was struck by lightning on Saturday las', while lidill!» between Oranni and Otiwa. He and his horse were killed instantaneously. Wellington, December 17. The Drapers and Clothiers Association are raisin'; and discussing the question of a half holiday during the week. It is expected that railway extension to Masterton will be completed in 18 months from the present time. Mr Farnall, an ex M.H.R., has received an appointment in the Annuities Office, Auckland. Mr Sheehan is expected to leave tor Auckland and the East Coast on Thursday next. The Maori arrested for having been in the bedroom of Mr Justice Gillies, at the Criterion Hotel, Napier, and sentenced to a month’s imprisonment for intrusion, has t»een released by the Minister of Justice. Mv Sheehan, Major Kemp, and other chiefs visit Waikato. Dr Hector has been up the Mokan river, about five miles, examining coal seams, which he reports to be tluee and live feet thick, and quite accessible. The coal is considered the best yet found in the North Island. Dr Hector is going through overland to Kuiti.